Windows 7: Don't know what to do about this situation

Hi,
My computer (xp) just quit last week. We took it to a shop here in town (there aren't any others and this is a new one). Well, the guy said it was the motherboard. Gonna fix that. Then he tells us the new motherboard won't fit in our tower, some sort of strange configuration or something. So he puts on a new cover or tower case on (I hope my original inside parts). This cover is older, beaten up a bit and has a large gaming sticker on one side. Oh, well. But then he said he couldn't get my xp to work without some sort of code. So he installed Windows 7. My files were still there, but in a different place in my computer. Everything is working ok, I guess. But now Windows 7 wants activation and I don't have a key. Did he put in an illegal or un-genuine copy of 7 on my computer? Should I buy Windows 7, and try a re-install? I found my XP recovery disk, should I uninstall 7 and try to re-install XP? Or just give up and buy a new computer when I can? This is about 5 or so years old so its about time anyway. And since the Windows 7 software is just a little under the price of a new desktop it makes sense. What would you do? Confront the repair shop? They seemed a little shady but once they had my computer in another room for three days, I couldn't do much about it at the time. Thanks, Carol

How easily are you aggravated? How much money do you have invested at the repair shop?

If not easily aggravated, I'd ask the repair shop about the Windows 7 key. They certainly should give you one. But it may be an illegal copy.

Did you look inside the case to see if you still have your original parts??

If the shop simply refuses to help you, you are in for more aggravation. If it's a relatively small amount of money, I'd ask once for help. If I was rebuffed I would move on. I would not deal with the aggravation. Unless you are prepared to escalate the case legally, you may be out of luck.

Well, thankfully it was only $75. My husband and I were about to do as you suggested. I don't even know what my original inside parts were.....maybe next time, one of the super stores and their repair guys would be better. Bad part is we were going to go the other direction about 10 miles when my son spotted their sign. Should have known better. I can ask for the key, but only once. If I get no where, I'll let God deal with it if it is a shady deal. I don't need the aggravation. We were looking at all the major computer stores for Windows 7 and there are so many in Ft. Worth. And different types of 7. Upgrades, etc. I'd hate to spend all that money on a Windows 7 and it not work. So maybe I will just cut this one loose when it dies in 24 days. (can't activate it anyway, so what can I do with it or the parts?)

All you need is Windows 7 Home Premium retail upgrade version. You can put that on any PC you buy. You don't need the "full" version.


If you buy a PC with Windows already on it, try to make sure it is Home Premium.

The best deal out there now is Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade version Family 3 pack for $119 on Amazon. That's three licenses that can migrate for life for less than the price of one.

If you buy Windows 7 and it's the same version, just insert the Product Key at Computer>Properties activation link.

If it refuses the key, do the quick registry edit given here to activate Upgrade version which has been installed to a wiped or clean HD: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

If you have a different version which is more expensive to buy a key, you can clean reinstall with your new Home Premium DVD folllowing these steps (which apply) to get a perfect install: Reinstalling Windows 7

There is also a workaround to change versions of Windows 7 to your licensed version if you need it.

Thanks, we will try that.