windows not genuine...least expensive solution?

trojannemo · 11 Jan 2011

hey guys.

so after finally getting my new build to run smoothly (see my other thread on the forums), yesterday night it told me it wasn't genuine. it's a retail dvd i got from my friend. he installed the 32bit version and said i should be able to install the 64bit edition. now i find out the key only lets you install one?

so i have windows 7 ultimate installed but not genuine...I need to fix this ASAP as I need updates and full functionality...

as a student I can get the Pro Upgrade DVD from microsoft for $65. question is, can I "upgrade" from ultimate to pro and do a fresh install with that DVD? if not, I do have my old XP install cd, can I install that (32 bit), then upgrade to Pro 64bit?

even better would be to stay with my current installation and just enter a valid key. i've done enough reading to learn that none of those "stores" selling "genuine" keys for cheap are legit and will eventually become invalid. but then again I don't believe Microsoft offers no real solutions to students. do they have a student pricing/discount/offer that will allow me to purchase an ultimate 64bit key for less than the $300+ dollars they're asking for retail, or the $180 for OEM?!

so in essence, what is my least expensive, LEGIT way of getting a genuine version of windows 7 x64 on my computer? either by fresh install or entering a key on my existing installation (both are ok as long as I end up with Windows 7 x64).

thanks!

EDIT:
I can get Windows 7 Pro Upgrade for $65 from Microsoft (but would have to install xp first and then upgrade?) or get Windows 7 Home Premium OEM from TigerDirect for $99 (would have to re-install but no need to mess with xp first?)....OR....???

ie9 · 11 Jan 2011

Check this out: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

trojannemo · 11 Jan 2011

thanks! I guess i'm going with the Microsoft $65 deal then

rap33042 · 11 Jan 2011

Take a look at this link and see if it helps you out: Genuine Windows 7 Became Pirated? Make It Original and Activated Again - Tweaking with Vishal

This guy says it has to do with a Permissions problem. I didn't read into it so you'll just have to check it out if you are interested.

bigmck · 11 Jan 2011

Since your friend just gave you the 64 bit disk and he had already used the Key, you need to purchase a Key from Microsoft. You will not need to reinstall Windows, you just need a valid Key to activate the copy you have already installed.

ie9 · 11 Jan 2011

bigmck said:

Since your friend just gave you the 64 bit disk and he had already used the Key, you need to purchase a Key from Microsoft. You will not need to reinstall Windows, you just need a valid Key to activate the copy you have already installed.

Either that, or he can buy the $65 upgrade from his university and do a clean install.

That might be cheaper than buying a key

bigmck · 11 Jan 2011

ie9 said:

Either that, or he can buy the $65 upgrade from his university and do a clean install.

That might be cheaper than buying a key

The $65 is the one that I was speaking of. If he buys that, it will come with a Key. Assuming he gets the same version as he has installed, he can just put in the Key that comes with the University disk and be done with it. No reinstall necessary.

bigmck · 11 Jan 2011

trojannemo said:

hey guys.

EDIT:
I can get Windows 7 Pro Upgrade for $65 from Microsoft (but would have to install xp first and then upgrade?) or get Windows 7 Home Premium OEM from TigerDirect for $99 (would have to re-install but no need to mess with xp first?)....OR....???

What version do you have installed now? If you buy the same one, you will not have to reinstall. You can just enter the Key from the one you buy. If you have Home Premium 64 bit, you would need to buy Home Premium to use the Key without reinstalling Windows. If you have Pro, you would need to buy Pro. If you get a different version, you would need to reinstall Windows 7 with your new disk and use the Key from the new disk to activate.

ie9 · 11 Jan 2011

bigmck said:

The $65 is the one that I was speaking of. If he buys that, it will come with a Key. Assuming he gets the same version as he has installed, he can just put in the Key that comes with the University disk and be done with it. No reinstall necessary.

Ok, it seemed to me when you said he needed to get a key from Microsoft you were saying that he needed to buy a key from Microsoft, not use the key from the installation disk that he could buy at a student discount

whs · 11 Jan 2011

He has currently his friends bum Ultimate installed and is going to buy a Pro version. So he needs to reinstall. The Pro key won't work on Ultimate.