Just Revived My 11yr old PC and the Windows activation key is expired?

[MacAttackMac]

Hi Sevenforums, as you've most likely read the title, you probably understand like I do that there is no such thing as a windows activation key and I'm bringing this problem to the forums today in search of someone who can help guide me in the right direction of ridding this issue from my PC. See the odd part about this all is that when the computer was operational in 2012- 2013 I had seen this happen once but passed by it with no mind and it never popped up again (I was installing FITgirl-Repacks and what not at the time back then as I wasn't too mindful of just how harmful these repacks of games might end up being). So about 2018 my PSU got destroyed and now in 2024 I was able to replace the PSU as well as the MOBO since it died, Bought a new RAM stick and CPU as well. It MIRACULOUSLY survived and booted back up like new with no issue and I completely forgot the OS was Windows 7 Home Premium x64 bit. So one thing I do have is a PS/2 Keyboard but I do not have a mouse to combo so I can login perfectly fine and wildly when I did everything was there except it was a black barren background, windows 7 home premium not genuine in the bottom right, and the time zone is set to RUSSIA?? I'm not sure how to fix this issue but I will lay out some additional details and specs.

• Original Build included MSI z77 MOBO and I built it inside of a COOLER MASTER HAF932 which both I believe came with USB3.0 capabilities. I'm Certain the Cooler Master has two USB 3.0 Ports on the front but for some reason with my new MOBO I can't get my USB Keyboard (Digital Frog), USB CaseLogic Mouse to register so that I can log in and fix anything on the computer.
• The new MOBO is a MSI MAG z490 Tomahawk
• CPU is Intel Core i3-10100F 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor (Comet Lake)
• Also I have a Bootable USB updated with SIW2's 7upv64p Tool and when I used it with "Win7_HomePrem_SP1_English_x64" it worked flawlessly in creating the ISO file but I thought I could use the USB Flash Drive to just install the USB 3.0 Drivers which I guess does not work but both my keyboard and mouse work perfectly fine on the BIOS menu and when booting into windows the just both stop when the login screen appears. Is there a work around for this at all? Cause I am not sure how I can reinstall or install new USB Drivers with just a PS/2 Keyboard.
• 8gb RAM DDR4 2133
• Hitachi 2TB

 

[townsbg]

There is such a thing as activation of Windows (that started with XP). If you had it on one motherboard but now another you'll have no choice but to activate it since essentially you have it in a new system. You'll have to use the key that came with your copy of Windows to activate it. If you're using a custom build then you had to have a retail copy. If it was a manufactured computer the key would have come on a sticker on the computer. Unfortunately that key is tied to the original motherboard and can't be transferred over.

 

[MacAttackMac]

Sorry for the late reply it is torrential downfall here right now. That does make sense though if they included it with the original DVD, maybe its my memory at this age but I've been looking around online for a resolution to this issue and a lot of forums state that its an Adware program coming from within the computer that can end up bundled in Torrents because someone may have just been repacked it into the software or games and I thought you just needed a product key for the OS itself which I read is what this Activation Key is disguising itself as so that PC owners will call a fake number to buy a new key. I figured there may have been few programs on the PC that could be the culprit's if it was Adware (COMODO INTERNET SECURITY and CCLEANER) but I can't get any USB drivers installed so that my Rig starts registering the keyboard/mouse combo I used for it originally and that kinda sent off some warning signs as well that it may not be legitimate but by deduction that would probably also be a new mobo issue as well I suppose. Is there anyway to get support with this z490 to use USB 3.0 ports on this version of Windows 7 with the wired keyboard/mouse? I guess there's not much point in using SIW2's program since I know the OS functions fine but I don't really see any way to get driver support for the USB's on this mobo.

 

[townsbg]

Putting a hard drive into another computer (which in itself could cause an issue) causes Windows to deactivate since it is sensing different hardware. As for usb 3.0, I've had trouble setting that up on Windows 7 myself so I'll have to defer to others.

 

[torchwood]

Hi

based on the fact the original install was on an MSI motherboard, it tends to imply the Product key would either be a, System Builder or Retail key
Both of these types of key are transferable to other machines, and are unique so you will need to find the original packaging or have it written down somewhere

lets have a look see, please run this tool and copy/paste the results and i'll look it over
https://www.sevenforums.com/attachm...vation-issue-posting-instructions-mgadiag.exe

note
product keys are version specific

 

[MacAttackMac]

Putting a hard drive into another computer (which in itself could cause an issue) causes Windows to deactivate since it is sensing different hardware. As for usb 3.0, I've had trouble setting that up on Windows 7 myself so I'll have to defer to others.

That makes sense and I didn't even think the hard drive would act this way. I thought the OS was only "attached"(If thats even the right wording here) to the HDD so thank you for that info. I am hoping to find some solution to this Port issue with Windows, however I will say SIW2's Tool for the windows update has been helpful and when i'm in the installation media all of my ports verify my wireless and wired Keyboard/Mouse combos so I'm assuming this is most likely just a missing chipset.

- - - Updated - - -

Hi

based on the fact the original install was on an MSI motherboard, it tends to imply the Product key would either be a, System Builder or Retail key
Both of these types of key are transferable to other machines, and are unique so you will need to find the original packaging or have it written down somewhere

lets have a look see, please run this tool and copy/paste the results and i'll look it over
https://www.sevenforums.com/attachm...vation-issue-posting-instructions-mgadiag.exe

note
product keys are version specific

Damn, I lost the packaging after some changes in living but I will put this program into my flash drive and run it on the old box tonight!

Updating Coming

 

[townsbg]

It'll be deactivated on the old computer. If the key wasn't erased you might be able to retrieve it: 8 Quick & Easy Tricks to Find Your Windows 7 Product Key

 

[MisterEd]

Someone gave me an old Dell laptop. It would not even power up. I pulled the hard drive and put it in an external enclosure. I used the ProduKey program to retrieve the product keys on the drive. The following shows the steps I used:

1a. Run ProduKey.exe as Administrator
1b. Select File > Select Source



2a. Select "Load the product keys from external Windows directory"
2b. Browse to and select Windows folder on external drive
2c. Click OK



3. After search the results are shown



4. The results can be saved in a text file



Notes:
1. Every time I tried to extract ProduKey.exe from the zip file, Windows antivirus protection deleted it. I had to tell it to not do that.
2. It is important to run ProduKey.exe as Administrator
3. ProduKey found the product keys for:

• Windows 7 Home Premium
• Microsoft Office Standard 2007

I successful installed and activated both on another computer.