Windows 7: Not geniune - Trying to remedy with purchased OS

eldevioso · 26 Nov 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by nitroman84

Quote: Originally Posted by gregrocker

Quote: Originally Posted by Bill2

If the licensing files are messed, simply changing the key will not work.

So it would need a Repair Install at the minimum to repair files added by the crack?

What about possible changes made to the boot sector? Should the HD be zeroed as a precaution?

Personally that is how I do any install, normally a secure erase with parted magic. It may be overkill but I like to start with a clean disk.

Thank you all for the input. I chose to go with the repair option, and everything has activated and all is well, for now.

Thanks for the additional information on rebuilding, if it comes down to it, I'll wipe it out following the suggestions above. I've never used utilities in rebuilding or reformatting, so by "secure erase with parted magic" is this a reference to a secure erase function within the applicaiton partition magic?

gregrocker · 26 Nov 2010

I would use free Partition Wizard bootable CD if you want a 3rd party app with a graphical interface to wipe the HD, repartition, etc. We have used it here to help with hundreds of operations without failure.

You can wipe the HD before reinstall using the Windows 7 DVD by this method: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Hopefully the Repair Install will be sufficient but don't settle for less than perfect performance with Windows 7.

Bill2 · 26 Nov 2010

Greg, sorry I missed your previous post. Without being too elaborate, a crack will either replace/remove licensing files or load a SLIC table into memory at the time of boot (but before windows loads). With the latter, uninstalling the crack may be sufficient but if the files are messed real bad by the former, a repair install is advisable.

Tepid · 27 Nov 2010

I will only say this...

I would reinstall and not chance it.
Not only could there be more on the system than just the crack (depending on where you got it)
But, if something does get left behind that was not removed and Windows just happens to check and find it,
I am not saying it will happen, but don't you think that IF that happens, there is a potential to mark the legit key as black listed (hacked) and therefore, potentially useless?

I'm just saying, if it were me? I wouldn't take the chance.

Better to be safe than sorry, I say.

nitroman84 · 28 Nov 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by eldevioso