Windows 7: windows 7 saying not genuine, purchase new one

i currently installed windows 7 64 bit on my Hp notebook but now it is telling me that my copy of the windows is not genuine, and that i should resolve the problem online. i purchased the CD from a local retailer over here, meanwhile i went online to resolve the situation and Microsoft is asking me to purchase another windows 7. is there any other way round this besides purchasing a new one?

Looks like you have been sold a windows 7 not genuine copy.

what should i do about it then? get a new copy? but that will warrant a clean reinstall which am not ready for.

was package opened when you bought it ,if so take it back ,and get them to replace it ,and no you won't have to reinstall if exact same version of windows ,on the activation screen it will give option to use another key use your new one,

What OS was originally installed on the HP? You are entitled to reinstall that as often as you want for the life of the machine. Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
Vista ISO download

If it wasn't Windows 7 then you were right to buy a copy to install, likely Upgrade version is all that's needed. In activating it the reason 90% of activations fail is typing a wrong character since several look alike. Triple check the key against what you type using a magnifying glass if necessary.

Finally no retailer can get away with selling you non-genuine WIndows as it is both a crime and will be pursued by MS. In fact if you cooperate with an investigation by MS Customer Service they often will reward you with a free copy. So I would call them if the key cannot be made to work, and the merchant will absolve himself of a crime.

okay greg thanks for that, the system came with windows 7 starter and i now upgraded to windows 7 home premium. so what you are suggesting, is it that i contact MS customer care? or just get a new CD and do clean reinstall?

Did you install the Premium key into Windows Anytime Upgrade - How to - Windows 7 Forums
which unlocks the few extra features in minutes?

If the key that came with the disk doesn't work after confirming you're inputting the correct characters, I would contact MS CUstomer Service to ask for their help in determining why. We get reports that those who cooperate with investigating non-geniuine Windows 7 sometimes are given a free copy for their trouble.

i only used the Windows Anytime Upgrade to check my system if it can run the windows 7 home premium, then i just inserted the disc and run the program then entered the key. well i guess i will have to give it a retry. but can this have any adverse effect on my system? thanks for ur help so far

If you have Windows 7 Premium you purchased installed already there's no reason to do it over, just make sure you're typing the correct characters in to Activate.

If it fails and MS Customer Service won't help you, run HP System Recovery to restore to Basic, or extract the ISO file from your DVD using ImgBurn or download another Windows 7 official ISO downloads , run the eicfg removal tool to unlock all versions, burn another DVD at 4x speed, boot to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Then I'd buy an Anytime Upgrade key if you need extra features not in Basic.

okay thanks for the assistance, will update you guys if anything else comes up