Solved Windows 7 wrongly tells me my copy is not genuine

[Apotheoun]

I have been using Windows 7 Ultimate, which I purchased about 2 years ago from Amazon.com, but recently had to do a repair install. Now when I try to activate Windows 7 it says that I can't and tells me that my copy of the OS is not genuine. But I have been using this copy for TWO YEARS. What can I do to activate Windows?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Did you buy from Amazon direct or from someone selling through Amazon?

Microsoft has a phone activation method or you could also call MS customer service and see if they are impressed when you recite your 25 character Product Key to them.

 

[Apotheoun]

Did you buy from Amazon direct or from someone selling through Amazon?

Microsoft has a phone activation method or you could also call MS customer service and see if they are impressed when you recite your 25 character Product Key to them.

Yes, through Amazon direct, about 2 years ago. How do I get the phone number?

 

[Apotheoun]

I don't have the receipt anymore, but I can look in my Amazon account and see the date of purchase and order number, and the information related to the order.

Items Ordered Price $275.54
1 of: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate [Software]
Condition: New
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Assuming it's a legit version, you shouldn't have any trouble if you jump through a few hoops---phone activation with a robot, phone call to actual human at Microsoft, whatever it takes. They may even issue you a new Product Key.

You will need the existing Product Key so MS can verify it is an authorized disc.

 

[Apotheoun]

I have the original product key and all the packaging. But I can't find any phone number to call.


This is really cruel of MS to do to people like me who are partially blind.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Are you familiar with Google?

 

[seavixen32]

Check this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html

 

[Apotheoun]

Check this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html

Thank you. I will. I wonder if I should try to do a clean install instead of a repair. Would that fix this problem?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Check this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html

Thank you. I will. I wonder if I should try to do a clean install instead of a repair. Would that fix this problem?

Maybe. Maybe not.

You have to compare the time and aggravation involved with a clean install (which may not solve the problem) with the time and aggravation involved in dealing with Microsoft over the phone.

 

[seavixen32]

I'd try the phone activation wizard first.

It's fully automated without any real-time human interaction unless activation fails.

If that happens you'll be put through to a Microsoft rep, who'll most likely give you a new activation ID.

It's certainly quicker than re-installing Windows.

 

[Apotheoun]

MS activated the OS for me, but the computer still does not work properly. I never should have installed the MS.net Framework 4 security updates yesterday. I can't go on the internet with the computer, because it says my security and firewall are blocking the connection, but I can't access my Norton (it hasn't worked properly since I did yesterdays update), and so I can't change my settings. Sadly I think I will have to do a clean install, which in my case requires putting in Vista (my original OS from HP) and then using my 7 disc to upgrade to Windows 7. This is depressing.


I suppose that I should add to what I said by pointing out that Windows says I have no anti-virus, and my message center tells me that my firewall is turned off. So how exactly they are blocking internet access is beyond me.

 

[Apotheoun]

All the programs on the computer (even Internet Explorer) have vanished, so I guess I will have to do a clean install with my HP Windows Vista restore discs. Do I need a product key for those (they didn't come with a key)? If I need one I suppose I'm screwed.

Not only are all the programs missing or inaccessible, but all my files are too. I get the following error messages:

When trying to use IE: Can't open this item, it might have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Do you want to remove this item?

When I click on a file (pic, ms word doc, etc.): Windows cannot find 'C:\Users\Public\Music\lagacy.mp3. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.

When I try to use Windows Media Center: Windows Media Center has stopped working, Windows is checking for a solution to the problem.

When I click on Google Chrome: Unable to find locale data files, Please reinstall. (Sadly, it won't let me reinstall Chrome, because I can't get any of my three internet browsers to work, and when I click on the exe file for Chrome that was placed in my downloads file years ago, it says "Windows cannot find C:\Users\Public\Downloads\ChromeSetup. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.").

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Have you considered a System Restore to a time prior to the MS.net Framework update that you did yesterday?

If your PC originally shipped with Vista, I'd assume any restore back to Vista could be activated with the original Product Key. You don't need a product key for any program that did not come with one.

 

[Apotheoun]

Have you considered a System Restore to a time prior to the MS.net Framework update that you did yesterday?

If your PC originally shipped with Vista, I'd assume any restore back to Vista could be activated with the original Product Key. You don't need a product key for any program that did not come with one.

I did that last night, and it made certain programs worse, which is why I did a repair install with my Windows 7 disc. I have never in 15 years of using a computer had this type of situation arise. I'm at a loss as to what to do, except to do a clean install with my original HP discs (so I get all the programs I originally had back) and then install Windows 7 on top of Vista as I did two years ago. Since the computer is basically useless at the moment, I might as well do a clean install, I have nothing to lose.

P.S. - I just checked the Accessories and there is no System Restore icon.

P.P.S. - I put the HP recovery disc in, but nothing happens.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I wouldn't have much patience with it either and would probably do a clean install.

Have you run sfc /scannow from an administrator command prompt?

 

[Apotheoun]

I wouldn't have much patience with it either and would probably do a clean install.

Have you run sfc /scannow from an administrator command prompt?

If I can get my original Windows Vista back on the computer, and working, do I need to download the service packs for Vista before upgrading to Windows 7?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Not as far as I know.

But I'm not sure you need to put Vista back on. Why can't you just do a clean install directly to Windows 7 Ultimate, since you say you have a valid disc and Product Key.

 

[Apotheoun]

Not as far as I know.

But I'm not sure you need to put Vista back on. Why can't you just do a clean install directly to Windows 7 Ultimate, since you say you have a valid disc and Product Key.

Yes, I have a full Windows 7 Ultimate disc (and a product key), which I could do a clean install with, but I will lose all the programs I purchased with the computer if I don't use the HP Windows Vista Ultimate recovery discs to set the computer back to its factory condition. And I kinda want the programs I bought originally.

 

[Apotheoun]

Does anyone have a link to an already existing "How to" thread for upgrading from Windows Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Ultimate? I did a search but didn't find one. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.