Solved How to tell if it's genuine?

[Halfbaked]

I bought a Retail box of Windows 7 Pro for my wife's soon to be built pc.
The purchase was through Amazon and a company in Laguna Hills, Ca.
The price was decent and I've never had a problem with Amazon before so why not?
Got the package today in the mail and just opened it.
The upper edge of the blue Windows 7 cardboard sleeve is bent over and slightly separated. The shrink wrap is wrinkled in the same area.
Removing the plastic case from the cardboard holder I can see that the seal appears to be compromised.
There is a 'bar or line' which is part of the seal that is showing red except near the center, where it is silver.
Also, the squiggly line that runs the length of the seal along the words 'Win Pro 7 English US only DVD' seems to be slightly separated.
I've never dealt with anything like this before and could use some advice. Is there a way of using the numbers on that label to tell if this is genuine or should I try to get a new copy?
Thanks for any help.
H

 

[seavixen32]

You may find this link goes some way to answering your concerns.

Genuine Windows: frequently asked questions - Microsoft Windows

If the software is counterfeit it will fail Microsoft's validation checks.

 

[Brink]

Hello Halfbaked,

It sounds like the package may have been opened already. Check the items at the links below to help be able to tell for sure though.

How to know you're buying genuine Windows - Microsoft Windows

Genuine Windows: frequently asked questions - Microsoft Windows

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Halfbaked]

Thanks for your help.
I was hoping to avoid opening the plastic case but I guess I've got to do it in order to check for authenticity.

Edit: It does seem to have been opened before I got to it but both discs are Holograms and include that beautiful word 'Genuine'.
And I do have a product key. Is there a link I could go to to verify that the key is new and valid?
Thanks.
H.

 

[Brink]

When you activate Windows 7 normally with the product key number entered, it will automatically check if it's genuine.

 

[Halfbaked]

I don't think I'm expressing myself properly.
I'm not building the new pc at least for a few more weeks. If I find out then that there is a problem with the Windows 7 key, I'll be in a difficult position trying to get it corrected quickly.
I live on SSD payments and can't afford to just throw money away.
That's why I was hoping to find a site where I could check to make sure that this new key isn't already being used.
If there is no way of doing it then I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed.
Thanks for helping.
H.

 

[Brink]

Normally you would use the links above to help verify if the retail box copy is real or not. If so, then the product key number that came with it would be genuine as well.

I suppose that you could call the same phone number for your area like when you would do a phone activation, and ask them to verify the product key number for you.

 

[Cael]

it would be hard but i suppose try installing in a VM you might haveto activate by phone when you'd install it on the new PC and mention when you call that phone Activation # that you were unsure if it was a legit copy and checking to see if it was.

 

[seavixen32]

I'm sure that Microsoft would be able to vouch for the software's authenticity if you call them and explain your worries.

I would have thought the Product Key alone should be sufficient as they should be able to verify whether it's genuine or not.

As for validation, that takes place after you've installed the software, which in your situation is not a lot of help to you. The main advantage of validation is that you get access to Microsoft goodies without having to go through Windows Updates first and you have the satisfaction of knowing your software is legal.

What is validation and how does it work? - Microsoft Windows

 

[Halfbaked]

Thanks everybody for your help.
I'll see what I can accomplish with MS this afternoon.
H

 

[seavixen32]

You're very welcome.

Please keep us posted on Microsoft's response if there is anything untoward.

 

[Brink]

Thanks everybody for your help.
I'll see what I can accomplish with MS this afternoon.
Hugger

You're welcome. Please let us know how it went.

 

[JerometheGiraff]

What if you want download Win7 SP1 on Vista. You can't because the verification tool won't validate for you to download it.

 

[Bill2]

What if you want download Win7 SP1 on Vista. You can't because the verification tool won't validate for you to download it.

And where exactly do you want to download win7 sp1 from?

 

[Halfbaked]

Contacted the seller and they were surprisingly pro-active about the whole thing.
They are replacing the product and giving me a % refund for my troubles. They responded to my original email asking for help within a few hours.
Seller is Microidea.com.
H

 

[seekermeister]

You are fortunate that the vendor is cooperative. I occasionally will do business with Amazon, but only if the item I need comes directly from them...not one of their sub-vendors. The reason is that Amazon doesn't accept payment via PayPal, so the only recourse available is through Amazon itself. When a sub-vendor is difficult, Amazon may go through the motions of arbitration, but have no teeth in dealing with their sub-vendors.

 

[Brink]

Contacted the seller and they were surprisingly pro-active about the whole thing.
They are replacing the product and giving me a % refund for my troubles. They responded to my original email asking for help within a few hours.
Seller is Microidea.com.
H

That's great news Halfbaked.

 

[JerometheGiraff]

What if you want download Windows 7 SP1 on Vista. You can't because the verification tool won't validate for you to download it.

And where exactly do you want to download Windows 7 sp1 from?

I did say on Vista, didn't I ?

 

[Halfbaked]

I just checked microidea out with the BBB.
They have an A- rating. The reason for the '-' is that they haven't been in business long enough to get a higher score, according to to the BBB.
Regards.
Hugger