Win 7 Key blocked - copy not genuine notification (OEM)

[MisterEd]

Yeah, that's what I called. Sent me off with BS. I asked for an email to confirm what they said. From there I kept debating forever.
Well, that was idle hope. Already received an email that the issue has been moved to a higher echelon (supposedly) and since Win 7 is not supported I'm once again sent back to the store to obtain a new license. Which simply means BUY a new license. I don't think so.
Clearly they should offer an alternative such as Win 10.

Did you contact BTO? Maybe they can supply you with a new Windows key. Worth a try even if it is one for Windows 10.

BTW, it has always been Microsoft's policy that they only take responsibility for retails copies of software including Windows. They will try to help with OEM copies of Windows but will in the end refer you back to where you got the copy of Windows if they can't resolve your problem.

BTW, I tried to buy a key for Windows 7 Pro online a few months ago. I found out the sources online no longer have it for sale. Someone gave me an unused key so I was able to install it on the laptop.

 

[Machariel]

I contacted BTO. They want to me buy a new key. That's not happening. I paid for mine and it should work. MS is demonstrating maximum arrogance.
Why would a supplier think they would owe somebody a new key.

 

[MisterEd]

I contacted BTO. They want to me buy a new key. That's not happening. I paid for mine and it should work. MS is demonstrating maximum arrogance.
Why would a supplier think they would owe somebody a new key.

BTO is the one being arrogant. They have your money and your computer support period had ended. They don't think they owe you anything more that that. Is that is the way they want to be there is nothing else you can do.

I don't think you understand how it works.

If you buy a retail copy of Windows then it comes directly from Microsoft. It is then their obligation to support what they sell.

On the other hand OEMs like BTO receive copies of Windows from Microsoft. They are free to test it and add additional functionality to it. That makes them responsible to support the Windows installed on their computers.

OEMs generally use OEM keys because they are usually cheaper than Retail ones. I know that both OEM and Retail keys have a limited number times that they can be used to activate Windows. However, for most users they should never reach that limit.

I have been using Windows for 28 years and have never had a problem activating Windows. A year ago I even reinstalled Windows XP Pro on two computers. Now you have to call Microsoft to legally activate Windows XP. Microsoft was reluctant at first but did so after I reminded them I had Retail copies of Windows XP I bought 20 years ago.

At this point you are kind of stuck since Windows 7 keys are very hard or impossible to get anymore. Did you even ask how much BTO wanted for a new Windows 7 key? If they only want around $20 US then I would just pay it and be happy for your computer to work normally again.

 

[Machariel]

I contacted BTO about this. They said the max number of activations is 3 (lousy three). They don't have a 7 key but want me to sell Windows 10. I disagreed with buying a new license and then they closed the ticket just like that. You are right, they are arrogant indeed.

Edit:
A minute ago I contacted them again asked them to reconsider the price for Win 10 and wrote that a maximum of 3 activations is quite low.

- - - Updated - - -

Also, thank you for your information. Appreciate it!

 

[SIW2]

I contacted BTO about this. They said the max number of activations is 3

I haven't heard of that before. Very peculiar. They might be confusing it with sysprep rearm which shouldn't have anything to do with your issue.

It is not that hard to buy a win7 key. I did it recently and it works fine.

https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2012-07/cp120094en.pdf

It is not all that long ago I rang the freefone number and they activated Vista for me without any problem. It was very long out of support.

It is baffling that you are being given the run around.

 

[Machariel]

Yes, the involved companies do not take the time to explain properly. They all seem to dig themselves in. I think they assume automatically one is guilty of something because of the many illegal software going around. But clearly MS has nothing, I have a receipt, and they just want to abuse this situation to force a Win 10 license at full price on me. And BTO doesn't know what to do with this other than also sell products.

- - - Updated - - -

I'll search for a consumer protection institute and send a few letters to political parties about this abuse of power. Customer protection has been thrown out of the window.

 

[MisterEd]

I contacted BTO about this. They said the max number of activations is 3 (lousy three). They don't have a 7 key but want me to sell Windows 10. I disagreed with buying a new license and then they closed the ticket just like that. You are right, they are arrogant indeed.

Edit:

A minute ago I contacted them again asked them to reconsider the price for Win 10 and wrote that a maximum of 3 activations is quite low.

Also, thank you for your information. Appreciate it!

I don't understand the response you got from BTO. They are either lying or are misinformed. In the quote I posted from the Microsoft support forum you will see that there shouldn't be an activation limit. Even if you did Microsoft support should be able to help you.

There are only two things that I can think of that would cause the message you got:

1. You changed the motherboard to another with a different model number. That is not allowed with System Builder.
2. Your own activation attempt failed and then you immediately called Microsoft.

If #2 is true then you might try to call Microsoft support again. Maybe enough time has passed that activation will now succeed.

How many times can I activate the "System Builder"/"OEM" version? Could I activate it an unlimited number of times like could on my HP P7-1254 desktop computer? Or, will I have to call Microsoft to activate the product key of the "System Builder"/"OEM"?

No activation limit but you may need to activate by phone if you re-install "on the same computer", can not be installed / moved to another PC.

