Phone activation called me a pirate :D

[mischievousape]

Hmmmm...Looks like there have been some shady shenanigans afoot

Microsoft said that the key I was trying to activate was a business key, so I think the guy that said this could be a corporate key was right. They said that they are sending me a proof that this copy is a business key and I should take it to the store to ask for a home user key.

I called the store and they said they only sell Home versions :sarc: This came in the normal home blue box with the COA on the side and the holo-disk and key code printed on a card giving instructions about XP upgrades. So...It looks like either the store is trying to sell dodgy versions or MS has the code listed incorrectly.

I guess my options are limited. If I buy an OEM 64bit copy can I just use the key that's in that? Also, wth do I do in terms of the copy I bought from the store? Can I report them or something? MS wanted nothing to do with it But I don;t really like being ripped off especially from an actual shop

 

[Dwarf]

You could wait until you receive proof from MS about the key that you have. Then go and see what the shop says. OSes are manufactured, packed and sold by the 10s of 1000s across the world. It is entirely possible that the wrong product key was placed on an insert for a retail version by mistake.

 

[housry23]

Install Windows 7 without inserting a key to avoid it trying to activate in 3 days and thus seeing your key is not valid and automatically disabling features on your PC. Then you will have 30 days and you can rearm the trial 3 times. Hopefully by then you will have your key issues worked out. Usually Microsoft is pretty good about working with you if you get ripped off. Sometimes you may have to give them a sob story and tell them that you thought you were buying legal software and you paid good hard earned money for it and it is ridiculous that you and not the seller is getting punished for it. Then maybe they will give you a key.

 

[mischievousape]

The store wasn't interested. They said that they only sell Home retail products and will not refund or replace and said that it is Microsofts fault. Microsoft aren't interested as they said that the key is definitely a Business 5 user license which is for 5 computers on a network and is never issued incorrectly in the products they sell O_O They wouldn't even give me information about how to report the store.

I've registered a complaint with Trading Standards against the store with a copy of the license details for the key that was sold. But, the way things are, I have little choice but to buy another copy of this software to install. What a head melt. I am really unhappy.

Will an OEM activation key work without reinstalling Windows 7 guys?

 

[Tews]

Unfortunately, no...

 

[DocBrown]

The store wasn't interested. They said that they only sell Home retail products and will not refund or replace and said that it is Microsofts fault. Microsoft aren't interested as they said that the key is definitely a Business 5 user license which is for 5 computers on a network and is never issued incorrectly in the products they sell O_O They wouldn't even give me information about how to report the store.

I've registered a complaint with Trading Standards against the store with a copy of the license details for the key that was sold. But, the way things are, I have little choice but to buy another copy of this software to install. What a head melt. I am really unhappy.

Will an OEM activation key work without reinstalling Windows 7 guys?

Since they sold you a business key, why not get Win7 business & install it on 5 computers as per what you were told about the key

 

[Tews]

I have never heard of a Windows 7 Business version .. at least I couldnt find it on TechNet...

 

[DocBrown]

I have never heard of a Windows 7 Business version .. at least I couldnt find it on TechNet...

I wonder if they mean Enterprise edition for business ?


mischievousape, what version do you have now that you bought with the wrong key attached ?

 

[merkat106]

I have never heard of a Windows 7 Business version .. at least I couldnt find it on TechNet...

Key could be for 7 Enterprise or 7 Professional

 

[Tews]

Hmm.. possibly, but I was unable to find any reference to a 5 user license for an OS that is meant for a corporation wide deployment... something is failing the sniff test here..

 

[merkat106]

Hmm.. possibly, but I was unable to find any reference to a 5 user license for an OS that is meant for a corporation wide deployment... something is failing the sniff test here..

On MS website, 7 Professional is volume license
Windows for Small Business: How to buy

 

[mischievousape]

I really have no idea I mean, when I do the "slmgr.vbs -dlv" thing it says I have a Retail Channel Windows 7 Professional installed.

When I do the Windows Genuine test it says that the copy is authentic, but the key doesn't work.

MS Customer Service said that I can only install this version of Windows 7 on one PC once, but that there have to be 5 PCs on a network. I said that this was not OEM and the guy agreed but said it was not licensed for home use.

 

[Dwarf]

The store wasn't interested. They said that they only sell Home retail products and will not refund or replace and said that it is Microsofts fault. Microsoft aren't interested as they said that the key is definitely a Business 5 user license which is for 5 computers on a network and is never issued incorrectly in the products they sell O_O They wouldn't even give me information about how to report the store.

I've registered a complaint with Trading Standards against the store with a copy of the license details for the key that was sold. But, the way things are, I have little choice but to buy another copy of this software to install. What a head melt. I am really unhappy.

Will an OEM activation key work without reinstalling Windows 7 guys?

First of all, don't let the shop fob you off. You paid them for your copy of Windows 7. Whereas it is not your fault (nor theirs) that the wrong license key was included with a retail copy, your contract is with them. Their contract is with both you and their supplier.

