Activate Windows 7 by Phone

Hi Ron

that link is coming back as "invalid attachment"

can you also download and run Kb947821 as well, if it also reports as clean your best bet is a repair install
Repair Install

The Macrium activated OS is a great back-up option

Here's the MGADiag error message when I clicked the copy button:



Re the Macrium backup question, what I'm getting at is if I could solve this reactivation issue by reverting the current W7 OS to an earlier state before the black screens / faulty MB issue of last week. I have a few Macrium image files from early April [each of which of course is of an activated W7] that I could use. [Remember, I replaced the MB with the exact same model so I don't believe there'd be a compatibility problem]. Or is MS too clever for that to happen?

I know where the System Update Readiness Tool logs are stored, but I don't have a clue how to read the results .

Your suggestion of a Repair Install is intriguing. I understand that no files or programs, etc. will be changed, but can the same be said of any of the minor tweaks / customizations I've done over the years?

R.

@SIW2,

Right you are. Reverting to a pre-black screen/faulty MB W7 Macrium image resulted in a couple of minor changes. The Control Panel > System > Windows Activation area previously read as: "you must activate Windows now." It currently states: "3 days to activate. Also, there is no desktop warning stating "This copy of Windows in not genuine."

However, previous behaviors exist. 1] clicking on the "activate now" blue link on the System page results in nothing [no panel with activation options]; 2] typing slui.exe in the Start Search windows also results in nothing; 3] running MGADiag results in the same error message; 4] running the CD and REN lines of code did NOT this time result in the error message "The system cannot find the file specified" so this time I was able to finish entering the remaining lines of code. However, the hoped for Windows Activation dialog did NOT appear.

So, this is all to say that I appear to be a little better off than before, but not much. As Brink has made clear at the top of this thread, the penalty for an unactivated W7 is a black screen desktop. If in fact that's true -- and assuming that I'd still be able to access the Task Bar -- then this will only be a minor inconvenience as I don't use the desktop for much of anything anyway.

I was hoping the "CD + REN" lines of code fix would do the trick, but sadly no panel with activation options. . . .

Well, there's the update. I'm open to additional suggestions but hope is running out

R.

Hi
as its a different image
please rerun sfc /scannow and KB947821 again

something has changed, your now in the grace period default state, hence the 3 day message

please run Mgadiag again, can you view the licencing tab page - are the last 5 characters the same as your product code
i dont believe they will be
if the above is true -- from an elevated command type
slmgr.vbs /ipk (your product key)
enter


really silly question now --- are you fully updated, including Netframework

Hi

please ensure you have these updates installed

2019 servicing stack update (SSU) (

KB4490628

).

The latest SHA-2 update (

KB4474419

)

now that your activation system is "cleaner" i'm hoping its in whats called a "race condition" and that after a cople of days it will untangle itself...

i would also like you to do this

from an elevated command

slmgr /rearm

this will give you another 30 days grace

@torchwood,

- KB4490628: installed successfully.
- KB4474419: Windows informed me that this update was already installed.
- slmgr /rearm: done. 30 day grace period activated.

Just asking, but how will I know when the OS has become "untangled" ? Again, thanks for your continued help,

R.