My Windows 7 is not genuine

[MJinZ]

I bought a copy of Windows 7 off a trader on HardForum, and it was fine for a few months, and now it is now being treated as "not genuine" by Microsoft.

However, I am still able to do Windows Updates and the like.

Is that normal? I was going to reinstall the system at some point, but I have been too lazy.

 

[RebateMonger]

Even a "non-Genuine" copy of Win7 or Vista will allow critical updates.

A "non-Genuine" notification isn't "normal", if that's what you are asking. In what physical form did the Win7 come? (Retail box, disk plus Key, Key-only?) There've been many cases of people selling MSDN Keys, which are restricted and eventually get blocked by Microsoft's Activation servers if many copies of the Key are sold. Or it could just be a Windows Activation error, which, while uncommon, does occur.

Microsoft has an online Forum where they will help investigate a Win7 Genuine Advantage Validation problem. There's a software tool you run first, and then post the result in the Forum. They WILL help, and if you are the victim of a Key scam, they'll can tell you if the Key has been blocked.

http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/genuinewindows7/threads

 

[MJinZ]

I was sold a key only.

 

[bruceb]

So most likely you now have a blacklisted key (aka a hot program) .. not legitimate
You have been had.

 

[JackMDS]

I was sold a key only.

In other words you bought a collection of numbers.

The ""Honest Nice People sell"" these collections of number to many others.

After a while Microsoft Activation server senses that
the same Key is Multi-Used and Block it.

In case it is a "kosher Key" and it is just a glitch. Try to reactivate over the phone and see what the feedback would be.

 

[Nothinman]

Or the activation shit itself for some reason. My work notebook did that a few weeks ago, booted it up and it randomly said I wasn't genuine and a little bit later it fixed itself.

 

[Anubis]

Or the activation shit itself for some reason. My work notebook did that a few weeks ago, booted it up and it randomly said I wasn't genuine and a little bit later it fixed itself.

this happened to me like 2 months ago, i actually made a post about it

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2062914

you can fix it, you might have a legit key you might not

 

[Nothinman]

this happened to me like 2 months ago, i actually made a post about it

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2062914

you can fix it, you might have a legit key you might not

As I said, it fixed itself for me. I'm assuming it was because it was out of contact with the activation servers for too long or something. And this kind of bullshit is one of the many reasons that I run all Linux at home.

 

[Mem]

In other words you bought a collection of numbers.

The ""Honest Nice People sell"" these collections of number to many others.

After a while Microsoft Activation server senses that
the same Key is Multi-Used and Block it.

In case it is a "kosher Key" and it is just a glitch. Try to reactivate over the phone and see what the feedback would be.

Happened to me one time on Vista x64 (purchased OEM version)anyway simple phone call to Microsoft and they told be to disconnect my LAN cable, reboot PC and reconnect LAN cable,problem sorted.

 

[SimMike2]

Happened to me one time on Vista x64 (purchased OEM version)anyway simple phone call to Microsoft and they told be to disconnect my LAN cable, reboot PC and reconnect LAN cable,problem sorted.

That sounds like the same thing Comcast tells it's internet users, no matter what the problem is.

 

[EricMartello]

Make sure to reboot your PC at least 3 times before you post about it.

 

[Nothinman]

That sounds like the same thing Comcast tells it's internet users, no matter what the problem is.

Except that process could have an affect on activation since MS pushed so much startup into the background in order to get the GUI up as quickly as possible and give Windows the illusion of booting faster.

 

[SunnyD]

slmgr -rearm baby. I reinstall my copy of windows about every 120 days on average anyways.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I find it amusing that there are multiple threads popping up about this same issue. Seriously. How many people fell for this scam? If something is $100-$300 in the store and you get it for $30 from "some guy". It's like buying speakers out of the back of a white van in a parking lot.

 

[Nothinman]

I find it amusing that there are multiple threads popping up about this same issue. Seriously. How many people fell for this scam? If something is $100-$300 in the store and you get it for $30 from "some guy". It's like buying speakers out of the back of a white van in a parking lot.

Except there's no chance that the speakers will randomly refuse to play one day. At least so far...

 

[apostle83]

That sounds like the same thing Comcast tells it's internet users, no matter what the problem is.

I hate that when I call Comcast, or AT&T - or any other data vendor.

I understand why they do it though. In my office, reboots fix 80% of all problems with user's computers. :hmm:

 

[corkyg]

I have had it happen with Win 7 after a "Windows Update" reboot. Apparently there are times when that "genuineness" check occurs before the system is stabilized. Another reboot fixes it.

 

[imagoon]

Except there's no chance that the speakers will randomly refuse to play one day. At least so far...

Actually... the did... Had to open them up and solder past the breaker in the speaker base. Sound restored.

Honestly though it is annoying that it can randomly stop working with out a warning. Would be nice if it gave you a notice and then gave you a few days to clear it. "Activation had not succeeded recently." then gives you a week to 'make it work.' Which is often either connecting to the office network or the internet.

 

[RichardBrittain]

Hmm, best thing you could do is just get hold of a copy from a certified store.

Hope this helps.

 

[bankster55]

yeah, most probably your key was blacklisted
If you wish you can download MGADiag
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012
run it and click copy (into notepad) and post it here, and i can tell you what happened
(leave off "other data" section)

 

[RebateMonger]

I just noticed this sticky on Microsoft's Genuine Windows/Win7 forums. It describes what to look for in a Product Key (PID) to see if it's an MSDN Key (which shouldn't be sold). Note that this isn't the "Activation Key" that you purchased. It's the Product Key you get after you've installed Windows and inserted the Activation Key.

http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/genuinewindows7/thread/a2444f34-0aff-4f29-a8ac-67e28b0c0285

"Things to watch out for.

Lately there have been several reports of instances of blocked MSDN keys packaged with legitimate looking media. I can't stress enough to save your packaging, media and reciepts, if you purchase software such as this seek recourse with the store you purchased it from and report it to www.microsoft.com/piracy

If you have purchased a key, with or without DVD's or packaging from EBAY or any other person or vendor and believe it may be an MSDN key because your key has been blocked you can check a few things yourself, if you received your key with the physical product go to www.microsoft.com/howtotell and verify your product however some counterfeit software is so convincing you may not be able to spot it as such.

To check your PID press the win key and pause at the same time, or open system properties through the control panel, scroll down to activation section and look at the PID It will look something like this 12345-067-1234567-54321, the portion you are interested in is the three digit section, if it matches or is within one or two digits of the examples below you probably have an MSDN key.

065, 066, 067 for Ultimate, 220 area for Pro and the 230, 231 area for premium, there are probably others but they should be close to those posted

If you have a similar PID, or your key is blocked and you want confirmation post a new thread with a report from the MGADIAG tool, download and run the tool, click copy and paste it in a new post here and Darin Smith from MS can verify your key for you. NEVER post your key, the report will suffice."