Genuine Win 7 Not Genuine

[TerrySmythe]

I was among Windows 10 testers/pioneers, but several weeks ago, a cascading array of my hardware and software stopped working under Win 10. So I bit the bullet, cracked open a new SSD drive and loaded my old genuine Windows 7 Home 64bit and reinstalled all my favorite software. Everything has been working fine for several weeks and actually everything still is working. But suddenly an ominous little message suddenly popped up bottom right - This copy of Windows is not genuine. Reality is that is genuine. How do I fix this?

 

[Golden]

How was W10 originally installed? Was an existing W7 upgraded to the W10?

Please perform the following:

1. Download and save this tool to your desktop:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012

2. Run the tool, and then click Copy - ignore any errors if they appear

3. Use CTRL+V to paste the unedited results of the tool here in your next reply

 

[TerrySmythe]

Very interesting. This diagnostic tool revealed that I had made an error in the registration key that somehow was initially accepted, To correct that error, I went into Control Panel/System/Change Registration Key. Big surprise..... Seems that what I bought some years ago was an "Upgrade" disk, cannot be used for a clean install. Yet that is exactly what I did, a clean install and it was accepted and I've been using it for several weeks. Am I now faced with repeating what I did several weeks ago, only worse by preceeding it with whatever I had prior, and rebuild all over again? This is nuts, all because Win 10 failed me miserably.

 

[Melchior]

Very interesting. This diagnostic tool revealed that I had made an error in the registration key that somehow was initially accepted, To correct that error, I went into Control Panel/System/Change Registration Key. Big surprise..... Seems that what I bought some years ago was an "Upgrade" disk, cannot be used for a clean install. Yet that is exactly what I did, a clean install and it was accepted and I've been using it for several weeks. Am I now faced with repeating what I did several weeks ago, only worse by preceeding it with whatever I had prior, and rebuild all over again? This is nuts, all because Win 10 failed me miserably.

yeah, if u buy a Windows 7 product-key & Disc off of say eBay like I did you have to look for FULL in the description and or header

This is my eBay bookmarked search for " "windows 7 ultimate" 64 bit full"
eBay Link
Not sure why the link is showing up as access denied.. let me know if it does not work.

when I search by closest first I get:
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 32 & 64 Bit - Full Version - Retail

note the full and the retail those are what is most important plus have both the 32bit and 64bit DVDs is handy as well...

 

[Golden]

Van error in the registration key that somehow was initially accepted

That would be a first...Ive never heard of Windows accepting an invalid key. Its simply impossible.

 

[Barman58]

I would estimate that 99%+ of all copies of windows 7 Ultimate for sale on eBay are illegal in some way or another - Ultimate is the most counterfeited version of Windows 7 so this is not surprising. The only legit copies of Windows 7 you are likely to find will be One off use OEM copies of Pro or home, and these are now very rare so are demanding a premium price $150 Dollars upwards so I would question any selling at less than that - basic rule is go to a small "Mom & Pop" Store that may well legitimately have the odd unsold copy, or one of the major players in the specialist stores.

Other things to be aware of ...

Never buy just a key, only buy a full package
Never but a copy that has been opened only sealed packaging
Never buy a package where the key is visible

 

[Melchior]

thx for the additional info Barman58,
its true there are/can be issues with buying these older OSs like Windows 7 Ultimate off of eBay..

I ran into to a already used to many times issue with my first key from the seller I bought from..
but they got me a replacement OEM key no trouble.. that and in the end I had to go through the painful
phone-activation process to get this main build/system of mine up and running.. That and I forgot to record that stupid phone activation sequence that I got from the phone call... >_>
I just hope I never have to do that again..

ps: the copy I bought came with the 64 bit DVD no SP1 of Windows 7 Ultimate x64 :/
and I built this system June of last year...

 

[torchwood]

Hi Terry,

I DID read that your trying to install HOME Premium.

Right now lets get back to sorting you out

is the error code

0xc004f061

If so have a look at this tutorial option 3
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

please post the FULL results of the Mgadiag


Roy

 

[TerrySmythe]

This is weird..... The genuine Windows 7 I bought a few years ago, was from a reputable BestBuy dealer on the first day of its release, ~$120.00 as I recall. I never once seriously took note that it was an "upgrade". What's weird is that I not only got the reg key wrong (single character) but that I was also able to do a clean install. In 20-20 hindsight, I should in theory have been unable to do either. The a clean install did happen, and I did make an error in the reg key. So, how come an error message did not pop up?

It now gets worse. When I bought Win 7, I migrated from WinXP. In the meantime, I did a hardware upgrade and my genuine WinXP will not install, incompatible with my current system. I seem to be caught between a rock and a hard place. Dammnnnn....... I can't even go back to Win 10 because as one of the testers/pioneers, I never did get an actual disc.

 

[Golden]

Well, until you actually post the results of the MGADiag report there isn't much advice we can offer, is there?