Windows 7 W.A.T, Multiple computers down!

Hey guys... Small problem here.

I sold an old HP computer running Windows XP to a older gentleman locally on craigslist about 7 months ago, and he had 2 PC's and a Laptop in his home. I left XP on mine, and we went to Fry's and paid for 2 versions of Windows Vista to add to his laptop and other home PC. everything went fine, everything was paid for. Legal copies of windows. I've not heard from him since.


LOL, about 3 days ago I get a call from him. Apparently this older guy then went on craigslist and found a guy selling windows 7, he upgraded ALL 3 of the PC's and the laptop to Windows 7, and added some ram to the older computer... But whoever he dealt with was a scammer because now all of those 4 machines updated to the WAT update that went off 3 or 4 days ago and ALL of the copies on all 4 of his computers are BAD, they were all stolen, re-used, or what I'm assuming are illegal cracked copies.

Now, Pay attention. I'm legit, and a nice guy.. The older guy was nice also. It was someone ELSE that scammed him, and installed illegal copies on all his PC's. I did tell him to call Microsoft, but I doubt anything can be done since he was paying crap cheap dollars for them. (Shoulda known better)

SOOO.. Now this guy calls me. He tells me the story, and said you seemed to be a nice, and honest guy. (and I am, and we installed LEGAL, real copies) he says I don't wanna go back to my versions of Vista. and I'm not really sure where I even put the disks. but I'd like to get all my PC's going again, and with Windows 7. He is now willing to pay, and he wants me to do it because he trusts me and doesn't wanna risk it again on Craigslist. Ya, sorry this is so long.. So ya, Basically these PC's all have Windows 7, and they all are Black screened cuz the Windows Activation Technologies update.

What would be my best move here. Can I have this guy pay for legal, legit copies of windows and just ADD the serial numbers.. or do we have to do clean installs, or can I do a upgrade install over the bad and have it keep all his files and folders??? (He's going to pay me for my time) I just don't know anything about this WAT update, and how to go about fixing it. Or are clean installs the only solution. I'll do some more reading today though..

Suggestions would be great, hopefully JaCee see's this and can comment.. any advice on getting all these going would be great. and is there anywhere still selling Win 7 family packs?

Ya I think so also.. but I've not gone over to his house yet. (40 minutes drive) to see this for myself yet. I do know when I installed my paid version that I didn't set the date so the activation said it wasn't genuine, but after setting the Date correct the activation worked perfect for me.

Here's the thing. I just went into my Auto Updates and found that update, clicked more info and support and microsofts support says this:

If a validation error or activation exploit is detected, you will be directed to more information on the Internet for resolution of the activation exploit or the validation error. When validation errors or activation exploits are removed, you may be asked to use a valid product key to activate the copy of Windows 7 that is running on your computer.

So they try to remove the parts that were bad, witch if it found them. it should correct? and then you can them enter a VALID Product key, So here's my next question, all the hacked copies are usually Win 7 Ultimate, he has Ultimate on all the machines. but thats expensive. Can we pay for 3 copies of Windows 7 Home Edition, and use those Valid keys? or does it HAVE to be the same version

Thorsen, you might be correct, this scammer selling them could have viruses and keyloggers in those and taking this old mans Banking information for all I know. He said it was a guy in his 20's like me, that "seemed" nice.

I think it was just someone that downloads illegal copies from a torrent site, and sells em on craigslist. I don't think it's some elaborate scammer tying to steal bank info and such, but sadly you never know in this world.

According to my last post, Microsoft says they can try to remove the exploits, and if they do so successfully they'll let you enter a key. so maybe if they can't remove them. You can't enter a key, then you'd HAVE to do clean installs. But I'm only guessing.

Ya technet, I didn't even think about that. and I have it. but technically it's for testing purposes... I want it all right for this man. He's a nice older gentleman

thanks desslok, but can I downgrade keys, or do I have to use the same version.. being Ultimate. cuz thats pricey?