This copy of Windows 7 is NOT genuine.

Well Microsoft and an eBay scammer have burned me. I bought a key on eBay for that computer I built and it went invalid last night. What really stinks is that MSE warned it was invalid a month ago but when I followed the link to the website and rescanned it said it was fine. Now that it is past 90 days and I have no credit card recourse, now Microsoft stabs me in the back. Plus rock-bottom prices to replace the Win 7 have jumped an extra $20-$40 as it has grown in popularity.

I know the software was genuine because I used my official DVDs, the only thing it can be complaining about is the key - so they aren't exactly truthful. Their automated response says try reinstalling the OS and if that doesn't work return it - except they took so long that that is impossible. You can't trust ANY keys purchased on eBay won't do the same; It feels to me like Microsoft is just hurting the consumer and enabling the scammers. Either a key works or it doesn't, it shouldn't be valid for over 3 months and suddenly NOT.

I don't understand, why did you need a key from ebay? We're you trying to save a few bucks?

I believe MS will work with you. Let me know if I'm wrong about that.

I was trying to save a LOT of bucks and I didn't need the discs because I already had two sets.
Microsoft's way of working with you is to sell you a new one for more than you can buy it most anywhere else ... pro upgrade list price is something like $199.
But this is more of a warning that ANY product key, even with the discs bought on eBay could work for almost 4 months before they lock it out. Caveat emptor.

Are you absolutely sure it's a bad key? Have you gone to the Microsoft Support and tried their validators? Have you tried the activation and used the Phone Support option?

Yes, the phone support said it couldn't help and maybe I should reinstall from the discs or return it where I got it.

This was a HD that started spitting out errors so I cloned it. I still have the original HD so I have a few more ideas to try but if I allow a WAT update I figure I'm FUBAR.

Ouch! Which edition was this?

I bought not just a key but an "original Windows XP cd" from an online retailer once, just to have it blacklisted by Microsoft a year later because apparently the retailer was reselling VLK discs/keys.

All the computers I support are W7 Pro 64-bit except one old XP my brother likes. It does what he needs and is used to so it will stay that way till he needs a new computer.

I've been burned on eBay a couple of times, buying XP Pro (OEM) to do installs with. Twice out of at least 50 times. Not too bad, I guess. However, in the end, I was refunded my money on both occasions.

More recently, last year, when the download links for Windows 7 OS's (Home Premium & Pro, 32 & 64 bit) became available, eBay turned out to be a fast place to purchase keys. I purchased two, one Pro, one Home Premium (32 bit) for my notebooks, for a total of $30. While I had no difficulties with the keys themselves, I was constantly installing and reinstalling, and ran out of activations.

But now I know most likely where these keys came from. TechNet. When you see these ads for keys, funny thing is, the number of keys available are 10 of each. It's always been this way. I had always wondered, why always 10, why not 20, or 50, or anything besides 10? Once I joined TechNet, I seen why. As members, we are allowed 10 keys for each OS or Office program.

Most likely what some does is this. You can go anywhere and get a throwaway debit card, just as you can a throwaway cell phone. Wal Mart sells them for $3, some stores charges less. Some, you can use an assumed name, some requires positive ID. All you need are four things, the debit card, a free email account, an eBay account & a PayPal account, all of which are easy to get.

You initially invest $349 for a TechNet membership, get all the keys that you are allowed, put ads on eBay, and let the money flow in. A Retail version of 7 Pro is $299, so getting the key for $25 is a bargain. If the seller moves their keys fast (they usually do), they're all gone in a couple of days, the seller gets his/her money and is gone. BTW, when you add up the number of keys, there's at least 200 per subscription, so the investment is recovered fast.

A couple of months later, in another city, the user does the same, using a different name, and contact methods. The key is in getting a "throwaway" debit card, w/o revealing who you really are.

DISCLAIMER: This is not to be taken as a set of instructions on how to be a crook, but rather a description of a real life scenario that takes place every day.

Cat

You can buy windows 7 ultimate x64/x32 FUL version for a £169 from a good online shop i could give you a link but not sure it is allowed :-)

not sure if this will help try calling microsoft support and tell them that your key is coming back invalid they will ask for the the numbers from dvd and possibilly give u new key ( ive done this for my computers)