Cruzing, now "Not Genuine" ? What?

[folsomg10]

It tells me, the copy has been blocked by MS. I called MS because, I could not reinstall the OS thinking that might be the problem. They tell me it is an evaluation copy. I bought it as a full version. I see threads that say sometimes this new note in the bottom right that states "this copy is not genuine" can appear, even on legitimate full final releases. I use Windows 7 Pro 32 bit. Now how am I supposed to know, if I go out and buy another copy, whether or not it is REALLY a full version. I don't want to use it for 6 months and have this pop up again. Question, how can you tell if a copy of Windows is an evaluation copy? (I had this PC off for a long time, turned it on, ran the updates, now getting the dreaded message)

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello folsomg10, welcome to Seven Forums!


If it is a factory built PC, have a look at this information below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.


After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media; if you can find an exact Windows version that the PC shipped with you can do a clean install using the activation key on the COA sticker attached to the PC though it may require a robo-call to MS to sort the OEM batch-key.

How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone


If you can't find an exact same version, you could use the info in this tutorial to create an "all versions" installer of any version Windows installer, to install using the same method I posted above.

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create


After you have made backups of everything you care to save, the best method is to do a complete wipe (secure erase) of the entire Hard Disk Drive first, it over-writes everything, all the old Windows code including all the old drivers/programs, giving you the best possible space to install Windows to.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

 

[folsomg10]

I have no data on the hard drive and have all drivers backed up so wiping it is no problem. The PC shipped with Windows Vista. I did use the activate via telephone option, this is where it tells me that it is blocked. I will look through the links in your post although, initially, I'm thinking they would not apply here. Thanks.

 

[folsomg10]

If MS is correct in that I have an evaluation copy of Windows, I got ripped off. I would still like to know if there's a way to tell if a copy is eval or not as it is not printed anywhere.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

If the PC shipped with Vista, you would have to reinstall the exact same version that came on the PC to be able to use the COA sticker activation key.


The best way to be 100% certain the Windows 7 installation DVD is genuine is to purchase from MS.

Genuine Microsoft Software

 

[folsomg10]

Okay. So you're saying that even though I had successfully installed Windows7, now I'm getting "not genuine", and because it shipped with Vista, I have to reinstall Vista using the COA on the PC in order to reinstall Windows7 using the COA that came with it? and what if, after all that, it tells me the same thing, "blocked"? and, your answer to my question about "how to tell if you have an evaluation copy of Windows" is: "Purchase from MS"?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

The message on the desktop is telling you that you have an eval copy, what, you don't believe it, get real.


No, you cannot install Vista with the COA activation key and expect it to activate a Windows 7 version, you will have to purchase a legitimate Windows 7 activation key and that was what I was referring to about MS.

 

[gregrocker]

It tells me, the copy has been blocked by MS. I called MS because, I could not reinstall the OS thinking that might be the problem. They tell me it is an evaluation copy. I bought it as a full version. I see threads that say sometimes this new note in the bottom right that states "this copy is not genuine" can appear, even on legitimate full final releases. I use Windows 7 Pro 32 bit. Now how am I supposed to know, if I go out and buy another copy, whether or not it is REALLY a full version. I don't want to use it for 6 months and have this pop up again. Question, how can you tell if a copy of Windows is an evaluation copy? (I had this PC off for a long time, turned it on, ran the updates, now getting the dreaded message)

Where did you buy Win7? Did you make any attempt to verify the Product Key beforehand? How did it activate?

 

[folsomg10]

Fair enough. I thought, when I read it and that it said "not a genuine copy", that it was fake or something. If it said "evaluation copy", I would have thought, logically, that it was an evaluation copy. Now I know, if it states "This copy of Windows is not genuine", what it really means is that you have an evaluation copy. Okay, got it. So, since I bought what I thought was a real full genuine retail, whatever copy of Windows and wound up with an eval copy, I have to accept this take the loss and go to MS and pay the $300 to get another key because that is the only way I can be sure to get a NON-eval copy. And still, my original question. In my hand, I hold a copy of Windows, now I know that there is no way to know whether or not it is an evaluation copy other than to install it and wait for the 90 days to expire and wait for the watermark to show up near my system tray. Thanks.

 

[folsomg10]

I was ignorant and bought it via one of the many great sellers on eBay. I did not know you could verify the product key before hand. I am new to this product key, registration, activation business. I installed it, put in the code, it activated. That was it.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Have a look at these.

Purchase Windows 7 Upgrades and Featured Accessories

Newegg.com - Software,Operating Systems,Upgrade


You could use the info above to reinstall Vista and do an upgrade from there cheaper.

Or trhis.

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

 

[Carolyn]

Download and Run a Diagnostic Tool (MGADiag.exe) from here and save this to your desktop.
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=56062
* Double-click on MGADiag.exe
* When the program has finished, click on the Validation tab and then click on Copy to Clipboard.
* Please post the results in your next reply.

 

[folsomg10]

Thanks guys, I will check into the Win7 links and run the diags. Will post back.

 

[gregrocker]

Fair enough. I thought, when I read it and that it said "not a genuine copy", that it was fake or something. If it said "evaluation copy", I would have thought, logically, that it was an evaluation copy. Now I know, if it states "This copy of Windows is not genuine", what it really means is that you have an evaluation copy. Okay, got it. So, since I bought what I thought was a real full genuine retail, whatever copy of Windows and wound up with an eval copy, I have to accept this take the loss and go to MS and pay the $300 to get another key because that is the only way I can be sure to get a NON-eval copy. And still, my original question. In my hand, I hold a copy of Windows, now I know that there is no way to know whether or not it is an evaluation copy other than to install it and wait for the 90 days to expire and wait for the watermark to show up near my system tray. Thanks.

What makes you think you have to pay $300 for a copy of Win7? You qualify for an Upgrade version even if Vista isn't on the machine during install. The best deal now for Upgrade version is $129 for Win7 Home Premium 3 pack family upgrade. That's three licenses which last for life for the version most need for less than $45 apiece, or 3 for about the price of 1.

 

[simmo]

I was ignorant and bought it via one of the many great sellers on eBay. I did not know you could verify the product key before hand. I am new to this product key, registration, activation business. I installed it, put in the code, it activated. That was it.

Ebay can be a worry...I have bought XP from there many moons ago and it was ok...however there are dodgy ppl selling on there...I buy OEM editions now (but not from ebay) as I build my own PC's so it qualifies.
As long as you buy your copy from a legitimate company/PC shop or the like you should be sweet.
I like you also had no idea the key can be verified beforehand..I imagine if you google it there will be plenty on the process.
Also be aware that MSE can also decide your copy is non genuine...I simply sin binned MSE and have had no issues since.