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#11
Hi sticker,
I guess the first step is to report it as suspected piracy and see what they say
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/h...ts/report.aspx
Hope it helps
SIW2
Hi sticker,
I guess the first step is to report it as suspected piracy and see what they say
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/h...ts/report.aspx
Hope it helps
SIW2
If the original installation saw any hardware changes like the seller simply replacing a bad board but not reinstalling Vista all over just for that and seeing a second install activated you end up seeing the counterfeit copy alert displayed onscreen. The disk included would likely be a legit oem disk while Windows simply needs to be reactivated by calling into MS.
Does the disk have the geniune labeling and actual product key with the original plastic container with a small booklet? The disk should also see the bronze color dvd with what looks like a surface grinder dug marks at various angles into the surface of the disk while being reflective.
An MS rep will likely ask if this is the same machine Windows was originally installed on and have you read off a series of number seen in 8 groups of 5. That will the current installation code where you would be given another to type in. If you suspect the disk is a fake then use the report link SIW2 pointed out to you.
One thing to add here is that you simply end up getting an automated voice rather then a live rep when calling in especially on a weekend. You may need to turn the volume on the phone up a bit or speak louder when reading the numbers off.
But as long as the Windows disk was genuine as well as the product key you may see it reactivated on the spot. If you do get a live rep simply tell them the system saw a hardware change like an upgrade or replacement part on the same machine and simply needs to be reactivated. Calling in is simply more of an annoyance rather then any real hassle.
I ran into that same problem when something had to be rmaed and all of a sudden I noticed the onscreen message and said now what! I didn't feel like reinstalling everything all over fresh again after just getting things right that soon.
Later when something was still a little buggy in Windows I got the automated voice which went fast for seeing the reinstall in a shory period of time activated. MS is far more interested in who is copying what then they are about how many times you see Windows reinstalled on your machine to start with.
Gee? If you don't reinstall Windows 1,000 times all those live reps they hire wouldn't have anything to do.