Suddenly Win 7 says not authentic

[MTHall720]

I have a real dilemma here and am definitely in need of help. I bought Win 7 Ultimate for 2 installs over a year ago. I bought an Asus Laptop a year ago which came win the 7 Home and upgraded to Ultimate with no problems at all. 3 months ago I bought a Dell with 7 Home and upgraded it to Ultimate. Again no problems! About a week ago I started getting multiple error message on the Asus stating that my Windows 7 was NOT valid. Now today I am getting the same messages on the Dell. Not able to get help from Microsoft which keeps insisting that these operating systems are invalid. Two huge questions: IF this is actually the case why would it be such a very long time before getting these error messages, Also, what are the options now I am being told there are 30 days remaining before the OS on both systems locks up?!

Any ideas are most appreciated. I hope I am not stuck with buying on OS all over again. If so, what happens to Office 2007 when I have to reinstall it and all data after installing a new OS?

Thanks very much in advance for any help or insight on this.

 

[allend66]

I guess the obvious question is did you get the 2*Ultimate keys from ebay? There are umpteen posts about people getting sold bogus or counterfeit or whatever on ebay. I think the general consensus of opinion is pay a little extra but go to a reputable source. (Or use the anytime upgrade feature to unlock right there and then)

Can you not live with the pre-installed Home versions?

 

[Shootist]

First where did you buy Win 7 Ultimate. Was it from a online store, a retail store?
Did a DVD come with the licenses? Was it a download? Did the box they came in have the MS logo on it?

It looks like you are going to have to buy legal copies. Did you buy Office 2007 from the same place? If so then that is probably counterfiet also. If not then you should have a proper license key for Office. Even if it's OEM it's OK to install it on the same hardware it came on.

 

[OldMX]

I have a real dilemma here and am definitely in need of help. I bought Win 7 Ultimate for 2 installs over a year ago. I bought an Asus Laptop a year ago which came win the 7 Home and upgraded to Ultimate with no problems at all. 3 months ago I bought a Dell with 7 Home and upgraded it to Ultimate. Again no problems! About a week ago I started getting multiple error message on the Asus stating that my Windows 7 was NOT valid. Now today I am getting the same messages on the Dell. Not able to get help from Microsoft which keeps insisting that these operating systems are invalid. Two huge questions: IF this is actually the case why would it be such a very long time before getting these error messages, Also, what are the options now I am being told there are 30 days remaining before the OS on both systems locks up?!

Any ideas are most appreciated. I hope I am not stuck with buying on OS all over again. If so, what happens to Office 2007 when I have to reinstall it and all data after installing a new OS?

Thanks very much in advance for any help or insight on this.

If Microsoft says they're invalid, they are invalid, period. Ask the guy who sold you the license keys instead of coming to a forum asking for help.

 

[MTHall720]

I bought these from a member of another forum over a year ago. I was told there were two installs. Yes they did have the MS Logo. Yes they did have VALID license keys. There was NO trouble registering these online on the MS website. So why is it that the operating system worked fine, NO problems for a year on the Asus and for the last several months on my Dell? I still have the keys and was thinking of trying to reinstall all over again, but that would be pointless wouldn't it.

 

[MTHall720]

I guess the obvious question is did you get the 2*Ultimate keys from ebay? There are umpteen posts about people getting sold bogus or counterfeit or whatever on ebay. I think the general consensus of opinion is pay a little extra but go to a reputable source. (Or use the anytime upgrade feature to unlock right there and then)

Can you not live with the pre-installed Home versions?

I would be happy to but don't know how to access the version that came pre-loaded with both laptops I got from Best Buy.

 

[MTHall720]

I would like to stay with this forum, but NOT if it looks like I am being judged and already assumed guilty of buying software that is not legal

 

[logicearth]

The copies you bought were most likely Technet/MSDN Keys which are non-transferable. It other words, your license is invalid. There is nothing we can do at this point. As you did not buy them from a reputable retailer, you are SOL. Sorry.

 

[MTHall720]

The copies you bought were most likely Technet/MSDN Keys which are non-transferable. It other words, your license is invalid. There is nothing we can do at this point. As you did not buy them from a reputable retailer, you are SOL. Sorry.

