Win7 CD & key stolen after install: will replacement CD work?

[dlomax]

Hi guys,

I posted here a few weeks ago after my retail copy of Windows 7 Pro stolen out of my car, but this occurred after I had already had the software sucessfully installed, an I called Microsoft and explained my situation. I was advised to contact Microsoft, which I did. I was referred to the "parts" department, and I was asked for my product ID which I provided. He verified it and said everything seems to be fine. I asked if the thief would be able to install Windows using my CD & key thereby degenuinating my original install which sofar is fine, and he reluctantly said it would not. He then offered me a replacement disk for $30. I said okay. So I get the replacement Windows 7 CD in the mail which has a new 25 digit product key with it, but it says "requires original purchase of Windows 7". When it comes time to reinstall Windows 7 on the computer which I will probably do in a year or so, will I be able to use this replacement CD? (That is, assuming my software does not become degenuinated by the thief when he/she installs Windows 7, which I still haven't got a straight answer from anyone on whether or not that will happen)

Thanks for any advice,
Dave

 

[bagavan]

Any disk will work as long as you have the genuine product key.

 

[Mark Phelps]

Since MS now has info that the old product key was stolen, and have provided you with a replacement product key. they will likely blacklist the old key -- which will frustrate the "piracy" community to no end when they discover, should your old key end up in P2P networks, that shortly after install, all those other installation become "invalid"!

IF it was me, I would go into Win7 and use the feature to change the product key and enter the new one they provided you. That will prevent your PC from becoming deactivated, should MS blacklist the original key.

 

[NoN]

You can enter the new key directly from Control Panel=>System=>Product Key (bottom of the page), then MS will check if it's genuine Windows 7. Therefore you'll have between 3 days up to 30 days to activate.

 

[Abhishek Ghosh]

Hi guys,

...but it says "requires original purchase of Windows 7". When it comes time to reinstall Windows 7 on the computer which I will probably do in a year or so, will I be able to use this replacement CD? ...

Yes.

 

[whs]

If I were you, I would image the current system and use that image for a later reinstallation. You can image to an external disk (recommended) or DVDs (about 4 or 5). Then you do not have to worry about anything and it will be a lot faster. Use free Macrium, Paragon or Acronis - but not the Win7 native imaging. That will give you nothing but headaches. Example: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I

 

[Zepher]

Why was your disc & key in your car?

 

[ccya965041]

If I were you, I would image the current system and use that image for a later reinstallation. You can image to an external disk (recommended) or DVDs (about 4 or 5). Then you do not have to worry about anything and it will be a lot faster. Use free Macrium, Paragon or Acronis - but not the Win7 native imaging. That will give you nothing but headaches. Example: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I

As a new user for backups,
using the native Windows 7 image backup might be easier,
just simply backup all the things you want,select it and let it go.
My image worth 200+ GB,which already contains the image and the important files

Considered that other backup softwares are mostly shareware,
to the one who don't want to pay for backup,using the native imaging isn't a bad idea

Also,I recommend the image would store in an external hard disk,
it accesses the files faster,which means you can restore your Windows faster

 

[whs]

Considered that other backup softwares are mostly shareware,
to the one who don't want to pay for backup,using the native imaging isn't a bad idea

What are you talking about - shareware. The programs I quoted are for free. And using the native win7 imaging is a VERY bad idea - nothing but trouble. Believe me, I have used them all and found free Macrium to be the easiest and most reliable.

 

[gregrocker]

What is the MS "Parts Dept?" Never heard of it.

Are you sure you spoke with MS Customer Service and not some other service line? This is who deals with these kinds of problems, including Keys which won't activate.

Were they the ones who issued you a replacement DVD with key? Did they tell you they were invalidating your old key for reinstall, as it seems this would put your current install at risk.

MS Customer Service alone should have handled this, so if you have further questions they should be directed to them.

Imaging is the modern replacement for most reinstalls but cannot be counted on to always hold activation, so you want certainty that what you received is exactly what you need for your dilemna.

 

[Tepid]

While I do not use Macrium myself, I will back up what WHS is saying.


I will also add this friendly info....

When it comes time to reinstall Windows 7 on the computer which I will probably do in a year or so

If you are saying this in regards to Windows has to be re-installed every 6 months to a year as was sometimes the case with XP.

Win 7 does not fall anywhere near that category. In other words, unless you are planning to do it, just to have a clean install, for the sake of having a clean install,, then your ok. But Win7 is not XP.


If they sent you an upgrade disk, you can try to contact Microsoft and tell them you want a full retail install disk. But they might have sent you the disk you have based off the information that you gave them with the product ID, meaning didn't have a Full Retail Disk, or they messed up.

You might want to find out if it is an OEM Replacement Disk, or a Retail Replacement disk. Retail means you can install it on any PC, but only one at a time.
OEM means it is tied to that PC, when the system goes away, so does the Key.

But they are not obligated to replace your stolen from your car items.
So, you can only take what they are willing to give you.

However, you can use the Upgrade Media and Key to do a full install without the need of prior install media,

Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

And then we will discuss stolen Key,
Yes, the person who stole the disk and key could cause your install to become not-genuine by installing and activating with that key.

If the stolen key becomes disabled, you will get a warning, and then you can use your new key to re-activate.

It is up to you if you want to wait till then, or use the new key now.