Solved Microsoft says I've activated my Windows 7 license too many times.

[Wartweasel]

Hi,

I thought that I would ask this question before running the diagnostic tool referenced above, in case there is a simple yes or no answer to this so as not to waste peoples' time.

Last November I built a new computer and purchased a copy of Windows 7 Pro 64-bit from eBay. I had some difficulty installing it due to the fact that I had to use the Windows DVD and data on the ASUS DVD to create an ISO file so that the copy of Windows 7 to be installed would have support for USB 3.0. I finally got it to install and I have been running the computer for about 9 months without difficulty. Then on Sunday afternoon, I noticed a message in the lower right-hand corner of the screen telling me that my copy of Windows was not genuine.

I right-clicked on Computer in the Start menu, selected Properties and then attempted to re-enter my product key that came with the Windows 7 DVD that I bought. I got the message that the product key had been blocked by Microsoft. I called a number for Microsoft and was told that the license had been activated too many times and I would need to contact the seller to get an extension. The seller is no longer on eBay. I had not activated the license since last November, so I don't know why it took Microsoft nine months to figure out that the software was not genuine.

If Microsoft is telling me that the license has been activated too many times, is there any use in running the tools referenced above? Is is possible they are just looking at information on my PC, which is posting the message, and not their own database?

If anyone thinks that it would still be beneficial to run the tools, I will be glad to do it.

 

[Barman58]

I would estimate that 90%+ of Windows software sold on eBay is counterfeit in some way. A lot of these scams utilise old previously used Multiple Use keys that are sold to businesses or issued to MSDN members. It would appear that you have fallen victim to one of these unscrupulous sellers

Follow the information here ...http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...ne-activation-issue-posting-instructions.html and post the logs requested. One of our Activation specialists should be able to confirm the status of the Key you have.

If it does turn out that you have a key you could try contacting eBay with the details of the seller and your purchase information and they may process a refund for you. Another option is to contact Microsoft, and report that you have been sold a counterfeit copy of windows that you purchased in good faith, They have been known to investigate the seller and provide a free valid key to the user

 

[townsbg]

If you bought a disk that was in an open box it is quite possible that the license had before been used or has since been used.

 

[torchwood]

Just google the last 3 sets of the key,
If you get multiple hits, then more than likely someone has sold that key previously.
Hits = no of times sold.

Roy

 

[torchwood]

Just using the last 3 sets, will not leave him open to that.
ALL Mgadiag reports list them.

Roy

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Newegg.com is about the only place I'd buy now days = sold and shipped by them
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - Operating Systems - Newegg.com

 

[Wartweasel]

I will follow the instructions in the link and post the results here.

The seller I bought the software from is no longer an eBay user. He only had 21 feedbacks....all positive. I'm guessing that he had 21 copies of the program and sold them all, then exited.

I tried getting in touch with eBay but was not successful. You can't just get a phone number and call them. You have to go through an automated process and one of the things that you have to do is to select the item that you want a return on from a list. But that list only goes back 90 days. I tried everything I could think of to get the form to the point where I could submit it, but without being able to specify the item, it doesn't seem to be possible. I've never had a problem like this before, so there may be something that I'm missing.

I did contact MS twice and was told that they couldn't do anything and I needed to contact the seller. I may call MS again and ask to talk to a supervisor to see if they can do anything for me. Tomorrow I'll get the information that was requested.

Thanks to all of you for your assistance thus far.

 

[townsbg]

Under contact us I clicked on the returns tab and then under returns for buyers appealing the decision on a case. I then got a contact button which gave me a phone number and passcode without having to enter in a item. It looks like you might have to come up with some proof of fraudulence such as a statement from Microsoft if you can get them to give you one. Ultimately though you might have to take a loss and buy a copy from newegg. You know that those will be good however it is a OEM copy that can only ever be used on one pc.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Just using the last 3 sets, will not leave him open to that.
ALL Mgadiag reports list them.

Roy

I'm sorry, you are correct. I missed the part of just using the last three sets.

 

[Brds7t7]

A lot of counterfeits sold on eBay and some of them look extremely convincing in extremely good packaging.
Make sure if you ever buy from a seller they have been a member for many years and a lot of good feedback.
I don't actually buy much from eBay these days. If I do, my rule is I wouldn't buy from any seller who has been on there for less than 3 years. They must have a lot of feedback and 100% good.
Way too much rubbish and fakes on eBay these days.

As Barman says, report it to MS and they may be able to help you with a legitimate key.

