Windows 7 'pirated'

nealzibub · 26 Jul 2016

Hi there, guys, Everything was going smimmingly...Windows 10 installed...and then, one day, i got the BSD with [something like] "unlocatable boot device"

After trying all the recommended fixes, without luck, I figured, well, I hate myself, why not re-install Windows 7 on this computer again? ANyway, short story long, i FINALLY got a live person on the phone at microsoft today to activate, and they're telling me the program is pirated and I am SOL.

Caveat, I bought it off of ebay, but the seller had very high satisfaction score, and the disk worked fine the first time around.
I've had to re-install it probably 4 times on this same computer, but it has been in my posession the whole time.

So, I've reached out to the ebay seller to see what their stance is, but surely someone else out there has had a similar situation? Really bummed out because I wont likely get this fixed before the Windows 10 free download expires in 3 days...

Thank you in advance.

**axe0** · 26 Jul 2016

I would recommend to report it

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/howt...fr/report.aspx
Often Microsoft awards those who report these kind of persons :)

Eric3742 · 26 Jul 2016

It is best not to buy such &or others software thru this methods.

Although it may be shrink wrap; but they can re-shrink wrap to look like genuine.

Get it from reputed Retailers, but not all are reliable.

I did bought Microsoft Office developer version thru Online retailers, of which it is recommended by MS.

Not recommended by MS or any other software developer, do not buy.

nealzibub · 26 Jul 2016

incidentally, the ebay seller responded with this message.

"Each activation key will active just one windows. Doesn't matter is that the same system or not. When you are installing the new windows that means all the old files removed from your computer and you have new windows and then you need the new activation key. Some of the activation key are for 3 or 5 times activation and those are expensive."

to me this does not sound legitimate. i've never heard of a 'single-activation license'!?!?! and even if that were true, it seems that Microsoft would say, oh, this is a single user license, not "this is pirated".

MoxieMomma · 26 Jul 2016

Hi, @nealzibub:

You were scammed by an unscrupulous seller on ebay.
I suggest following @Axe0's advice and report it to MS.

That is probably your only recourse at this point.

MM

**axe0** · 26 Jul 2016

Single activation licenses are OEM SLP keys, these are bounded to the hardware as they are flashed in the BIOS, these come with preinstalled Windows.
With these keys you normally do not have to enter a key, if this is for some reason required a COA sticker that shows the key should then be present on the back of the preinstalled device (or behind the battery somewhere)

Some of the activation key are for 3 or 5 times activation and those are expensive.

That sounds quite odd, I do not believe that there is a key with which you can activate only a few times.

Layback Bear · 26 Jul 2016

This should help explain things.

https://social.microsoft.com/Forums/...enuinewindows7

torchwood · 26 Jul 2016

The 3 or 5

This more than likely relates to the slmgr/rearm command
standard oem's have 3 tries Retail 5.

Roy