My bought copy of windows 7 is now not genuine

[Bob H]

I pre ordered Windows 7 Professional last year, then installed the OS
when I recieved the 2 CDs.
During the installation I entered the product key number, and just
recently I have recieved a message on my desktop telling me that my copy
of windows is not genuine.
The first time this happened was about a week ago after I cloned the
original Hard disk to a new HD, when I just re entered the product key,
and windows was activated.
Now today, after a reboot, I get the same message, but the product key
will not activate windows, as it says the copy is not genuine.
Even when I go to MS's site to activate, it tells me it is not a genuine
copy of windows.

How come this is happening now, some 12 months after I received and
installed Windows 7 64 bit system.

To get round it, I did a restore of my OS using files from the last
backup, and now windows is activated.
But how can I be sure that I won't have this problem again.

Thanks

 

[Justin]

I pre ordered Windows 7 Professional last year, then installed the OS
when I recieved the 2 CDs.
During the installation I entered the product key number, and just
recently I have recieved a message on my desktop telling me that my copy
of windows is not genuine.
The first time this happened was about a week ago after I cloned the
original Hard disk to a new HD, when I just re entered the product key,
and windows was activated.
Now today, after a reboot, I get the same message, but the product key
will not activate windows, as it says the copy is not genuine.
Even when I go to MS's site to activate, it tells me it is not a genuine
copy of windows.

How come this is happening now, some 12 months after I received and
installed Windows 7 64 bit system.

To get round it, I did a restore of my OS using files from the last
backup, and now windows is activated.
But how can I be sure that I won't have this problem again.

Thanks

Easy solution - get a Mac.
Linux might work for you - but the fact you paid for the OS IMO sucks.
This is a version of the Microsoft tax.

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

I pre ordered Windows 7 Professional last year, then installed the OS
when I recieved the 2 CDs. During the installation I entered the
product key number, and just recently I have recieved a message on my
desktop telling me that my copy of windows is not genuine. The first
time this happened was about a week ago after I cloned the original
Hard disk to a new HD, when I just re entered the product key, and
windows was activated. Now today, after a reboot, I get the same
message, but the product key will not activate windows, as it says
the copy is not genuine. Even when I go to MS's site to activate, it
tells me it is not a genuine copy of windows.

How come this is happening now, some 12 months after I received and
installed Windows 7 64 bit system.

To get round it, I did a restore of my OS using files from the last
backup, and now windows is activated. But how can I be sure that I
won't have this problem again.

You can't just copy one hard disk to another and expect the activation
to remain valid. If you could, it wouldn't be much good at preventing
piracy.

http://social.answers.microsoft.com...r/thread/6314f51f-54fb-4449-88c8-0c4cabdd0c78

 

[Bob H]

You can't just copy one hard disk to another and expect the activation
to remain valid. If you could, it wouldn't be much good at preventing
piracy.

http://social.answers.microsoft.com...r/thread/6314f51f-54fb-4449-88c8-0c4cabdd0c78

Ok, what I did specifically was create a system image if my original
installation of win7, then restored that image to another drive.
Fair enough, not the same as cloning as I said, but it booted up ok
afterwards, and has done ever since.
So how come the activation went ok a week or so back, but not this time,
when nothing has changed as far as I know.

 

[Chuck]

Easy solution - get a Mac.
Linux might work for you - but the fact you paid for the OS IMO sucks.
This is a version of the Microsoft tax.

Actually, it might happen again, even with a copy and key directly from
MS. There are several reasons why--
Occasionally, an update triggers this behavior. The accepted reason is
that the update was somehow corrupt, or did not install properly.
Another reason had to do with UHC, and I don't remember the specifics.
Finally, a key can be "black listed" by MS. usually this is because the
key was somehow compromised, such as a generated duplicate by pirates.
Several years ago, there was such a problem with some MSDN keys. Ms
ended up issuing new keys to those that called and complained.

I've had several instances when a key was refused, usually because the
system had major changes, or for diagnostic purposes, windows was
reinstalled multiple times.

