Windows 7 Ultimate "Not Genuine" Please Help!

SimplyAdorable · 29 Jan 2011

Purchased Dell Latitude E6400 on ebay two days ago. Found out that the copy of Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit is not genuine. Microsoft stated that the key is a "default" key and it was recommended that I do a clean install.

I attempted to contact Dell yesterday about getting recovery discs and they could not find the laptop's service tag number in their system. So I would like to install a fresh copy of Windows 7 without involving Dell, as I have already received advice about that.

My questions are as follows:

1. Since Windows 7 Ultimate was installed on the system (even though it was not genuine), do I have to reinstall using Windows 7 Ultimate disc? I would really like to reinstall using Windows 7 Home Premium. I do not need ultimate as I am a personal user. I have received conflicting answers on this...some said I had to buy ultimate, others said a fresh install using Windows 7 Home would be good. I don't want to waste money getting the wrong software.

2. Do I even need a Windows 7 CD? Can I use a key from a genuine copy just to change the key. And how can I change the key...I cannot do it through the control panel.

3. I do have a copy of Windows XP Pro that is legit...can that be used, or is that too old an operating system to use. Or can Vista be used?

I want to get genuine without spending a lot of money, and I don't need to pay $200 or more for Windows 7 Ultimate that I really dont need.

Thank you for your help.

richc46 · 29 Jan 2011

You can use Premium. Make a clean install.
Clean Install Windows 7

If you buy a key, you can activate by phone.
Activate Windows 7 by Phone

If you have XP that can be used, but why not use it to upgrade to Seven?

You can by an upgrade key for about $150. You must install a legit copy of XP or Vista first.

If I were you, I would format the hard drive and then go from there. If the OS was not legit, we dont know if it is a cracked copy with virus etc.

LyriCa · 03 Feb 2011

Try Removing update 971033 ( or something like that ) under control panel

gregrocker · 04 Feb 2011

You can try inserting an Ultimate key at Computer>Properties activation link or by running elevated command slmgr -ipk followed by a space and the product key number. Then activate at Computer>Properties.

If there is a Dell COA sticker on the machine, you can clean reinstall the licensed version with the key on that sticker.

You can try making the Recovery Disks or order them from Dell. These will auto-activate.

Or you can wipe the HD to clean reinstall Home Premium as you desire. It is available right now from Amazon and NewEgg for $120 for Family 3 pack.

Here are tips for clean reinstalling factory OEM: re-install windows 7

theog · 04 Feb 2011

Looking at the spec's for your Dell Latitude E6400, first came with Vista.
http://www.dell.com/downloads/global...Spec_Sheet.pdf

You can reinstall Vista with the Dell COA on the notebook, you may need to remove the battery to find the sticker.

pparks1 · 04 Feb 2011

SimplyAdorable said:

I attempted to contact Dell yesterday about getting recovery discs and they could not find the laptop's service tag number in their system.

Hopefully that is not the case. They should always be able to pull up the service tag information. Perhaps it was a miscommunication and they found no record of Windows 7 related to that service tag. Can you go out to support.dell.com and put in your service tag and pull anything up?

SimplyAdorable said:

1. Since Windows 7 Ultimate was installed on the system (even though it was not genuine), do I have to reinstall using Windows 7 Ultimate disc? I would really like to reinstall using Windows 7 Home Premium.

Install whichever version you like. As long as you have the software and a valid key, that will work just fine.

SimplyAdorable said:

2. Do I even need a Windows 7 CD? Can I use a key from a genuine copy just to change the key. And how can I change the key...I cannot do it through the control panel.

You can change the key by right clicking My Computer, Properties, and down at the bottom in the Windows activation section will be a link to CHANGE PRODUCT KEY.

SimplyAdorable said:

3. I do have a copy of Windows XP Pro that is legit...can that be used, or is that too old an operating system to use. Or can Vista be used?

You could use these if you have the software and valid keys. However, going all the way back to XP seems like a step backwards and I've never really liked Vista and it's nowhere near as nice as windows 7 in my opinion, so I would personally avoid that option.

SimplyAdorable said:

I want to get genuine without spending a lot of money, and I don't need to pay $200 or more for Windows 7 Ultimate that I really dont need.

Yeah, this is a real problem with regular consumers buying Windows 7 retail...especially when they have multiple PC's. It's expensive. A retail copy of Windows 7 Home Premium itself is $200 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Windows+...mium&lp=4&cp=1).