Windows 7: Check a product key for use

Luckystar · 31 Mar 2010

Hey peeps,

Bought 7 Ultimate the other day from ebay for my mums new pc, i recieved a genuine disk but the seller sent me the product key by email, is there anyway of checking to see if the key has already been used. Don't want to find i been conned out of £50.

Thanks guys.

Lucky

richc46 · 31 Mar 2010

Call your activation cetner and ask.

Microsoft Volume Licensing - Activation Centers

Luckystar · 31 Mar 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by richc46

Call your activation cetner and ask.

Microsoft Volume Licensing - Activation Centers

Thanks Richc46, I shall give them a call in a bit.

As a slight update, just downloaded Windows7 PID KEY CHECKER v.1.0.1 and it says its from MSDN.

I have added a screenie.

Thanks again

Luckystar · 31 Mar 2010

Sorry, there it is.

richc46 · 31 Mar 2010

You are very wise. Keys are used and resold many times. Money is hard to come by these days. If you are fortunate enough to have spare cash to buy an OS, you dont want to waste it. I would only trust MS for verification.

You will be calling the validation center. They will ask for your key, do not give at that point. Just hold on until a rep comes on.

matt_0978 · 31 Mar 2010

MSDN/Technet is a subscription service and those keys should only be used whilst the subscription is alive, moreover you can only use it to activate your PCs for evaluation purpose only, and only if you are the Technet Subscriber. I'm sorry to say but I think you got screwed over

You could always try claiming your £50 back under ebay buyer protection.

source of answer
Selling Product Key from MSDN/Technet and or without COA

richc46 · 31 Mar 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by matt_0978

MSDN/Technet is a subscription service and those keys should only be used whilst the subscription is alive, moreover you can only use it to activate your PCs for evaluation purpose only, and only if you are the Technet Subscriber. I'm sorry to say but I think you got screwed over

You could always try claiming your £50 back under ebay buyer protection.

source of answer
Selling Product Key from MSDN/Technet and or without COA

You are probably right, but I really hope not.

tw33k · 31 Mar 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by matt_0978

MSDN/Technet is a subscription service and those keys should only be used whilst the subscription is alive, moreover you can only use it to activate your PCs for evaluation purpose only, and only if you are the Technet Subscriber. I'm sorry to say but I think you got screwed over

You could always try claiming your £50 back under ebay buyer protection.

source of answer
Selling Product Key from MSDN/Technet and or without COA

The only problem I found with your response was you saying that a product from Technet can only be used if the subscription is active. This is not true. See second post here and this for confirmation that you may continue using software after your subscription expires.

richc46 · 31 Mar 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Luckystar

Hey peeps,

Bought 7 Ultimate the other day from ebay for my mums new pc, i recieved a genuine disk but the seller sent me the product key by email, is there anyway of checking to see if the key has already been used. Don't want to find i been conned out of £50.

Thanks guys.

Lucky

You are getting a lot of responses, but to be certain call MS.

Luckystar · 31 Mar 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by matt_0978

MSDN/Technet is a subscription service and those keys should only be used whilst the subscription is alive, moreover you can only use it to activate your PCs for evaluation purpose only, and only if you are the Technet Subscriber. I'm sorry to say but I think you got screwed over

You could always try claiming your £50 back under ebay buyer protection.

source of answer
Selling Product Key from MSDN/Technet and or without COA

Well, i just read through the thread above and it said they can only be used for MSDN software. This was all i needed.

I have just asked the seller for a full refund, if he don't, then i will be taking this to Ebay and then Microsoft.

To sell a used key is one thing, but to sell one that is going to be no good. Thats below the belt.

Thanks guys, looks like i will now have to buy another key from M$ now,

Let this be a lesson to anyone trying to buy 7 cheap on Ebay, it will most definatly be too good to be true.

Windows 7: Check a product key for use

Check a product key for use problems?