Windows 7 no longer genuine??

[Windows7help23]

Hi,

I built my first custom PC about 4 months ago. I bought windows 7 ultimate off Ebay, installed it, entered my product key, installed Microsoft Security Essentials and everything worked fine. At the time it said my copy of windows 7 was genuine.

Now 4 months latter my computer randomly pops up with a message telling me my copy is no longer genuine. Microsoft Security Essentials is no longer running, my desktop background has turned black and in the bottom right hand corner of my screen there is a message saying

"Windows 7
Build 7600
This Copy of Windows is not genuine"

As far as I can tell my copy of Windows 7 is genuine. It came with a sealed COA, a proof of License label and holographic discs.


So does anyone know why this has happened, and what I can do to fix it? If you need more information from me just let me know. All help is much appreciated.

Thanks so much

 

[gregrocker]

There is a problem with TechNet and MSDN subscriber keys being sold on eBay.

Contact MS Customer Service to see if you have one of the bad keys. If so see if eBay can do something about this.

If Customer Service determines the key is good, they will open a Support case which will help you get it activated one way or another.

 

[BrotherInkjet]

That is really frustrating. At the height of piracy, people who go for genuine products should really be given the satisfaction that they deserve. For sure, Microsoft will provide the solution for your problem.

 

[BrotherInkjet]

Genuine Windows 7

That is really frustrating to know because at the height of piracy, customers that go for genuine products should be rewarded with the best things.:sarc:

 

[vaidas3]

There is a problem with TechNet and MSDN subscriber keys being sold on eBay.

Contact MS Customer Service to see if you have one of the bad keys. If so see if eBay can do something about this.

If Customer Service determines the key is good, they will open a Support case which will help you get it activated one way or another.

i think you can tell if thats MSDN or technet key by looking at the windows product id. as far as i know this is ultimate version msdn/technet id parts 065;066;067 maybe there is more.
product ID can be seen in system properities
windows activation section and looks like this (X numbers, N nubers to look/may be letters for example oem)
xxxxx-NNN-xxxxxxx-xxxxx

 

[Tews]

Im sorry that you got burned, but we see this situation on a daily basis, it seems... MS may be able to help you, but I wouldn't hold my breath ... If your key ends up being a TechNet/MSDN key, you will have to purchase a legitimate copy of Windows ...

 

[Borg 386]

I've read recently there is some kind of a virus going around that pops up that window and attempts to get you to click on it. There's a possibility you might have picked this up.

Try visiting http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/ and attempt to validate it.

I found this thread, you may want to have a look at it:

http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/genuinewindows7/thread/b82e417c-af7e-461a-8d06-c48e6c7e8196

 

[gregrocker]

Someone needs to bring this to the attention of the eBay CEO.

Do they know they are running a bogus Win7 software fencing market for over a year now?

Perhaps it isn't being pursued because only the little guy who can't afford the loss is getting hurt?

The idea that they are being victimized after trusting eBay's reputation is maddening.

 

[fafhrd]

A tip for the unwary. (The following does not apply to new sealed boxed computers loaded with software by the manufacturer, whose OEM SLP validity can be checked in other ways.)

If you purchase Microsoft software from any non-brick and mortar, non-blue-chip organization, use Google to see if the full xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx product key has been published on the internet before installing the software.

If the key can be found anywhere, even in a single posting, it will probably become invalidated at some time in the future, as a pirated key.

Inform EBAY, with your evidence, if it was obtained through them, immediately - there is a 45 day refunds policy. If you find your local computer shop has loaded stuff on your machine, e.g. as a repair or upgrade, that fails the above Google test, get your refund. It happens all the time - keep the paper trail for your own security.

Microsoft is not blameless. If the Technet and MSDN licensing were better controlled, the rogue TN and MSDN members who are profiting from distributing copied invalid keys would find it difficult to pass on the counterfeit software. All it needs is a decent database to know who has been given which keys. SQL Server would do. MS should also blacklist sooner, to give the victims a better chance of obtaining their money back.

 

[vaidas3]

A tip for the unwary. (The following does not apply to new sealed boxed computers loaded with software by the manufacturer, whose OEM SLP validity can be checked in other ways.)

If you purchase Microsoft software from any non-brick and mortar, non-blue-chip organization, use Google to see if the full xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx product key has been published on the internet before installing the software.

If the key can be found anywhere, even in a single posting, it will probably become invalidated at some time in the future, as a pirated key.

Inform EBAY, with your evidence, if it was obtained through them, immediately - there is a 45 day refunds policy. If you find your local computer shop has loaded stuff on your machine, e.g. as a repair or upgrade, that fails the above Google test, get your refund. It happens all the time - keep the paper trail for your own security.

Microsoft is not blameless. If the Technet and MSDN licensing were better controlled, the rogue TN and MSDN members who are profiting from distributing copied invalid keys would find it difficult to pass on the counterfeit software. All it needs is a decent database to know who has been given which keys. SQL Server would do. MS should also blacklist sooner, to give the victims a better chance of obtaining their money back.

i already posted how to recognize msdn/technet key... searching google with key is not 100% sure thing even google dont index everything

 

[Orbital Shark]

Hi,

You also will need to check that the CoA is authentic;

How to Tell

as there are several ways of re packaging to make things look authentic.

 

[fafhrd]

i already posted how to recognize msdn/technet key... searching google with key is not 100% sure thing even google dont index everything

However, the fake COA does not have to have the correct product ID that would identify it as a TN/MSDN key. Only the 25-character product key is required to be entered for activation, and only then will Windows decrypt the product ID. It's a bit late then.

I agree about the 100% sure thing - but it's 100% sure that if the key appears in a google search, it shouldn't be used to activate your software, as the key has been cloned.

It is not just keys from TechNet and MSDN that are being pirated, OEM SLP keys are all there, Corporate Enterprise keys, software generated keys and even retail keys find their way into counterfeit software packages.

The key on the bottom of a laptop on display in a PC store can be caught on a mobile camera, leaked, and not blacklisted by MS for several months, yet an unscrupulous torrent site could have given the key to hundreds or thousands of downloaders in that time.