"not A Valid Copy Of Windows" Error

[ichkeria]

My wife's laptop (running Windows 7 and purchased 20 months ago to the day yesterday from Currys) now shows the error: "Build 7601 - This copy of Windows is not genuine".
Having researched this issue on the web and tried to hack (so to speak) through the usual nonsense I suspect that what may have happened is that we have an OEM version of Windows requiring an activation key to go with the Product Key and that I never used it. Of course the key, if it ever existed, is now lost.
Unless some bright person here can suggest an alternative?
Can Currys re-supply the key after all this time or is it a case of going straight to Microsoft?

Thaanks

[bazwillrun]

Magic Jelly Bean
WOAT

Between the two of them you should be able to sort it out

[Mattk]

When I bought my PC a few years back it came with Windows pre-installed but was told that I would have to pay extra for the actual Windows disc pack.

You can try kicking up a fuss with Currys or maybe upgrade to W8 which I believe is still on offer at a decent price.

[ichkeria]

Yes it's a real irritation that you don't get the disc pack these days but on the other hand armed with a valid key and Internet access you shouldn't need one provided your system is backed up. Not having any accompanying disks shouldn't matter.

[rockyracoon]

This happened to me after my motherboard decided to kaput, windows ad to be reinstalled and I got that message. The code might be on the bottom of the laptop, mine was on the back of my tower unit.

[ichkeria]

Yes the code might have been on the laptop but it's long since got worn away!

[pinkyboyid]

Might be worth checking that you do not have any bad disk sectors / clusters which could potential cause the error.

Try running a system CHKDSK command that will check the Hard Disk for any errors and fix them automatically. You can also run an additional SFC command that will check the system integrity and report any further errors if they exist.

- To run CMD command click on the Windows Start button and type in the search box CMD.EXE
- right-click on CMD.EXE filename found and Select 'Run as Administrator'
- the Elevated Command Prompt window should pop up
- At the Command prompt, type CHKDSK C: /R and hit the Enter key
- Windows will report that the drive is locked, and indicate that CHKDSK will run at he next system reboot - hit the Y key, and then reboot.

- CHKDSK will startup automatically on reboot and will take some time depending on the size of the drive, so just let it run until complete!

After the CHKDSK has completed, Windows should boot normally (possibly after a second auto-reboot)

- now run the SFC command as per instructions:

- Click on the Windows Start button and type in the Search box CMD.EXE
- right-click SFC.EXE filename found and Select 'Run as Administrator'
- the Elevated Command Prompt window should pop up
- At the Command prompt, type SFC /SCANNOW and hit the Enter key

Wait for the scan to finish - make a note of any error messages and then reboot.

Worth a try, which at least will eliminate or identify any Hard Disk errors

[ichkeria]

Thanks pinkyboyid that is well worth trying. I find it hard to believe that it would take 20 months for Microtheft to get round to carping about an invalid key but we'll see.

[Old_Geezer]

MS are quite content to let the seller of unauthorised Windows to get away and then catch the poor victim months later. Take it from someone caught that way. It taught me they care nothing for the customer so long as they aren't out of pocket. In my case I was able to complain to the seller who refunded me and I bought elsewhere. in that sense I was lucky, it is quite possible a dodgy seller has scarpered by the time the victim gets hassle from MS.

[mjwman]

Your seller has the obligation to sort it. Consumer rights.
20 months is not long and it is reasonable to expect to use it longer.

[robert551069]

I bought my Dell computer from Dell UK direct and it has always shown "Not a valid copy of Windows" in the bottom right hand corner. I tried re-installing Windows with the back up disc that Dell provided but the message did not disappear.
I have been using my computer for 5 years without any problem.

[galeck1947]

Download and run Belarc Advisor which will show the key in your specs. Try to install your key from your specs if no good click to activate by your phone and you should have the numbers which this does and then phone Microsoft activation and speak to an activation operator who will walik you through the process.