not genuine windows error code 0x8004fe21

[feralfreak]

a couple days ago i started seeing this popup that my windows is not genuine, but its the same os that came with the laptop, which ive had since 2018 after helping a friend move(she gave it to me for helping her move), i havent made much in the way of changes, just told it to stop auto updating since microsoft dont do updates anymore(if im wrong please inform me) and i keep an sd card in the slot to store my emails on(mozilla sea monkey portable, i have another laptop that i want to be able to easily move it to if i ever get it fixed) and when it would reboot it would hang and show me a black screen with the words no operating system found, which is fine i just reboot to get past it, but this "genuine windows thing" is annoying me, i made the chance to stop auto updating maybe a month ago. i dont know what else to add here.

 

[torchwood]

Hi

see my post in your bleep thread,
I'll give it a once over.

Im 100% sure that its a genuine pop=up



Roy

 

[torchwood]

Hi Feral,

seen your FRST logs, there are certainly some oddities.

they will likely remove some entries, and run at least 2 standard MS repair tools.
one of them will hopefully replace some of the tampered keys

Regarding the missmatched product keys -- Thats fine the reported key is a default, the one on the COA certificate is a back-up.
The comp has been running the W7 OS with that key since july 2014
Been analysing those reports for years
NO Activator is in use

Until we replace the licencing files the non-genuine status will remain, the bleep malware boys will likely not replace them, i dont think they will even have them.

I will require a rerun of the tool once your finished over there


Roy

note to me ---- IE11

Roy

 

[torchwood]

Hi

Its certainly not malware causing your problems

failing hard drive or an extremly corrupt system, that sfc report was one of the worst i've seen.

would like to see the chkdsk report did it report any BAD BLOCKS


Roy

 

[torchwood]

hi feral,

we need to backup your personal data first.

please download macrium free.
Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free


When creating the image select >>>>IGNORE BAD BLOCKS<<<<<

ssd's are either for laptops or desktops select the correct one. lappy ones are smaller

we can supply you with a link for a W7 Service pack 1 Home Premium Iso download
(according to your reports you have the Iso collecter)

YOU WILL NEED A 4GB+ USB

You also have the COA code to activate the OS, thats handy

give me a shout when your ready to go


Roy

 

[feralfreak]

ive backed up most of my stuff already to a 32 gig micro sd drive, the rest i can put on dvdrs, my main difficulty is selection, i dont want to get an uncompatible drive, i looked up the specs of the drive online, the current one that is failing is 500gb, 5400rpm, sata3, 8mb cache, only a fraction of that makes sense to me, ive seen 1tb drives and i kinda like the idea of those, i was told to steer clear of seagate drives, part of my concern is risk that i might get one too strong and have it burn up(and possible risk of fire, God knows we dont need a fire right now after hell we have had in the past), one friend is saying i shouldnt be at risk for that, something about sata3 being a speed, said i can go higher and the machine will still only use what it can(about like how the body will take only what it needs of vitamin c when you take large doses of it-moms a retired nurse), what would help greatly is selection aide(links please?), budget around 50 bucks, do i have to look for what is specifically stated to be compatible or do i have greater options?


my other concern is the OS itself, because i got this 3rd hand(friend gave it to me for helping her move and because it started overheating-it was an easy fix just a piece of plastic blocking a fan-, and she bought it used), i have recovery dvd's made when i got the machine working the first time(when i removed the blockage) and i copied the windows key from the registry, will those recovery discs be enough to install windows 7?


edit:i just noticed you said you can give me a link to a windows 7 iso, is there a cost to that option beyond the usb drive?


edit:i hope i didnt seem rude by not replying, when i was directed to the thread at bleeping i thought that was were i was being directed to for help so i focused there, and i got no notices that i had replies to this board or bleeping, i guess the servers ate them, its happened before, i aprreciate your patience.


edit: i found a 32 gig usb drive i havent used much, i also have a batman usb drive that is loaded with an os but its windows 10(not big on 10), im curious, the batman one was formatted by a tech at windows when an update they sent out bricked the windows 10 laptop i used before, is it possible to transfer that os from that drive to a dvd-r and free up that batman drive for this operation?

