Stepdad's Windows 7 issue.

Digital X · 21 Feb 2015 at 19:13

My stepdad's Windows 7 copy has suddenly sprung up the "not genuine" message.

He bought the computer originally as a prebuilt and I have passed him down my Zalman Z11 and GTX 670 parts.

I purchased an FX6300 and Gigabyte GA-970A UD3P for an upgrade. He has once used the HP recovery to "reinstall" Windows once as it was getting clogged up, it has been fine for many months.

Any ideas what to do? I have a Windows 7 disc but he hasn't got the cd key as far as I know as it's a custom case. Thanks.

ED209 · 21 Feb 2015 at 20:54

was the disk brought separate from the pc build? as you should have the disk and a cover it sits in with the key on etc.

if not try this link below and see if it gives you the key

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

failing that people have said on here they have gone through the automated service to re activate the os after a re install so that might be a quick fix

Digital X · 21 Feb 2015 at 21:38

It had Windows pre installed onto it.

linktoinsanity · 22 Feb 2015 at 12:41

Unfortunately it sounds like he was sold the PC with a Non-genuine copy of Windows on it. It's a way some of these shops cut costs. Unfortunately it's what happened to my Grandparents. He will either have to buy a new copy of Windows or if he paid for Windows, get in touch with the shop, chances are though he didn't pay for Windows...

quackers · 22 Feb 2015 at 13:30

You could always try the telephone automated service to see if it'll activate.

demonix · 22 Feb 2015 at 16:57

One thing I would have to wonder is why a recovery system from one of the major computer manufacturers would be required to reinstall the OS on a custom built computer.

It sounds to me that the shop that built it has either been using something that is like a generic OEM image to install the OS on (or something along those lines as they might be cloning the hard drive from a HP computer to get the OS onto their own computers) and it's now being flagged as not genuine

Your stepfather should have been supplied with a license key, so he's now stuck up a creek without a paddle and most likely the only way to fix this issue now is to buy a new copy of windows 7.