[SOLVED] Suddenly "This copy of Windows is not genuine"

[Porthos]

Really? I know most look down on Ebay, but it's about the only place left to get retail copies of Win7. I use the vendor "thesellingpost" and have never had a problem with any of the Win7 versions I get from them. All activate online instantly and the few that needed upgraded to Win10.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-W...370130?hash=item5677d0f412:g:F8wAAOSw7ThUkKtX

That is NOT a retail copy. That is a refurbishers ONLY disk that is not allowed to be sold like that. Using that disk if your are not a refubisher and on top of that using it to install on a customer s computer is against the EULA.

This has been stated and verified MANY times in this forum.

Let the clueless end users fall for this. As a professional I wont do it and you and any other PRO on this forum should not do it as well.

 

[Diggs]

What options are you offering your customers that will not allow a Win10 install?

 

[Porthos]

Have not had to deal with that . But the other option is a refurb Thinkcenter from New Egg that ships from one of the MAR's with Win 7 installed legally.

 

[Moltuae]

What options are you offering your customers that will not allow a Win10 install?

If you're a registered refurbisher, you can still purchase Windows 7 Home/Pro licences. Join the program (if you're not already a member), sell the customer a previously refurbished machine then refurbish their machine and sell it another customer*.


* you're not allowed to refurbish the customer's machine and give it back to them. There is kind of loophole of course, as others have pointed out previously, that you could buy it from the customer and sell it back after refurbishing it, but probably not recommended if you value your refurbisher membership.

 

[Porthos]

If you're a registered refurbisher, you can still purchase Windows 7 Home/Pro licences.

MS stopped selling Home to distriubters back in October I think but some still have supply and when gone no more.

 

[Moltuae]

MS stopped selling Home to distriubters back in October I think but some still have supply and when gone no more.

Ah, yeah I read they were supposed to be stopping selling Home. My supplier still has stock, so I assumed it hadn't happened yet.

Still, Pro is cheap enough. In fact I don't usually bother buying Home since Pro is only about 10 quid more.

 

[Diggs]

You guys must operate in a sterile environment. Next time I'm in one of the nursing homes trying to explain to a grandmother why she can't use Chrome (on her XP machine) to get to her grandchildren's Facebook page anymore, I'll fill her in on the EULAs........ ("It always worked before" echos through the room....)

I'm not saying the EULAs should be violated. I would like other options.

 

[Porthos]

Next time I'm in one of the nursing homes trying to explain to a grandmother why she can't use Chrome (on her XP machine) to get to her grandchildren's Facebook page anymore

1 Move to Firefox till they don't support it XP.
2 I am so sorry but the computer is too old to be upgraded anymore. I can get you a refurbished computer for X amount.

We as tech's who follow the rules cant party like it's 1999. We must lead the consumers to realize it is 2016 and computers phones tablets and even TV's have come a long way since lets say 1999.

There is a point with old technology just wont work in today's digital world.

 

[Diggs]

@Porthos - You have great knowledge and can spout the talk but you seem to lack empathy. Some/many of these people were born in the '20s. They are on a fixed income. They are surrounded by the things they know and love (with some suffering from dementia - password? What password?). They don't/can't accept change. Windows XP and their computer is the only one they have ever known. (Win7 will outlive some.)

I understand this is a very minor segment of the service market but makes up a sizable part of my business. Like I said, I'd prefer better options.

 

[nlinecomputers]

You're not charging enough Diggs. In the amount of labor I would have to charge to get most Xp systems going I could point a user to a piece of crap old refurb system that would STILL run rings around an old Xp unit. It would have win 7 and be able to run, slowly, programs like Chrome.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I can make Windows 7 look enough like Xp that grandma will not know the difference.

 

[Porthos]

you seem to lack empathy

We don't "know" each other in the real world so I will rest on that.

They are on a fixed income.

Boy do I get that. On the other hand because of that they cant afford a service call every time they cant figure out or cant remember.
I do some "charity" work but the time involved taking away from other clients as a one man shop will not sustain my bills either.

They are surrounded by the things they know and love (with some suffering from dementia - password? What password?)

See Above.

They don't/can't accept change. Windows XP and their computer is the only one they have ever known.

Many people recommend Classic Shell to change the appearance enough to make a newer computer more familiar.

I understand this is a very minor segment of the service market but makes up a sizable part of my business.

I totally get it. I hope you are financially secure enough to support this clientele the way the way you want and your heart dictates.

I on the other hand cant afford to give as much as I really want to.

If your not a registered refurbisher, become one. Then have a few good spec older computers on hand and set up to make the transition less painful. Classic shell ect.

I don't know if your clientele qualify for citizenship licensees @Cadishead Computers could advise you more than I can.

 

[Diggs]

Not here for the point by point debate.....

I agree. I should recommend and use nicely pre-owned machines more and have used Classic Shell for years which makes Win7 an easy transition and why I use it.

Oh - and I don't charge enough. I've lived in the community for 30+ years (semi-retired after 35 years corporate). I keep my service area small and when I go to a group place I may see 2-3 residents and just charge for an hour total. Not really community service but affordable for these people. There is no one else short of the Geek Squad 30 m$les away.

 

[Porthos]

I go to a group place I may see 2-3 residents and just charge for an hour total. Not really community service but affordable for these people.

I am happy you can provide these services I hope you did not take my posts wrong. I believe you are a blessing to your community.
You have the heart and patience of a saint. Every community need a service like yours.

Bless you and your service for many years to come.

 

[LABFE]

@Porthos, your likely 90% correct on this instance, however, viruses DO and CAN disable WGA while leaving Genuine Advantage checks in the passing green. Trojan.fakeavalert and others have been known to kill key authorization in order to stop Windows Updates for their own nefarious purposes.

So I'm playing devil's advocate here, if there was/is a cyber hacker involved what malware scanner could detect such intrusion and eliminate it? I ran a myriad of tools to try to overturn any suspected malware and turned up only pups. Either way I think they're still going to move on from their 10 yr old machine to a replacement with Win 10 and modern hardware.