Even the authentication system has been known to occasionally fail.
Usually due to a server or database problem.

You did not mention who or where you purchased windows from,
or if the version was an OEM version.

Generally, you can call MS, say that you had to replace a HD, and you
are having trouble getting your key to work properly. My experience has
been that MS will issue a new key, or occasionally, tell you to
manipulate/change specific registry entries.

 

[Unicorn]

I pre ordered Windows 7 Professional last year, then installed the OS when
I recieved the 2 CDs.
During the installation I entered the product key number, and just
recently I have recieved a message on my desktop telling me that my copy
of windows is not genuine.
The first time this happened was about a week ago after I cloned the
original Hard disk to a new HD, when I just re entered the product key,
and windows was activated.
Now today, after a reboot, I get the same message, but the product key
will not activate windows, as it says the copy is not genuine.
Even when I go to MS's site to activate, it tells me it is not a genuine
copy of windows.

How come this is happening now, some 12 months after I received and
installed Windows 7 64 bit system.

To get round it, I did a restore of my OS using files from the last
backup, and now windows is activated.
But how can I be sure that I won't have this problem again.

Thanks

There were occasionally problems in this or similar to your circumstances,
when your PC's configuration has changed. As Chuck says MS usually
helps with no problem. If you are given an option to activate Windows
by telephone just take it and you should be fine.

 

[Bob H]

You did not mention who or where you purchased windows from,
or if the version was an OEM version.

Generally, you can call MS, say that you had to replace a HD, and you
are having trouble getting your key to work properly. My experience has
been that MS will issue a new key, or occasionally, tell you to
manipulate/change specific registry entries.

I bought my copy of Windows 7 Professional from a national chain of
stores here in the UK (Argos)

If I knew of a number to call MS here, I would call them to complain.

Thanks

 

[Bob H]

Microsoft UK

Microsoft Limited
Microsoft Campus
Thames Valley Park
Reading
Berkshire
RG6 1WG
UNITED KINGDOM

Phone: (+44) 0844 800 2400
Fax: (+44) 0870 60 20 100

Thanks for that.
I rang MS and they sorted it out for me after going through 3 people to
do it!

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

Thanks for that. I rang MS and they sorted it out for me after going
through 3 people to do it!

Are you going to share? It might save someone else the phone call and a
lot of frustration.

 

[Bob H]

Are you going to share? It might save someone else the phone call and a
lot of frustration.

Well there's not a lot to share, unless you want a blow by blow account
of my conversations with the 3 people.

To cut it short, the 3rd person I spoke to took control of my PC,
installed some software, checked my system, and then told me it was
validated. I then had to go to MS's activation site, where my OS was
then activated.
Actually, it may have been activated first, then validated; I'm not
really sure now.
he also told me that I should not have this problem again, but if I do
then contact them with the supplied case number.

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

Well there's not a lot to share, unless you want a blow by blow
account of my conversations with the 3 people.

To cut it short, the 3rd person I spoke to took control of my PC,
installed some software, checked my system, and then told me it was
validated. I then had to go to MS's activation site, where my OS was
then activated. Actually, it may have been activated first, then
validated; I'm not really sure now. he also told me that I should not
have this problem again, but if I do then contact them with the
supplied case number.

Thank you.

 

[relic]

I bought my copy of Windows 7 Professional from a national chain of stores
here in the UK (Argos)

If I knew of a number to call MS here, I would call them to complain.

Thanks

When activating, select "Activate by Phone" and it gives you the number to
call.

 

[Leythos]

But how can I be sure that I won't have this problem again.

Most often, when this happens after it's been working for some time,
it's malware on your computer that is trashing the activation.

If you call MS Activation line they will give you a new key, no hassle,
a 5 minute process.

 

[Leythos]

You can't just copy one hard disk to another and expect the activation
to remain valid. If you could, it wouldn't be much good at preventing
piracy.

Yes, you can, as long as the drive is replacing the drive in the
computer. We do it all the time, change a small drive to a larger drive
by cloning it - never had to reactivate.