Counterfeit software

[Guest]

I've had my computer for about 2 years now and never had a problem. Today
(coicidentally after I downloaded new McAffee security software) I am
receiving a message that my Microsoft xp sofware is not genuine. Can anybody
tell me why I would be getting this all of a sudden and what can I do about
getting this fixed? I bought my computer from a major retailer and never had
a problem in 2 years so I have tot hink my software is genuine. Any help
wouild be appreciated.

 

[Matt]

Fosta,

There are certain keys that got flagged as pirated, some really are,
but most aren't. You are going to have to contact Microsoft over the
phone and see if you can work it out with them. Check out this link for
additional information: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326904

Matt - (800) 237-7786
http://www.fletchtechs.com/

 

[Colin Nash [MVP]]

I've had my computer for about 2 years now and never had a problem. Today
(coicidentally after I downloaded new McAffee security software) I am
receiving a message that my Microsoft xp sofware is not genuine. Can
anybody
tell me why I would be getting this all of a sudden and what can I do
about
getting this fixed? I bought my computer from a major retailer and never
had
a problem in 2 years so I have tot hink my software is genuine. Any help
wouild be appreciated.

Did you take it in to any shop and have the OS reloaded? Had any friends
over to tinker with it? Maybe they overwrote your legitimate installation
and used a stolen producy key... maybe not even maliciously, it might have
just been what they had handy at the time and figured that it didn't matter.

Have a look here:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/en/default.mspx - you can
re-run the validation test from there. See if you have a certificate of
authenticity sticker/label.

Have you contacted the retailer or the PC manufacturer? There have been
reports of false positives, but they are in the minority. If you've never
played with the OS installation then it's the retailer or manufacturer you
need to deal with first.

See
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/do...en&sGuid=c2926458-7964-441c-b921-262a512d65e2

Microsoft has an offer to provide victims of counterfeit software with a
free, valid copy of Windows in exchange for filling out a report. See
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/FAQ.aspx#Question6Label ("What is
the genuine Windows offer? ") for the details.