Windows 7: Black screen windows not genuine help please!

addy88 · 08 Oct 2010

Hi All

This is my first time on this forum have never needed to use it before but I have a problem I can't resolve

This morning when I logged in I got a black screen and this on the bottom right hand corner

Quote:

"windows 7 build 7600 this copy of windows is not genuine"

I'm able to boot in safe mode and I checked the system properties to see if my copy was activated but it just says not available.

This copy I have is genuine any help would be great

Thank you

Orbital Shark · 08 Oct 2010

Hi addy88, welcome to the forums

Where did you purchase your copy of Windows 7? The behaviour/message you're seeing appears if there has been tampering/changing of the Activation files used to identify Windows. This is commonplace if downloaded from various Torrent sources.

Please read This article describing an update from Windows Update which resolves tampered activation files.

Quote:

There is an update available to the activation and validation components in Windows Activation Technologies for Windows 7.

Windows Activation Technologies helps you confirm that the copy of Windows 7 that is running on your computer is genuine. Additionally, Windows Activation Technologies helps protect against the risks of counterfeit software. Windows Activation Technologies in Windows 7 consists of activation and validation components that contain anti-piracy features.

Activation is an anti-piracy technology that verifies the product key for the copy of Windows 7 that is running on your computer. The product key is a 25-character code that is located on the Certificate of Authenticity label or on the proof of license label. These labels are included with each genuine copy of Windows. A genuine product key can only be used on the number of computers that are specified in a software license.

Validation is an online process that enables you to verify that the copy of Windows 7 that is running on your computer is activated correctly and is genuine.

OS

addy88 · 08 Oct 2010

I got the copy free from MSDN and its been working fine for just under a year

I had a look at the the link you provided and have downloaded the files but i'm unable to run them in safe mode

What should i try now? and if you need me to provide me more information I will try my best to provide

Thanks

Orbital Shark · 08 Oct 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by addy88

I got the copy free from MSDN and its been working fine for just under a year

I had a look at the the link you provided and have downloaded the files but i'm unable to run them in safe mode

What should i try now? and if you need me to provide me more information I will try my best to provide

Thanks

Am I right to presume that you are a paid MSDN subscriber? That's the good news

The update has been available for a while now and would have installed normally if you have Automatic Updates configured correctly the last time you successfully logged in.

When you first installed Windows 7 did you have to enter a product code or was it pre-activated? The reason I ask is that those that are presumably pre-activated have had their original activation technologies altered to bypass genuine activation requirements. It's because of this that the

I would personally get into contact with Microsoft if it indeed a genuine copy as it appears it could be defective in some way.

Note

To see if the update in indeed installed click Start -> Control Panel -> Programs -> View Installed Updates

OS

addy88 · 08 Oct 2010

When I installed I entered the product key and I got it free through MSDN through my university which im sill at.

I checked the recently installed updates the last one was on the 3rd of this month

Quote:

Security Update for Microsoft Windows (KB2416471)

and I had a look for the update in the link you provided and I don't have it installed.

Thanks for all the help so far

zigzag3143 · 08 Oct 2010

This may sound strange but is the system clock accurate?

LiquidSnak · 08 Oct 2010

Dang. I was just about to ask that. Mine was off by a year for some reason, and it confused the crap out of me for a good week why Windows wouldn't activate.

Orbital Shark · 08 Oct 2010

Ok then, I think we now need to rule out possible virus infection.

I will need you to boot normally and as soon as you see the taskbar, right-click it and select 'Task Manager'

Note

You need to do this quickly as if you do have a virus it won't be long before it neutralizes Task Manaer

Orbital Shark · 08 Oct 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by zigzag3143

This may sound strange but is the system clock accurate?

Good thought Ken

addy88 · 08 Oct 2010

The system clock is fine showing the correct date and time

Windows 7: Black screen windows not genuine help please!

Black screen windows not genuine help please! problems?