my microsoft keeps saying my windows 7 is counterfeit

latinoserio · Mar 16, 2011, 07:30 AM

hey there. first off i thank anyone who reads this thread. i bought a used laptop though fairly new off craigslist. the guy said it had vista but upgraded to 7 i wasnt to familiar with vista or 7 since ive used xp. i was more about the nice laptop. well soon as i began using it i keep getting messages saying its not genuine. i have cooperated with microsoft but they seem more concerned with me paying 200 for a coa. since i know the vista is genuine is there a way to just convert back to that. i didnt get any cds from the guy. any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated thanks

Mr cairo · Mar 16, 2011, 08:48 AM

If you have no disks you might still be able to use the recovery console method if its still on your laptop

Google your laptop make and a variation of the words Recovery console .... something like

"HP vantage recovery option/console/Method"

It will tell you that normally when you boot you have to press a variation of keys something like Ctrl and F12 or something along those lines Google should tell you what and how

using that should take you back to vista ..... if its there

**kris23** · Mar 16, 2011, 08:52 AM

there should be a windows vista activation key right under the laptop, simply find a copy of windows vista and install it using that, all standard microsoft disks should work fine.

Erroneus · Mar 16, 2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kris23

there should be a windows vista activation key right under the laptop, simply find a copy of windows vista and install it using that, all standard microsoft disks should work fine.

Naaah sometimes. Some keys are OEM keys bound to a special model and require a special oem version. Normally you can buy these disks for a low price, if contacting the manufacturer of the laptop.

Also, if you do jump back to Vista, off course make sure you have a backup of your stuff and after Vista is installed, make sure you run a Windows update, as the latest service packs for Vista, really speeds it up.

Judas · Mar 16, 2011, 03:30 PM

Since about 2004, the cd key used on the bottom or placed anywhere on any type of computer reguardless of manufacturer... ALL WORK with ANY copy be it from other manufacturers or a direct OEM copy from microsoft themselves.

Prior to that it was just "weird".... but i mostly noticed it with pre XP copies.

windows 7/vista are absalutely no problems at all.... you can use any OEM copy of microsoft and it'll install PROVIDED the disk your using is actually windows... not some butchered version/restore version.... that doesn't work so much...

The key for vista should be on the bottom..

i'm guessing the guy installed 7 like a few of us do.. without a key.... use it even though you get genuine notices.... first when you boot up.. which you can cancel and continue to use.. and a notice every i think 2-3 hours or more that says "please activate windows"... if you install a microsoft software product.. you get the popup... aside from that.. you are not at all hindered by using windows 7 like that.. you just can't change the background from solid black.

ET3D · Mar 16, 2011, 09:20 PM

What brand laptop is that? Years ago I bought a used Thinkpad which was upgraded from Windows 2000 to an illegal XP, with the recovery partition deleted. IBM restored the original OS for free even though the laptop was out of warranty.

blibbax · Mar 18, 2011, 03:13 PM

I'd just get hold of a Vista disk - via a torrent if necessary - and install using the key on the bottom. Any key will work with any disk, though you might be best to stick with 64 bit or 32 bit if the sticker specifies on or the other.

Judas · Mar 18, 2011, 03:32 PM

The key won't work with ANY disc.... it must be a direct from microsoft OEM version.... but it can be any Vista OEM version..

The OEM Key cannot be used on a RETAIL version of any vista version.

However doesn't matter if it's 32bit or 64bit....

blibbax · Mar 18, 2011, 04:01 PM

Really?

I've used my OEM Basic x86 key with a retail Premium x86 disc, but it doesn't work with my OEM Ultimate x64 disk.

D:

I daresay that Judas has more experience than me in these matters, though, so my problem is probably just something peculiar. I use torrented discs to get exactly what I want, then use legit keys, and I recommend that you do the same

Judas · Mar 18, 2011, 04:11 PM

If those discs were torrented.. they were not correctly labeled.

