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#61
1.) In your list of programs, is there anything Dell branded? If yes, there will be a recovery option there usually.
2.) The beauty of Win7 is that any install DVD can be used, its the key thats the key. If this was Win7 from Dell, then you sould be able to purchase an OEM install media from Dell, or find a friend that has the proper Dell install media, and try your "valid key".
I wouldnt waste any more time, or effort, personalizing this PC as you will most likely have to perform a total reinstall either way you look at it! Also, I would let the ebay "retailer" be aware that you have contacted Microsoft on this several times, and that they are investigating the matter.
Also, if this lappy originally came with XP or Vista, if it was near end life with Vista, it may have come with an upgrade option to win7. I'd also visit http://www.support.dell.com, plug in the Service Tag # on the Dell sticker on the bottom of the lappy and see if Win7 is listed as a possible OS for driver selection.
If you look in Disk Management you can see there whether your recovery partition is still intact - it'll be in the region of 12-15GB in size.
What Microsoft are saying is that if your OEM Windows is the Home Premium version then you'll need either the Home Premium DVD or select Home Premium if you have a multi-version DVD, and then carry out a clean install using your Dell OEM product key.
If the MS support peope have told you this is a legit key... then I'd say you are legit. Is the ebay seller willing to send you the media?
Either way, this article provides links to download the official iso file for each version in both 32 & 64 bit varieties. You will probably want to download and burn on a different machine, if you have limited functionality on your ebay lappy.
http://www.mydigitallife.info/windows-7-iso-x86-and-x64-official-direct-download-links-ultimate-professional-and-home-premium/
First off I want to thank all of you for your assistance and guidance in this manner. It is really appreciated as you all have been most helpful.
To give you an update on this: The ebay folks have agreed to split the cost of purchasing a product key directly from MS which will run $150 as this is what comes up when I try to validate my Win 7 Professional.
SO my thinking is for $75 on my end I can get around having to do a clean install by purchasing this product key from MS. HOWEVER if I am getting the windows activation error "Windows must be restored - An unauthorized change was made to windows. You must reinstall or restore windows system files to activate." Would this be true? Would purchasing a MS product key along with "Microsoft Support" get me the support from them (Microsoft Support) to correct these system files so I do not have to do a clean install? I really want to get around having to wipe my system clean, reinstall and then rebuild.
I am also thinking that at least I will get a Win 7 professional product key that I can move to another machine should I decide to move to another machine should I decide to upgrade my laptop for a good price down the road.
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
So it sounds like they aren't too comfortable with the latest key they gave you either. If you have been told by Microsoft that the key is good
(I'm curious about that, others have asked if that can be done.) before spending any money try the repair and that key.
Since SFC couldn't fix those files you will probably need to do a repair or clean install.
Even with Microsoft support they are going to suggest a clean install or at least a repair install.
You can try the Repair Install first to see if it fixes those files, it will keep all your programs and files intact.
You want the 7th link down here Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life
If they are willing to split the cost and you are OK with that, at least you know your key will be valid. (If the other one isn't.)
There may be another option that a validation expert would know, if it were me, I would just bite the bullet and do the clean install but that is your call, try the repair first, it may work.
derekimo-
Thanks for the direction and input. It is appreciated. Thanks for the link as well and I am going to first try to repair install to see if that works.
Yes MS did tell me the latest OEM product key sent me from the ebay folks was valid but I have a question about that: It seems like alot of folks are having "not genuine" problems with OEM product keys in regards to Windows 7. Am I right here? If this is so is there an advantage to having a retail product key so one does not have to go thru this hassle in the future? I still suspect MS overshot here in their crackdown on pirated software.
I don't want to jack around with this again and I guess I will spend $75 to get a retail product key from MS so I dont have to worry about this in the future.
You're welcome. I don't think the problems are OEM keys, there are a lot of variables
to consider since there are always new ways people are trying to "Beat the system"
You are correct that a retail key can be moved to another system if you feel the need in the future, that, and peace of mind as well as having all this behind you can easily be worth the cost, not to mention the lesson learned. :)
Quite honestly, I'd bite the bullet and pay the $75 for a retail product key while E-bay's offer is on the table.
It could be argued that they should come up with the full $150 but I guess after two years you're lucky to get any sort of a refund off them.
I wonder if the seller is still on E-bay because the annoying bit is that he appears to get away scot free.
What NoelDP says is 100% correct.
After all, you wouldn't buy a set of car keys unless you knew what car you were getting with them.