Anyone still running Windows 7?

Alright, here’s that thread about BF3 I was talking about. 😁 http://www.overclock.net/t/1151904/b...ual-vram-usage

Benjamin King2 said:And here’s that thread about BF3. 😁 http://www.overclock.net/t/1151904/b...ual-vram-usage

If this were just an issue with BF3, you could probably just disable it for the single-player mode—at least from what I remember. But it isn't just limited to BF3. 😢

My old Windows 7 machine keeps acting possessed—the cursor just jumps away while I’m typing. Like, I'll be mid-sentence in Word and suddenly it skips ahead as if I hit the Tab key on its own. Then I have to manually click back at the end of my sentence just to keep going. It’s doing the exact same thing in Excel and basically every other app too. Anyone actually know why this is happening?

I think my Windows just totally kicked the bucket, because all I'm seeing is this endless black screen with nothing but a cursor floating there like it's back in the DOS days.
Is that the end of the road, or should I try some troubleshooting before I go through the whole headache of a clean reinstall?
What else do you guys think could be causing this mess?

Give this a shot:
When you're booting up the PC, tap the F8 key to pull up the startup menu.
Once that Windows Advanced Options screen pops up, just use the arrow keys to navigate to Last Known Good Configuration and hit ENTER.

Joshua Garcia3 said:Give this a shot:
When you're booting up your PC, just tap the F8 key to pull up the startup menu.
Once that Windows Advanced Options screen pops up, use your arrow keys to navigate to "Last Known Good Configuration" and then hit ENTER.

Thanks a ton, it worked!🙏
Man, I love this thread, you guys have come to my rescue so many times already.😁

I’m looking into picking up some original Windows 7 licenses, but I have a quick question regarding the rules.
Can I reinstall them multiple times on the exact same computer?
Also, am I allowed to install these on any generic FreeDOS laptops or PCs designed for Windows?
Or is the deal more like "buy once, install once," and then you're basically locked out from using them anywhere else?

Thanks...

shadowpanther0 said:Thinking about picking up some original Windows 7 keys. Does anyone know if I can reuse them more than once?
So, you're looking to wipe it and reinstall on the exact same rig? Honestly, just do it. Sometimes a fresh start is the only way to clear out all that digital junk.
Can I just slap these on any cheap FreeDOS laptop or PC meant for Windows? Honestly, probably. Just feels like another thing to deal with.
So, is it a one-and-done deal where you buy it, install it once, and that's it? Like, you can't just go around installing it on every other machine you own? Just my luck if I get locked out after one try.

Thanks...

Check the Windows 7 system requirements first. You can't just slap this on any old junker sitting in a garage. If the specs actually line up, you’re good to go—you can install it on any machine or reinstall it whenever you want, just don't try running it on multiple PCs at the same time. That's a recipe for disaster.

So, I’ve been seeing everyone start talking about FIFA 25 lately—or EA Sports FC 25, if we're being technical about it. It feels like every year the conversation starts exactly the same way, doesn't it? A mix of genuine hype and that slight sense of "here we go again." I wonder how much they'll actually change this time around. Will it be those deep tactical shifts they keep promising, or just more of the same polished gameplay we saw last season? It’s always a bit of a gamble when you pre-order, isn't it? Still, there's something about that preseason buzz that gets you thinking about setting up the console and getting a tournament going with friends. What are you guys leaning towards? Are you diving in on day one, or are you waiting to see if the reviews actually hold water first? kaže:
I'm thinking about picking up some original Windows 7 copies—does anyone know if I can actually use the same license more than once?
So, you're thinking about doing a reinstall and then an install on the exact same computer? Just to make sure I'm following—are we talking about wiping everything clean first, or just layering one over the other? It’s a bit of a process, isn't it?
Can I install them on any free DOS laptop or PC that’s set up for Windows?
So, is the deal that you just buy it once, install it, and that’s the end of the road—meaning you can't reinstall it anywhere else later on?

Thanks...

The license itself is tied to just one machine—but honestly, you can reinstall it as many times as you want. Is there really any reason to worry about that? Not really.

Larry Ortiz5 said:The license is tied to just one PC, but you can reinstall it as many times as you want on that same machine.

So, if I'm understanding this right... I can basically take my original Windows 7 and install it multiple times on the exact same computer?
And does that mean I can use it on all those other new PCs that come with FreeDOS but support Windows?
Basically, the activation key will work perfectly on all of them without any issues?
Is that how it works?

shadowpanther0 said:So, just to make sure I've got this straight, does having an original Windows 7 license mean I can install it multiple times on the same machine?
And also on all those other new budget PCs that come with DOS but support Windows?
Basically, will the activation key work and let everything run smoothly on all of them without any issues?
Is that how it works?

It'll only work on one computer.

driftingbadger17 said:It’ll only work on one machine.

Okay, but what’s actually the difference between an OEM and a RETAIL version of Windows?
I read somewhere that you can only install the OEM version once, whereas the RETAIL version lets you install it multiple times... but apparently, they aren't even available for purchase here in the States?

An OEM license is tied to one specific machine. You’re totally free to reinstall it, but just remember that the license stays locked to that particular PC.

