Do I REALLY need to re-format?

[p_brownstone]

A few weeks ago I upgraded my Desktop - new CPU, Motherboard and Graphics Card, more Memory etc..

I have a genuine copy of Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit and gave this to the tech. chap who put the Computer together and expected him to install it and arrange the re-register with Microsoft.

I have just discovered that he did not do that but instead installed a bootleg version of Win 7 - OK still 64 Bit.

I have already spent hours re-installing programs on the new Computer and setting them up the way I like them!

I called MS and they told me all I can do is re-format then install my genuine Win 7 and call them to walk me through the re-registration process - which obviously means I will then have to go through the pain of re-installing all my programs again!!

Is this really the only way to replace the bootleg Win 7 OS - is there no way I can somehow just install the genuine OS on top of the bootleg version??

Patrick

Edited October 15, 2014 by p_brownstone

[Chicog]

Probably, but bootleg versions often contain malware, etc.

So it is by far a better idea to do a clean installation.

[Brit_Doggie]

if you reinstall there should be a folder called old with your files that are loaded so no biggie,just delete the ones that are duplicate.

[Daffy D]

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/windows-easy-transfer

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/transfer-files-settings-from-another-computer#1TC=windows-7

I used the Windows easy Transfer program when reinstalling Win7

It saves all your files and settings for easy transfer to the new install

As far as I recall it does not work with installed programs, but obviously saves time by not having to set up everything again.

[kkerry]

Letting a Thai computer guy set up your computer... he probably thinks he is doing you a favor (and saving himself some time) by installing a pirated copy along with a bunch of cracked programs... lets hope he didn't use your genuine program key for another computer.. just do your own re-install, better in the long run.

[thedemon]

Yes you can fix that and it's actually pretty easy.

The guy at the computer shop probably installed Win 7 either using a generic product key or else no key at all. That's not possible with Win 8 but I seem to recall that it is with Win 7.

Either way the solution is to inject your legimate product key into the current installation. After that is done it will be just as if you had installed with that product key to begin with and you can go ahead and activate as you normally would.

There are many tools out there capable of doing the job but the issue here is that those tools often can be used for both legitimate and illegitimate purposes so I don't think I should link you to any of them on this forum. However, if you google "microsoft toolkit" that should point you in the right direction. I sometimes use that tool to backup my activation which is perfectly legal.

There is nothing wrong with doing this but Microsoft aren't going to tell you how for obvious reasons.

In any case, whenever you reinstall and need to re-activate there is a high chance that activation will fail with the message "This product key is already in use". When you see that message you need to click wherever it says contact Microsoft. Select Thailand as your location and it will offer you a free 0800 number to call Singapore. Don't click anything after that - just call. When they answer just tell them right off the bat that you are reinstalling Win 7 on the same machine (so that they don't asl a lot of pointless questions). They will ask you to read out the long series of numbers on your screen and if yours is a retail version (as opposed to OEM) they may ask for your product key. Then they will read back to you another long series of numbers and click OK. After that's done the machine should actiavte immediately.

[RichCor]

^^ Yep ^^

Also make sure to do a thorough and complete scan for viruses on your system.

The person who installed your 'replacement copy' of Windows 7 just did what they do every day, but this surely also included installing the 'crack' to prevent the Windows Genuine Authentication from operating properly. This software hack, along with possible back-door trojans, could cause continuing issues for your system.

[Chicog]

I find doing a periodic reinstall quite satisfying, and it's worth doing because Windows does get horrendously bogged down after a period of time, even if you do use reg cleaners, etc.

Just grab a brew, stick on a movie, and do it as a background task, you'll have it done before you know it.

[Pib]

You can sure do what thedemon recommended above, but I think I would reformat and reinstall to have ease of mind over the coming days, weeks, months, etc., a bootleg copy of Windows possibly with bad stuff incorporated is not causing you problems. A few hours well spent I think.

Edited October 15, 2014 by Pib

[Jiu-Jitsu]

I would not let someone install an OS for me. But I've found that most people asking for help on this forum, prefer the taking of half measures.

If you really can't be bothered to do install for yourself, you can reset the activation system, using MBRRegenerator

The options should be set thus:

As RichCor has suggested, just swapping the key won't be enough if they have installed a software hack. You certainly don't need any dodgy tools just to swap a key. You can do it via the Operating System interface.

Either way, you should use the software provided above.

[Turkleton]

^^

But this won't help him with probably pre-installed malware/trojans!

