Windows not genuine >:(

Try this page: Please Verify your Location

my country (Cyprus) does not appear on the list.

yeah thats what i figured.

But i wont be able to pay for a new copy any time soon though. Will anything happen to my pc if i continue to use it like this for say a month?

You pretty much have your solutions. I'd still try contacting Microsoft, but there's no gaurantee.

Let it be a lesson to you and anyone else who wants to buy a license to Windows on eBay. If you aren't getting the box or the COA, you can be pretty sure you're being scammed. Your very first warning that something was wrong...was the fact you were getting an e-mail and a download link...and not an actual disc in hand with a box and a license key.

@DeaconFrost: Me to trying...if he had box and DVD, it would be good-you are right.

I've heard of people getting counterfit copies that even came with what appeared to be a legit box and COA, until it was inspected closely after delivery...but at least in that case, you'd have materials and a username to hand over to eBay or Microsoft for a resolution.

At one time, if you bought a PC from a mom and pop shop, and it faile the genuine check, MS would give you a free license to replace it, if you could show you paid for it in the computer cost.

Decan,

I got two e-mails from anti piracy team in behalf of you: one is automated, the second one I am copy pasting here (the tail part is truncated):

Hello,

Thank you for contacting the Microsoft Anti-Piracy Team.

We encourage you to visit How to Tell . The site offers resources to help identify genuine Microsoft software, locate where to acquire genuine, licensed Microsoft software, report piracy, and receive more information about Windows Update.

If you review the resources on How to Tell and suspect the Microsoft software is not legitimate, you should report the source of the software to piracy in the following ways:

1) Respond to this email and provide us with the full name, address and any other contact information of the individual or business that provided the unlicensed Microsoft software.
2) Call Microsoft. For the United States or Canada, contact us at 1-800-RU-LEGIT (1-800-785-3448) and select option number 1. For any other region, please visit Protect Yourself from Piracy to contact the office for the area where piracy is suspected. If your region is not listed, please provide your information so we may forward it to the correct department.
3) Go to the following web page to fill out an online reporting form at: Protect Yourself from Piracy.

You can also visit our website at Protect Yourself from Piracy to review additional information on recognizing genuine Microsoft product and Microsoft's licensing policies.

Again, thank you for your interest in our anti-piracy campaign.

Microsoft Corporation
Worldwide Sales Group


Date Received 06/28/2010 12:10 AM

Buy from a reputable retailer or it isn't worth the risk.

The best prices are going to be on a site like Buy.com, Office Depot, NewEgg or their overseas equivalent anyway. Box stores are quicker at a slightly higher price. None of these will screw you, at least on this.

PayPal purchases on EBay are supposedly guaranteed against fraud, and others have reported them paying the claim. But still not worth it.