Windows Not Genuine, even though Copy is Purchased

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jwalway

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Sep 8, 2014
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Hello,

Since this morning I've been getting the message "Windows 7 Build 7601 This Copy of Windows is Not Genuine" on my HP Pavilion Elite desktop computer, which I purchased in 2012.

I called Microsoft and they said that HP was blocking my copy. I then called HP, and they said they don't do that. I then explained to HP what happened. They thought it might be a virus that was the cause. I explained that I had a backup hard drive (a duplicate from a month ago) and the same problem error popped up when I used that one. They said it might have been a "virus bomb" that's been on the system for months and set to go off on a date. It could also be in the BIOS.

They would fix it for $100.00, but I would like to see if I can do it myself first. I ran an Adaware scan and a MalewareBytes scan. Both of them found some malware that has been removed, but the problem remains. I'm currently running "Microsoft Safety Scanner".

Does anyone know how I can fix this problem? Are there any well known viruses or maleware that are known to cause this issue?

Many thanks for any ideas!

Regards,
...John
 
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noahhicks

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Mar 29, 2014
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It's not an easy solution, but can you do a complete Format/Reinstall of Windows? If necessary HP might be able to send you Factory Restore disks if you don't have any. This would solve the problem (get the documents/pictures/videos off before hand, but don't do an entire system backup).
 
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jwalway

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Sep 8, 2014
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I'm hoping I don't have to do that. I'll probably pay for help from HP first.

But, thanks for the feedback!
 
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Pinhedd

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Aug 7, 2007
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Activating Windows over the phone will succeed in some cases where the licence has been deactivated and refuses to reactivate over the internet. I had success with this method on my buddy's PC after a firmware update killed the licence.
 
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jwalway

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Sep 8, 2014
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It's a duplicate of the drive, bit-for-bit. I use a Cavalry Duplicator. I've been doing this for a while, and it's a workable way of backing up all of your data, including all of your installed software. So, in effect, I had my hard drive copied, all of the data on it, including the OS, bit-for-bit, about a month ago. I plugged that drive into my machine, and it booted up and came up with the same problem, a problem that wasn't present until today.

So, the only thing that I can think that could cause this is a maleware/virus bomb (this according to the HP tech guy) that was set to go off on this date. Or, it may be in the bios.
 
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jwalway

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Sep 8, 2014
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Thanks! I did call MS to do exactly that, which is when they told me it was being blocked by HP. They gave me the number to HP. I called HP and they said they don't do that. They then said, as per my first posting, that it could be a virus bomb that caused it.
 
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Pinhedd

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There's an automated phone line option. Don't call Microsoft's customer support, use the number in the "activate Windows over the phone" option.
 
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jwalway

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Sep 8, 2014
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Are you referring to a number I dial on the phone, or to this?
http://us.shuttle.com/scgfaq/attachments/133/How%20To%20Activate%20Windows%207%20Using%20The%20Telephone.pdf

When I try that link, I end up with different options, so that I don't get the "Show Me Other Ways" option. Instead I get "Contact HP" as an option.

I've been hunting for an automatic phone number to call physically on my phone, and I haven't yet found one, though I'm sure one exists.
 
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Pinhedd

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Yup, that's the method that I'm thinking of. If you don't see that though then HP may have modified it.

At this point it may just be easier to completely reinstall the operating system using the official Microsoft Windows 7 installation media, not some hacked up OEM installation media.

You can get the official Windows 7 installation media from the thread below

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/14709-Windows-7-Digital-River-direct-links-Multiple-Languages-X86-amp-X64/page59?p=470600&viewfull=1#post470600

Note that you must download the appropriate edition -- most likely Home Premium -- otherwise your key will not work. You should also download the 64-bit x64 version rather than the 32-bit x86 version.
 
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jwalway

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With the VitualBox linux and all of the software I have loaded on my machine, that would be a huge step back for me. I'm hoping to be able to save this.

Seriously, if duplicating my whole OS, data and everything, on another hard drive wasn't enough to save me, then I don't know what I could have done to prevent this!

 
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Pinhedd

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Aug 7, 2007
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You can always restore that later on if you have a backup. Otherwise, use a Linux LiveCD to backup as much as you need to a separate partition or even a separate drive.
 
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jwalway

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I got the following help from MS online, and it worked! The title wasn't "Change product Key". I think it was something like, "enter a new product key", but it worked.

Here is what they gave me:
Try the following:
Click Start, right click Computer
Click Properties
Scroll down to Windows Activation
Click the link 'Change product key'
Enter the product key located on the COA sticker attached to the bottom of your laptop or in the battery compartment. Click Next to activate over the Internet.
COA Certificate of Authenticity:
How to Tell - Home
??
What is the Windows Certificate of Authenticity?
What is the Windows Certificate of Authenticity?
Click to expand...

So, maybe that will help someone else who has the same issue. My COA sticker was on the side of my tower (I have a desktop).
 
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JDFan

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Jan 5, 2010
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From windows help : (doing this will have your system display the phone # you need to call during the activation process - since it depends on where you are located and your product code) -- be sure to have the activation code that is on the COA sticker since you will need it and not the code that is already on the system since that is an OEM SLP code that MS will not reactivate but HP is required to place a label on the system with the code needed for reactivation (which could be why your system is now showing it is not genuine if it was reloaded using the HP recovery disk and is using the SLP key rather than the individual COA key)

Windows 7
To start the Product Activation Wizard, follow these steps:

Click Start
Start
.
Right-click Computer.
Select Properties.
At the bottom of the window, click Activate Windows now.

In the Product Activation Wizard, follow these steps:

Click Use the automated phone system to activate.
Click the drop-down menu, select the location that is nearest to you, and then click Next.
The Product Activation Center telephone number is displayed under Step 1.
Click to expand...


IF that does not work for some reason call the microsoft activation support line directly

According to Gethuman.com :

Microsoft Activation Support Phone Number
Home › Find a Phone Number › Microsoft Activation Support Phone Number
Call Microsoft Activation Support at this number for best service
This phone number was voted the best way to contact Microsoft Activation Support out of 2 phone numbers

Phone Number
888-571-2048
Talk to a Human
Stay silent at all prompts until asked if you want to speak to a customer service representative.
Click to expand...
 
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K

Kiiimol

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Mar 4, 2015
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I had a similar issue. I also purchased my copy of windows and still got the "not genuine copy".
It turns out my product key expired, i got to remove the annoying notification and background by following this guide here http://www.amongtech.com/fix-copy-of-windows-is-not-genuine/
I later used the diagnostic's tool to validate my system and contacted Microsoft.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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Valid product keys do not 'expire'.
 
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