Windows 7 says it's not genuine?

[designgeek]

K, so this is a total n00b question probably, I downloaded the RC about two weeks ago and finally got around to installing it tonight, but now it says it's not genuine and that I should install a release copy. I downloaded it from Microsoft so it's not like I torrented the thing. Is there any way to make it work or am I SOL? I tried "Resolving it online" but to no avail.

I was really hoping that I would like it but so far it's bugging the s*** out of me doing the same stuff that made me switch to Tiger from XP. Please help.

 

[Stridder44]

Sorry, I have to ask, you did put the key in right? The key they give you when you signup/download it?

Actually it's like a list of 5 or so keys they use, so everyone is using the same keys. If you want mine to try out, PM me. I say PM me because, even though the keys can easily be found from a simple Google search and it's not a secret that they're the same keys everyone else is using, I don't want to chance breaking a random forum rule.

 

[designgeek]

Thank you for the help, I probably should have double checked the key when I installed it but I'm 99.99% sure it was correct. I got a new key from microsoft but where do I put it? When I start it up it asks to register it and I click "Register Now" and then it says it's not able to do so.

 

[Stridder44]

Thank you for the help, I probably should have double checked the key when I installed it but I'm 99.99% sure it was correct. I got a new key from microsoft but where do I put it? When I start it up it asks to register it and I click "Register Now" and then it says it's not able to do so.

Right click on My Computer ---> Properties. At the bottom of that page you'll see the Windows Activation area. You can put your key in there. Looks something like this (note that pic is from an early beta of Windows 7, but you get the point):

 

[xIGmanIx]

is this bootcamp or VM? I know on fusion you have to download an update so that you don't have to register every time you launch the VM

 

[designgeek]

I'm running it in boot camp. Thanks Strider for the help, I'll give it a shot.

 

[Tex-Twil]

Hello,
to day I ran into the same problem. I have a Win7 RC in Bootcamp and it was working fine. Now when I boot it, it says that it is not genuine.

It happened just after I booted it once through vm fusion 3.0, I wonder if this could have had an impact.


Thanks,
Tex

 

[mpuck972]

Hello,
to day I ran into the same problem. I have a Win7 RC in Bootcamp and it was working fine. Now when I boot it, it says that it is not genuine.

It happened just after I booted it once through vm fusion 3.0, I wonder if this could have had an impact.


Thanks,
Tex

Could be that they are just starting to get rid of the RC keys since they will no longer work after early next year. Sounds like it's time for you to buy a legitimate copy of Windows 7 now that the beta is over.

 

[CylonGlitch]

ALL of the RC keys have expired. You have to either buy the full version or go back to whatever OS you had before because this one will stop functioning shortly.

 

[Tex-Twil]

ALL of the RC keys have expired. You have to either buy the full version or go back to whatever OS you had before because this one will stop functioning shortly.

I thought the RCs were going to work till june 2010 ...

 

[Zortrium]

Hello,
to day I ran into the same problem. I have a Win7 RC in Bootcamp and it was working fine. Now when I boot it, it says that it is not genuine.

It happened just after I booted it once through vm fusion 3.0, I wonder if this could have had an impact.

Windows deactivating whenever you switch between booting in Bootcamp and Fusion is a well-known problem. I believe the accepted solution is to fix it like this (there may be other ways as well, but I believe this is what the support docs say):

1. Boot Windows in Bootcamp.
2. Activate Windows.
3. Reboot in Mac OS X and boot Windows in Fusion. Windows will deactivate.
4. Install VMware Tools in the Windows VM.
5. Activate Windows in Fusion.
6. Reboot Windows in Fusion. It should now stay activated between booting in Fusion and Bootcamp.

 

[Tex-Twil]

Windows deactivating whenever you switch between booting in Bootcamp and Fusion is a well-known problem. I believe the accepted solution is to fix it like this (there may be other ways as well, but I believe this is what the support docs say):

1. Boot Windows in Bootcamp.
2. Activate Windows.
3. Reboot in Mac OS X and boot Windows in Fusion. Windows will deactivate.
4. Install VMware Tools in the Windows VM.
5. Activate Windows in Fusion.
6. Reboot Windows in Fusion. It should now stay activated between booting in Fusion and Bootcamp.

ok I will try, thanks