Windows not genuine..

[shortyforty]

Hello Cal-gunners, I am having an issue with my laptop. It's an HP that I purchased new at walmart back in 2010. The computer has been great but now I am getting a message/error code at the bottom right of my screen that says : "Windows 7 build 7601 This copy of windows is not genuine"....also the background/wall paper is now solid black. I've searched the web, called HP microsoft..they want between $100 - $195 to help me..I'm really frustrated about this. I know it has something to do with their damn updates but I'm not savvy enough to figure this out. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Shorty

[blazeaglory]

Do you have a sticker on your comp with the Windows ID number?

If so try to re-activate using that number

[meaty-btz]

Do you have a sticker on your comp with the Windows ID number?

If so try to re-activate using that number

Those numbers on the sticker are not valid for authentication. The version of windows that comes on manufacturer laptops authenticates off the BIOS and uses a universal key (I know because I was able to use one dell disk without a key entered to WDS entire labs of Dell computers and all authorized correctly). The actual key is embedded in the installer disk you can find it if you know where to look on the disk itself.

If this is a laptop from a brand that does not use that form of OEM authentication then it will use a normal key. That should be only for small outfits, HPs use the authentication schema I outlined above. Now, it is possible that the key got corrupted or windows is corrupted. The best bet is to reinstall windows from the install disk, you must use the HP install disk. You might be able to extract the key from the install disk, but I cannot remember the path off the top of my head and manually re-enter it but if memory serves me when the authentication breaks it will fail on a reauth attempt with a valid key. It isn't a broken key, it is something broken in windows. We always reimaged machines that suffered from that glitch.

[Brianguy]

Is the Software Protection service running? I disabled it before and it told me I'm a pirate

[shortyforty]

Those numbers on the sticker are not valid for authentication. The version of windows that comes on manufacturer laptops authenticates off the BIOS and uses a universal key (I know because I was able to use one dell disk without a key entered to WDS entire labs of Dell computers and all authorized correctly). The actual key is embedded in the installer disk you can find it if you know where to look on the disk itself.

If this is a laptop from a brand that does not use that form of OEM authentication then it will use a normal key. That should be only for small outfits, HPs use the authentication schema I outlined above. Now, it is possible that the key got corrupted or windows is corrupted. The best bet is to reinstall windows from the install disk, you must use the HP install disk. You might be able to extract the key from the install disk, but I cannot remember the path off the top of my head and manually re-enter it but if memory serves me when the authentication breaks it will fail on a reauth attempt with a valid key. It isn't a broken key, it is something broken in windows. We always reimaged machines that suffered from that glitch.

I don't think I got an install disk with this computer...I honestly can't remember. Is it common for manufactures to include this with a store bought computer that had windows installed at the factory?..This one is from Walmart. Bought it back in 2010.

[shortyforty]

Do you have a sticker on your comp with the Windows ID number?

If so try to re-activate using that number

I can find the "key code" by right clicking on my computer and then going to properties but when I try to re-enter that code through the microsoft link provided to authenticate, it says that the characters I'm entering are invalid....very frustrated here.

[shortyforty]

Is the Software Protection service running? I disabled it before and it told me I'm a pirate

Where/how do I check this??

[meaty-btz]

I don't think I got an install disk with this computer...I honestly can't remember. Is it common for manufactures to include this with a store bought computer that had windows installed at the factory?..This one is from Walmart. Bought it back in 2010.

No, most consumer grade devices do not include an install disk. The user is required to create a restore disk. This ends up biting a lot of consumers in the rear later on.

You might be able to get it using this:

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

presuming that your registry is not corrupted and that is what is causing this problem. May still need a reinstall though, depending on what is screwed up. I am from the school of thought that if windows is having a problem: reimage it. But I am from corporate and enterprise level computing which is a different game than single home consumer.

[meaty-btz]

Where/how do I check this??

A good tool for diagnostics. Many times file corruption causes the genuine failure and not key related errors..

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012

[blazeaglory]

Those numbers on the sticker are not valid for authentication. The version of windows that comes on manufacturer laptops authenticates off the BIOS and uses a universal key (I know because I was able to use one dell disk without a key entered to WDS entire labs of Dell computers and all authorized correctly). The actual key is embedded in the installer disk you can find it if you know where to look on the disk itself.

If this is a laptop from a brand that does not use that form of OEM authentication then it will use a normal key. That should be only for small outfits, HPs use the authentication schema I outlined above. Now, it is possible that the key got corrupted or windows is corrupted. The best bet is to reinstall windows from the install disk, you must use the HP install disk. You might be able to extract the key from the install disk, but I cannot remember the path off the top of my head and manually re-enter it but if memory serves me when the authentication breaks it will fail on a reauth attempt with a valid key. It isn't a broken key, it is something broken in windows. We always reimaged machines that suffered from that glitch.

I had one HP computer that would do that quite often and I would always re activate using the key code on the sticker. I never had any problems with it so maybe I was one of the lucky ones. The again, it wasnt windows 7, it was an older version of windows and my system wasnt corrupted.

If your system isnt corrupted, try calling windows and give them that key code and tell them it isnt working anymore. I dont know if they still give new key codes so maybe that wont work. Im pulling ideas that are at least 6 years old so who knows..lol

[meaty-btz]

I had one HP computer that would do that quite often and I would always re activate using the key code on the sticker. I never had any problems with it so maybe I was one of the lucky ones. The again, it wasnt windows 7, it was an older version of windows.

older versions had real keys, windows 7 is a different animal.

[blazeaglory]

older versions had real keys, windows 7 is a different animal.

Ahh I always thought it was just win98 on steroids

[meaty-btz]

Ahh I always thought it was just win98 on steroids

A good example is try installing and authenticating Enterprise or Corporate VLK Windows 7 Pro on many consumer laptops and it will fail. The reason? The BIOS is missing a key component that is required for that form of authentication. Seriously. We had some dip-**** buy 100 "netbooks" that would not work with the VLK Windows 7 Pro because they were missing the bios component.

The madness that ensued trying to make it work. IT is crap work.

[blazeaglory]

OK with that in mind I will re-read your initial response to my first post and get back to you...lol

OP, good luck

[meaty-btz]

Don't strip it, use my links to locate the Key and write it down.

Then use the MS diag tool to find out if you have corrupted files. Post the log it creates here for us to peruse.

Chances are still high you will need a reinstall, but you might get lucky.. Get the key and try it, if it fails then it is file corruption which is only solved by .. a resinstall.