On the HP P7-1254, I upgraded the hard drive and disc drive, but never the motherboard and I did a clean install on the new hard drive. I put in the product key on the COA sticker affixed to the computer case and Windows was activated and is geniune. I wonder if this will be the same as the "System Builder"/"OEM" I buy from Amazon and install it on my Mac?

You can upgrade your hardware (except the motherboard). If you don't make too many changes at the same time Windows should not require re-activation.

Windows 7 System Builder/OEM activation limit?
Redirecting

 

[Machariel]

Nah, none of this "other hardware" is going on. I once ordered a weak laptop just for internet purposes. If I would spend money on a laptop again, it would be buy a more powerful model. I have the same old same laptop. And MS confirmed the license is blocked, so it's not that I called them too early or anything.Here's the second email i got from them (private data censored). You can run it through a translator or ChatGPT. First I respond to their incorrect assumption that I tried to upgrade to Windows 10. So we began with communication problems already. But you'll see their initial mail, claiming the license would disable after 3 activations.
Either BTO or MS (or both) is/are simply shi***ing on a customer.

On 04/09/2023 10:36, T.K. [censored] wrote:
> Beste hr. [censored]
>
> Bedankt voor uw ticketaanmelding.
>
> Vervelend om te horen dat u problemen heeft met het hergebruiken van uw Windows-key. Als ik het goed begrijp heeft u na het updaten naar Windows 10 niet de mogelijkheid uw installatie te activeren met de door ons verstrekte key.
>
> Het zou prima mogelijk moeten zijn een Windows 10-installatie te activeren met een Windows 7-key (op hetzelfde apparaat). Indien de licentiecode al meerdere keren hergebruikt is, is dit niet meer mogelijk. Wat hier mee bedoeld wordt is dat het niet mogelijk is meer dan 3 maal een installatie te activeren met dezelfde key.
>
> Graag wil ik u vragen om een command uit te voeren om zo hopelijk uw machine toch te activeren. Het command dient uitgevoerd te worden in de Opdrachtpromt, deze kunt u openen door er naar te zoeken binnen het Start Menu. Eenmaal geopend ziet u een zwart scherm waar u in kunt typen. Typ het volgende commando en druk op Enter; slmgr /ato.
> ​
> Indien er een licentiecode aan uw moederbord gekoppeld is zal deze de Windows-installatie activeren. Indien u een foutcode krijgt wil ik u vragen het volgende commando uit te voeren; slmgr /ipk **REMOVED**. Hierna dient u weer ​slmgr /ato uit te voeren.
> ​
> Indien u hiermee uw installatie niet geactiveerd krijgt moeten we concluderen dat de geldigheid van de licentie verstreken is. In dat geval zal er een nieuwe licentie aangeschaft dienen te worden.
>
> Met vriendelijke groet,
>
> T.K. [censored]
> BTO Technische klantenservice

 

[torchwood]

Hi
@MisterEd
those articles you quoted are not Official answers, they come from the MS forum, who like me have intepreted the OS licencing requirements
note the first question asked relates to 2 different licencing issues

Regarding question 1
there are substantial differences between OEM's (dell hp etc) and System Builder installs, BTO in this case
OEM's have to provide a back-up key. original key is "stamped" on the motherboard during manufacture
Thier Install media is also OEM specific and contains various licencing files and defaults to the "stamped" key and these files are also within the Factory Reset option partition
The use of other install media will require the back-up key to be used

the confusion is caused by the use of the term OEM, yes they are both Original Equipement Manufacturers
and for want of a better explanation i'd term them major and Minor,
Major OEM's HAVE to supply 2 keys -- Minors only 1

Well as for the second question, agree with the first part
But from "I Wonder" the reply is incorrect neither Amazon or Mac are WINDOWS OEM's
Amazon may sell Major OEM comps but these will be pre-installed with the OS installed
MAC's on the other hand will require a Retail licence --END OF

Unforunately due to MS's terms and conditions there are generally multiple variations and specific details are required about the computer being analized so that the correct answer can be provided


This does not help the OP getting his system genuine tho

 

[SIW2]

Did you try the key BTO sent you in that email?

 

[torchwood]

That'll be the only key he's got, see my last post re Major/minor

 

[Machariel]

Did you try the key BTO sent you in that email?

That's my own key. So yes. It wasn't some alternative key or anything like that.

 

[Machariel]

BTO responded. They made an offer to sell either a 10 or 11 pro for €50.
I feel MS is at fault here, not feeling motivated to attack BTO for it, tbh. MS is the arrogant one here, inside out.

 

[SIW2]

I don't think they are doing you any favours. That is about the normal price charged for oem 10 key by custom manufacturers.

The laptop is too old to officially support win11. A lot of people buy win7/10 key cheaply from a reseller.

Or maybe it is time to get a slightly more recent laptop.

 

[Machariel]

That's also a good point. The big issue here is that I feel that BTO is not at fault here. MS does things and refuses to explain - at the expense of some nobody customer. Make that ex-customer. I think I'll stick to linux entirely. I have configured a minimalist version on a USB stick and it works fairly nice.