Windows 7 Not Genuine

[CARLTON BROWN]

Today, I've had quite a problem with my Windows 7 64 bit O/S.

When I turned on, a message appeared in the bottom right of a blacked out screen telling me that Windows 7 was not a genuine build 7601 copy.

This is not the case and my copy is not only genuine, but has been running without any major problems for more than 2 years.

I've made no recent hardware changes and just a few updates to software like Firefox and Thunderbird.

As I couldn't fix anything by going into Safe Mode, I ended up doing a system restore - back about a month and the PC is again working okay. But I am worried that this lockup might happen again.

Any suggestions would be welcome!

[pharoahegypt]

Microsoft up to their usual tricks by the sound of it, which is why even I finally went to win8.1 for my pc, and win10 for my laptop. They can't handle the fact people still want to use the older OSs so send out updates or other malware through browsers that mess you up, in the hope you'll crack and upgrade to a newer OS.

For those older users or people stuck in their ways I know how some like to stick to what they know, or what works fine for them as a rule; but eventually everyone will have to crack.

Only advise I can offer is to make sure your updates are turned off; a very simple task on win7; and watch where you go if the site is anything to do with microsoft. msn, hotmail, live mail, etc...

[V1c1ous]

I use non genuine version(s) without any problems.

[CARLTON BROWN]

I have read all the available online stuff and have seen a couple of YouTube videos on the problem. This certainly appears to be an issue with quite a few users. There are a couple of fixes (one being some free software called RemoveWAT), which I am a bit nervous about trying. Much of the problem is not knowing what you're dealing with. Is it bad code, malware, a Microsoft issue or something else?

I will just say that I took the decision not to upgrade to Windows 10 as there were things I didn't like about it, even if 10 handles in a similar fashion to 7. Today, no problems and I have fixed a new restore point, but it's one of those times when I wish I could switch to Linux or something more stable and I do rather dread another lockup!

[buttsie]

The official line

https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/...code-of-0x8007

Other 3rd parties have offered temporary solutions
One to file away for the future

3 methods
https://www.drgeeky.com/this-copy-of...t-genuine-fix/


I wouldnt be downloading any .exe freeware - too many phishing sites use this method
Like playing Russian roulette

Smartest thing we can all do is use an external hard drive for content
(the best method of keeping ransomware at bay)
and keep your PCs Hard drive just for the system & software.

Have a backup system even if its a cheap 2nd hand from a windows refurbisher

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/refurbishedpcs


Looking at the life cycles of the Windows OS ...
8.1 mainstream support ends January 9th 1/2018
though security updates will continue till 2023.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/...cle-fact-sheet

[V1c1ous]

Visit blackviper dot com and you'll find lots of useful information.
I recommend super tweaks.
Using Windows Loader could help too. It's made for illegal copies of Windows but it could work also with the genuine version.

[CARLTON BROWN]

Originally Posted by buttsie

The official line

https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/...code-of-0x8007

Other 3rd parties have offered temporary solutions
One to file away for the future

3 methods
https://www.drgeeky.com/this-copy-of...t-genuine-fix/


I wouldnt be downloading any .exe freeware - too many phishing sites use this method
Like playing Russian roulette

Smartest thing we can all do is use an external hard drive for content
(the best method of keeping ransomware at bay)
and keep your PCs Hard drive just for the system & software.

Have a backup system even if its a cheap 2nd hand from a windows refurbisher

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/refurbishedpcs


Looking at the life cycles of the Windows OS ...
8.1 mainstream support ends January 9th 1/2018
though security updates will continue till 2023.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/...cle-fact-sheet

Thanks for the suggestions. I have already looked at the Microsoft page, but didn't find it all that helpful. Maybe I've not made my problem quite clear enough, because what happened when this message appeared in the bottom right of a blank screen was not just an irritation, but the system locking up.

So going into the system wasn't possible at that point, although I was able to open up in safe mode. I can't help thinking there is something obvious happening here, but I can't think what.

Oddly enough, I have been seriously thinking of another machine just for using the Internet, which would have a minimal amount of material stored on it. Still that does mean more equipment and hassle.

However, my PC is still running okay, so fingers crossed and I'm still hopeful that it was either something strange I'd picked up or an unusual corruption.

[CARLTON BROWN]

Originally Posted by V1c1ous

Visit blackviper dot com and you'll find lots of useful information. I recommend super tweaks.
Using Windows Loader could help too. It's made for illegal copies of Windows but it could work also with the genuine version.

Interesting site. Thanks for the info!

[masque51]

I had the same problem a couple of months ago. I called the computer shop that built my system, and they said it was an indication of malware in my computer. (I took it in and had it fixed).

[ontstroke]

Most PC's will have a Windows OEM key on a sticker somewhere on them. You could try entering that in to reactivate your Windows.