Windows 7 has its problems also

[chrisrosenb]

Last week I started getting error

 

[RDMuller]

Big issue --- where were the Microsoft Windows licenses purchased?    Bundled with a computer means that you have to work with the computer manufacturer.  I build my own desktops so I purchase directly from Microsoft.  Laptops are another issue --- don't buy on price alone ---- buy on price and anticipated tech support needs.  Some of these companies are awful.  And within a company, it's a game of change as to who you get to work with

I am not sure about upgrades regarding who will support this?    If you bought the original license bundled and then purchases the upgrade from Microsoft, I am not sure where you stand

To get a dialogue going on the web, go to support.microsoft.com.  Poke your way around into the Windows 7 upgrade area.  Try to find a place where you can leave an email.  They will get back to you.
Alternatively, I have found these phone numbers  866-234-6020 and 800-426-9400.

Microsoft is huge.  You have to have some patience in working through this process

Apple Users    1-800-myapple will get you pointed in the right direction.  Also, support.apple.com. 

 

[upscale]

I am not sure about upgrades regarding who will support this?    If you bought the original license bundled and then purchases the upgrade from Microsoft, I am not sure where you stand.

All these questions (and problems) are exactly why I don't buy an upgrade version any more. When I'm ready to upgrade my OS, I buy a full install version. Admittedly, it's a pain to have to reinstall many of my applications, but it does make a big difference when it comes to the OS running properly as far as I'm concerned. And, along the same lines, when I install a new OS, I  almost always skip a version. Example: Windows 3.1, NT, XP, Windows 7 have been my new OS steps.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Chris, I don't believe the problem lies with the installation of Windows itself, just the verification aspect. When Windows (and many other programs these days) install or update, they verify that it is a legitimate copy. Reinstalling isn't going to fix the problem. You need to find out why it thinks you have a bad copy. It could be something simple like someone else using your serial number on another install, either by taking it from you, or guessing at numbers by people selling bootleg copies.

 

[Jeff Zanin]

There are numerous reports of Windows validation issues, some arising from counterfeit software but many from time setting and other anomalies.

A quick search found some advice here

Please go to the Validation site and attempt to validate Windows
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/validate
if that fails, go to the Diagnostics site
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/diag
and see what it has to say  - follow the advice about any fixes, and attempt revalidation after you get all green ticks.

Jeff

 

[Steve R]

I agree with Rick and Jeff.

Have had this happen before it was some sofeware/driver update that some hardware changed or a W7 update now showed it was not up to date. I have even have read of this happening after a thumb drive was plugged in that was put a program that was not wanted on the HD.

Hope you get this worked out...but I would not reinstall.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[dltflt]

Chris this happened to my desktop and my laptop at work.  The IT guys fixed it, I have no clue what was wrong.

Regards,
Don

 

[Rick Christopherson]

I forgot about the other aspect that Steve alluded to. I don't know the specifics, but I believe the serial number verification process generates a unique Machine ID for your computer based on the hardware within the computer. (Adobe does this too I believe).  Depending on which hardware pieces the verification process uses to create this machine ID, it can change when you modify the computer. A new hard drive is rather obvious, but I think I have seen this happen when a new motherboard and/or memory was installed.

The reason why a unique machine ID is used is to prevent you from installing the same copy of software on more than one computer, even if they are both registered to you. Some software agreements do permit this, however.

 

[CABMEISTER]

I had the " the software already installed is newer than the version you are trying to install " message (or something like that ) ,when I did a re- install of windows 7 to save having to load back up ALL the programmes and data .
I over came the problem by removing the SR1 update first then did the reinstall again . It worked just fine for me . Hope you have the same luck . Reinstall of all the proggys and data files is just a pure Pain in the rear .

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Chris,

Relax, don't do anything rash.  I upgraded my computer from Vista to 7, but did it with the assistance of Microsoft's tech support people connected to the computer.  Like Rick mentioned, it's just the validation that's causing the issue, so repair install and full install probably won't solve the problem.  One thing to make sure of since I had this issue, is to enter the Windows product key in lower case letters even though it's printed in upper case, it will change on your display as you're typing.  I kept failing validation because of that, until tech support saw what I was doing wrong.  I also needed to get a new product key from them whenever something major happened with my computer and I needed to reinstall Windows 7.  There is no charge for calling up and getting the new product key.  You would call the Microsoft Activation Team at 1-800-936-5700 and say you need the Activation Team.

Here's the procedure during a repair install or full install if you don't use the product key included with the DVD:

1.) When asked to enter product key, just click next.  Then follow the rest of the installation.  You'll get a message about having to activate Windows within 30 days.

2.) After Windows is fully installed, right click , click on .  Scroll to the bottom and select .

3.) Go to lower left corner, click on Windows start icon and enter and hit key.  This is where you install the new product key that the Activation Team gives you over the phone.  Only go through this process while you're on the phone with them as the new product key is a randomly generated one-time code.

ONE OTHER NOTE:  Check whether your new copy of Windows 7 says upgrade version or full version.  Technically you can save a decent amount of money on the upgrade version while doing a fresh blank install, but you'll have to go through the above process to get it working if you don't have Vista preinstalled or you switch from 32 bit to 64 bit operating systems as the switch is not compatible with upgrade.  That's what happened with me.  I wasn't told there was a difference between buying the full version or the upgrade and I wanted to install a brand new blank hard drive in my computer that used to have Vista Ultimate 32 bit on the original drive to Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit on the new drive.  Can't upgrade 32 bit to 64 bit without a clean install.

 

[joraft]

... I don't know the specifics, but I believe the serial number verification process generates a unique Machine ID for your computer based on the hardware within the computer. (Adobe does this too I believe).  

This is true. I had my Adobe CS5 installed on 3 computers at home, and when I tried to also install it at my shop I was blocked by Adobe. The message was that only 3 installations were allowed at one time. I uninstalled one of the copies at home (that I really didn't need), and the installation was allowed.

There was a time when everyone installed as many copies of software as they wished (rightly or wrongly), but the software companies have much better control over their products these days (if you're someone who likes to keep it legal). I purchased a full license for Win 7 for every computer I own, and I've had no problems. And Adobe allowing 3 full installations is, in my opinion, more than fair.

 

[GPowers]

There was a time when everyone installed as many copies of software as they wished (rightly or wrongly), but the software companies have much better control over their products these days (if you're someone who likes to keep it legal). I purchased a full license for Win 7 for every computer I own, and I've had no problems. And Adobe allowing 3 full installations is, in my opinion, more than fair.

Big brother is watch what you do more then you know and the intern is there key snooping tool.

We had an employee who brought his own laptop to work and down load some non-work related trial software. The trial ran out and he found a hacked key that allowed him to continue using the trial software.

Well two years after the employee left, the owner of the software, that he was using the hacked key with, contacted us and was demanding $250,000 for the use of the software.  They had reports of every time he used the software, what he did, how many records were altered, the name of his computer, name of the file he was updating, the network IP, the internet service provider etc.....

We finally got them to back off when we showed that the employee used his personal computer, and only connected through out network once (and it was against compact policy). The remainder of the connections were done through his internet service provider, and his project/file names were not related to our business.

It was truly unbelievable  [eek]

 

[tbellemare]

I worked for a software company several years ago and our software identified the correct computer using the NIC address. Each seat of software was associated with a particular NIC.

The only way you could move the software was to move the NIC or ask for a new build. It was expensive software...

Tom