Is my copy of Windows illegal or authentic?

Hi MajorGeeks :major , long time lurker and down loader but this is my first post.

Recently my windows informed me that I need to authenticate it. It came installed on my laptop when I purchased it brand new.

I didn't know the product key so I downloaded the Magic Key Finder. The key it showed didn't work when I tried to authenticate my windows with it.
I copied the key into Google and it returned a bunch of crack and torrent websites.

So I called the store where I bought the laptop and they refereed me to the sticker on the bottom of my laptop with a Product Key. But this product key also failed to authenticate Windows, and is different to the one that my windows initially had.

Does this mean that I was sold a laptop with an illegal/cracked copy of Windows or is there another possible reason for this? The store was adamant that the install was legal and they had nothing to do with it; apparently they buy all their computers with the os already installed.

Thanks in advance

 

Is it still under warranty and what brand is it? Not sure about other reasons the key would be invalid but someone here might answer that. If it was me I would not let the business where I purchased it off the hook easily. If you have not reinstalled windows they should be helping by contacting the place they bought it from if it came to them preinstalled. Good luck!

 

Thanks for the reply. It is an Asus G74S laptop with close to a year left under the warranty.

I don't want to let the business of the hook easily by any means, but don't really know how to handle the situation. They didn't say they would follow up with the place they purchased the laptop from, just told me to call Microsoft.

I don't know if this is relevant, but the store was very insistent on having the details of the purchase, my name and invoice number when I called them.

 

Your laptop is failing authentication because it is an OEM SLP key.

ASUS needs to fix this issue, especially if its under warranty.

 

Thanks again for the reply.

A google search tells me that an OEM SLP key is a key installed by manufacturers at the factory?

The next step should be getting in contact with ASUS? Just use the regular customer service line?
I have heard they have terrible customer care

Sorry if it seems like I am asking you to just repeat yourself, I'm not very competent when it comes to computers.

 

Support Site:
http://support.asus.com/

Asus Hotline:
http://support.asus.com/Hotlines.asp

Sorry I don't have the phone number handy.

 

It will be faster if you contact them, yes. Otherwise, we can go through the typical regimen of what to check. However, when SLP activation breaks(you were correct, its from the factory and via the motherboard), its been my experience that it is rather difficult to repair. Mind you, any tech support over a forum is

 

Thanks a lot KatKAt and Adrynalyne. I'll have to wait until tomorrow to call, but hopefully can get back to having an authentic windows. I'm scared to even browse the web at the moment!

 

I wouldn't be scared, and as long as its the same copy it shipped with, its authentic.

Microsoft isn't going to come after you


But you do need to do it before the grace period expires (the activation screen should tell you).

 

Hey guys, I know it has been a few days but I still have this problem.
ASUS instructed me to reinstall my windows from the drive. They emailed the instructions but it was only possible for me to get to the 3rd step before they went off telling me to do things that were impossible to do at the time.
So my windows still needs to be activated, is there another way? It is extremely frustrating and im quite sure my laptop has been compromised by malware since needing activation.

I brought my laptop and os legit, why was I given an oem os that requires me to do a complete reinstall, loose all my data, instead of a regular one?
Why is my product I'd all over crack websitess?

And how can I get the laptop working normally, how I paid good money for it to be?

 

Have you called the Microsoft Activation hotline as instructed by the OS?

MS has a great record when it comes to resolving activation issues.

 

Hi, yes I called Microsoft but didn't get past telling the man my installation id. I read it out as slowly and clearly as I could 4 Times but the man would read back wildly different numbers so I hung up. Was hoping for another possible solution but will try calling MS again.

 

Might try calling again and hopefully you will get a different person on the phone. Possibly one you can communicate with. Worth a try.