Windows 7 Help

[AnAngryMoose]

I recently got myself a new laptop (only a couple days old) and it was shipped with 32-bit Windows 7 Ultimate. However, today after logging into my user I got an error message saying how my version of Windows 7 was not genuine. I attempted to download software that the error message prompted me to download and install and the installation failed. I searched online for a bit and tried to enter my product key into the Administrator Command Program, but that didn't work.

Anyone have any suggestions because I don't want to have to pay an extra ?150 for something that came with my laptop.

EDIT: The activation key hasn't been entered on the OS yet, but whenever I try to enter it I'm redirected to the Microsoft website to buy Windows 7 Ultimate because it's still not genuine.

 

[Tim_Buoy]

yuor going to have to contact your laptops maufacturor and microsoft

 

[TheDandyHighwayman]

yuor going to have to contact your laptops maufacturor and microsoft

That or get an OS that supports computers (Yes it's better than vista but nowhere near as good as XP imo)

 

[AnAngryMoose]

I didn't have many problems out of Vista or Windows 7, or XP for that matter.

OP, can you tell us where you got it from? If you got it from someplace shady, or some random eBay user, they could have just used a pirated version of Windows 7. I'm just saying, it's a possibility.

I got it from a local PC shop who got it in from Dell. Came shipped with Windows 7.

 

[DazZ.]

its not piracy cause u already bought windows

What about the people you're uploading to who haven't?

 

[tomme69]

well~ im not responsible for them

 

[mikecoulter]

http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/5952553/Windows_7_Ultimate_(32_Bit)_x86_(November_2010)
download just the activation folder , just run whats in that
its not piracy cause u already bought windows

You've provided a link to a piracy site and to tools for hacking copies of windows! Well done, hope you had fun here... ¬_¬

I'd most definitely contact the shop you bought the laptop from though, they may have installed a dodgey copy, or there could just be a genuine problem with that particular code.

 

[linkmastr001]

Basically, I'd suggest you check the packaging that came with your laptop, see if they may have an "activation code" or "CD-key" in there. If not, call the company you bought it from.

Otherwise, you should just be able to cancel the little 'you need to activate windows' box and everything should run fine. I only know cause I lost my CD Key, so I never activated mine (long story)

EDIT: wait... it said you needed to download some software?? You may want to uninstall that software and run some virus scanners. My options of 'activating' windows are 'enter activation key when you have internet' and that's about it. Otherwise, My background is always black (I can change it, but it never saves it between shutdowns) and there's a message on the bottom right that says "this copy of windows is not genuine." Just a heads up so you know how 'genuine unactivated' Windows 7 Professional works

EDIT2: Do you know when they put the OS on your laptop? you get 30-days to activate windows before it starts demanding it of you (as it does to me)

 

[AnAngryMoose]

Basically, I'd suggest you check the packaging that came with your laptop, see if they may have an "activation code" or "CD-key" in there. If not, call the company you bought it from.

Otherwise, you should just be able to cancel the little 'you need to activate windows' box and everything should run fine. I only know cause I lost my CD Key, so I never activated mine (long story)

EDIT: wait... it said you needed to download some software?? You may want to uninstall that software and run some virus scanners. My options of 'activating' windows are 'enter activation key when you have internet' and that's about it. Otherwise, My background is always black (I can change it, but it never saves it between shutdowns) and there's a message on the bottom right that says "this copy of windows is not genuine." Just a heads up so you know how 'genuine unactivated' Windows 7 Professional works

EDIT2: Do you know when they put the OS on your laptop? you get 30-days to activate windows before it starts demanding it of you (as it does to me)

It was working for a couple of days. It only started telling me that it wasn't genuine and then linked me to the Microsoft website to download some patch or something, however, it couldn't install properly. No clue when they put the OS on the laptop. But it has never prompted me to enter my Activation Code or CD key. In my Computer Properties it already has the CD Key displayed, so I just took it for granted that that meant the OS was installed.

I didn't have many problems out of Vista or Windows 7, or XP for that matter.

OP, can you tell us where you got it from? If you got it from someplace shady, or some random eBay user, they could have just used a pirated version of Windows 7. I'm just saying, it's a possibility.

I got it from a local PC shop who got it in from Dell. Came shipped with Windows 7.

Do you have any virus software already installed? That should have been one of the very first things on there, before anything else. If you do not have any virus software installed, I recommend downloading Malware Bytes and scanning your computer with that, then downloading Microsoft Security Essentials and using it for antivirus, then finding a firewall somewhere; this could be a nasty virus. If this isn't the problem, you need to contact Dell - that's going to be a pain in the ass.

Or you could take it back to the PC shop and get your money back and go buy your PC from someplace where it's almost guaranteed to work, like Best Buy or Newegg.com.

I have AVG Free Edition so I'll run that virus scan now and I'll get back to you.

 

[Arachon]

Ah,,. The Wonders of non-free OS's... The most likely cause is that Windows just had a hiccup when running it's "Genuine Advantage" (that's a joke) tool, it happens. The solution is to contact Microsoft, wait a couple of days, maybe pay some obscure "support fee" and then be on your merry way, hoping that it won't happen again...

Orrrr... You ditch that closed-down security hole of an OS, and go with a free alternative, such as Ubuntu [http://www.ubuntu.com] or Linux Mint [http://www.linuxmint.com/].

