New HDD "Windows not Genuine"


  1. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate
       #1

    New HDD "Windows not Genuine"


    I had a dying hard drive (C) , so I added a new second drive (D), installed Win 7 on it, and transferred data from C to D. I then pulled C and plugged D in where C was before. After repairing the MBR everything worked fine for a few weeks until I received a "This copy of Windows is not genuine" message. The Win 7 on D is the same original Win 7 that had been functional on C for nine months.

    Should I simply re-enter the product key, or should I change the drive letter of this drive from D to C first, or is there something else that I may need to do?

    Thanks,

    Bob

    Update:

    The solution was easy. Here's what I did wrong, and finally right.

    1. Wrong - When I initially received the black desktop screen and "Windows not genuine" message I went to the System panel and clicked "Change product key" which gave me the ability to re-enter the original product key. When I did that, it came back with a "Windows Not Genuine" message.
    2. Right - Above the Change Product Key line was another line to Activate. I clicked on that link and saw a Windows Not Genuine message with a link to follow to resolve the problem. This took me to a link to Install the Windows Validation Tool. After I did that and let it validate, the warnings went away. I still had the black desktop, but that was a simple fix by re-installing the desktop wallpaper.

    This line now shows "Windows is Activated."
    Last edited by nedinc; 03 Sep 2010 at 12:32. Reason: Solved
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Ultimate
       #2

    nedinc said:
    I had a dying hard drive (C) , so I added a new second drive (D), installed Win 7 on it, and transferred data from C to D. I then pulled C and plugged D in where C was before. After repairing the MBR everything worked fine for a few weeks until I received a "This copy of Windows is not genuine" message.

    Should I simply re-enter the product key, or should I change the drive letter of this drive from D to C first, or is there something else that I may need to do?

    Thanks,

    Bob
    hmmm really?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5,056
    Windows 7 x64 pro/ Windows 7 x86 Pro/ XP SP3 x86
       #3

    What kind of win7 do you have? Is it a retail/upgrade/system builder version bought from a store or an OEM version that came preactivated on your machine?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,797
    Windows 7 Ulti. x64
       #4

    nedinc said:
    I had a dying hard drive (C) , so I added a new second drive (D), installed Win 7 on it, and transferred data from C to D. I then pulled C and plugged D in where C was before. After repairing the MBR everything worked fine for a few weeks until I received a "This copy of Windows is not genuine" message. The Win 7 on D is the same original Win 7 that had been functional on C for nine months.

    Should I simply re-enter the product key, or should I change the drive letter of this drive from D to C first, or is there something else that I may need to do?

    Thanks,

    Bob
    Welcome to SevenForums nedinc
    Your win 7 install should be C drive. Maybe a repair install would fix that. Have you searched our tutorial section? Good luck to you with this problem.
    Windows 7 - Tutorial Index
    Repair Install
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7,466
    Windows 10 Home Premium 64bit sp1
       #5

    I dont think changing the drive letter will help in ths case you might need to do a win7 repair so it can correct the directory to the drive

    if all else fails call ms and make them correct it from there home office ussually that stops the message when you install the same copy of windows on a new machine ms always questions why theere are two if the same os on two different machines persay

    basicly sounds like ms put a block on your seriel thinking you have misused it
    call them up -- follow there steps and it should be released and it will update

    pretty simple but im sure ms has done this as i many times had to call them when i clean installed vista several times

    it is a pain in the ass but im sure that is the solution let us know if it works
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 2,963
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
       #6

    It might be as simple as having to Activate Windows 7 by Phone
      My Computer


 

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