"format c:\" everything else it wasted time and eventually insecure and dangerous.

Edited October 15, 2014 by Turkleton

[Jiu-Jitsu]

^^

But this won't help him with probably pre-installed malware/trojans!

"format c:\" everything else it wasted time and eventually insecure and dangerous.

Sorry, but your statement is sensationalist nonsense.

There has been no indication that there is Malware/Trojans installed.

It is always preferable to install the OS yourself, but that doesn't mean that malware has been installed, other than perhaps a method to bypass activation. So your claim of probably is simple hyperbole. Possibly, perhaps.

Perhaps the OP thinks a clean install is wasted time, whereas cleaning up activation won't use his time at all.

[Chicog]

^^

But this won't help him with probably pre-installed malware/trojans!

"format c:\" everything else it wasted time and eventually insecure and dangerous.

Sorry, but your statement is sensationalist nonsense.

There has been no indication that there is Malware/Trojans installed.

It is always preferable to install the OS yourself, but that doesn't mean that malware has been installed, other than perhaps a method to bypass activation. So your claim of probably is simple hyperbole. Possibly, perhaps.

Perhaps the OP thinks a clean install is wasted time, whereas cleaning up activation won't use his time at all.

I would not trust any pirated (or modified) form of Windows from a Thai computer shop.

(1) They are generally clueless.

(2) If they aren't clueless, they've probably installed a clandestine keylogger.

Edited October 15, 2014 by Chicog

[Jiu-Jitsu]

^^

But this won't help him with probably pre-installed malware/trojans!

"format c:\" everything else it wasted time and eventually insecure and dangerous.

Sorry, but your statement is sensationalist nonsense.

There has been no indication that there is Malware/Trojans installed.

It is always preferable to install the OS yourself, but that doesn't mean that malware has been installed, other than perhaps a method to bypass activation. So your claim of probably is simple hyperbole. Possibly, perhaps.

Perhaps the OP thinks a clean install is wasted time, whereas cleaning up activation won't use his time at all.

I would not trust any pirated (or modified) form of Windows from a Thai computer shop.

(1) They are generally clueless.

(2) If they aren't clueless, they've probably installed a clandestine keylogger.

Often, the discs themselves are not modified. It's the method of activation that is the modification. To add to this, none of them are educated enough to have engineered the modification themselves. So they use one of the options that can be downloaded via the Internet. So I have a good idea of what they actually do.

The fact is, that there are many idiots here, running software without knowing anything about it's provenance. Even if they listened as to how to install the OS correctly, they would install all kinds of junkware to their system. Advanced System Care this or whatever ridiculous software that they read about ten years beforehand.

So you can't save people from themselves.

My solution will remove the dodgy activation system and then use SFC to check that all is that it should be.

[Turkleton]

probably, possibly...just quibbling.

These Thai shops usually don't "install" a pirated Windows OS manually, but instead they use a prepared Image file which includes tons of preloaded/cracked/keygened programs.

They boot the machine via network and copy the full image with programs, like "Symantec Ghost" to the hard disk.

This takes only a few minutes, compared to a real clean install..

After a reboot, the necessary drivers are installed and the machine is ready to go.....so or so..

[Jiu-Jitsu]

probably, possibly...just quibbling.

These Thai shops usually don't "install" a pirated Windows OS manually, but instead they use a prepared Image file which includes tons of preloaded/cracked/keygened programs.

They boot the machine via network and copy the full image with programs, like "Symantec Ghost" to the hard disk.

This takes only a few minutes, compared to a real clean install..

After a reboot, the necessary drivers are installed and the machine is ready to go.....so or so..

Notwithstanding, we are on the same team. If the Thai shops don't install it, these people will install it themselves.

So rather than bang on and on at them, I've linked to a system to remove the hacked activation and to restore the activation system to be as it should.

Edited October 15, 2014 by Jiu-Jitsu

[Burl Ives]

Reformat and use "ninite.com" to load all your familiar programmes!

[bendejo]

Yep, reformat and reinstall. If not, whenever you have a problem with the system you'll have to consider if it has something to do with your dodgy installation.

