Not geniune - Trying to remedy with purchased OS

[eldevioso]

I am getting the "Not Geniune" message. Most likely it truly isn't geniune, as a friend gave it to me when he went to Mac.

However, I went out and bought the same version, Win7 ultimate x64 from NewEgg. Is there a way to "cure" my existing install, using the newly purchased software, without having to wipe it out completely? I don't have a lot on here yet, but, would save me the time nonetheless.

Quick assistance much appreciated.

 

[richc46]

If you could or could not is not important, uninstall and install lthe genuine one. If it is a countefeit you do not know whats in it.
Virus
Tracking software
Who knows
Do it the long way now to save time later.
If you had a qualifyin OS before the non genuine install, you can and should make a clean install with format. In your case the format is very important.
YOu will reinstall programs etc after the install.

 

[Bill2]

You can run a Repair Install.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

That will fix tampered licensing files and any other "customizations". Before running the repair install, also see if you can figure out what cracks/activators were used and uninstall them manually, Google is your friend.

 

[gregrocker]

If you want just change the key, you can do so at Computer>Properties.

If no option shows there to Change Key, then open an elevated Command Line, type:

slmgr -ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx (insert Product key in place of xxxx's)

 

[Bill2]

If you want just change the key, you can do so at Computer>Properties.

If no option shows there to Change Key, then open an elevated Command Line, type:

slmgr -ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx (insert Product key in place of xxxx's)

If the licensing files are messed, simply changing the key will not work.

 

[richc46]

Dont you think that with a cracked copy its best to start fresh? There may be more on that OS than windows.

 

[Bill2]

Dont you think that with a cracked copy its best to start fresh? There may be more on that OS than windows.

A crack is a crack, its not malware in the traditional sense. All it does is alter some files that fools the system into thinking the copy of windows is genuine. So its quite possible to repair those files and get going.

 

[nitroman84]

I wouldn't chance it, but then again I am extremely anal about my Windows install. Just start clean and never look back.

 

[gregrocker]

If you want just change the key, you can do so at Computer>Properties.

If no option shows there to Change Key, then open an elevated Command Line, type:

slmgr -ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx (insert Product key in place of xxxx's)

If the licensing files are messed, simply changing the key will not work.

So it would need a Repair Install at the minimum to repair files added by the crack?

What about possible changes made to the boot sector? Should the HD be zeroed as a precaution?

 

[nitroman84]

If you want just change the key, you can do so at Computer>Properties.

If no option shows there to Change Key, then open an elevated Command Line, type:

slmgr -ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx (insert Product key in place of xxxx's)

If the licensing files are messed, simply changing the key will not work.

So it would need a Repair Install at the minimum to repair files added by the crack?

What about possible changes made to the boot sector? Should the HD be zeroed as a precaution?

Personally that is how I do any install, normally a secure erase with parted magic. It may be overkill but I like to start with a clean disk.

 

[eldevioso]

If the licensing files are messed, simply changing the key will not work.

So it would need a Repair Install at the minimum to repair files added by the crack?

What about possible changes made to the boot sector? Should the HD be zeroed as a precaution?

Personally that is how I do any install, normally a secure erase with parted magic. It may be overkill but I like to start with a clean disk.

Thank you all for the input. I chose to go with the repair option, and everything has activated and all is well, for now.

Thanks for the additional information on rebuilding, if it comes down to it, I'll wipe it out following the suggestions above. I've never used utilities in rebuilding or reformatting, so by "secure erase with parted magic" is this a reference to a secure erase function within the applicaiton partition magic?

 

[gregrocker]

I would use free Partition Wizard bootable CD if you want a 3rd party app with a graphical interface to wipe the HD, repartition, etc. We have used it here to help with hundreds of operations without failure.

You can wipe the HD before reinstall using the Win7 DVD by this method: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

Hopefully the Repair Install will be sufficient but don't settle for less than perfect performance with Win7.

 

[Bill2]

Greg, sorry I missed your previous post. Without being too elaborate, a crack will either replace/remove licensing files or load a SLIC table into memory at the time of boot (but before windows loads). With the latter, uninstalling the crack may be sufficient but if the files are messed real bad by the former, a repair install is advisable.

 

[Tepid]

I will only say this...

I would reinstall and not chance it.
Not only could there be more on the system than just the crack (depending on where you got it)
But, if something does get left behind that was not removed and Windows just happens to check and find it,
I am not saying it will happen, but don't you think that IF that happens, there is a potential to mark the legit key as black listed (hacked) and therefore, potentially useless?

I'm just saying, if it were me? I wouldn't take the chance.

Better to be safe than sorry, I say.

 

[nitroman84]

So it would need a Repair Install at the minimum to repair files added by the crack?

What about possible changes made to the boot sector? Should the HD be zeroed as a precaution?

Personally that is how I do any install, normally a secure erase with parted magic. It may be overkill but I like to start with a clean disk.

Thank you all for the input. I chose to go with the repair option, and everything has activated and all is well, for now.

Thanks for the additional information on rebuilding, if it comes down to it, I'll wipe it out following the suggestions above. I've never used utilities in rebuilding or reformatting, so by "secure erase with parted magic" is this a reference to a secure erase function within the applicaiton partition magic?

Parted magic is a bootable linux distro, it contains tools for partitioning, secure erasing and many other HDD or SSD related functions.

Downloads

Burn it to a disk and boot from it, Be sure to select the correct drive because all data will be lost after a secure erase!