Question on Vista x64 error.

Ahinjel

New Member
I looked thru the forums and found a similar post but there are a few differences w/a resolution.

A friend of mine and I built a PC about 3 yrs ago, he worked at MS, and was able to get me a copy of Vista x64 for the rig. Well, unfortunately, a few months ago, while online, I get this error from Windows saying "This is not a genuine copy of Windows, ect..ect.." And a prompt window appeared asking for the key that came w/the CD software.

Well, I am now in a bit of a quandary. My friend passed away months prior to all of this, so any hope of getting the key is gone. Why the error appeared and this is happening is beyond me, the software was working for quite sometime quite perfectly.

So I've now opted to buy a new copy, however since this is a gaming rig, I'm going to go with Win7 Upgrade, as its less of a resource hog. Would this allivate the issue? Or do I need to buy a different version?

Thanks in advance for any/all help.
 

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Welcome
Bottom line. If your Vista was not genuine, you must buy the more expensive Retail Version (full Version). You must do a format install (clean) in case there was more than an OS on the copy your friend left you. If he were available he would not be able to help unless he had a genuine Product Key. I think he would have installed with that one if it were available. Im sorry for your problems but wish you the best.
 

My Computer

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  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
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Well, I can assure you, it was indeed a genuine copy. For one I don't do cracked or pirated stuff. And as I said, he worked at MS, so the copy he got from their company store was the real thing.

When you say I have to buy a Retail Version(that was indeed, and is indeed what I am going to do). I just want to be sure that I buy the right one. As it says "Windows 7 Upgrade", it just makes me pause b'c, well I never owned Win7 to begin with so how can it be an upgrade? :sarc:

I will tell you now, as it may come across from my posts, I'm not a PC Savvy person, which is why I felt it best to ask those "in the know". So if you could shed a bit of light on that area of the question I would be greatly obliged. Thank you.
 

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Sorry if you misunderstood my answer. I was merely trying to explain that an upgrade version or the regular retail version will be available.
Question number 5 here should be of interest to you.
Buying Windows 7: top questions - Microsoft Windows
Your package should NOT say upgrade version, in your case it would not work.
When I mentioned that it may not be genuine, it was only because you received the warning from MS saying that it was not genuine.
When you do not insert the product key, you get 30-90 days of service at which point you receive warnings and the gradual removal of features.
Without the KEY MS will treat it as not genuine and that was my only meaning.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
The cost for the full retail is higher of course than the upgrade, but without the product key you really do not have a choice.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Build #1
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3770K @4.4GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-V PRO
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB DDR3 1600MHz Low Profile (White)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Radeon HD 7850 (2GB GDDR5)
    Sound Card
    Integrated on motherboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" LG LCD/LED IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 128GB SSD
    Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200rpm
    2x500GB Seagate FreeAgent 5400rpm
    PSU
    Corsair TX650W V2 (80+ Bronze)
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 410
    Cooling
    Corsair H100 Water Cooler, 1x140mm and 1x120mm stock fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Desktop 2000 Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Desktop 2000 Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    95 Mb/s Download 70 Mb/s Upload
Good point Tom, I, however, went with the idea that If the computer were built 3 years ago, it did not qualify for upgrade, then, since it was the first OS installed. If my premise is correct, he cannot use upgrade now. If an upagrade key were purchased, now, it does not have a genuine system to upgrade from. You can do a clean install, from a genuine copy of Vista.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
Good point Tom, I, however, went with the idea that If the computer were built 3 years ago, it did not qualify for upgrade, then, since it was the first OS installed. If my premise is correct, he cannot use upgrade now. If an upagrade key were purchased, now, it does not have a genuine system to upgrade from. You can do a clean install, from a genuine copy of Vista.

