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Windows 7 activation key - have I been screwed?

Question
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Alright, so my laptop was refusing to boot a couple of weeks ago. I took it to a PC repair shop and the guy told me I'd need a new copy of Windows, which he installed for me. Two weeks later, I'm browsing the internet when I get a pop up box asking me for my activation key. I rang the guy in the shop to ask for the key and he told me the computer should already have the key because it was part of the installation package (or something).
I ran the diagnostic tool:
Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0): ----------------------------------------- Windows Validation Data--> Validation Code: 0 Cached Online Validation Code: 0x0 Windows Product Key: *****-*****-74XYM-BH4JX-XM76F Windows Product Key Hash: KeYfcvXg/a1Q01x73+f8IL/JC4Y= Windows Product ID: 00359-112-0000007-85122 Windows Product ID Type: 5 Windows License Type: Retail Windows OS version: 6.1.7601.2.00010300.1.0.003 ID: {1DB9B028-1554-45F5-8F40-027B757ED830}(1) Is Admin: Yes TestCab: 0x0 LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 Product Name: Windows 7 Home Premium Architecture: 0x00000009 Build lab: 7601.win7sp1_gdr.130318-1533 TTS Error: Validation Diagnostic: Resolution Status: N/A Vista WgaER Data--> ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002 Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 Windows XP Notifications Data--> Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 File Exists: No Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 OGA Notifications Data--> Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 OGAExec.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 OGA Data--> Office Status: 109 N/A OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002 Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 Office Diagnostics: 025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3 Browser Data--> Proxy settings: N/A User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Win32) Default Browser: C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled Active scripting: Allowed Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed File Scan Data--> Other data--> Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{1DB9B028-1554-45F5-8F40-027B757ED830}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.1.7601.2.00010300.1.0.003</OS><Architecture>x64</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-XM76F</PKey><PID>00359-112-0000007-85122</PID><PIDType>5</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-1681152413-1255326513-2523305597</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>Dell Inc.</Manufacturer><Model>Inspiron 1545 </Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>Dell Inc.</Manufacturer><Version>A14</Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="4"/><Date>20091207000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>79E93407018400F8</HWID><UserLCID>0809</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>GMT Standard Time(GMT+00:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>DELL </OEMID><OEMTableID>WN09 </OEMTableID></OEM><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>109</Result><Products/><Applications/></Office></Software></GenuineResults> Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002 Licensing Data--> Software licensing service version: 6.1.7601.17514 Name: Windows(R) 7, HomePremium edition Description: Windows Operating System - Windows(R) 7, RETAIL channel Activation ID: 2e7d060d-4714-40f2-9896-1e4f15b612ad Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f Extended PID: 00359-00170-112-000000-00-2057-7600.0000-1132013 Installation ID: 008563916660427413913022282583454223647146110281774154 Processor Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88338 Machine Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88339 Use License URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88341 Product Key Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88340 Partial Product Key: XM76F License Status: Initial grace period Time remaining: 34620 minute(s) (24 day(s)) Remaining Windows rearm count: 4 Trusted time: 04/05/2013 12:21:26 Windows Activation Technologies--> HrOffline: 0x00000000 HrOnline: 0x00000000 HealthStatus: 0x0000000000000000 Event Time Stamp: 4:26:2013 12:23 ActiveX: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395 Admin Service: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395 HealthStatus Bitmask Output: HWID Data--> HWID Hash Current: MAAAAAEAAgABAAIAAAABAAAAAgABAAEA6GHEqMISen/aM6abKB92DlRtLIFynEbK OEM Activation 1.0 Data--> N/A OEM Activation 2.0 Data--> BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes Windows marker version: 0x20001 OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: yes BIOS Information: ACPI Table Name OEMID Value OEMTableID Value APIC DELL WN09 FACP DELL WN09 HPET DELL WN09 MCFG DELL WN09 SLIC DELL WN09 SSDT PmRef CpuPm
Have I been fleeced (ie. is this not a genuine copy of Windows 7)? If so what do I need to do?
Saturday, May 4, 2013 11:26 AM
Answers
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In that case your only hope is to order a set of Recovery media for your machine from Dell - for a reasonable cost - or to purchase a new Windows license.
If your techy charged you for the installation, then you should also demand at least a partial refund, on the basis that he provided effectively pirated software, rather than the legal software you have a right to expect.
[edit]
Interestingly, your computer claims to have a Windows 7 SLIC table (and a BIOS dated after Windows 7 launched) - this would mean that he installed an Activation hack in order to activate the Key. Reformat and reinstall is recommended in all such cases, and reinforces the piracy aspect of your techy.
