"Not Geniune Copy of Windows"

[Schrodinger]

I have just had to reinstall WindowsXP home on my machine after a hard drive
failure.

I used my copy of Windows XP home - bought in 2002 from a reputable supplier
and used ever since.

This same copy was installed on this same machine with all updates installed
(including the genuine notification tool) up until the crash 2 weeks ago.

I installed XP home, activated it, installed SP1 (SP2 would not install for
some reason) and other software (3 hours work). Left the machine updating,
came back to it to find a warning box saying the copy of windows isn't
genuine.

Two buttons - Deal With it Later and Make Genuine (or whatever). Neither do
anything.

When I reset and try to log in I get the same requester.

This copy is genuine. I bought it from Game, a UK high street retailer and
Microsoft were perfectly happy with it before my machine "died".

Apparently, the advice from Microsoft will be to reformat and try again.

Good to know that the £80 I spent on a genuine copy of Windows has resulted
in at least one night's work lost and I still don't know if it will work
tomorrow.

There are sites all over the internet showing me how to get around this if I
have a pirated copy. Therefore, pirating Windows is not only a lot better
for your pocket, but leaves you with a working PC.

Thanks Microsoft. I am now going to install Linux instead and sell my
WindowsXP on eBay.

 

[Robert Moir]

I have just had to reinstall WindowsXP home on my machine after a
hard drive failure.

I used my copy of Windows XP home - bought in 2002 from a reputable
supplier and used ever since.

This same copy was installed on this same machine with all updates
installed (including the genuine notification tool) up until the
crash 2 weeks ago.
I installed XP home, activated it, installed SP1 (SP2 would not
install for some reason) and other software (3 hours work). Left the
machine updating, came back to it to find a warning box saying the
copy of windows isn't genuine.

Two buttons - Deal With it Later and Make Genuine (or whatever). Neither
do anything.

When I reset and try to log in I get the same requester.

This copy is genuine. I bought it from Game, a UK high street
retailer and Microsoft were perfectly happy with it before my machine
"died".
Apparently, the advice from Microsoft will be to reformat and try
again.
Good to know that the £80 I spent on a genuine copy of Windows has
resulted in at least one night's work lost and I still don't know if
it will work tomorrow.

There are sites all over the internet showing me how to get around
this if I have a pirated copy. Therefore, pirating Windows is not
only a lot better for your pocket, but leaves you with a working PC.

Thanks Microsoft. I am now going to install Linux instead and sell my
WindowsXP on eBay.

Before you do that, try to fix the SP2 problem. I had exactly this issue
with a copy of XP and as the software concerned was something Microsoft sent
me though the MVP scheme, I thought that was interesting. Installing SP2
fixed it.

As Microsoft are unlikely to be pirating their own software from themselves
and then sending it to me in a retail box and everything, I can only
conclude its the genuine disadvantage software that is a bug riddled
steaming pile of junk.


--
--
Rob Moir, Microsoft MVP
Blog Site - http://www.robertmoir.com
Virtual PC 2004 FAQ - http://www.robertmoir.co.uk/win/VirtualPC2004FAQ.html
I'm always surprised at "professionals" who STILL have to be asked "Have you
checked (event viewer / syslog)".

 

[Schrodinger]

Before you do that, try to fix the SP2 problem. I had exactly this issue
with a copy of XP and as the software concerned was something Microsoft
sent me though the MVP scheme, I thought that was interesting. Installing
SP2 fixed it.

As Microsoft are unlikely to be pirating their own software from
themselves and then sending it to me in a retail box and everything, I can
only conclude its the genuine disadvantage software that is a bug riddled
steaming pile of junk.


--
--
Rob Moir, Microsoft MVP
Blog Site - http://www.robertmoir.com
Virtual PC 2004 FAQ -
http://www.robertmoir.co.uk/win/VirtualPC2004FAQ.html
I'm always surprised at "professionals" who STILL have to be asked "Have
you checked (event viewer / syslog)".

Thanks for the advice. I had a strong feeling it would be related to the
SP2 issue.

I am a partner in a business where IT is critical. As it stands I have to
justify to myself the risk of this happening to the non IT literate other
partner and employees.

I'm going to try Linux in this one machine and, if a cloned install disc can
provide a trouble free solution then that's where I'm going with this.

At least if there is a driver issue or whatever this will not physically
prevent use of the machine.

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[DL]

from an earlier post

Go to www.microsoft.com/genuine and revalidate. Reboot your computer after
this is done.
Let us know us if this fixes the issue.
Sometimes revalidating and rebooting correctly syncs the Windows library
files.

If not try this:

Please click start, then run, then type in "wgatray.exe /b" then press
enter.
After that, log off and log back on.

If still no resolution, then:

Please follow this simple troubleshooting procedure:

1. Download and install the MGA Diagnostic Tool:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=56062

2. After running the WGA Diagnostic Tool, click
on the "Validation" tab and then click on "Copy to Clipboard".

3. Next, visit the following website and create a post in the
"WGA Validation Problems" forum and paste the
results of the WGA Diagnostic Data in a detailed post.
http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/default.aspx?SiteID=25

4. A WGA troubleshooting specialist will analyze the data and
recommend an appropriate solution.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­
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:

| I am running XPSP2. Last night I got an live update from MS. Today when
I
| boot up I get an error message that says I have an illegal copy of XP.
What
| gives?
|
| W. Wolfe

 

[Schrodinger]

Thanks for the advice, but I cannot even log into windows as the "genuine
advantage" tool won't let me.

 

[DL]

Then go to the Forum, link in previous msg

Thanks for the advice, but I cannot even log into windows as the "genuine
advantage" tool won't let me.

 

[Schrodinger]

Thanks, what I will do is install Linux and rid myself of these problems,
caused because I *bought* the software.

 

[POP]

....

Thanks Microsoft. I am now going to install Linux instead
and sell my WindowsXP on eBay.

Then why are you futzing with XP in the first place?

Realistically, whatever it is that prevented SP2 from installing
is very likley the reason for the rest of the problems. Work
that out and you'll find success, I bet.
At this stage I'd probably try another reinstall: wipe out the
partition, recreate it, install XP and SP2.

Pop