When you receive proof from MS about the key that was in the box, try the shop again. If you still have no luck, then take it to Trading Standards (TS). Be sure to take your receipt and all packaging with you. They have more clout than an individual, and are more likely to lead to a successful outcome (companies certainly don't want a negative or bad record with TS).

Best of luck. Keep us posted on the saga.

 

[mischievousape]

Well, thanks everyone for your suggestions and advice I really appreciate all your help I'm going to go and buy a retail copy from PC World I was going to get OEM but I want to make sure I can use on another PC if I upgrade again.

I'm going to pursue the complaint against the store with the Trading Standards and see where that goes, but I can't risk not having a PC to use in the mean time. I'm still kind of shocked that I bought the bad copy from an actual shop :shock: But never mind. Some you win...

I will post back when I get some news on my complaint.

 

[pparks1]

It might be worth getting a technet subscription instead. It's usually not much more than a retail copy of the OS..plus you get tons of other stuff as well like Office.

 

[gregrocker]

Since they sold you a business key, why not get Win7 business & install it on 5 computers as per what you were told about the key

I would at least try this with a copy of Business you download rather than lose my money. Ask MS for help in downloading it since you have a key they have verified - tell them you were given the wrong install media (the truth).

You bought this legally so you are entitled to see if the key they sold you, which MS confirms is legal for that version, will work when inserted in a Win7 Business version install.

Whether or not you run a business that is using this is your own business. If it works, you can add up to 5 computers to your network for the life of the OS.

 

[DocBrown]

Hmmmm...Looks like there have been some shady shenanigans afoot

Microsoft said that the key I was trying to activate was a business key, so I think the guy that said this could be a corporate key was right. They said that they are sending me a proof that this copy is a business key and I should take it to the store to ask for a home user key.

I called the store and they said they only sell Home versions :sarc: This came in the normal home blue box with the COA on the side and the holo-disk and key code printed on a card giving instructions about XP upgrades. So...It looks like either the store is trying to sell dodgy versions or MS has the code listed incorrectly.

I guess my options are limited. If I buy an OEM 64bit copy can I just use the key that's in that? Also, wth do I do in terms of the copy I bought from the store? Can I report them or something? MS wanted nothing to do with it But I don;t really like being ripped off especially from an actual shop

By any chance did you pay for this copy at the store with a Credit Card. If so,
you may get the Credit card company to dispute the transaction & reverse the charge to the store.

I think you should try another install without entering the Key Code. (Leave it blank) Therefore trying the 30 day trial period to buy you a little time at giving you and all of us here more research time !!!


I am curious if any of our members have a 5 license business/corporate key ?
And is the install disk any different ?

I currently have 8 Win7 Ultimate & 2 Win7 Professional computers running from my MS TechNet subscription.

A puzzling situation, but we all are learning some new info from this.

 

[thefabe]

Do not be tempted to install a cracked copy of Windows 7 there have been reports of all kinds of nasties hidden in there, key loggers, Trojans, Malware etc as my neighbour found out to his dismay. I did a scan on it for him and forgot how many different infections I found


Steve

More infections than a dodgy 'clinic' eh? I really don't use pirated anything, hopefully I can get this sorted but they sure do make it hard to get through to where you need to go to get it sorted lol...Patience is a commodity that has shrunken dramatically over the last 10 years eh? I'll call them Monday and see what's what.

I've never called MS, but on other voice mail usually pressing zero will get you to a person.

Zero or 9 usualy will by pass all options on a lot of automated systems and direct you to a real person. It's worth a try I use it all the time. Fabe Oh well didn't see this was resolved.

 

[gregrocker]

It could possibly be a one-time mistake on the part of the MS CUstomer Service agent you spoke with.

So I'd call MS Customer Service again and tell them you are having a hard time getting key to work which you bought in retail store, for which you have receipts, and the store won't help you.

Their procedure is to validate the key, and if it validates then open a Tech Support case which looks at how you installed it to either help you reinstall it correctly or they force it to work. Once Customer Service validates the key they have to work with you for as long as you are cooperative to get it activated.

So do this all again to double-check what you were told before, open a Tech Support case if the key validates and then they will "discover" you were given the wrong media and hopefully help you get the right one. If they want you to go back to the merchant, try that once again but continue to rely on MS to see you through to resolution as they are tasked to do this by policy.

Good luck and keep us posted. MS keeps a close watch on these forums and won't let you be ripped off if they can help it, which under their own policy I believe they can.

 

[mischievousape]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I went back to the store again and demanded to speak to the manager who again said that I had to contact Microsoft. So I phoned them from my mobile while he was there and then put them onto speaker as they confirmed that the key was not a proper licence for a home user and to tell the store that they have sold a wrong licence, and they would send a certificate confirming that.

I also told him about my complaint to Trading Standards (and lied saying they think that the store might be deliberately selling illegal software) and will be investigating for that.

The manager then decided to give me a different copy and to take it up with MS through their wholesaler. I just put the new code in AND IT WORKS

I took some pictures of the bad disk and packaging but I don't know howto attach them on here. It looks 100% identical to the one I have replaced it with. So weird.