Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Windows 7 all of a sudden not genuine
Self | May 5, 2012

Posted on 05/05/2012 12:50:49 PM PDT by library user

Yes, I'm logged in. Tanned, rested, ready, cheese, moose, sister....

I'm trying to help a senior citizen on a fixed income, in my neighborhood, with a computer issue.

He bought an HP desktop back when Win 7 first was issued (I think Nov. 2009) and all was well until about a month ago.

Now, whenever he boots up the PC, a message pops up saying his copy of Win7 isn't genuine.

He's called both HP and Microsoft and each company blames the other.

Most of the time, his phone calls go to India and he has a hard time understanding the tech. support person on the other line.

I've heard of a file at Softpedia called RemoveWGA.exe which I've used on XP but never on Win7. Is it safe to use RemoveWGA.exe on Win7?

BitDefender flags the file as a trojan, but I'm pretty sure that conclusion is a false positive.

I see from googling this problem, that many users have a similar problem (Windows all of a sudden saying their software isn't genuine), but I haven't found a cost efficient solution.

This gentleman already paid for Win7 once, when he first purchased the computer, so I would think he wouldn't have to pay for it a second time.

Unfortunately, when he made the purchase, HP did not include a Win7 disc with his shipment (otherwise we could do a re-install).

I know there should be an option to re-active Windows by right-clicking COMPUTER and going to Properties, but he doesn't have this option.

Any tips, suggestions (even "Buy an iPad, you fool!") appreciated and welcome.

Thanks so much.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: computerproblem; notgenuine; wga; win7; windows; windows7
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-48 next last

1 posted on 05/05/2012 12:50:54 PM PDT by library user
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: library user

“He’s called both HP and Microsoft and each company blames the other.”

My daughter’s Gateway has started displaying the same message, which makes me think it’s not the manufacturer’s fault (unless HP and Gateway made the same mistake). So far everything still works so she’s just been ignoring it.


2 posted on 05/05/2012 12:55:40 PM PDT by Magic Fingers (Political correctness mutates in order to remain virulent.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: library user

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows-7


3 posted on 05/05/2012 12:57:55 PM PDT by smoothsailing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: library user

If they didn’t ship the disks with the computer, there’s almost always a recovery partition.

Otherwise, HP should be able to send the disks for 20 bucks, or so.


4 posted on 05/05/2012 12:58:36 PM PDT by Psycho_Bunny (Burning the Quran is a waste of perfectly good fire.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Psycho_Bunny

look through this it should help

http://www.tweaksforgeeks.com/windows-xp/2006/05/this-copy-of-windows-is-not-genuine-how-to-fix


5 posted on 05/05/2012 1:01:48 PM PDT by waynesa98
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: library user

program called Autoruns , Winlogin tab remove check from box in Wga.exe I think

or here http://www.aspfree.com/c/a/Windows-Security/Solving-Windows-Genuine-Advantage-Problems/


6 posted on 05/05/2012 1:03:55 PM PDT by molson209
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: library user

Had something similar on a friend’s system. We called Microsoft support. They asked for the laptop’s serial number and the Windows license number. Then they issued us a new Windows license number. We did that and had no more trouble.


7 posted on 05/05/2012 1:05:27 PM PDT by BuckeyeTexan (Man is not free unless government is limited. ~Ronald Reagan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: library user

Back-up everything, immediately. Seriously, just in case it suddenly takes a dump. There’s a place in the Start/Control Panel to validate Windows; maybe you want to try that? Does he have the “Product key” on the User’s Manual, which came from HP? If not, then you don’t want to do it. I don’t know why they wouldn’t ship the WIN-7 DVD with it. Weird.


8 posted on 05/05/2012 1:07:56 PM PDT by Carriage Hill (((.)))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: library user

“trojan” Oh, just saw that.

Does he run Norton SW or Norton 360 or McAfee? MalwareBytes? AVG? Did any of them work? I’m not familiar with BitDefender; does that remove virii/trojans/keyloggers?

Just asking what you’ve tried/not tried.


9 posted on 05/05/2012 1:12:02 PM PDT by Carriage Hill (((.)))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: library user; All

PC manufacturers haven’t shipped OS disks for years, folks. The OS resides on a separate disk partition. All systems now have recovery routines to reinstall the OS.

However, that’s not the answer here. As others pointed out, call MS and DEMAND they activate your software. Trust me.


10 posted on 05/05/2012 1:13:03 PM PDT by RightOnline (I am Andrew Breitbart!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: library user
Had a similar problem with a gateway. It's usually caused by bulk installation performed at the factory. Computer should have a genuine sticker on it. First try to use that number at the "Control Panel \System and Security \System" screen. Look for the "Change Product Key" link and enter the Product Key from the Label. If that doesn't work you need to reinstall it.

If you need to reinstall the OS with that number and let it register on-line and it should be good to do

If the computer has a system recovery program it will make the CDs to reinstall the OS and needed drivers.


11 posted on 05/05/2012 1:14:25 PM PDT by darkwing104 (Let's get dangerous)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: library user

HP puts a sticker on the case of the PC that has the key for your copy of Win7.
Go to Control Panel/System and enter the key and it should be legit.


12 posted on 05/05/2012 1:15:29 PM PDT by donhunt (Certified and proud "Son of a Bitch".)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: library user

http://www.sizzledcore.com/2009/10/26/how-to-change-windows-7-product-key/


13 posted on 05/05/2012 1:19:10 PM PDT by stylin19a (Obama - The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: library user

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

This is a known issue with vista and 7 with some of the updates . right click on my computer . go to properties . there you will see near the bottom of the page activate windows . that’s all you need to do
Source(s):
MCP, A+, Dell Certified Tech

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100310154446AA1BHfo


14 posted on 05/05/2012 1:19:49 PM PDT by smoothsailing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: library user

Please, please, please...just buy a Mac. It’ll hurt your wallet, but your heart and mind will shower you with gratitude.

Proud owner of one of the first 10,000 Apple IIgs’s to roll off the line...and it STILL WORKS!


15 posted on 05/05/2012 1:20:05 PM PDT by Corwin of Amber (Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, and moderation in the pursuit of justice no virtue.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: library user

The last time I bought an HP computer, you had to burn your own recovery CD’s. You could also order them from HP for an extra $50 or so. You could probably still do that.


16 posted on 05/05/2012 1:25:15 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BuckeyeTexan

Do you remember the telephone number you used? Every telephone number we use for Microsoft connects us to India, where they want to charge more than $100 to resolve the issue. Thanks much if you can provide the telephone number you used, as there’s tons of different phone help numbers out there for Microsoft, and very few of them are helpful.


17 posted on 05/05/2012 1:27:00 PM PDT by library user
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: library user

“Most of the time, his phone calls go to India....”

.
Are you being racist?

Phone calls regarding technical questions in the US are mostly passed on to consultants located in an Asian subcontinent.

There, I corrected you.


18 posted on 05/05/2012 1:28:33 PM PDT by 353FMG
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 353FMG
Are you being racist?

He can't understand the tech. support calls that go to other continents. Language barrier.

19 posted on 05/05/2012 1:33:45 PM PDT by library user
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: 353FMG
Are you being racist?

Are you being Leftist?

20 posted on 05/05/2012 1:35:46 PM PDT by Revolting cat! (Let us prey!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-48 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson