Solved Cannot install updates

[originaljgf]

So this is now a "legitimate" install? And a phone call to Micro$oft would get me a key? (And my Win7 Ultimate disk is just a coaster? lol)

 

[torchwood]

The OS is legal in as much as it no longer has activation exploits/hacks incorporated.

In essence you are running a trial/evaluation copy, hence the default key showing in the report, with a 30 day grace period.
You can extend this a further 3x using the command slmgr/ rearm

Your original install media was/is a pirated copy with an exploit installed to circumvent activation, this is blatently obvious as the key used, as i said before, was never issued with ANY install media - stamped on the motherboard during manufacture
Thats why COA's are stuck to the machine.giving you a backup key, part of the OEM/MS EULA agreement

Even if you phone MS and quote that key at them they will tell you exactly the same as me -
Invalid - OEM manufacturer installation SET UP install key (if they can remember that far back)

 

[Volume Z]

And a phone call to Micro$oft would get me a key?

They'll ask one from you.

 

[MisterEd]

So this is now a "legitimate" install? And a phone call to Micro$oft would get me a key? (And my Win7 Ultimate disk is just a coaster? lol)

When I tried to activate Windows 7 last week I got an error after I entered the product key. Help suggested I do a phone activation. Using phone activation I was able to get a successful activation.

Have you tried both automated activation on the Internet and phone activation?

 

[originaljgf]

I've not tried any activation yet. Having gotten this far I don't want to blow it now.

In other words... what do I do now, lol.

 

[originaljgf]

Well, here I sit, staring at Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 ..."25 days to activate".

Will a phone call to Micro$oft be fruitful ...or an exercise in futility?

(Not interested in the myriad activation keys floating around the internet, I venture at least 10000 people have tried each, and maybe one got lucky; and those "loaders"? it's probably safer to disable your firewall, delete your anti-malware, and spend all day perusing porn sites and downloading torrents of DVD rips.)

But, as MS has for all practical purposes abandoned Win7, I feel I am not depriving them of any revenue by utilizing any "workaround" to get this ancient OS validated/vindicated/authenticated/masturbated.

 

[SIW2]

If you ring them, they will ask for the series of numbers given by slui. If that was produced by a valid key/license they will give you another series of numbers, which you type in to activate .

You need a valid key/license.

 

[originaljgf]

So, at this stage what should i do? Use the system for 120 days and abandon it?

Is my Win 7 Pro 64 Bit disk (which I was hoping to use on new system) useless simply because I wasn't the original purchaser?

Is it any wonder Micro$oft is so despised.

Just my opinion, with all the used software floating around, Microsoft need not be so anal about keys for something no longer generating income for them. (I've long stated if there were a reliable emulator for Linux, which didn't need a programming guru to configure, there would be nothing Microsoft on my system ...except maybe FlightSim.) But I'm tilting at windmills.

I assume the only valid key I have is for the original Vista install on that system, which is useless since I never had a disk for that. And I replaced it with an OS whose lifespan is ticking away as we speak. Can't go back to Vista, can't go forward with Win7. Lol, and people wonder why I don't gamble.

 

[SIW2]

Is my Win 7 Pro 64 Bit disk

If that came with a legit key/license, then you should be able to use the key/license for Pro edition - unless the key/license is already in use elsewhere.

You might still have to ring up and read out the numbers.

 

[originaljgf]

Well (expletive deleted), all i have is the disk, no keys (and had it so long don't even recall where I got it). I assumed a simple install and phone call to MS would take care of things.

But for the other system i am somewhere between acrimonious and heartbroken. Been working with it since June, trying to retain some of the software while getting a couple of newer programs to run; eventually decided an upgrade install of Win7 was the answer, and now it's stuck between not being able to revert to Vista nor move forward with Win7, and while everything is currently working as I hoped, in 120 days it will be junk. In thirty years Microsoft has done absolutely nothing positive in my estimation. (It has long been said the only product Microsoft could make that wouldn't suck would be a vacuum cleaner.)

 

[SIW2]

Buy a key/license.
This popular computer youtuber tells you where he gets his from. Last time I looked they had sold out of win7, but that was a little while ago, dont know what they have got now. Have a look around and see if you can find any other legit sellers.
Tech YES City - YouTube

 

[originaljgf]

What will that cost? (Went to MS store, can't even look around without registering first.) Have seen numerous places online, including ebay, selling keys for everything from XP to W10, but am leery of such sources (just like those sites with dozens of free activation keys).


And is what I have installed now "valid" enough to accept such keys and become activated, genuine, certified, etc.

 

[SIW2]

watch the video, he warns about ebay and similar.

 

[originaljgf]

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately the video is a year old, apparently SCDKeys is primarily game keys now, no listings for windows at all. But prices mentioned in the video were much less than I expected; I'll gladly shell out $10 for a working key ....if the source is reliable. There is hope yet.

Do I need a particular type of key - OEM, Retail, etc.

 

[SIW2]

apparently SCDKeys is primarily game keys now

That is not apparent to me. They have lots for win10, but none left for win7. He is still linking to them under the latest video he released yesterday. Did you even bother to look?

 

[originaljgf]

Did a search for "windows" there, no results. Will I need a "retail", "OEM", or different key (want to get it right the first time).

 

[SIW2]

You need to type in windows 10 to get a result or windows 11. If you type in windows 7 there are no results, because they dont have any available.

A few months ago, I stumbled across a site which I think was Swiss. They had lots of stuff there, win7 was 20 something euros as I recall for a single with discounts for 10 or 100. I remember it because those kind of places often sell to business/governemt departments and similar, so it was a bit unusual to offer singles. I dont need any more licenses, so I didnt make a note of the address.

It is up to you to look for yourself.

 

[originaljgf]

Oh I can look for it, I spend hours online almost daily; just need to know exactly what I'm looking for - found a Win7 Ultimate OEM key for $8, but is this correct for my install, or do i need Retail, or something else.

 

[SIW2]

It depends. If that is a legitimate oem (system builder) key that is not in use elsewhere, then it should work.
It is difficult to know if it is in use elsewhere, or even if the same key has been sold multiple times.

This is why it is best ( if possible ) to use legit places such as usedsoft ( they only sell in bulk ), or that swiss place whose name i cant remember , or somewhere that has been recommended - such as the place recommended by Bryan at Tech Yes..

Otherwise you are taking the risk your $8 might be lost. It is up to you.

 

[originaljgf]

I'm rather diligent about researching any site before dealing with them; this place, in Dubai, has positive comments elsewhere online, and they accept PayPal. Any online transaction has its risks, we just try to minimize them; it's not like I have the option of walking to a local shop and buying a windows key. I'm just as concerned i get the proper key to start with (I've no idea what "type" of Win7 I now have, some "BrundleFly" amalgam of my bogus disk and SP1 update from a different iso).