Windows 7 not genuine

[Grant66]

I installed an "evaluation" copy of windows 7 last september, to errr evaluate if it was any better than XP. Was quite impressed with it actually apart from the sound card doesn't work with it, so won't be upgrading but would have it on the new laptop when I get round to buying one.

Just booted the PC into the 7 partition by accident tonight and its still working it tells me every half hour or so that I don't have a genuine copy.

I'm assuming that at some point it will not let me use it anymore, i.e. not go past logon without activating. Anyone know how long before it does that? Had a google & couldn't find anything relevant.

[punyXpress]

Disconnect from web
Alter system date to when you installed W7
Repeat as necessary ?

[tigersaw]

you could 'rearm' it and get another trial

see http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windo...0-to-120-days/

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by gajjii

Was quite impressed with it actually apart from the sound card doesn't work with it

I suspect you'll find that if you bought the full version and got off that eval copy, that your soundcard will more than likely work...

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

I suspect you'll find that if you bought the full version and got off that eval copy, that your soundcard will more than likely work...

I'd be really surprised if that was the case. I know Microsoft's marketing isn't known for being particularly bright, but I seriously doubt they would break sound functionality on an evaluation copy of an OS they are also trying to sell to the multimedia / home entertainment market. Without any further information, I'd hazard a guess that it's just unsupported hardware and lack of drivers. If that is the case, and if you're comfortable doing it, just download the drivers for the last Windows version you find available (might be XP) and try forcing an install. You might be surprised*...



*I did this with a Soundblaster Live! 5.1. Theoretically unsupported on Vista and 7, I tried running the setup program just the same. As expected, it failed the first time. Then, unexpectedly, a window pops up asking if I want Windows to try and run the thingy in compatibility mode or whatever you want to call it. Restart, and waddayaknow, I was greeted by the Windows system start sound. Game Port doesn't work, but in 10 years I've had PCs I've never used one, so couldn't really care much less. YMMV, though.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Filipe M.

Without any further information, I'd hazard a guess that it's just unsupported hardware and lack of drivers.

I reckon your probably right, but I've had this kind of trouble with MS Eval producs before. Especially beta releases...

I think what he is getting at is windows update will install the neccesary drivers if it is a genuine authenticated copy.

As an example

When i installed windows 7 my gpu was unsupported. Dell have not realised the driver for windows 7 and ATI dont have one. The vista driver wouldnt install even when modified it and installed i got blue screens, so i was stuck, then windows update informed me they had an update for my card and now its perfectly

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

I reckon your probably right, but I've had this kind of trouble with MS Eval producs before. Especially beta releases...

Fair enough, I wasn't thinking beta but yes, that's a whole different can of worms.

Originally Posted by beabert

I think what he is getting at is windows update will install the neccesary drivers if it is a genuine authenticated copy.

As an example

When i installed windows 7 my gpu was unsupported. Dell have not realised the driver for windows 7 and ATI dont have one. The vista driver wouldnt install even when modified it and installed i got blue screens, so i was stuck, then windows update informed me they had an update for my card and now its perfectly

Different situations I guess, Windows can't install what doesn't exist in the first place (even though it'll try every now and again! ). In your case I'd bet it was a coincidence the driver got released at the right time... hopefully!

Originally Posted by Filipe M.

Fair enough, I wasn't thinking beta but yes, that's a whole different can of worms.




Different situations I guess, Windows can't install what doesn't exist in the first place (even though it'll try every now and again! ). In your case I'd bet it was a coincidence the driver got released at the right time... hopefully!

Nope my driver is still not avaliable from dell (inspiron 6400), i can only assume so many people were moaning microsoft themselves supported it.

Whats sound card have you got?

[Grant66]

Interestingly it is a Soundblaster Live 5.1 card that isn't working, tried the XP drivers a few times following all the instructions I could find & nothing worked. The Creative install pack wouldn't even recognize there was a card in there. Even tried the project KX drivers which are supposed to work on Vista & it sort of worked but sounded carp.

Anyway, just extended the trial for another 30 days. All the windows updates are supposed to be available during the trial, but to be honest even if it installs a driver that works I'm not going to buy a license for this machine. Mrs's laptop had Vista and that was just slooooow, its now got XP and is loads better. So might try 7 on that as she is missing her gadgets.