Cloned HDD - getting 'This is not a genuine copy' message - HELP

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  1. Posts : 199
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit (now looking at Linux Mint!)
       #1

    Cloned HDD - getting 'This is not a genuine copy' message - HELP


    Windows 7 SP1 up to date.

    This OS was supplied pre-installed by the manufacturer when the pc was purchased in Jan 2015.

    It is a genuine, valid and activated copy.

    It is sitting on a 2TB hard disk.

    Using Acronis True Image 2020, I cloned this onto a larger 5TB hard disk.

    Removed old drive from system, re-booted with new larger hard disk and got the following:

    Black screen. In the bottom right-hand corner

    Windows 7
    Build 7601
    This copy of Windows is not genuine

    What do I do? It is a genuine copy of Windows and has been successfully cloned before (on the same machine) from a 1TB hard disk.

    Is there any way round this?

    Never seen this black screen before and it appears that I can't do anything - well, I can open Task Manager but that's about all.

    Please help.

    Thanks in advance,

    Zaph
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,783
    win 8 32 bit
       #2

    Put old disk back in backup activation tokens then restore to new disk 3 Tools to Backup and Restore Windows 7 and Vista OEM Activation License • Raymond.CC
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 199
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit (now looking at Linux Mint!)
    Thread Starter
       #3

    samuria said:
    Put old disk back in backup activation tokens then restore to new disk 3 Tools to Backup and Restore Windows 7 and Vista OEM Activation License • Raymond.CC
    Many thanks samuria.

    The link is helpful but I'm not sure how it applies im ny case as the webpages refer to a clean install of Windows 7.

    I have run the ABR tool and now have the OEM license (Raymond is correct when he says it doesn't match the CoA sticker on the outside of the machine) in the text file backup-key.txt and the activation certificate has been saved to the file backup-cert/xrm-ms

    HOWEVER, there are 2 issues.

    First is that the new drive is 5TB and as I understand it, Windows can only 'see' up to 2TB unless the HDD is using the GPT partitioning scheme (currently, mine is set to MBR).

    Second, when the new HDD is installed in place of the old drive and boots, all I get is a black screen as mentioned in post #1 this thread. Nobody has told me how I can get past this to access things like USB flash drives in order to reinstall the relevant keys.

    Acronis offered a choice between a partitioning the drive using MBR or the GPT option, so my first stab at sorting this out is to try and clone the drove again, this time using the GPT partitioning option and see where I get.

    Would using the Advanced Tokens Manager be a better bet?

    Art
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 199
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit (now looking at Linux Mint!)
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Okay - so an update.

    This time - ostensibly doing exactly the same thing - the machine boots fine to the desktop with the new 5TB disk installed instead of the old 2TB disk. Indeed, I am using the 5TB disk now whilst writing this!

    The disk partitions look as follows:



    However, to access the rest of the 5TB disk, the partition scheme needs changing from MBR (which has a 2TB limitation) to GPT - yet the 'Convert to GPT' option is greyed out.

    Any ideas?

    I haven't yet run diskmgmt.msc as administrator, that's my next step. Trying that now.

    Nope - still greyed out.

    Next thing to check - whether the BIOS mode is UFEI. Trying that now.

    Zaph
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3,783
    win 8 32 bit
       #5

    I wouldnt have one massive partition if it has problems you loose the lot if you split it you have better chance
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 16,129
    7 X64
       #6

    You will need 3rd party software. Aomei part assist can do it - needs the pro version.

    Diskgenius free can do the conversion, but you will need to create the esp and msr partitions manually.

    It will have to be done from outside of that installation. Either from another installation, or from winpe.

    Then adjust bios. It might be your bios has a "both" setting.


    AOMEI PART ASSIST PRO


    HOW TO CONVERT TO GPT WITH DISKGENIUS
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 199
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit (now looking at Linux Mint!)
    Thread Starter
       #7

    SIW2 said:
    You will need 3rd party software. Aomei part assist can do it - needs the pro version.

    Diskgenius free can do the conversion, but you will need to create the esp and msr partitions manually.

    It will have to be done from outside of that installation. Either from another installation, or from winpe.

    Then adjust bios. It might be your bios has a "both" setting.

    AOMEI PART ASSIST PRO

    HOW TO CONVERT TO GPT WITH DISKGENIUS
    Thanks for the post SIW2 but that went straight over my head. What are the esp and msr partitions?

    Winpe is a version of Windows on a bootable USB flash memory stick - right?

    I don't understand what you mean by "It might be your bios has a "both" setting".

    Zaph
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 16,129
    7 X64
       #8

    What are the esp and msr partitions?
    The esp is the system partition needed for efi boot. The msr is a small additional partition microsoft recommends but is not required.

    Winpe is a version of Windows on a bootable USB flash memory stick - right?
    That's close enough.


    Next thing to check - whether the BIOS mode is UFEI. Trying that now.

    Zaph
    It might be your bios has a "both" setting.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 199
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit (now looking at Linux Mint!)
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Hi SIW2

    Found this explanation. Kind of what I meant - a 'slimmed down' version of Windows

    Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) is a lightweight operating system used to undertake a limited set of tasks such as troubleshooting a Windows OS when it’s offline, performing recovery options, and installing a Windows OS.

    Windows PE was aimed at replacing MS-DOS booting with ready-to-boot environments available instantly in CDs, flash drives, and other external storage devices.

    Just looked at the lapop BIOS and it doesn't have UFEI (not surprising really as it is a 10 year old laptop).

    Pretty sure the desktop BIOS does have UFEI. Will check later.

    Zaph
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 16
    WinXP x86 Pro - Win7 Ultimate x86 / Win10 Pro x64
       #10

    Hi ,

    you may find a good tutorial here : Convert MBR to GPT
    it applies to Win10 , but the process is the same for Win7

    If you're looking for infos regarding how are booting WindowsNT6.0 (& above) on GPT drive in UEFI mode and MBR drive in legacy BIOS mode ; have a look here : Windows NT 6 boot process (warning , it's deeply technical)

    You may also be aware of having a 'System Reserved' and its workarounds : What 'boot' & system volumes are ? (essential knowledge)
    and how to get rid of the
    'System Reserved' partion,safely (not like there : sevenforum tutorial )

    there are also others tools to boot on GPT drive in Legacy BIOS mode , but these are highly experimental and may refer to what's called 'hybrid partitioning'

    If you are looking for the genuine OEM tool to activate your PC : Windows 7 OEM – Applying OEM System Locked Preinstallation Activation , this works offline. You may check your ACPI tables for SLIC 2.1 with this tool FirmwareTablesView v1.01 , to be sure that you can use the OEM tool . you still have to know which Win7 was installed (HOME, PRO, ULTIMATE ..)

      My Computer


 
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