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
No - I do not work for Microsoft, or any of its contractors.- Edited by Noel D PatonModerator Saturday, May 4, 2013 11:58 AM include fina para
- Proposed as answer by Noel D PatonModerator Saturday, May 4, 2013 12:34 PM
- Marked as answer by Noel D PatonModerator Saturday, May 11, 2013 4:05 PM
Saturday, May 4, 2013 11:55 AMModerator
All replies
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The installed Key is the Default Key for Windows 7 Home Premium - which can never be activated.
Assuming your COA Product Key is for Win7 Home Premium, You need to change the Product Key to the one on the COA sticker on the machine's case (or inside the battery compartment), using the Change Product Key link at the bottom of the System properties page.
You may need to activate by phone.
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
No - I do not work for Microsoft, or any of its contractors.Saturday, May 4, 2013 11:43 AMModerator -
The COA product key is the one which came with my computer right? When I bought this laptop (4 years ago) it had Windows Vista on it. When I went to the guy in the repair shop I asked him to keep Vista on it but he put Windows 7 on instead for some reason. So I'm guessing the COA key would be useless now, and nonetheless I can't find it!Saturday, May 4, 2013 11:48 AM
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In that case your only hope is to order a set of Recovery media for your machine from Dell - for a reasonable cost - or to purchase a new Windows license.
If your techy charged you for the installation, then you should also demand at least a partial refund, on the basis that he provided effectively pirated software, rather than the legal software you have a right to expect.
[edit]
Interestingly, your computer claims to have a Windows 7 SLIC table (and a BIOS dated after Windows 7 launched) - this would mean that he installed an Activation hack in order to activate the Key. Reformat and reinstall is recommended in all such cases, and reinforces the piracy aspect of your techy.
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
No - I do not work for Microsoft, or any of its contractors.- Edited by Noel D PatonModerator Saturday, May 4, 2013 11:58 AM include fina para
- Proposed as answer by Noel D PatonModerator Saturday, May 4, 2013 12:34 PM
- Marked as answer by Noel D PatonModerator Saturday, May 11, 2013 4:05 PM
Saturday, May 4, 2013 11:55 AMModerator -
I feared as much. So it looks like I'll be paying around £70 for a new copy of 7 Home Premium from Amazon. If I do so will I still be wise to reinstall or will I be OK to enter the new license key and keep going with the copy installed by my techy?
(As you can probably tell, I'm not too well versed in this technical stuff!)- Edited by Jark91 Saturday, May 4, 2013 12:11 PM
Saturday, May 4, 2013 12:11 PM -
The recommendation is always to reformat, once an Activation Exploit has been discovered, since the Exploit may have come with other unwanted hangers-on such as rootkits or malware.
You could activate using your new Key until you can schedule time for the hassle of the re-install.
Since the machine it's to be installed on is 4 years old, you have to plan for the fact that it may fail completely 'soon' - therefore the recommendation would be to purchase a Retail Full license, rather than an OEM license, since OEM licenses cannot be moved from the original motherboard on which they are activated.
Vista Recovery disks from Dell were about £25 last time I asked (some time ago, now)- so that's a cheaper option, assuming you don't mind going back to Vista (and the possible risk that the techy screwed the BIOS in the process of 'fixing' your machine)
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
No - I do not work for Microsoft, or any of its contractors.Saturday, May 4, 2013 12:23 PMModerator -
OK. Thanks for all the help, very much appreciated. I'll bump this when there's something to report!Saturday, May 4, 2013 12:32 PM
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You're welcome - good luck!
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
No - I do not work for Microsoft, or any of its contractors.Saturday, May 4, 2013 12:34 PMModerator -
just a comment: (hope it does not confuse things)
there may not be activation exploit present. when I updated my vista bios on my Dell Inspiron 1545 it installed a win 7 compliant bios. looks to be the same one I used. (a14, same bios date)
- Edited by george1009Editor Saturday, May 4, 2013 12:58 PM
Saturday, May 4, 2013 12:58 PMAnswerer -
Good point!
BIOS updates aren't supposed to touch the SLIC table - but some manufacturers are a little less careful about it than others.
If it's the case here, then the OP would need to revert back the change to a Vista BIOS prior to installing with the Recovery media.
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
No - I do not work for Microsoft, or any of its contractors.Saturday, May 4, 2013 1:04 PMModerator -
Hello again...
I've been putting off buying the new license (basically skint) but just wondering whether I can get away with buying this at £90...
http://www.kikatek.com/P116812/GFC-00026-UPGRADE-Microsoft-Windows-Home?source=froogle
or if I need to buy this one at £110
bearing in mind that all I need is the license/activation key.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 6:17 PM -
The discounts offered are pretty notional - but the companies involved look fairly OK to me (even if totally unfamiliar, I can't see any obvious signs of them being shady)
If you purchase the Upgrade you will probably need to do a clean install.
If you purchase the full license, then it should be possible to do a simple KeyChange to get the system activated.
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth
No - I do not work for Microsoft, or any of its contractors.Wednesday, May 29, 2013 10:22 AMModerator