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Resolved Question

Genuine Windows 7 Necessary?

Jan 5, 2015 3:18AM PST

Hey everyone so I recently built a custom pc and had my buddy install the OS. Apparently he downloaded a hacked version without me knowing so eventually iy now says that "windows is not genuine". I used some tricks here and there to fix it like rearming through cmd to give me another 30 days but eventually it said I ran out of rearms. I use my computer for everyday things like email and school but I mainly use it for gaming, rendering videos, and recording software like Sony vegas, elgato capture, and photoshop. I am curious whether having genuine windows has a really big impact on my computer. Will it give me hardware issues? Also I understand if you don't have genuine windows you can't update windows and that can be a security issue. But I really am just wondering if it's REALLY important to have genuine windows. Thanks for any help!

Discussion is locked

CodyRay8 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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WELCOME BACK. OK!!! How abotu Windows 10?
Jan 5, 2015 5:35AM PST

You can get this Windows for free and run it for quite a while until they decide to sell it.
Bob

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Man !
Jan 5, 2015 5:48AM PST

I should have suggested that Blush . I've been using Win10 for free since November and it's cool. The way we wanted 8 to be ... It's not ready for prime time yet but it's cool .

Digger

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good idea
Jan 5, 2015 6:27AM PST

will the evaluation copy install over the current windows 7 on the hard drive?

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Can't tell. The current one is cracked, broke so
Jan 5, 2015 6:46AM PST

Anyone's guess what will happen.

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Sure
Jan 5, 2015 6:48AM PST

Use Gparted to format the HDD and install 10 ( I Think )
Digger

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I Prefer Windows 7 For Now
Jan 5, 2015 7:05AM PST

Hey guys so I want to stick with windows 7 for now just because I'm comfortable with it and the programs. I am just wondering how I can get the genuine version of windows 7 64bit and get rid of the old hacked version. Can anyone help me with installing an entire new OS?

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You would be very comfortable
Jan 5, 2015 7:13AM PST

with Window 10 if you are using Windows 7, it's easy man. Try it, You'll like it Wink

Digger

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You'd have to decide what OS first
Jan 5, 2015 7:15AM PST

Let us know when.

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I have alot of Windows 7 64bit Programs
Jan 5, 2015 7:51AM PST

Hey well I would consider Windows 10 but I have alot of programs like Sony Vegas Pro 12 and Photoshop and other programs. Are those programs supported on Windows 10?

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Well, technically nothing is supported on 10.
Jan 5, 2015 7:54AM PST

That doesn't seem to stop folk from running these. I usually google around to see what's running and not.
Bob

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(NT) I Will Stick With Windows 7
Jan 5, 2015 7:55AM PST
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I Will Stick With Windows 7
Jan 5, 2015 7:57AM PST

Hey I think I will stick with Windows 7. How can I get genuine windows 7 and remove my hacked version?

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You would have to buy a license. But I'd just move to 10.
Jan 5, 2015 8:02AM PST

Why burn bucks like this?

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How much PSU do I need?
Jan 5, 2015 10:37AM PST

Hey, sorry for so many questions on this forum but I am wanting to upgrade my GPU to the Radeon R9 280x and heard that I should also upgrade my Power Supply because 530W may not be enough for my specs. I went to the Newegg.com Power Supply Calculator and it gave me some really confusing numbers. When I put in what specs I have NOW, with my Radeon R7 260x, and it said that I should have 725W used by my specs. Now this doesnt really make sense seeing as I have a 530W PSU right now and have not had any issues whatsoever with power. Could you give me an estimate on how much PSU I should get if I update my Graphics Card to the R9? I have found a XFX Double D R9-280X-TDFD Radeon R9 280X 3GB 384-Bit GDDR5 CrossFireX Support Video Card on Newegg.
My specs (again for reference)

Rosewill Green Series RG630-S12 630W Continuous @40°C,80 PLUS BRONZE Certified, Single 12V Rail, Active PFC "Compatible with Core i7,i5" Power Supply

MSI R7 260X 2GD5 OC Radeon R7 260X 2GB 128-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

MSI A78M-E35 FM2+ / FM2 AMD A78 (Bolton D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

Western Digital WD Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive - OEM

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL

AMD 760K Richland Quad-Core 3.8GHz Socket FM2 100W Desktop Processor AD760KWOHLBOX

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Without using a Watt Meter?
Jan 5, 2015 10:42AM PST

Sorry but we have to go with bigger if we can't measure. The Watt Meter I linked to is 10 bucks and required to truly answer this one. Or we go big.
Bob

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Hey Man
Jan 5, 2015 7:57AM PST

Windows 10 is a Legitimate , Microsoft Operating System, that is Free to download and use while in testing.