Now, a RETAIL license is portable—it isn't stuck to one computer, so you can reinstall it whenever. You can move it around, but the rule is that one license can only be active on one machine at a time. In that regard, OEM and RETAIL are actually pretty much the same.

From what I gather—though I could be wrong here 😬

With an OEM setup, when you buy a computer, it usually comes with Windows already installed—you know, with that little sticker on the bottom of a laptop that shows your product key.

But RETAIL means you get the actual disc, which lets you install it on any machine you want (though you're still limited to just one license per purchase).

driftingnomad68 said:An OEM license is tied to a single machine. Sure, you can reinstall it, but that specific license stays locked to that one computer.

A RETAIL license is portable—it isn’t tethered to any specific hardware. You can reinstall it whenever, but just like an OEM license, you can only have one active license running on one machine at any given time.

I don't quite follow... what do you mean by saying a single license can only be on one computer at a time?
Does that mean I can't install Retail on several different computers in one day (even if it's not simultaneous, just spaced out)? And then, say, the next day, could I go back to one of those machines and perform a clean reinstall of the same Windows we're talking about?

I think you might have misunderstood how one license works—basically, you can only install those Windows on one single computer. If you try to use that same product key on another machine, Microsoft is just going to blacklist it, and then you're stuck with a useless key.

So, if you want to get it installed on your own PC today, go for it. But if you’re thinking about installing it on your sister's laptop tomorrow? Well, you'd have to wipe your own drive first to free up the license for her. At the end of the day, it's all about the product key, not the actual Windows files. You can always grab the OS via a torrent, but once you plug in an original key, it'll be genuine again. Just to reiterate, the key is what matters—there are actually enterprise versions out there, like a Volume License, where one single key covers up to six different machinesall at once

Larry Ortiz5 said:You've got it wrong. One license means you can only install those Windows on one single computer. If you try to install it on another machine, Microsoft will just blacklist the key and you'll end up screwing yourself over.

So, if you want to install it on your PC today, fine, go ahead. But if you want to install it on your sister's laptop tomorrow? You'd have to wipe your own hard drive first to free it up for her. It’s really about the product key, not the actual Windows files. You can grab the Windows software via a torrent, but once you punch in an original key, it’s legit again. I'm telling you, the key is what matters. There's even that business version—I think it's called Volume License—where one product key works for five computers simultaneously
.

Man, thanks so much for the detailed breakdown. Since it looks like you really know your way around Windows, I actually have a few more questions.
I need genuine Win7 because of an upcoming inspection. Is there any trick to tell the difference between the official stuff and some pirated version? How am I supposed to prove to an inspector that they're legitimate? If my developer doesn't give me the actual Win7 he bought with an original key, but just hands me a receipt showing what he paid, how does that help?
Is it possible to install genuine Win, then use some kind of pirate crack to
Unlock it so it runs perfectly like the real thing?
Since even developers can only install one set of Windows on one to five machines max...
THANKS...

I’m not sure if I should even bring up piracy without getting banned here, 😁

But basically, there’s this little tool called a Windows 7 loader—with it, you can breeze through the Windows validation process on Microsoft’s site, grab all your Windows updates, and so on. It gives you what looks like an original product, and as far as I know, there’s no way to tell you're running a pirated version of Windows 7.

As for inspections, though, I really wouldn't know. I don't run a business, so I have no idea how they actually go about checking for legitimate software—I'd assume they'd come knocking asking for receipts or license paperwork and stuff. 🤷

That said, my honest advice? If you’ve got the cash, just spend it on licensed Windows versions.

A few years back, there was this local PC gaming cafe in my neighborhood—they were doing pretty well for themselves with about 10 rigs. Then, out of nowhere, an inspection shut them down overnight, most likely because they were running pirated games and unlicensed versions of Windows.

Larry Ortiz5 said:I'm not sure if I should even mention piracy before getting banned here...😁

But look, there's this little tool called a Windows 7 loader. Basically, you use it to bypass the Windows validation on Microsoft's site, handle Windows updates, and all that. You end up with what looks like an original product, and as far as I know, there's no way to tell you're running a pirated version of Windows 7.

As for an audit, though? Honestly, I have no clue. I don't run a business, so I don't know how they actually go about checking for genuine software. I assume they'd come knocking asking for receipts and paperwork or something.🤷

But, my honest advice? If you've got the cash, just spend it on licensed Windows. It's worth it.

A few years back, there was this PC gaming cafe in my neighborhood. They were doing pretty well, had about 10 rigs running. Then, out of nowhere, an inspector shut them down in a single day—most likely because they were caught using pirated games and pirated versions of Windows.

Alright, thanks a ton for the reply. I'm still hoping someone might chime in who knows more about how those software audits work. Regarding buying them... I would, really, but I need them for multiple machines. I'm stuck wondering whether to buy a bunch of licenses or if it's "easier" to just pay a programmer to make everything look legitimate. I just don't know how they justify it being original.
Thanks again...

So, you're reaching out to an authorized Microsoft partner because you need a Volume License Key for a specific number of computers