Windows 7 suddenly tells me that my software isn't legitimate anymore?

[JorenBus]

Hello all,

 

I've had this PC for a while now, and I recently made some upgrades, including an SSD instead of a HDD.

Today I suddenly got a message that my Windows isn't legitimate, while this is the same Windows that came with my PC (Acer).

So it's a legitimate copy of Windows.

Also on my desktop it says 'Windows 7, build 7601, this copy isn't legitimate'.

How is this possible?

 

Thanks

[failblox]

Probably cause you swapped some components in your system

[Altecice]

use your serial to activate again. Big hardware changes will cause windows to fail to activate.

[Enderman]

Did you reactivate it with the key when you installed it on your SSD?

[JorenBus]

Probably cause you swapped some components in your system

That was about a month ago, and I used Acer eRecovery Management to do that.

[JorenBus]

Did you reactivate it with the key when you installed it on your SSD?

 

 

use your serial to activate again. Big hardware changes will cause windows to fail to activate.

I don't have the code anymore, this PC is 5+ years old.

[Vacsol]

if you upgrade a mobo or some parts, it will deactivate your windows install. Call microsoft and explain that you made some upgrades and they'll help resolve your issue.

 

edit: if you don't have the activation code, you might be able to use the PC's serial number or the Genuine Windows sticker somewhere on the outside of the case.

[Enderman]

I don't have the code anymore, this PC is 5+ years old.

well then youre going to need to buy a new copy of windows...

[JorenBus]

if you upgrade a mobo, it will deactivate your windows install. Call microsoft and explain that you made some upgrades and they'll help resolve your issue.

Yes, I did upgrade my mobo, since the old one died on me.

[bluescreeny]

Windows uses some idiotic HWID system that locks your copy of windows to your hardware. Call up microsoft/windows support.

[Vacsol]

Yes, I did upgrade my mobo, since the old one died on me.

that would be the cause of your issue. the only real way to fix it would be to call microsoft

[JorenBus]

Open notepad, paste this

Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")MsgBox ConvertToKey(WshShell.RegRead("HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId"))Function ConvertToKey(Key)Const KeyOffset = 52i = 28Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"DoCur = 0x = 14DoCur = Cur * 256Cur = Key(x + KeyOffset) + CurKey(x + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24) And 255Cur = Cur Mod 24x = x -1Loop While x >= 0i = i -1KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutputIf (((29 - i) Mod 6) = 0) And (i <> -1) Theni = i -1KeyOutput = "-" & KeyOutputEnd IfLoop While i >= 0ConvertToKey = KeyOutputEnd Function

save as something.vbs and open it

Tried that, I entered the code it gave me, and then it gives me error 0xC004E003.

[Zonus]

In case Microsoft isn't able/won't to help you, you could use KMSpico as a last resort. It's illegal, and I don't like even mentioning it on here. But considering you've actually bought a PC that came with a legitimate version of Windows that you still use, it would be acceptable in my eyes. 

[JorenBus]

Then just call microsoft

 

 

In case Microsoft isn't able/won't to help you, you could use KMSpico as a last resort. It's illegal, and I don't like even mentioning it on here. But considering you've actually bought a PC that came with a legitimate version of Windows that you still use, it would be acceptable in my eyes. 

Alright, I'll just call Microsoft then after the weekend. Thanks for the help!

[JorenBus]

Windows uses some idiotic HWID system that locks your copy of windows to your hardware. Call up microsoft/windows support.

 

 

that would be the cause of your issue. the only real way to fix it would be to call microsoft

 

 

Then just call microsoft

 

 

In case Microsoft isn't able/won't to help you, you could use KMSpico as a last resort. It's illegal, and I don't like even mentioning it on here. But considering you've actually bought a PC that came with a legitimate version of Windows that you still use, it would be acceptable in my eyes. 

I just called Microsoft, they say they can't help me either, because the Windows code is indeed connected with the motherboard...

[JorenBus]

I just found the product key somewhere hidden on my PC, entered that code, and the activation worked

Well now I feel kind of dumb *facepalm*

[xeromynd]

I just found the product key somewhere hidden on my PC, entered that code, and the activation worked

Well now I feel kind of dumb *facepalm*

 

Glad it's resolved, activation can be a bitch, but funtip: put the key in a text file and never have the problem again

[Vacsol]

Glad it's resolved, activation can be a bitch, but funtip: put the key in a text file and never have the problem again

until your hdd gets corrupt and you have to re-install

[xeromynd]

until your hdd gets corrupt and you have to re-install

Well ideally you wouldn't have it on the system drive, mcderp. A flash drive, or other internal drive, or the mysterious CLOUD