Oh, my mistake then Rich :) So, even though this would technically work, it isn't legal to do so?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Build #1
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3770K @4.4GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-V PRO
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB DDR3 1600MHz Low Profile (White)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Radeon HD 7850 (2GB GDDR5)
    Sound Card
    Integrated on motherboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" LG LCD/LED IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 128GB SSD
    Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200rpm
    2x500GB Seagate FreeAgent 5400rpm
    PSU
    Corsair TX650W V2 (80+ Bronze)
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 410
    Cooling
    Corsair H100 Water Cooler, 1x140mm and 1x120mm stock fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Desktop 2000 Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Desktop 2000 Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    95 Mb/s Download 70 Mb/s Upload
I can be wrong, but If the Vista is not validated, you cannot install an upgrade. Lets think, with a cracked copy of Vista I can upgrade with the cheaper Seven? In addition to not legal, it could not work, you must upgrade with a validated copy.
The validation is explained in part 2 of the tutorial.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
I can be wrong, but If the Vista is not validated, you cannot install an upgrade. Lets think, with a cracked copy of Vista I can upgrade with the cheaper Seven? In addition to not legal, it could not work, you must upgrade with a validated copy.
The validation is explained in part 2 of the tutorial.

I've completely confused myself now! :p

You can install Windows 7 from an upgrade disc onto a formatted HDD, and it will validate without a problem. If you don't have a full (retail or OEM) license beforehand, it is against the MS EULA to do this, and it is also considered illegal:

Regardless of what any hack says, a Windows 7 Upgrade is an Upgrade. What you need to know. - Microsoft SMS&P Partner Community Blog - By Eric Ligman - Site Home - MSDN Blogs

So you wouldn't even need a cracked copy of Vista to do so, you don't need any copy of Vista.

I'm really not sure about a Vista upgrade though. I don't see why the previous install needs to be validated, in the tutorial the PC is only validated once, and that's after the upgrade has taken place.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Build #1
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3770K @4.4GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-V PRO
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB DDR3 1600MHz Low Profile (White)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Radeon HD 7850 (2GB GDDR5)
    Sound Card
    Integrated on motherboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" LG LCD/LED IPS
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 128GB SSD
    Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200rpm
    2x500GB Seagate FreeAgent 5400rpm
    PSU
    Corsair TX650W V2 (80+ Bronze)
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 410
    Cooling
    Corsair H100 Water Cooler, 1x140mm and 1x120mm stock fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Desktop 2000 Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Desktop 2000 Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    95 Mb/s Download 70 Mb/s Upload
Getting a bit technical, but from what I understand you must have had a Validated Copy of the previous OS installed. If you format, I understand, that there are still markers that MS recognizes to know you DID have a validated copy at one time. The OP, unless I am mistaken, never had a validated copy.
Actually, with Seven, you choose a clean install the format is automatic, but Big Brother still knows.
Bottom line, due to my understanding, I would be very reluctant to tell the OP to buy an upgrade version, since I fully believe that it would not validate.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
In addition, to the above. Seven and Vista can be upgraded a bit differently, due to a slight change in the upgrade verification. Seven stipulates, the upgrade must be on a Validated copy.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
All I've read about the upgrades is that there is definitely a different product key applied than the original. Microsoft wants you to upgrade a full retail copy and does certain things to help ensure it, but they didn't put in very restrictive controls.

Bottom line, regardless of whether or not you have a full retail version already installed, you will have the same (upgrade) product key at the end of the installation with the upgrade discs. Is it fully legal to do this? Well, not really, if you go by the legalese outlined in Microsoft's license agreement. However, if you owned a legitimate full retail version but have lost the discs, it's in essence not an illegal thing you are doing. To Microsoft, a valid product key is what interfaces with their activation service and so in the end there's no harm done.
 

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System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion dv5t
    CPU
    Intel Core Duo 2.53GHz
    Memory
    4Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 9600M GT 512Mb
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800 32bit
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Momentus XT 500Gb
    Hitachi Travelstar HTS543225L9A300 250Gb
    Mouse
    Microsoft 4000
As far as I know all the CDs are the same, it is the product key number that determines if you are full retail or upgrade and what edition you have (Pro etc)
If you have a qualifiying OS installed you qualify for the cheaper upgrade version. If you do not you must buy the full retail.
You have up to 30 days to test the OS before you use the product key number. It will be at that point that it will be accepted or rejected.

BTW Nice post on the zip.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion dv5t
    CPU
    Intel Core Duo 2.53GHz
    Memory
    4Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce 9600M GT 512Mb
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800 32bit
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Momentus XT 500Gb
    Hitachi Travelstar HTS543225L9A300 250Gb
    Mouse
    Microsoft 4000
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