Everything I've used in 7 & 8 work just fine on 10, YMMV
Digger

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Are you sure?
Jan 5, 2015 8:04AM PST

I just want to make sure everything I have right now on Windows 7 for my new OS. But I guess I can try Windows 10. How do I get it?

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Here
Jan 5, 2015 8:06AM PST
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P.S
Jan 5, 2015 8:11AM PST

Microsoft is thinking of making a Free Basic version of 10 when they finally produce a finished product. So you may not even have to pay for it. Cool

Digger

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Thanks!
Jan 5, 2015 8:13AM PST

Hey guys sounds good! I'll give it a go and let you know how it works out!

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Just remember Windows 10 is still pre-release
Jan 5, 2015 11:26AM PST

In my experience in the last 2 months, the Windows 10 pre-release software is pretty stable, but read and heed the warnings about it. It's subject to change, instability, and it's not intended for general use yet, use at your discretion.

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Answer
Read the forum policies
Jan 5, 2015 4:33AM PST

We can't discuss how to work with a cracked or no license OS. However there are forums that do.

If you don't need "Windows" you could install and use your PC with a Linux Mint OS for free.
Bob

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Should I just be safe?
Jan 5, 2015 10:56AM PST

Do you just suggest I get a 750W or 850W just to make sure and because then in the future I can keep upgrading my hardware?

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(NT) Without a Watt meter I have to go big.
Jan 5, 2015 11:02AM PST
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Answer
I can get you past all that
Jan 5, 2015 4:58AM PST
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How Does Linux Work?
Jan 5, 2015 5:05AM PST

I have heard the Linux is a good option because it's free but how do I wipe the OS I have now? I have an external hard drive that I can move files back and forth but I don't know how to put an entire new OS on my computer.

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If you're a Gamer
Jan 5, 2015 5:15AM PST

(as you tell us in another thread), Linux is not for you , Linux isn't up to date with drivers , flash players and other stuff so you may not be able to use today's most current hardware , or peripherals .
You would be better off with Windows.

Digger

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You can choose the "side by side"
Jan 5, 2015 5:37AM PST

option Linux offers. First run direct from the DVD, CD, or USB flashdrive. That allows you a chance to see how it works and how well it interacts with your particular equipment. Basically, if it runs from the DVD, then it can run OK when fully installed.

There are options for install. Of course one is to use the entire drive, but the least advisable in your situation. The second is to be sure to use a 64 bit version for 64 bit windows 7, or the 32 bit Linux version if W7 is 32 bit on your computer. You choose first to just "try" which doesn't install anything but does run a full Linux operating system from the DVD. If you decide to install and don't want the default "side by side" option, nor a complete and solo OS install, there remains the "Something Else" install option offered. On that one you can have it free up some GB of room to install the system, usually 10 GB needed for tight install, or 50 GB for plenty of room install.

One of the safest ways is to boot to the LIVE DVD, open GParted (or Kparted on KDE systems) and manually have all data moved to the front of the drive and then carve off a part of the drive after the current data area to create a partition for installation. On GPT hard drive, leave the last 2-4 MB of room untouched, that's where the backup GPT is at, such a small loss of space to be safe.

There are many videos on how to do the various install methods on Youtube. TOStoday, Spatry, Nixie Pixel, Infinitely Galatic are some of the best authors of Linux based videos on youtube.

My personal favorites are Mint 17 and Kubuntu 14.04 which are both Long Term Service distros. Other popular ones for recent windws users are Zorin, SolydK, Lubuntu for older computers,

The Ubuntus