Microsoft says i have an illegal copy of Windows 7...

[CINTAM]

I have Windows Vista 32-bit OEM and want to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.

I brought a copy (Full version) on Amazon via a third party seller but when i put in the installation disc a message pops up basically telling me that i have the wrong disc.

I contacted Microsoft, gave them my product key - and was told that I had been sold an illegal copy.

I asked how this was and they told me that the OS was sold for business PC's only. The disc knows from boot up that my PC is not suitable...

How is this? It doesn't even allow me to enter the product key. The disc won't even boot.

Anyone else had or heard about this problem?

 

[DeaconFrost]

You can't do an upgrade from x86 to x64, so it would make sense that you'd get a message if you tried running it in Windows. I don't know why people try installing the OS from within an OS...but I digress.

The fact that the DVD won't boot is what's troubling. Is the disc real, with the Microsoft holograph? If it definitely doesn't boot, yet other discs boot fine on your system, I'd go back to amazon for a refund. Too many people are getting burned by buying discs from unreliable or unknown sources. I know this wouldn't apply to Amazon, but given they are selling from unknown third-parties...it is no better than Ebay.

Try and get a refund from Amazon, and then buy a legit copy from a known, valid source, such as Newegg, MicroCenter, etc.

 

[mickey megabyte]

hi CINTAM, and welcome to sevenforums,

just out of curiosity, how much did your windows 7 dvd cost?

and have you tried complaining to amazon yet? i believe they are really good with refunds etc - at least the uk branch is...

 

[whs]

You have definitely been scammed. Do what Deacon says.

 

[bobkn]

I have Windows Vista 32-bit OEM and want to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.

I brought a copy (Full version) on Amazon via a third party seller but when i put in the installation disc a message pops up basically telling me that i have the wrong disc.

I contacted Microsoft, gave them my product key - and was told that I had been sold an illegal copy.

I asked how this was and they told me that the OS was sold for business PC's only. The disc knows from boot up that my PC is not suitable...

How is this? It doesn't even allow me to enter the product key. The disc won't even boot.

Anyone else had or heard about this problem?

I've read this over, and the responses, but I'm still not clear on what you have.

Did you buy an OEM copy? I'd expect Microsoft to give you a hard time over that:

Is it OK to use OEM Windows on your own PC? Don't ask Microsoft | ZDNet

(In short: OEM licenses are intended for use only by system builders, on PCs that are for sale to third parties.) However, I imagine that many people buy and use OEM licenses on machines that they intend for personal use. I know of nothing physical that prevents that.

If you wish to install the 64 bit version, you'll have to boot from the DVD. Can you do that? (You may need to change the device boot order in the BIOS, or use a hotkey during startup. On Asus motherboards, that often was the F8 key. Other makers use different hotkeys.)

At a guess, you have an OEM license. You should be able to use that, although you'll receive no support from Microsoft.

 

[CINTAM]

You can't do an upgrade from x86 to x64, so it would make sense that you'd get a message if you tried running it in Windows. I don't know why people try installing the OS from within an OS...but I digress.

The fact that the DVD won't boot is what's troubling. Is the disc real, with the Microsoft holograph? If it definitely doesn't boot, yet other discs boot fine on your system, I'd go back to amazon for a refund. Too many people are getting burned by buying discs from unreliable or unknown sources. I know this wouldn't apply to Amazon, but given they are selling from unknown third-parties...it is no better than Ebay.

Try and get a refund from Amazon, and then buy a legit copy from a known, valid source, such as Newegg, MicroCenter, etc.

The disc is real and authentic. Microsoft said they sold the OS to the Amazon seller for use with his business PC. They said to me that because i was trying to use it on my home PC, that is why it wasn't working.

What i don't understand is how the installation disc knows my PC is not his, and not a PC used for business purposes...

 

[CINTAM]

I have Windows Vista 32-bit OEM and want to upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.

I brought a copy (Full version) on Amazon via a third party seller but when i put in the installation disc a message pops up basically telling me that i have the wrong disc.

I contacted Microsoft, gave them my product key - and was told that I had been sold an illegal copy.

I asked how this was and they told me that the OS was sold for business PC's only. The disc knows from boot up that my PC is not suitable...

How is this? It doesn't even allow me to enter the product key. The disc won't even boot.

Anyone else had or heard about this problem?

I've read this over, and the responses, but I'm still not clear on what you have.

Did you buy an OEM copy? I'd expect Microsoft to give you a hard time over that:

Is it OK to use OEM Windows on your own PC? Don't ask Microsoft | ZDNet

(In short: OEM licenses are intended for use only by system builders, on PCs that are for sale to third parties.) However, I imagine that many people buy and use OEM licenses on machines that they intend for personal use. I know of nothing physical that prevents that.

If you wish to install the 64 bit version, you'll have to boot from the DVD. Can you do that? (You may need to change the device boot order in the BIOS, or use a hotkey during startup. On Asus motherboards, that often was the F8 key. Other makers use different hotkeys.)

At a guess, you have an OEM license. You should be able to use that, although you'll receive no support from Microsoft.

The OEM copy came with the new custom PC i brought 4 years ago on ebay.
The new Windows 7 installation disc will not boot. It starts to, but stops quickly with a warning message telling me i have the wrong disc.

 

[richc46]

For one thing they can tell that another OS was installed. You use of an OEM is contrary to the EULA terms which are agreed to upon purchase.

 

[gregrocker]

What version did you buy? What does it say on the disk and sales receipt?

