Anyone got a spare Windows 7 key sitting around? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

bluck · 03-19-2012, 04:11 PM

Bought a pc a few months ago for the anticipation of Diablo 3 and some other games.. the guy I purchased it off of insisted that the copy of Windows 7 was Genuine. Well I went and turned on the pc the other day after not using it for a few months and up popped an error saying I may be victim of counterfit software.. and I need to purchase or enter a key to activate.. Does anyone have a spare key kicking around they arn't using? Shoot me a pm if you do

Thanks in advance

Bluck

Rathji · 03-19-2012, 04:20 PM

Not that I have a key that I am willing to part with, but you need to indicate which version of Windows 7 you need a key for. Starter, Premium, Professional, Ultimate or Enterprise. Not that you couldn't do a full re-install but if you got a key that was the same as your installed version, it is going to save you a bit of a headache.

bluck · 03-19-2012, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rathji

Not that I have a key that I am willing to part with, but you need to indicate which version of Windows 7 you need a key for. Starter, Premium, Professional, Ultimate or Enterprise.

I didn't even no that windows had that many versions.. thanks, I'll have to check when I get home, I have no clue to be honest.

If i were to just download a cracked copy of windows 7, could i throw that on a usb and boot it from there like a cd? Or would I have to burn win7 to a cd first?

Rathji · 03-19-2012, 04:34 PM

You can boot from a USB drive for sure. I wouldn't be downloading a cracked version though. It is easy enough to get a legit copy, when you figure out if you need one.

Chances are you have Premium or Professional.

bluck · 03-19-2012, 05:43 PM

its actually ultimate

ricosuave · 03-19-2012, 06:00 PM

dont be so sure that the key is fake

in the past 6 months, there has been a glut of those counterfeit messages, apparently because MS just decided to block a block of keys, legit or not.

my key is legit and I was one of the blocked ones.

once you get an update installed, cant remember which one, it gives off the counterfeit message.

call MS using the activation number and speak to an operator before you do anything else.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=windo...irefox-nightly

ricosuave · 03-19-2012, 06:02 PM

oh, and it may sound silly, but be sure to check the date and time of the bios/windows and make sure it is the correct time/date

that has been known to mess up the activation as well.

have you got a sticker on the side of the case?

if you can get into windows, you can use this to get the key:
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

bluck · 03-19-2012, 09:01 PM

I don't have a sticker no but when I right click on my computer I can see the windows key there , I'll take your advice and call a microsoft rep but I think I may have a bootleg copy :s

1_Flames_Fan · 03-20-2012, 09:24 AM

If you sign up for microsoft technet you can get 3 keys of every version of windows 7 plus any other microsoft software.

bluck · 03-20-2012, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1_Flames_Fan

If you sign up for microsoft technet you can get 3 keys of every version of windows 7 plus any other microsoft software.

How much would that run me ?

ricosuave · 03-20-2012, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluck

I don't have a sticker no but when I right click on my computer I can see the windows key there , I'll take your advice and call a microsoft rep but I think I may have a bootleg copy :s

that number you see when right clicking my computer and choosing properties is not the licence key, you need to use that program listed above to get the actual key.

in fact, you may just want to try and get the key and 'reactivate' it anyway, Ive seen that happen as well.

if it does not activate, use the 'telephone' option and use it to get to speak with an operator

bluck · 03-20-2012, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricosuave

that number you see when right clicking my computer and choosing properties is not the licence key, you need to use that program listed above to get the actual key.

in fact, you may just want to try and get the key and 'reactivate' it anyway, Ive seen that happen as well.

if it does not activate, use the 'telephone' option and use it to get to speak with an operator

Thx, will try that when i get home. If i don't activate it is it that bad really? I just use the comp for gaming and nothing else. All my torrents and browsing are done on the mac.

Rathji · 03-20-2012, 10:48 AM

You wont be able to use lots of Microsoft programs and features of the OS. I can't be more specific than that really as, I have never really ran a PC that failed Genuine Validation for more than a couple mins, and it was always because MS put out a new validation tool that I needed to run. I know Microsoft Update, Windows Media Player, and Microsoft Security Essentials are ones that need it.

Bottom line, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone I actually liked and cared that they enjoyed their computing experience.