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Computer question Win-7

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PAUL161

PAUL161

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I had to format the hard drive in my lap top. Reason not important. Here's the situation, I have win-7, I bought the one for 3 computers. After the format, I reinstalled win-7 and all went well, but, when asked for the serial number and I typed it in, I get a feed back telling me it's the wrong number. Worked before, but now it doesn't. Yup, it's typed in correctly. Any clues? PJ
 
Haven't yet run into that with Win7, the earlier releases at least allowed activation with a call to a Microsoft support center to explain and get the "override code" (Mom's permission to play again). *sheesh*
 
PAUL161 said:
I had to format the hard drive in my lap top. Reason not important. Here's the situation, I have win-7, I bought the one for 3 computers. After the format, I reinstalled win-7 and all went well, but, when asked for the serial number and I typed it in, I get a feed back telling me it's the wrong number. Worked before, but now it doesn't. Yup, it's typed in correctly. Any clues? PJ
Click to expand...

Now ya got me interested ...

Paul, how many times have you installed that copy of Win7?

Tom
 
PAUL161 said:
Worked before, but now it doesn't. Yup, it's typed in correctly. Any clues? PJ
Click to expand...
I'd guess it is that stupid "Windows Genuine Advantage" software. Every time I had an update for that on my XP machine, I'd get a notice that I was running an Illegal copy. I'd go to the Microsoft website for validation and the screen would sit there saying "Do not navigate way while validation in progress" An hour later it would still be doing it's thing. Closed the browser and everything would be back to normal. To sum it up, a bad implementation of a dumb idea.
 
Call MS and activate it over the phone. There could be any number of reasons it's not working...someone could have come up with the code and activated a few copies of it elsewhere, or something else. I miss the days before millions of thieves stole software and we didn't need to bother with this stuff, but fortunately the couple of times I've had to call they've been very quick and pleasant.
 
aerog said:
Call MS and activate it over the phone. There could be any number of reasons it's not working...someone could have come up with the code and activated a few copies of it elsewhere, or something else. I miss the days before millions of thieves stole software and we didn't need to bother with this stuff, but fortunately the couple of times I've had to call they've been very quick and pleasant.
Click to expand...

DUH!

self said:
the earlier releases at least allowed activation with a call to a Microsoft support center to explain and get the "override code" (Mom's permission to play again). *sheesh*
Click to expand...


I understand copyright law, intellectual property rights, all that. But so do the "thieves". But our Laws <span style="font-style: italic">DO NOT CONSTRAIN THOSE OUTSIDE OUR BORDERS</span>.

When calling Microsoft support for similar issues (usually on behalf of clients) I've been hung up on, barked at, told the MS "policy" was not going to allow what was legitimately in the end-user's interest and <span style="font-weight: bold">PAID FOR</span>. Other times it went in the EULA purchaser's favor. Mostly it's a crap-shoot.

If you go to buy a computer, ANY computer, can you get one WITHOUT an operating system?!? Not talking about wholesalers, rather the consumer level retailers. Is there a retail outlet NOT selling either Micro$oft or Apple loaded as operating systems? Can a consumer buy a machine with a warranty and NOT loaded with an O/S? We are paying "The Microsoft Tax" with NO choice. And made to jump thru hoops to prove innocence while the "millions of thieves" go blithely on.

The TSA comes to mind here: Wanna fly someplace? If you don't want to be intrusively groped, learn to fly and go buy a 'plane.

This world is full of humans with opinions. Some benign, some malignant, some with no agenda other than to be left alone. Our little corner was founded on EVERY individual's freedom to choose. That freedom has been eroded from about 1890 onward, AFAIC.

To go further into this I would be "politicizing" beyond my agreement when joined, (Oxford comma inserted) and I'll be banned from this forum. That would be fine with me if my post count hits 30K... Or mebbe before. Up to the <span style="font-style: italic">appointed</span>.



<span style="font-weight: bold">LINUX!!</span> Load it, learn it, love it!
 
Um, ok. I use Linux too. That doesn't help answer Paul's question though.
 
Sure it does: Call Microsoft, get permission to continue using their previously-paid-for 'product'.

The rest is gravy.
 
Paul - how many times have you installed that copy of Win7?

I assume your license was good for 3 computers. But how many times does the license allow you to install it?

Tom
 
Isolate the machine from th' innernets, scrape the drive with some wiping warez ( CopyWipe comes to mind) and try a "fresh" install. That should allow the "key" to be entered, at least. Then when it boots for the first time, it should allow the "activation" option to call MS and beg forgivness.
 
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