Windows 7: even the store bought sealed windows 7's are not genuine?

going thru hell here...........the windows 7 enterprise that was installed by the retailer on my HD is now apparently not genuine. I thought it had activated when i hooked the computer up to the web, have not had any issues for over three months now....yet the other day i get the black screen, and the popup message "windows not genuine" every hour this was a from a sealed win 7 ultimate case! are the counterfits getting that good that they are duplicating the black packaging and printed disc labels? how the hell does one get REAL windows 7! anyone had issues with best Buy ripping them off this way?

If you went to a legit dealer and have a sealed pack. I think that you are ok.

MS has started a new validiation procedue, still has some bugs. Activate by phone, if the key does not work a rep will come on. Explain it to him

Activate Windows 7 by Phone

Is it "Enterprise" or "Ultimate"? Their is a difference and you mentioned both in your original post. Did you get a COA sticker with the product code on it?

As Richc46 said, the validation procedure has bugs. I use Microsoft Technet downloads and even they have been branded 'not genuine' on occasion. Usually after a few attempts or a reboot it works OK.
On a couple of occasions it suddenly became 'not genuine' after I'd done the monthly 'Microsoft Tuesday' updates. This has happened to me in both Vista Ultimate SP2 and Windows 7 Ultimate.

I'm using currently a Windows 7 X64 from technet. Windows 7 X64 Enterprise version.

Didn't have any activation problems at all --

I've also installed Windows 7 X86 and Windows 7 X64 Professional from technet also with no activation problems.

Just try re-booting or doing a Windows 7 Upgrade from your initial installation using the same install ISO. That sometimes fixes the "Not Genuine" validation error.

Another solution is to Change the Product key -- and then input the key you got from technet.

Sometimes you actually NEED to do this -- I think with Enterprise office 2007 you had to re-set the product key --can't remember but it did the trick.

Cheers
jimbo

if you want something done right, do it yourself.............. a quote i have heard and over and one that i stand by. The one time i let someone else install something for me, i get burned. just gonna drop the coin (MORE COIN) and buy Windows 7 ultimate from another store. best buy has crooks working for them. >

Might you give this a try before you buy a new key.
Genuine Microsoft Software

I think the root cause is in the original statement - Windows 7 Enterprise from a retailer. Considering Enterprise is volume only, if this really is an Enterprise install, it is 99.9999999% likely to be illegitimate. VL versions of Windows 7, including Enterprise, are *not* for resale. If you got it with a PC other than from your IT department at work or school (etc), that copy is not genuine. Specifically, Windows 7 Enterprise does *not* come in any sort of packaging for retail, so if you have a Windows 7 Enterprise "box", you can be sure it's fake. It might be a good fake, but it's still fake. Also, the Windows 7 Enterprise trial is 90 days, so that sort of goes with what you are seeing - at 90 days, it starts telling you it's no longer genuine, and at some point in the future it'll stop working entirely.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/e.../cc442495.aspx
Again, if you have a Windows 7 Enterprise "box" and an install that was purchased from a retailer, you were duped.

Cluberti has it exactly right. Enterprise is not available for retail sale or use.

In order to sell you an installed Windows 7 copy which is legit, there has to be a COA sticker on the machine. There couldn't really be a retail OEM copy of Enterprise since as stated it is used by Universities and other large institutions for volume licensing of many copies of Windows. It can never be sold retail.

If your receipt or other sales literature verifies that the machine was sold with this phony retail Windows 7 version on it then you have proof of theft. I would visit the store with a witness and politely ask them what they intend to do about it. Act as though you are embarassed on their behalf and dont' want to hurt their reputation, just get a legit retail version installed. If they offer to give you a retail copy, I would take it since we can most likely help you install it better than thieves would.

If they won't cooperate then file a theft complaint with the local police. If they are too busy to deal with it go to your local prosecuting attorney. If you need MS's help to verfy any of this to authorities or further pursue the merchant, call or email their Customer Service.

Thats what I was thinking, thats why I asked if it was Enterprise or Ultimate, and if he got a COA sticker with it.