Something I suggest to everyone running Windows is to partition your hard drive. Keep the primary partition for the Windows installation (50Gb should be enough, but go to 100Gb if you're not very tech oriented and want to never have to think about it again). Keep the rest of the disk as the place for your own files (Word files, Excel files, pics, anything. This way, if Windows goes sideways and you have to reinstall again, it will only affect your WIn stuff and installed programs, your data will survive (note: a hard disk crash is another story altogether). You'll have to do a little homework to figure it out, but it isn't that difficult, and there's lots of tools out there to make it easy, some of them are free. By the time you figure it out you may decide to go with multiple data partitions.

[bendejo]

I find doing a periodic reinstall quite satisfying, and it's worth doing because Windows does get horrendously bogged down after a period of time, even if you do use reg cleaners, etc.

Just grab a brew, stick on a movie, and do it as a background task, you'll have it done before you know it.

Tell me about it!

I have a Win7 installation going on 2 years old and I'm feeling the pain. Not just slowness but things like the system tray and registry have developed peculiarities (eg I can't use Comodo Firewall any more because it can't store values in the registry). The chore isn't so much in the Win reinstall, but in getting my applications back together the way I want them.

I've also developed the opinion that (some) reg cleaners may do more harm than good.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

I find doing a periodic reinstall quite satisfying, and it's worth doing because Windows does get horrendously bogged down after a period of time, even if you do use reg cleaners, etc.

Just grab a brew, stick on a movie, and do it as a background task, you'll have it done before you know it.

Tell me about it!

I have a Win7 installation going on 2 years old and I'm feeling the pain. Not just slowness but things like the system tray and registry have developed peculiarities (eg I can't use Comodo Firewall any more because it can't store values in the registry). The chore isn't so much in the Win reinstall, but in getting my applications back together the way I want them.

I've also developed the opinion that (some) reg cleaners may do more harm than good.

You need to take an image of your new install when it's how you like it. That way you only have to restore an image, rather than a clean install and a multitude of updates.

Macrium Reflect free

[KunMatt]

Format and re-install your genuine version just for your own peace of mind. You have no idea what hooky software is currently installed on your new system but you do own a legit copy of Win7 so use it.

Just to check, goto Start, right click Computer, select Properties and look at the bottom of the System control panel. Is your Windows activated or currently on a trial period? Can you use Windows Update?

If everything is OK it's up to you, but I would start over with my own install of Windows using my own key.

[kovaltech]

^^

But this won't help him with probably pre-installed malware/trojans!

"format c:\" everything else it wasted time and eventually insecure and dangerous.

Sorry, but your statement is sensationalist nonsense.

There has been no indication that there is Malware/Trojans installed.

It is always preferable to install the OS yourself, but that doesn't mean that malware has been installed, other than perhaps a method to bypass activation. So your claim of probably is simple hyperbole. Possibly, perhaps.

Perhaps the OP thinks a clean install is wasted time, whereas cleaning up activation won't use his time at all.

My dear "blind" poster....

basically "any" pc, installed with a bootleg copy, is infected with backdoor troyans...

I have spent 9 years in Thailand with this issue now and even the local villagers are coming to my home now to get sound help instead of going every 3 months to the shop for repair again... ( even did found a kind of automated trigger mechanism that locked the computer after so much time... )

The only thing they do in the shop ? they put a bootable -restore CD-DVD in your machine , reboot and re-install the whole kabam again...

That's the way how any DIY should proceed... install the genuine OS, install all programs you'll need, all your data , then make a bootable rescue disk yourself with those programs ( a 100% copy of your current HD)

In case of any failure later, you just restart your PC with this disk and everything 100% new again...

If you installed a new program, you always can make a new re-install boot disk

For the debate: Yes you can use "pirated" software as available at any corner shop i Thailand... but on your own risk, don't start crying when money from your bank disappears if you do banking with that computer ;-)

Edited October 16, 2014 by kovaltech

[chrisinth]

OP, the problem really lies with what flavor of the windows 7 ultimate the 'tech' installed for you. For instance, if the version was VLK (volume limited key) which is what a lot of the hackers use, or corporate and your version is retail then the 25 digit key will not be compatible.

As has been mentioned before, windows 7 can be installed without a key and after installation the installer would run an activation crack, something like KMSpice, Windows Toolkit, Windows loader, and everything appears to be good. Most shops have copies with the crack pre-installed or set to run on installation.

As Jiu-Jitsu mentioned earlier, you need to get rid of this crack/activation method from the system.

But, you also need a compatible version of the OS for your 25 digit key.

What I don't understand is that you gave him the operating system and he installed something different. If all he was installing was the operating system that doesn't make sense.

