Windows 7: WIN7 7601 error on GENUINE WIN7

Well I thought I was getting somewhere with my last post. Today has not started well.

Just spoke to Acer (another department) and have been catagorically told this is not their problem but Microsoft.

Due to upgrading to Windows 7 I invalidated any help from Acer, and invalidated my Vista windows. I was never told when I purchased this laptop that all warrentys were invalid if I upgraded.



The bummer of this story, I have three genuine windows discs (1 Vista & 2 Windows 7) all now invalidated by Microsoft and being told I need to purchase again another one!!!!

Acer says the BIOS (that reads Vista) is nothing to do with them. The moment one upgrades all manufacturer support finishes.

QUESTION: Will a new Windows 7 disc rectify the BIOS vista reading? I was told yesterday by tech it wouldn't without a manufacterer's tech and Acer is refusing to help. Also the Acer drivers that don't work anymore due to Windows 7, there are no upgrades for these as this laptop was never compatible with Windows 7, so only Vista version drives available. Tech yesterday told me I will still encounter problems while the drivers are not working.

Is it time to throw my 400 pound unused laptop in the bin???? and save for another 2 years until I can purchase another laptop. I feel totally robbed.

I will never purchase a computer that offers upgrades ever again. Please take note and save yourself from ending up with a computer that is absolutely useless.

Any suggestions would be great.

I'm not at all surprised by Acer's response - but I am disappointed by it.
It's also possibly illegal, depending on your country's comsumer protection laws.
Lets sort out exactly what disks you have.
Your computer came with Vista installed - and presumably a Vista Recovery partition.

Is the Vista disk one that came with the machine, or what?

You say you have two Windows 7 disks.
All Windows 7 retail packs (both Upgrade and Full) include 2 disks - the 32-bit and 64-bit install disks. The Key is on a POL sticker on a card inside the packaging
Windows 7 OEM System Builder packs come with only one disk. (with phrasing 'Only for installation on a new PC' or words to that efect). The Key is on a COA sticker intended to be stuck on the computer case
Manufacturer's disks will only have the one 'bitness', but could comprise a number of disks, and will/should state the manufacturer's name on the disk. There is not usually any Key, but the Free Upgrade offer ones do have a COA sticker for attaching to the case.

look here for details of the MS disks.... How to Tell - What to look for


Exactly which category do each of your install disks and Keys fall into?

Hello Noel - bless you for replying.

Vista was pre-installed. I made back-up DVD copies when activating. I have Vista product key on back of laptop. My Vista disc will not work due to upgrading to Windows 7 (Vista recovery partition corrupt due to upgrade and does not work).

Acer today told me it is illegal to go back to Vista because it was upgraded to Windows 7 and it is illegal for them to send me the original discs to reinstall allowing me to then follow Microsofts tech info on how to resolve the upgrade problem. Vista key product is apparently no longer valid. (Have not tried)

Windows 7 discs HmPrm UPG fulfill. I have two individual packages, both with COA stickers on the cardboard packaging. 1 has been used (for laptop), other still unopen.

Each packet came with two discs both with Acer printed on them.

DISC 1 contains: 'Acer Upgrade DVD', 'acer upgrade wizard', 'Applications, drivers for Windows 7. Please note: This is the disc that was to overlay Windows 7 over Vista - that would have corrected the BIOS to now Windows 7 (I believe). My Acer laptop was not compatible for this upgrade (Acer big cock-up) that corrupted Recovery section.

DISC 2 contains: 'Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Media 32 bit software only'. This is the 'boot disc' with a clean install of Windows 7.

Due to laptop not being compatible disc 1 didn't install properly. To rectify this, I was told to just use disc 2 to create a clean install of Windows 7 loosing all programs, webcam and some port settings that belonged to Acer. Windows 7 Activation accepted by Microsoft. Months later due to a windows update, it suddenly told me it was no longer genuine.

My second Win 7 that has never been used. I typed in product key yesterday yet also comes up as not genuine.

I have reciepts for all the above. As well as copies of emails, letters etc to Acer and Microsoft re this problem spanning a year!

If you need anymore info, please let me know.