I know for a fact you cannot mix retail/oem keys with each other.... it'll refuse it..

CrazyCanadianGuy · Mar 27, 2011, 08:06 PM

If the guy didn't provide you with any CD's and you don't have your own copy, you may be in a bit of trouble. As it has been mentioned, try looking for a recovery file on the laptop which may bring the PC back before Windows 7 was installed. If this fails, you may have to purchase your own copy of Windows 7. Besides, the guy had good reason to illegally download Windows 7, Vista stinks. Hope this helps.

Mar 16, 2011, 07:30 AM	#1
latinoserio HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: orange county ca. Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	my microsoft keeps saying my windows 7 is counterfeit hey there. first off i thank anyone who reads this thread. i bought a used laptop though fairly new off craigslist. the guy said it had vista but upgraded to 7 i wasnt to familiar with vista or 7 since ive used xp. i was more about the nice laptop. well soon as i began using it i keep getting messages saying its not genuine. i have cooperated with microsoft but they seem more concerned with me paying 200 for a coa. since i know the vista is genuine is there a way to just convert back to that. i didnt get any cds from the guy. any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated thanks

Mar 16, 2011, 08:48 AM	#2
Mr cairo F0rum For Humans Only Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Slightly to the left Posts: 1,780 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	Re: my microsoft keeps saying my windows 7 is counterfeit If you have no disks you might still be able to use the recovery console method if its still on your laptop Google your laptop make and a variation of the words Recovery console .... something like "HP vantage recovery option/console/Method" It will tell you that normally when you boot you have to press a variation of keys something like Ctrl and F12 or something along those lines Google should tell you what and how using that should take you back to vista ..... if its there __________________ *Please consider Sponsoring my wife for the race for life*

Mar 16, 2011, 08:52 AM	#3
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,018 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Re: my microsoft keeps saying my windows 7 is counterfeit there should be a windows vista activation key right under the laptop, simply find a copy of windows vista and install it using that, all standard microsoft disks should work fine. __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Mar 16, 2011, 09:20 PM	#6
ET3D Hopeless Dreamer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dreamland, near the pool of infinite graphics cards Posts: 3,057 Rep Power: 105 System Specs	Re: my microsoft keeps saying my windows 7 is counterfeit What brand laptop is that? Years ago I bought a used Thinkpad which was upgraded from Windows 2000 to an illegal XP, with the recovery partition deleted. IBM restored the original OS for free even though the laptop was out of warranty. __________________ ET's Place ET's Place competition list

Mar 18, 2011, 03:13 PM	#7
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,231 Rep Power: 254 System Specs	Re: my microsoft keeps saying my windows 7 is counterfeit I'd just get hold of a Vista disk - via a torrent if necessary - and install using the key on the bottom. Any key will work with any disk, though you might be best to stick with 64 bit or 32 bit if the sticker specifies on or the other. __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Mar 18, 2011, 04:01 PM	#9
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,231 Rep Power: 254 System Specs	Re: my microsoft keeps saying my windows 7 is counterfeit Really? I've used my OEM Basic x86 key with a retail Premium x86 disc, but it doesn't work with my OEM Ultimate x64 disk. D: I daresay that Judas has more experience than me in these matters, though, so my problem is probably just something peculiar. I use torrented discs to get exactly what I want, then use legit keys, and I recommend that you do the same __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Mar 27, 2011, 08:06 PM	#11
CrazyCanadianGuy HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 31 Rep Power: 0	Re: my microsoft keeps saying my windows 7 is counterfeit If the guy didn't provide you with any CD's and you don't have your own copy, you may be in a bit of trouble. As it has been mentioned, try looking for a recovery file on the laptop which may bring the PC back before Windows 7 was installed. If this fails, you may have to purchase your own copy of Windows 7. Besides, the guy had good reason to illegally download Windows 7, Vista stinks. Hope this helps.