Refurbished Laptop with Not a Genuine Copy Windows Messsage

cruickgl

Can anyone confirm something to me??...I purchased a re-furb laptop last month from a local shop that has recently opened (the operator is a huge seller of re-furbed laptops on internet and ebay). It is a Dell Latitude and it came with Windows 7 Pro installed. On the whole we have been very happy with it. Now, about 4 weeks later we have a message stating that windows 7 is not a genuine copy and forcing us to the windows activation screen.
Am I right in thinking that whoever installed the o/s did not verify the product code and activate it or else they have installed that particular copy of windows 7 on too many laptops?? Or is it possibly a bug that can be overcome???
If it is the former, do I assume I have to go back to the shop and ask for the product code for the installed o/s or is there something else I can do myself ???
I won't state who the seller is (yet) in case it is an oversight on their part. As I say, up to now we have been delighted with our purchase. It has been a quick machine and the battery is pretty good too. Many thanks in advance for some advice please.

Geodark

Have you tried to activate it online? Windows can be installed and not activated - so it may just need activating. if it hasnt been activated then it will say it isnt a genuine copy. I have a virtual machine at work and the image is prior to activation, so every time I restore the image I am told it is invalid and have to activate it again.

Try activating it first, at least that way you will know if it really is invalid or not.

flashg67

Sounds like (from experience - say no more!) that it is a 'cracked' copy of Windows that has been installed.
AFAIK, if it was genuine, it would ask you to enter the key first before showing this message.
The fake copies I have had become unstuck when a certain update is installed via Windows update that checks for a valid key (KB971033 I think).
I'd go back, politely, initially, to see if the vendor will re-install for you. Back up your important stuff to the cloud or separate drive first though.

Uxb

I think 4 weeks is the time delay you can have after installing windows 7 to use it prior to the system saying you must activate now or else it becomes invalid - and I think the screen background/wallpaper turns to black until you do.

....but obviously you need the key number available to activate it..............
Is there a sticker somewhere on the machine with the key code on it.
Else take it back for a full activation by the seller

Geodark

Uxb wrote: »

I think 4 weeks is the time delay you can have after installing windows 7 to use it prior to the system saying you must activate now or else it becomes invalid - and I think the screen background/wallpaper turns to black until you do.

....but obviously you need the key number available to activate it..............
Is there a sticker somewhere on the machine with the key code on it.
Else take it back for a full activation by the seller

With windows 7 you can enter the key when installing, then after that it needs to be activated online. The key is needed to install, but this can be done prior to setting up the network. You can then either activate at the end of the setup or wait for the 4 week mark. Providing a valid key has been entered at point of install then you do not need to re-enter the key when activating. I do this every other day at work. And yes as I said above I get told I have an invalid copy until I activate it. Try activating it before anything else. It does not mean that it is a dodgy copy - it could be a dodgy copy but you won't know until you try to activate it.

cruickgl

Hello all.......it was the "is there a sticker on the back" comment that did it !!!! There was a sticker on the back. I have entered the product key and it has been accepted. Do you know, I'm afraid I made the assumption that when we bought it all that would have been done and we wouldn't need to do anything.

Thanks all, you have saved me the petrol up to the shop, not to mention the "looking stupid" bit.

Geodark

cruickgl wrote: »

Hello all.......it was the "is there a sticker on the back" comment that did it !!!! There was a sticker on the back. I have entered the product key and it has been accepted. Do you know, I'm afraid I made the assumption that when we bought it all that would have been done and we wouldn't need to do anything.

Thanks all, you have saved me the petrol up to the shop, not to mention the "looking stupid" bit.

Pleased it is all sorted