Halt! Who goes there?

[effpeetee]

When Windows 7 was released, I purchased two original (not upgrade) versions. One for my Laptop and one for my Desktop.

In spite of many confirmed Genuine Article confirmations from MS, I have had activation re-applied without my intervention several times on both computers and have had to get involved in the tortuous (for me) MS 'phone sequence of long numbers. This happens out of the blue and has just happened again.

Has anyone any idea what might be the trouble. The registration number agrees with my Belarc readout taken immediately after the original install. I was going to say that I am at my wits end, but I was at that point several instals ago.:eek:

Help or even just sympathy welcomed.:D

Frank

Bring back Windows 3.1

[tagnu]

Still on XP :)

[primefalcon]

I am sorry I don't follow 100%

Are you saying someone is reinstalling your OS on your own computer without your permission? Or?

[bazz]

can't help frank sorry but that's why I hold off on new IT stuff until it is proven.

Still on XP and preparing for a move to linux on a new machine - keeping xp for when I have to use it.

bazz

[effpeetee]

primefalcon: The computer goes into Activation mode as at start up. The first that I know of it is when it tells me that the OS hasnt activated and to re-instal the registration number. Checking the registration number confirms that the PC already has the correct number. Re-entering it does not help.

I am going to remove the 64-bit version and install the 32-bit version. More in desperation than real hope. :(

Wish me joy.:eek:

Frank

[wildreason]

Have you talked to Microsoft about this?

When it comes to problems like this honestly I prefer to reinstall Windows. It's a PAIN but I like the fresh feeling of a new OS. :)

[effpeetee]

Have you talked to Microsoft about this?

When it comes to problems like this honestly I prefer to reinstall Windows. It's a PAIN but I like the fresh feeling of a new OS. :)
No. I have done a complete re-install of Win7, again! I have done the re-instal at least twelve times. It never goes the same way twice. It must be easier to win the Lottery than to install Win 7 successfully, quickly.

I'm tired out. Eighty-five years old, and most of it spent installing Windows.

Bring on the dancing girls.

Phaw!

[byuhobbes85]

I know knocking on Windows gets old, but it's crap like this that keeps me from ever wanting to use it again. I am very pleased since moving to Mac several years ago, but if I had to give it up, I would go Ubuntu before going back to windows!

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

I think there is a limit to the number of times you can do a clean install with the same key and from the sounds of it and from the posts you've made saying "you've reinstalled yet again" even though reinstalling every single time was complete overkill, you may have reached this limit in which case each time you reinstall now you will need to contact microsoft. Good luck.

[Apostropartheid]

It's not Microsoft's fault, Frank is just incredibly overzealous with his reinstall disc :P Frankly unless you actually used a recent Windows OS you shouldn't really comment about it.
Frank, these are antipiracy measures taken out. When a key is got hold of by pirates, lots of machines will register under it, and you've done so enough times to create a small botnet. As long as you have proof of purchase you should be fine.

[effpeetee]

Apostropartheid,

I am fully protected now. I took your advice some time ago and re-instated my user account. I also use Security Essentials, regularly updated. This last trouble came about I think when MS put out a SR1 beta which for some reason got installed although I am set to NOT have anything installed until I OK them. It clashed with Security Essentials.

Frank.

I thinl I'll buy an OEM copy.

[primefalcon]

Nothing wrong with reinstalling often a lot of techs recommend doing it as often as 6 months as a way of keeping your system clean and fast, I'd probably say a year.

Just make a separate data partition so you don't lose your files.

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

Nothing wrong with reinstalling often a lot of techs recommend doing it as often as 6 months as a way of keeping your system clean and fast, I'd probably say a year.

Just make a separate data partition so you don't lose your files.

I do agree with that but resintalling everytime something simple goes wrong isn't always necessary.

[primefalcon]

I do agree with that but resintalling everytime something simple goes wrong isn't always necessary.
true otherwise I'd be constantly reinstalling every couple of days rofl (I'm a tinkerer)

[effpeetee]

Originally Posted by _Aerospace_Eng_ View Post
I do agree with that but resintalling everytime something simple goes wrong isn't always necessary.

I used to know a command-line that would just re-load the system files/drivers without altering anything else, but I have lost it.

Anyone know it?

Frank

[tagnu]

This one ?
sfc /scannow

[effpeetee]

This one

Not sure, but anyway I cannot get it to work for me "Needs administrator privilidges" which I already have.
Microsoft - YUK!

Frank

[brad211987]

Two comments:

On your admin privileges issue, in Windows 7, to do many useful tasks you need to open the command prompt as administrator. You can right click on the cmd.exe file in the start menu's search and click run as administrator to get there.

On the original post.....Have you noticed your system time being changed? It's a bit odd, but sometimes when a CMOS battery is failing, the system time won't keep up, and this can actually trigger the activation dialog to harass you on startup. It's a rare issue, since most CMOS batteries out-last the computer any more, but I still see it from time to time.

[effpeetee]

Two comments:

On your admin privileges issue, in Windows 7, to do many useful tasks you need to open the command prompt as administrator. You can right click on the cmd.exe file in the start menu's search and click run as administrator to get there.

On the original post.....Have you noticed your system time being changed? It's a bit odd, but sometimes when a CMOS battery is failing, the system time won't keep up, and this can actually trigger the activation dialog to harass you on startup. It's a rare issue, since most CMOS batteries out-last the computer any more, but I still see it from time to time.

Thanks brad211987,

I'll get a new battery. I hadn't noticed a problem, but it is easy to check.
Frank