Hey, I activated 7 using a loader, Windows showed it was activated. However, after restarting it, I was back to trial mode. What may have happened and how can I resolve this? My mainboard is a Biostar Gf7050 M7 V6.x. I'm a bit shy to flash my bios since I don't really want to possibly brick my board. I remember exactly the same thing happening back when I tried activating Windows Vista via a loader.
Which loader are you using? Are you using a loader that really installs a key (emulating slic 2.1), or a loader that replaces some files with RC files, to do the activation?
I have now tried all loaders that are linked from the Repository thread. W7ldr 1.0.1.9, Windows 7 loader 1.4, 7loader 1.5, 7Emulation v4. After the initial activation worked (before I rebooted), all the following loaders failed to activate Windows in the first place. I assume that at least some of them would try to emulate slic 2.1, right? I really don't know where to go from here, apart from flashing and praying.
Just mod bios and flash it to mobo. If something goes wrong, just find shop/service center with bios chip programmer. I fu## up my zotac 9300 itx twice and reflashed the onboard chip here locally (im from Poland) for ~20zł (6usd)
SirNoseALot, It's not really possible to activate before restarting because the loader can't fake the ACPI SLIC yet. 1) use slic dump toolkit to see if the loader is emulating slic. 2) Then use opa tool to install an HP certificate. 3) Then use the leaked ultimate OEM key. I'm guessing the first part will be your problem, error with a loader not working for you- and no SLIC emulation.
Well, I had to restart after the loader had done it's thing. After that, Windows showed that it was activated. However, I then did another reboot, after which I was back to trial. I'm pretty sure that the loaders I tried actually emulate slic 2.1 - but maybe I'm missing something here. I assumed that after the loader had restarted my machine, I was basically done. Do I still have to install the certificate / key manually?
Its simple-just dont restart then. My nose hurts when i hit it with a hammer so I just choose not to hit it with a hammer.
Since you seem to have a retail board, it's an ideal candidate for a BIOS mod. Big name companies such as ASUS, Gigabyte, Biostar, etc. tend to provide detailed instructions on how to flash the BIOS.
Another thing - when I tried to use VOATK tools, it needed UAC turned off to function. Should I possibly have done the same thing before using the loaders? I know that I sound like a huge newbie, rightfully so.
Unfortunately, I don't have a floppy disk drive. Are there any real disatvantages to flashing via the windows tool? I did that before with a Bios provided by the manufacturer, which worked just fine.
Exactly. The _slic is the modified bios. The folder named BIOS contains a setup, which is the installer for the Update tool in-windows. You already have it installed so just run it and select the file. And you use the certificate (install it) and apply the matching key.
Alright! Using asphix's Bios, cert and key, I was able to activate, which still persists after a reboot. As far as I understand, that's better news than a loader working, anyways. Moreover, I can definitely confirm that this Bios mod is solid - there were no problems at all, even using the windows utility. Thanks *so* much for all your help, Ruixituh and asphix!