Continuous Installation

I go into device manager, click on the software, go into properties and look for driver updates that way. I'll check out your link.

Yep, no sticker on the key. They just said that it's in the program and it's all good. Hmph.

Plus the windows recovery ... It first did a backup on 4/6 .. then 2 more times until I did one the night before my planned clean install. It put everything back from the 6th and the other 2 times I updated which just gave me more work. Now I can't delete the "new location" folder that it put everything into on my main drive. Annoying.

Again, did you enable hardware auto-updating then check optional Windows Updates which is how Win7 provides the latest drivers not in the installer? This is not XP.

Use this rightclick shortcut to delete any file: Take Ownership Shortcut

What does it say under Activation status at Computer>Properties?

Your tech support needs to provide a COA sticker for preinstalled Win7 as required under the law. They also need to clarify by what they mean when they say that activation is "in the program" - does this mean SLP activation method is embedded in Recovery Disks? Did you make those?

They still need to provide you with a COA sticker, or call MS Customer Service to ask for their help.

Yes, I enabled the hardware updates and for drivers too. It's been trying to update something for ATI but it always fails. I used my old Windows 7 Prof disc instead of using the windows 7 Home that came with the pc because there wasn't a key. I didn't trust what he was saying ... even though Windows verified it was a legit copy.

Did someone sell you a self-activating Win7 DVD? This is likely a bootleg.

Or was this preinstalled on a machine you bought? If so, they need to give you the COA sticker with Product Key or it is also likely bootleg which is considered to be a theft.

Yep it was preinstalled. The copy of Windows 7 Prof I have is a retail copy.