Microsoft says my Win7 Ultimate is an illegal copy!

[RossG]

I bought a used Acer Aspire with Win 7 Ultimate pre-installed.
I couldn't get it to work properly (and couldn't even delete
the pornographic screen-savers installed by the previous owner!).

So I retrieved the activation code with Belarc Advisor and installed
from the iso from Microsoft's website.

It all worked perfectly but after not using the Acer for a couple
of months when I next turned it on I got a message which claims
that the installed Win 7 Ultimate is not a legal copy.

How can I fix this?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
Have you contacted the seller of the machine/ reported to Microsoft of selling pirate copies/ machines ?
Windows Genuine and Activation Issue Posting Instructions

 

[AddRAM]

You bought it used, so you were taking a chance. As Mike suggests contact the seller, ask them where the COA is if there`s none on it.

Windows 7 Ultimate is the most pirated version there is.

Probably used an activator, or bad key etc.

How can you fix it ?

Buy Windows 7 Pro, or Home Premium OEM, you don`t need Ultimate.

From a reputable dealer in your area.

Example Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit-Newegg.com

or you could buy Windows 10

Windows 10 Home - 64-bit-Newegg.com

Home or Pro is up to you.

If they sold you a computer without a COA, then they didn`t sell you the right to use Windows 7, that`s something you`ll have to discuss with the seller.


But if there`s no COA on the computer, then you`re in a pickle.

 

[RossG]

What's an activator?

Well, I don't know what an activator is and as
for the activation key it's the one returned by
Belarc Adviser so what could be wrong with it?

I doubt Acer would install an illegal copy of Win.
Why would they?

I don't need Ultimate? In fact I don't need Win 7
except that a number of programmes need a 64-bit
OS. Otherwise I'm happy with XP.

Is there a 64-bit XP? Now that's one I'd pay money for.

 

[AddRAM]

An activator is a program used to illegally activate windows.

It could be a blocked key, it could belong to another brand PC etc, there are several reasons why a key could be bad, you can research that on your own

Acer would not install an illegal copy, but you bought it USED. Windows 7 Ultimate is rarely installed on a retail PC.

Yes, there is a 64 bit XP.

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition - Wikipedia

 

[RossG]

AddRAM

For the first time I read the "stickers" on the front of
the computer and it says "Windows 7 Home Premium" so
it seems that the previous owner installed an illegal copy
of Ultimate.

So can I assume that the activation code I retrieved will
be OK if I install Home Premium?

Ultimate is too complicated for me anyway so it'd be no loss.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Well if you need home premium iso you can use this
Microsoft Windows and Office ISO Download Tool

 

[Megahertz07]

As ThrashZone mentioned, download the tool, run it and under Win 7, choose Win 7 HP OEM.
Burn a DVD or install it on a USB Flash disk with Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way
Do a Clean install Clean Install Windows 7
Use the COA key to activate.
For the updates MS releases SP2 for Windows 7

 

[AddRAM]

And there you go, Good Job people