Thank you so much for helping.

Acer are not only wrong they are lying.
Your Vista Key is permanently attached to your computer and permanently valid for it.
It is NOT illegal for them to send you the recovery disk for your PC - but it is inconvenient, and they may have run out of stock.

Windows 7 discs HmPrm UPG fulfill.
OK - this is the important one.
These appear to be the proper disks for the Windows 7 Free Upgrade program.

Check the sticker on the packs - the Keys should be different (Did you ever get the one for the laptop to activate, or not? If so, then you can not use that Key for this purpose)

They should also be different to the one in the report.

Try recreating the Licensing store, installing the Key, and then activating by phone.


Please first try recreating the Licensing Store.
Recreate the Licensing Store
1) Click Start button.
2) Type: CMD.exe into the 'Search programs and files' field
3) Right-Click on CMD.exe and select Run as Administrator
4) Type: net stop sppsvc (It may ask you if you are sure, select yes)
Note: the Software Protection service may not be running, this is ok.
5) Type: cd %windir%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SoftwareProtectionPlatform
6) Type: rename tokens.dat tokens.bar
7) Type: cd %windir%\system32
8) Type: net start sppsvc
9) Type: slui.exe
10) After a couple of seconds Windows Activation dialog will appear. You may be asked to re-activate and/or re-enter your product key or Activation may occur automatically.
If you are asked for your Key, use the one on the COA sticker on the appropriate Windows 7 pack
Try internt activation first - if that fails, try Telephone activation.


telephone activation (operator calls)
Click on the Start button
in the Search box, type
SLUI 4
and hit the Enter key
follow the instructions - but when asked which service you require by the
telephone ansafone, do NOT reply - this should force an operator to respond, who can deal with you

Reboot and Post back with a new MGADiag report

Thank you Noel so much for this info - most useful.

Quick question, when following the below instructions do I need to put in the unopened Windows 7 disc while doing the instructions?

Also, yesterday, we tried using the product key in the licensing section in system properties - Microsoft refused this product key saying it wasn't genuine. I was sent this disc a year ago - so maybe it is too old to work????

OR Will the below instructions do something different?

Ps. Yes my above diagnostics was for the other Windows 7 disc that is presently installed.

Hi Noel,
Just noticed your asked another question. The Windows 7 was activated and worked well last year. Then I got an updated one day and it was deemed no longer valid, the message was saying something like there was one user already on this product key. This person was me! This has to do with something in the BIOS readout, where the muck is. My Bios is still reading Vista.

I tried activating yesterday the Windows 7 already installed in my laptop over the telephone punching in lots of numbers - but it came back not genuine.

Would it be an idea just to send this installed disc back to microsoft under counterfeit and they send me another one? I say this, because if I ever have to reboot the laptop, will I get all these problems again?

The BIOS has NOTHING to do with any problems experienced by a genuine COA Key. It only causes problems with the OEM_SLP Key.
Yes, internet activation frequently fails because the Key is 'in use' - this usually merely means that you have to activate by telephone and speak to an operator.

No, you don't need to put the disk in the machine - all the rebuild does is extract the various licenses required from storage, and perform some verification routines and algorithms on then to construct the data required for activation.
DO NOT use the same Key that was activated on the laptop for this machine - that one is now locked forever to the laptop.

Hi Noel,

(1) I Just want to be crystal clear before I follow the instructions. Which key are you referring to, to NOT use? The old Vista Key, or the present Windows 7 key which have both been activated in the past.

(2) Shall I use the brand new key that has never been activated or loaded? (Yet was refused yesterday as being genuine when doing the internet activation) not via the method of instructions you have since supplied.

(3) Which one is locked forever on the laptop? The Vista or Windows 7?

Sorry if these are silly questions, I am not a techy and want to make things absolutely clear so I can follow your instructions to the 'T'. Smile.

Thanks again for all this help! I blow a big kiss to you.

Your Vista Key can only be used with the Vista OS on that machine.
The Key you activated on the laptop can only be used on the laptop.
You should use the Key from the other upgrade package.

Thank you Noel!

Do I put the new key into the system properties before following your instructions? Or wait till it asks?