As also mentioned by an earlier poster, a lot of these shops use the same image to transfer to the new machine's hard drive. If you received any additional programs, it is likely an image you have had installed.

[Pib]

OP, the problem really lies with what flavor of the windows 7 ultimate the 'tech' installed for you. For instance, if the version was VLK (volume limited key) which is what a lot of the hackers use, or corporate and your version is retail then the 25 digit key will not be compatible.

Could also be KMS (Key Management System) activated assuming its activated...hopefully the KMS server in Russia will keep the OS activated every 6 months or so while that KMS server possibly downloads or uploads stuff.

[chrisinth]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

OP, the problem really lies with what flavor of the windows 7 ultimate the 'tech' installed for you. For instance, if the version was VLK (volume limited key) which is what a lot of the hackers use, or corporate and your version is retail then the 25 digit key will not be compatible.

Could also be KMS (Key Management System) activated assuming its activated...hopefully the KMS server in Russia will keep the OS activated every 6 months or so while that KMS server possibly downloads or uploads stuff.

yep, could also be KMS

[MediaWatcher]

bendejo, on 16 Oct 2014 - 04:13, said:

Yep, reformat and reinstall. If not, whenever you have a problem with the system you'll have to consider if it has something to do with your dodgy installation.

Something I suggest to everyone running Windows is to partition your hard drive. Keep the primary partition for the Windows installation (50Gb should be enough, but go to 100Gb if you're not very tech oriented and want to never have to think about it again). Keep the rest of the disk as the place for your own files (Word files, Excel files, pics, anything. This way, if Windows goes sideways and you have to reinstall again, it will only affect your WIn stuff and installed programs, your data will survive (note: a hard disk crash is another story altogether). You'll have to do a little homework to figure it out, but it isn't that difficult, and there's lots of tools out there to make it easy, some of them are free. By the time you figure it out you may decide to go with multiple data partitions.

Or better still a second hard drive/SSD, after all, they are cheap, and let's not forget, an external HDD/SDD for backup. Also another very good idea is to make regular disk images, saves a lot of time re-installing.

[TheCruncher]

I was of the impression that even when replacing the complete MB,in fact I'm pretty sure as I have done it with windows server 2003, windows will not need to be reinstalled.

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/changing-motherboard-without-re-installing-windows.191451/#post-2985790

Edited October 16, 2014 by TheCruncher

[keeniau96]

Chicog says what I have always believed and passed on. Not just guesswork but based on 12 years in Thailand and some hundreds of installations here. Two foundations of a minimum hassle installation are a high-quality PSU and a properly installed OS.

[MediaWatcher]

bendejo, on 16 Oct 2014 - 04:22, said:

Chicog, on 15 Oct 2014 - 19:24, said:

I find doing a periodic reinstall quite satisfying, and it's worth doing because Windows does get horrendously bogged down after a period of time, even if you do use reg cleaners, etc.

Just grab a brew, stick on a movie, and do it as a background task, you'll have it done before you know it.

Tell me about it!

I have a Win7 installation going on 2 years old and I'm feeling the pain. Not just slowness but things like the system tray and registry have developed peculiarities (eg I can't use Comodo Firewall any more because it can't store values in the registry). The chore isn't so much in the Win reinstall, but in getting my applications back together the way I want them.

I've also developed the opinion that (some) reg cleaners may do more harm than good.

So true about reg cleaners, every one I've tried over the years has cause more problems than they are worth, to the point of some programmes not running and needing to be re-installed, some have caused OS issues (than god I have back up images).

[atyclb]

I find doing a periodic reinstall quite satisfying, and it's worth doing because Windows does get horrendously bogged down after a period of time, even if you do use reg cleaners, etc.

Just grab a brew, stick on a movie, and do it as a background task, you'll have it done before you know it.

Tell me about it!

I have a Win7 installation going on 2 years old and I'm feeling the pain. Not just slowness but things like the system tray and registry have developed peculiarities (eg I can't use Comodo Firewall any more because it can't store values in the registry). The chore isn't so much in the Win reinstall, but in getting my applications back together the way I want them.

I've also developed the opinion that (some) reg cleaners may do more harm than good.

i use to use windows for many years and i remember getting bogged down. XP wasnt bad. i suggest to run ubuntu for web browsing as this will not get the tons of trojans/viruses that windows is subject to. also windows virus protection can slow your computer also. run ubuntu within windows via emulation VM ware, parallels etc.