Question on Vista x64 error.

Ahinjel · May 13, 2012

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.

richc46 · May 13, 2012

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.

Ahinjel · May 13, 2012

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.

richc46 · May 13, 2012

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.

richc46 · May 13, 2012

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.

tom982 · May 14, 2012

richc46 said:
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.

Doesn't the upgrade media come with a product key? My Windows 7 upgrade disc came with one and I was able to do a clean install by following one of Shawn's tutorials

The Windows 7 version of this:

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68767-clean-install-upgrade-vista.html

richc46 · May 14, 2012

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.

tom982 · May 14, 2012

richc46 said:
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?

richc46 · May 14, 2012

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.

tom982 · May 14, 2012

richc46 said:
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!

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.

richc46 · May 14, 2012

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.

richc46 · May 14, 2012

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.

Cytherian · May 15, 2012

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.

richc46 · May 15, 2012

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.

Cytherian · May 16, 2012

richc46 said:
BTW Nice post on the zip.

Thanks! And I appreciate the reps you've been giving. :D

Question on Vista x64 error.

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