 

[torchwood]

Hi Feral,

NO OFFENCE TAKEN


hard drives whether spinners or ssd's come in 2 sizes -- desktop or laptop, (smaller 2.5 inch) and thats it

Budget wise spinners are cheaper, your 5400 is the slowest available, the 500gb is about average for a laptop, you dont really need anything bigger unless you start saving videos. Sata3 means its compatible with USB3 devices, and its data transfer rates are faster

you need something like these
Robot Check

Robot Check



The Bloatfree W7 Iso download is free

i would use the batman usb - format it first then install the OS
(you will need Rufus to make it bootable)

Rufus - The Official Website (Download, New Releases)



GOTTA GO OUT WILL BE BACK

 

[torchwood]

IM BACK



READ THIS POST FIRST, then follow the instructions
@SIW2 @Snick

Shoulda checked further, Heidoc only has a limited amount of Iso's available each month, were near the end of the month so the've all been used...........bummer

We will need to wait till tuesday for the ISO
I will provide the link--- keep an eye-out on this thread

Once you have downloaded the ISO/RUFUS to your DESKTOP, now DISSABLE WIFI
open Rufus, pull in the ISO, and your nearly ready to go now >> open BIOS << on laptop make the relevant USB port (select its Drive letter) as the primary BOOT input source leaving the USB pugged-in and REBOOT

follow the instructions for a clean install, USE the backup COA PRODUCT KEY, likely in your battery compartment
BEFORE re-enabling WIFI set Windows Updates to NEVER

Now follow these instuctions, it will speed up the installation of all the relevant updates
Update your Win 7 installation media

Roy

Notes, you can use this same proceedure on the other laptop.........
Once fully updated, and you have imported all your personal files, make a system image with Macrium. Important for next comment
Now allthough you dont like W10,, you can still pre-register your comp for FREE, using the windows 10 update assistant, then reinstall the W7 Macrium image

 

[feralfreak]

i tend to like to save copies of movies i burn when we get free previews of things like starz, NO I DONT DISTRIBUTE, i dont do anything illegal, i just like having a backup incase a dvd gets damaged or lost and its something they dont air often(such as kentucky fried movie, and one i wish i had backed up called the adventures of the wilderness family), is it safe for me to insall a faster rpm one, for example 7200? is the vaio compatible with a solid state drive?

 

[torchwood]

Hi Feral,

its fine to upgrade the vioa to either a 7200 or an ssd.

think of it this was, compared to a car

1st gear 5400 spinner 2nd gear 7200 top gear = ssd.

and no it wont catch fire.

Roy

 

[feralfreak]

i tried watching a video on someone installing a ssd, i think he said he had problems with that, but i am interested in ssd, for a 1tb what is the price difference (roughly) between that and the 7200?

 

[torchwood]

Hi Feral,


I would opt for 1 of the better known SSd's, my own preference is Crucial but Western Digital is also good.

price wise over here, got the equivalant ssd for about $25 more.


The Heidoc downloads are available again.


Choice is yours,
The Macrium setup will make a direct copy of whats on your drive now
(if you go this route REMEMBER to EXCLUDE the bad blocks)
or
Clean Install.
(would be my choice, then import your data)

There are multiple tutorials, for either install. Had no trouble with mine have used both methods


Roy

 

[feralfreak]

i got a download of the iso but i noticed its 5.7 gig instead of 4, did i grab the wrong windows 7?

 

[SIW2]

If you downloaded one of the DELL iso files, there are extra language packs, it contains all images - and the pro image contains updates to 2016/2017 ( depending which one you downloaded), so it is bigger.

If you downloaded one of the 2018 iso files, they only contain one image, which contains updates to 2018, so it will be bigger.

 

[feralfreak]

i did grab the 2018 one, did i screw up?


edit:i like your signatures

 

[SIW2]

The 2018 iso will be ok. I would prefer the original untouched MS iso.

Is it Home Premium x64 English ?

The original iso files have all the images, so can be used to install any edition ( in spite of the iso names). Useful to have because you only need one iso.

The way to do it is extract any of the MS original iso files to usb stick. Then delete the ei.cfg file from the sources folder.




Setup will then let you choose to install any of the editions, like this: Obviously install the edition you have a license key for

 

[feralfreak]

will i need to take out a number of things from the one i downloaded to fit on a 4 gig drive or do i need to buy a bigger drive?

 

[Snick]

Per Shawn Brink via PM: I can provide Genuine Microsoft/Digital River Copies of Win7x32 or Win7x64 which I have on my OneDrive. ei.cfg has been removed, thus access to all versions available on the ISO.
I'm also going to offer/provide extracted versions of the ISOs in folders.
Everything will be in Zipped/Compressed folders with READ ME text file and appropriate links or folders/files to Simplix, DISM ++ (with wsusscn3.cab 2020-03-15 included), and KBs necessary for the cumulative roll-ups.


Will be in my footer soon, hopefully today or later this evening.





Snick

 

[SIW2]

Snick

File Name: en_windows_7_ultimate_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_677332.iso.
SHA1: 36AE90DEFBAD9D9539E649B193AE573B77A71C83.

ei.cfg toggled off



ei.cfg restored




View attachment eicfg_removal_utility.zip

 

[Snick]

SIW2
Thanks for the info!
Always enjoy reading your posts!
Yes I'm aware of the utility!