 

[NoelDP]

the following probably applies (without an MGADiag report, we can't be sure...
The installed Product Key is an MSDN-type Subscriber-only Key
Unless you are an MSDN subscriber, you are not entitled to use the Key – and whoever sold it to you was not entitled to do so.*
You need to claim an immediate refund from the vendor - do NOT accept the offer of a new key (all they are trying to do is to get past the 45-day claims window or avoid you sending the evidence of their crimes to the authorities)
Please read the following posts.... .................................
Blocked Product Keys
and
Advice on Safe Software Shopping (revised 4/10/2011)
The pirates have got VERY good at this over the past few years, as the price of equipment for manufacturing the packages drops, and as factories open in less well-policed countries.
see also this post....
The New York Times - Chasing Pirates: Inside Microsoft’s War Room
Also - have a look at this video....
Bogus Windows 7 warning - YouTube
You may be able to get a complimentary copy of the OS from Microsoft - fill in the Counterfeit report here...
How to Tell - Home

Pasted from <https://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/fe77d198-5278-4393-ba73-583e76d7313f/windows-7-not-genuine?forum=genuinewindowsxp>

 

[townsbg]

As for your current situation you can't force M$ to activate your product or give you a free key. You most certainly can try. On your current install you should be able to "extend" a trial period for 120 days after which you will need to reinstall 7. Other than buy a copy from Newegg there really isn't anything else you can do. There are probably some hacks to get around activation but we can't help you with those as per the forum rules. Most of us probably wouldn't do that ourselves anyway or recommend that it be done. Extend or Reset Windows Trial Period [Windows 8, 8.1, 7] - Windows

 

[Wartweasel]

Okay, here is the report. If I didn't do something right, let me know and I'll run it and post it again.

Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->

Validation Code: 50
Cached Online Validation Code: 0xc004c4a2
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-WMWP2-FDCD7-M8298
Windows Product Key Hash: gRYx0++10oKgKKp3RZ95Jo0yWy8=
Windows Product ID: 00371-849-0035677-85983
Windows Product ID Type: 5
Windows License Type: Retail
Windows OS version: 6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.048
ID: {93549FEA-0C9C-4B78-987A-2D3F24A0E9BD}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows 7 Professional
Architecture: 0x00000009
Build lab: 7601.win7sp1_ldr.160516-0600
TTS Error: 
Validation Diagnostic: 
Resolution Status: N/A

Vista WgaER Data-->
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

Windows XP Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
File Exists: No
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAExec.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Data-->
Office Status: 109 N/A
OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Office Diagnostics: 025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3

Browser Data-->
Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed

File Scan Data-->

Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{93549FEA-0C9C-4B78-987A-2D3F24A0E9BD}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.048</OS><Architecture>x64</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-M8298</PKey><PID>00371-849-0035677-85983</PID><PIDType>5</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-676091870-3092876150-1642442642</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>System manufacturer</Manufacturer><Model>System Product Name</Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>American Megatrends Inc.</Manufacturer><Version>0212</Version><SMBIOSVersion major="3" minor="0"/><Date>20150710000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>D68C3C07018400FE</HWID><UserLCID>0409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Eastern Standard Time(GMT-05:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM/><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>109</Result><Products/><Applications/></Office></Software></GenuineResults>  

Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002

Licensing Data-->
Software licensing service version: 6.1.7601.17514

Name: Windows(R) 7, Professional edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Windows(R) 7, RETAIL channel
Activation ID: e838d943-63ed-4a0b-9fb1-47152908acc9
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 00371-00170-849-003567-00-1033-7601.0000-2282016
Installation ID: 001322160112178713060625825153212455495262267846400325
Processor Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88338
Machine Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88339
Use License URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88341
Product Key Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88340
Partial Product Key: M8298
License Status: Notification
Notification Reason: 0xC004F200 (non-genuine).
Remaining Windows rearm count: 4
Trusted time: 8/18/2016 5:24:13 PM

Windows Activation Technologies-->
HrOffline: 0x00000000
HrOnline: 0xC004C4A2
HealthStatus: 0x0000000000000000
Event Time Stamp: 8:17:2016 15:50
ActiveX: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
Admin Service: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
HealthStatus Bitmask Output:


HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: MAAAAAEAAQABAAEAAAABAAAABAABAAEAHKLcElKMqMFAY9RvqtOMPdrmcoq+QfRS

OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A

OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes, but no SLIC table
Windows marker version: N/A
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: N/A
BIOS Information: 
  ACPI Table Name    OEMID Value    OEMTableID Value
  APIC            ALASKA        A M I 
  FACP            ALASKA        A M I 
  HPET            ALASKA        A M I
  MCFG            ALASKA        A M I
  FPDT            ALASKA        A M I 
  FIDT            ALASKA        A M I 
  SSDT            SataRe        SataTabl
  LPIT            INTEL         SKL
  SSDT            SataRe        SataTabl
  SSDT            SataRe        SataTabl
  SSDT            SataRe        SataTabl
  DBG2            INTEL         
  SSDT            SataRe        SataTabl
  SSDT            SataRe        SataTabl
  UEFI                    
  SSDT            SataRe        SataTabl
  ASF!            INTEL          HCG
  BGRT            ALASKA        A M I

 

[Wartweasel]

By the way, I Googled the last three groups of digits from my product key and came up with 0 hits. Seems like there should have been at least 1.

I Googled "rearm count" and found the method to rearm the time counter. That let me put things back to normal for now until I have a permanent solution. Looks like I have up to 120 days to get this fixed so that takes off some of the pressure.

 

[torchwood]

Hi WartWeasel,
Yeah i googled it to, NO hits.
Although its confirming what the MS rep said.
The only slightly odd thing i can see is the
Windows Product ID: 00371->>>849<<<-
standard Retail code is 177 not 849, possibly NoelDP can confirm.

You could try running KB971033, but i don't hold out much hope.

I do suggest you follow thru on Noel's comments, and as an extra as your in the states there's the Postal Fraud option

Roy

 

[townsbg]

The only slightly odd thing i can see is the
Windows Product ID: 00371->>>849<<<-
standard Retail code is 177 not 849, possibly NoelDP can confirm.

Mine says 152 and it is a legit retail copy from newegg.

 

[NoelDP]

There are a large number of misconceptions about the ChannelID codes - unfortunately it's not possible for anyone to tell what type of Key gives any particular CID, unless you have access to MS's database. The only reason we know certain ones are either because they were confirmed as being of a given type by an MS staffer in the Technet forums, or because forum posters have confirmed the type themselves, having been scammed.
It's not even really possible to tell the difference between an Upgrade and a Full license from the CID.

...but yes, the 8xx series is definitely one to be wary about since I do know that a number of variants have fallen foul of being blocked for abuse - which probably means that they are MSDN-type.

 

[Wartweasel]

I don't know much about MSDN usage, but how would that version of software be delivered? DVD? Download from the MS web site? The disks that I received have the laser artwork around the edges, and the label sure doesn't look like it was bogus.

The report in the code box, above, stated that the license was a Retail version. Doesn't this mean that the software and key that I have are not MSDN, but were intended to be sold to retail customers?

This the first time in my 30 years of using computers that I've ever run into a issue like this, so I hope that these questions are not ignorant. While I will probably have to end up buying another license, I'd like to understand these issues. If I buy a copy of Windows 7 from New Egg, it will be an OEM version. I believe that this means that I can install the software on one computer, but I can't then reinstall it on another computer if the current computer dies or I want to build up a new machine to replace the one I'm using now. Is it still possible to purchase Retail licenses from MS or other sellers that will allow me to transfer the software to another machine if I need to?

 

[Barman58]

MSDN Software is always stated as Retail as this refers to the licence type rather than the source or intended use,

Retail licences can be transferred to a new PC as long as it is not in use on more that the number of installs the licence is designed for. MSDN licences allow a certain number of concurrent installs which can vary with the agreement between the member of the Microsoft Developer Network and Microsoft. These licences sometimes find their way into the hands of the scammers and used to make money off unsuspecting buyers

The Licence is what you are paying for not the disk which will often work with more than one type of licence as well as unlimited installs, (with valid legitimate licences).

Microsoft are no longer selling retail or OEM licences licences as Windows Seven is in Extended support (Microsoft stops selling licences for older software when it ends full support), the only legitimate licences now available will be basically older stock still held by sellers. the retail licences were the first to be withdrawn by MS and so now the vast majority for sale will be the limited OEM licences which are tied to the first hardware they are installed on, quite often, if you can present a valid and reasonable reason to Microsoft, as to the reason for re-installing to what appears to be "new" hardware, a MB failure or similar, then they will allow transfer, ( although this is at their discretion).

There is another type of OEM licence which is provided by the major manufacturers, Dell HP, Etc.), these licences do appear on Net sales sites but these will need to have been "adapted" (hacked) to work at all on other than the manufacturer's specific hardware.

NoelDP will be able to provide a lot more specific info but ths will hopefully explain your case

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Not many valid retail copies exist and if they do they are a premium in price
You can buy 3 oem/ system builders copies for the price of one so called retail but the trick is finding a legitimate retail
Most are on EBay and well back to page 1