Thanks for clearing that up. I thought the software was from a good source though since it came with license keys and MS logo etc. It just aggravated me to have anyone imply that I got illegal copies on purpose.

Anyone have suggestions for good brick and mortar store sources?

 

[logicearth]

Bestbuy, Walmart...anything brand name.
Or buy directly from Microsoft: Microsoft Store Online - Welcome

There are also brick and mortar Microsoft Stores which I recommend to get your next PC.
They have what they call "Signature Edition" of Windows they put on those computers.
Paul Thurrott Talks about it on Windows Weekly:
Windows Weekly 194: Signature Edition

 

[severedsolo]

It just aggravated me to have anyone imply that I got illegal copies on purpose.

Don't let it bother you too much, when you have been here for a while you will realise why it's kind of assumed that copies are illegal in situations like yours, we see it far too often, especially with people buying copies from Ebay etc.

As far as buying from a "brick and mortar" store, here in the UK at least, the pricing is pretty much standardised, so any major trusted retailer would be acceptable. I would highly recommend getting a Retail version though, so the key is transferrable.

Hope it helps,

 

[Kari]

I read all responses here twice and did not find any judgements. Nobody has accused you, just told you that you have bought counterfeit or otherwise invalid product. Only valid multi-user license edition of Windows 7 available for home / small business users was / is Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack, which has one install media and three licenses.

You have most probably got so called TechNet product keys. Because of some geeks without any moral or ethics wanting to make a quick buck or two, these keys were and are sold on eBay and similar sites to unsuspecting buyers. These keys are blacklisted as soon as Microsoft notices any misuse. That could explain why your key worked as far as it did.

You need two valid licences. If you want to stay in Ultimate, the best and IMO most affordable solution is to join TechNet. More information here: TechNet: Compare Subscriptions

Kari

 

[DocBrown]

Since you have 30 days grace period, You might look at TigerDirect, NewEgg, & Amazon for On-Line deals. Not sure if anybody still has any family 3-packs available.

 

[Kari]

Not sure if anybody still has any family 3-packs available.

Microsoft Store? (Microsoft Store Online - Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade Family Pack - Buy from Microsoft Store)

 

[alphanumeric]

If you can get your hands on a windows 7 DVD you could go back to the original Home Premium that came with each laptop. Just use the product code that is on the COA sticker on each laptop. Any DVD will do as you can make it into a universal install disk. There is nothing illegal about copying somebody else's DVD and using your product codes.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85813-windows-7-universal-installation-disc-create.html?filter[2]=General Tips

If you just want to downgrade back to home premium you could try this.
UNAWAVE - Downgrade Ultimate to Home Premium or Professional

 

[Ztruker]

Why not call Microsoft and see what they say? http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html

This would accomplish two things.

1. It would prove beyond a doubt exactly what you have
2. Might help nail the turkey who sold it or at least get their TechNet subscription canceled.

 

[MR PINK]

With reference to MS office, when i have reinstalled winows/office, i have always called them, explained that i have reinstalled Office and they have given me new activation codes.

 

[allend66]

Why not call Microsoft and see what they say? http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html

This would accomplish two things.

1. It would prove beyond a doubt exactly what you have
2. Might help nail the turkey who sold it or at least get their TechNet subscription canceled.

+1
Excellent post. A pity the website won't let me rep you (You must spread some rep around before giving it to .. again)

 

[allend66]

I guess the obvious question is did you get the 2*Ultimate keys from ebay? There are umpteen posts about people getting sold bogus or counterfeit or whatever on ebay. I think the general consensus of opinion is pay a little extra but go to a reputable source. (Or use the anytime upgrade feature to unlock right there and then)

Can you not live with the pre-installed Home versions?

I would be happy to but don't know how to access the version that came pre-loaded with both laptops I got from Best Buy.

This is only a suggestion, I don't know if it will work, (I suspect not) but could you not go through Anytime Upgrade select Home and reenter your COA key (found on the bottom of you laptop). This might re-lock the Ultimate features???

If not, back up all your data, format & install. Then simply add back your own data/progs. There's the create universal instal iso in the tutrial section, as well as the tut on preparing a drive for a fresh instal. If the disk is genuine you could use that, then input the keys found on your COAs.

Just a thought.. If the best-buy hidden restore partition is still floating around it might make life a little easier...