If you bought Enterprise which is KMS-activated by a server then it shouldn't reject the disk, certainly not at bootup, unless the issue is actually that it is failing to boot and detects a 64 bit install upon a 32 bit OS or vice versa.

How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD

 

[CINTAM]

What version did you buy? What does it say on the disk and sales receipt?

If you bought Enterprise which is KMS-activated by a server then it shouldn't reject the disk, certainly not at bootup, unless the issue is actually that it is failing to boot and detects a 64 bit install upon a 32 bit OS or vice versa.

How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD

I have vista OEM home premium 32-bit and i'm trying to install Windows 7 64-bit full upgrade.

So i should remove the vista OS before i try to install 7 64? How can i do that? I thought they only way to remove vista was to replace it with something...

 

[DeaconFrost]

You will be able to delete and recreate partitions during the setup. The point in question now is why the disc won't boot. In OS versions past, if you tried a Dell OEM disc on an HP computer, it would give you a message that it wouldn't work and stop.

You keep skipping over some important questions though. What is shown on your actual disc, on the label? If it is a legitimate MS disc, you should be able to boot from it. If it is a copy, who knows if it was even done properly or if it is even bootable.

 

[gregrocker]

What version did you buy? What does it say on the disk and sales receipt?

If you bought Enterprise which is KMS-activated by a server then it shouldn't reject the disk, certainly not at bootup, unless the issue is actually that it is failing to boot and detects a 64 bit install upon a 32 bit OS or vice versa.

How to Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD

I have vista OEM home premium 32-bit and i'm trying to install Windows 7 64-bit full upgrade.

So i should remove the vista OS before i try to install 7 64? How can i do that? I thought they only way to remove vista was to replace it with something...

What is the version you bought? Enterprise, Home Premium, Ultimate? Exactly what does it say on the DVD? Does it have the MS holographic logo on the COA sticker with Product Key?

Boot the installer correctly, choose Custom install then use Drive Options to Delete and repartition, Format before install: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

The message you are getting is likely because the DVD is not booting but starting from the installed OS which cannot run another bit-version.

What is the BIOS Boot Order now in BIOS setup?

Either set DVD drive as first device to boot in BIOS setup, or tap the key for BIOS Boot Menu at bootup to choose DVD. If the DVD boots and you still get the message, post back the exact wording. If you can't get the DVD to boot then you can use free Partition Wizard bootable CD which will autostart to wipe the HD (from Disk Tab) which will then cause the install DVD to autostart.

 

[ozzy441]

I believe you were asked this already. I don't remember seeing a response. You have Vista 32bit installed, and you want to upgrade to 7 64bit. What is the architecture of your chipset? AMD64? x86? Because you will need to be running a 64bit architecture to be able to run it.

 

[DeaconFrost]

What is the architecture of your chipset?

Going by the system specs, the OP is perfectly fine.

It comes down to one of two things. Either the OP's system won't boot from the disc (or the OP hasn't tried)...or the OP bought a fake license and disc online and isn't going to get anywhere unless the purchase is disupted with Amazon.

Until the OP gives some answers to the last question, we're just running around in circles. I'm not sure why it is proving difficult to post what is on the actual discs, but until that happenes...we can't move forward.

 

[CINTAM]

I'm currently running an offical version of Windows 7 home premium 32-bit. (Microsoft say its illegal, but when i entered the product key to authenticate the OS it worked!)
I managed to do a clean install and replaced my previous copy of Windows Vista 32-bit OEM.

Here are my PC specs:

Motherboard: ALiveSATA2-GLAN Bios version 1.70 ASRock > Products > ALiveSATA2-GLAN
CPU: AMD Athlon 64x2 Dual Core
GPU: Nvidia GeForce 8500
RAM: 8BG
HDD: 1TB

Now, here is my current problem - when i pop in the Windows 7 64-bit installation disc and try to perform a clean install the thing hangs on a blue screen right after the splash screen. I still have mouse control, but can't do anything else.
I'm thinking maybe i need a bios update... not sure why the disc won't finish its boot...

 

[DeaconFrost]

Ah, well, that's some actual answers now. Is the Windows x64 disc legit and authentic? I'm taking your description to mean you are trying to boot from it, and not trying to run the install from within Windows 7 32 bit, right?

 

[CINTAM]

Ah, well, that's some actual answers now. Is the Windows x64 disc legit and authentic? I'm taking your description to mean you are trying to boot from it, and not trying to run the install from within Windows 7 32 bit, right?

Well, It looks legit. It came in official packaging, sealed, product key, security stickers on the discs etc... and i was able to authenticate it on my PC. However M$ tell me its not. That the original seller sold me a genuine copy that was not intended for resale and for home use. They said its suposed to be used on Business PC's only even though its HOME premium...:sarc:

Anyway, I'm trying to boot from the disc (a clean install) not from within Windows 7 32 bit. I know that wouldn't work.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I bet it's an OEM version and that's not the original PC it was installed to.

 

[ozzy441]

Good shout, always seems obvious once somebody else points it out...

Anyway, maybe a BIOS update isn't such a bad idea. Find out what version you're running, if there's a more recent version, it can't hurt to try.

 

[DeaconFrost]

That the original seller sold me a genuine copy that was not intended for resale and for home use. They said its suposed to be used on Business PC's only even though its HOME premium...:sarc:

That alone tells me you were duped and your copy is counterfeit. Good fakes from China look real. I'd dispute it and get a legit version from another source.

I bet it's an OEM version and that's not the original PC it was installed to.

It should still install though.