Both are free (as in 'free beer') and open (as in 'freedom'), and both are geared for usability (conceptually kinda similar to Mac OSX), so you should generally not have to do any terminal-hacking to get started (this is especially true with Linux Mint, as it is geared for compatibility with as a wide hardware range as possible). Not to mention the wide array of Free software that comes available through the package manager, rather than requiring you to go on a scavenge hunt through cyberspace to get the software you want.

The only reason I see to not use Linux, is if you are wanting to be playing heavy-duty games. Most AAA titles are not available on Linux, but if it's a laptop, that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Danzaivar]

Ah,,. The Wonders of non-free OS's... The most likely cause is that Windows just had a hiccup when running it's "Genuine Advantage" (that's a joke) tool, it happens. The solution is to contact Microsoft, wait a couple of days, maybe pay some obscure "support fee" and then be on your merry way, hoping that it won't happen again...

Orrrr... You ditch that closed-down security hole of an OS, and go with a free alternative, such as Ubuntu [http://www.ubuntu.com] or Linux Mint [http://www.linuxmint.com/].

Both are free (as in 'free beer') and open (as in 'freedom'), and both are geared for usability (conceptually kinda similar to Mac OSX), so you should generally not have to do any terminal-hacking to get started (this is especially true with Linux Mint, as it is geared for compatibility with as a wide hardware range as possible). Not to mention the wide array of Free software that comes available through the package manager, rather than requiring you to go on a scavenge hunt through cyberspace to get the software you want.

The only reason I see to not use Linux, is if you are wanting to be playing heavy-duty games. Most AAA titles are not available on Linux, but if it's a laptop, that shouldn't be a problem.

Because being able to access the source code is so important to your average user. Definitely worth tracking down the freeware equivalent of windows apps rather than say, sorting out his product key.

And on the game thing. He could just get Wine to play his games.

- - - - -

Ring up Microsoft on the prompted number, talk to a rep and get an installation ID to verify it. Takes all of 5 minutes on the phone if you have a legal copy. Doesn't cost any more than a regular 5 minute phone call.

 

[AnAngryMoose]

Ah,,. The Wonders of non-free OS's... The most likely cause is that Windows just had a hiccup when running it's "Genuine Advantage" (that's a joke) tool, it happens. The solution is to contact Microsoft, wait a couple of days, maybe pay some obscure "support fee" and then be on your merry way, hoping that it won't happen again...

Orrrr... You ditch that closed-down security hole of an OS, and go with a free alternative, such as Ubuntu [http://www.ubuntu.com] or Linux Mint [http://www.linuxmint.com/].

Both are free (as in 'free beer') and open (as in 'freedom'), and both are geared for usability (conceptually kinda similar to Mac OSX), so you should generally not have to do any terminal-hacking to get started (this is especially true with Linux Mint, as it is geared for compatibility with as a wide hardware range as possible). Not to mention the wide array of Free software that comes available through the package manager, rather than requiring you to go on a scavenge hunt through cyberspace to get the software you want.

The only reason I see to not use Linux, is if you are wanting to be playing heavy-duty games. Most AAA titles are not available on Linux, but if it's a laptop, that shouldn't be a problem.

Because being able to access the source code is so important to your average user. Definitely worth tracking down the freeware equivalent of windows apps rather than say, sorting out his product key.

And on the game thing. He could just get Wine to play his games.

- - - - -

Ring up Microsoft on the prompted number, talk to a rep and get an installation ID to verify it. Takes all of 5 minutes on the phone if you have a legal copy. Doesn't cost any more than a regular 5 minute phone call.

I think I might just do that today. Hopefully I won't be on hold for half the night, like most customer support services =P

 

[Arachon]

Because being able to access the source code is so important to your average user. Definitely worth tracking down the freeware equivalent of windows apps rather than say, sorting out his product key.

Oh no, not at all. I think that Linux has features that genuinely makes it better than Windows. The FOSS thing is a moral point, if you're not into morals, fine with me, I still think that you should consider Linux. Why? It's free, it's more secure, it *looks* nice, and there's tons of funny things you can do with it, not to mention that the package manager provides you with a way of getting applications that's more akin to the "app stores" of smartphones, than tracking down .exe's on the internet. Compared to what you get with Windows: Familiarity and compatibility with proprietary programs.

 

[Danzaivar]

Because being able to access the source code is so important to your average user. Definitely worth tracking down the freeware equivalent of windows apps rather than say, sorting out his product key.

Oh no, not at all. I think that Linux has features that genuinely makes it better than Windows. The FOSS thing is a moral point, if you're not into morals, fine with me, I still think that you should consider Linux. Why? It's free, it's more secure, it *looks* nice, and there's tons of funny things you can do with it, not to mention that the package manager provides you with a way of getting applications that's more akin to the "app stores" of smartphones, than tracking down .exe's on the internet. Compared to what you get with Windows: Familiarity and compatibility with proprietary programs.

I dual-boot Windows 7 and Ubuntu, only reason I use Windows 7 at all is for programming uni-work. You don't need to pitch it at me.

But there's wayyy too much terminal usage for your non-techy to get a good experience with. It's getting better, but it isn't there yet.

 

[Arachon]

I dual-boot Windows 7 and Ubuntu, only reason I use Windows 7 at all is for programming uni-work. You don't need to pitch it at me.

But there's wayyy too much terminal usage for your non-techy to get a good experience with. It's getting better, but it isn't there yet.

I do come off as pitching, don't I? <.<

May I just ask, what do you use the terminal for? Most things I do can be done fairly easily with a GUI, it's just faster with bash.