Product Authenticaion

[Jerry]

WTH is going on. I went to check for updates this morning and the update
page wanted to install new authentication software which I had no problem
doing as my XP is legitimate, having had it for several years. I even have
the Product Identification Number from when it was registered to me.

After the install, it came back saying my Product Code was NEVER issued by
Microsoft. This is BS.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so how do we correct it?

 

[Guest]

Yes Jerry I have had the same problem. I printed out the information that it
collected Manufacture and model are correct but the PID that it lists which I
think is what it is going by does not match mine. A typical Microsoft stuff
up if you ask me.

 

[Terra Prime]

Until Microsoft decides to fix this..... you can just disable the WGA key
check altogether.

Open IE, Go to Tools, Manage Add-ons, Select "Add-ons that have been used by
internet explorer" from the Show drop down menu, scroll down until you find
the one called Windows Genuine Advantage. Select Disable in the Settings
section below the list. Close IE, and then go back to windows update.

 

[Guest]

Thank you for that Terra Prime

Yes Jerry I have had the same problem. I printed out the information that it
collected Manufacture and model are correct but the PID that it lists which I
think is what it is going by does not match mine. A typical Microsoft stuff
up if you ask me.

 

[Jerry]

Thank You Terra Prime
Update page balked, but it did check for updates.
This makes me wonder how Microsoft can fix this issue without every person
having XP Pro or Home having to call them. Maybe that is why I was on hold
for over 2.5 hours before finally giving up yesterday.

 

[Chelsea]

Microsoft are now checking for paid up copies of Windows before providing a
free update. The verification has been in place on a voluntary basis for
over a year now, but became mandatory only last week. As you will know
keygens are available which produce a CD key and also get round the product
activation. Those keygens are very faithful to the formula Microsoft uses
and that is why they work. What the keygen cannot do is guarrantee the
number corresponds to one which has been used on a shrink wrapped package
and as the manufacturer MS has a complete list of all those CD-keys, amongst
other things. What seems to have happened in your case is your cd-key is not
on their database. As MS have had the test in place for a while, I suspect
they have ironed out the glitches before going compulsory, which means you
have a pirated copy of Windows XP. You don't say where your copy of XP came
from, but just because it came on a machine from a supplier is not a
reliable test because some smaller PC assemblers have used pirated copies of
Windows to save on cost and maximise their profitability. I think your
options are limited here, but you should contact MS and if you are lucky
they will help you change the internal key that identifies your copy of
Windows. Otherwise they will advise you to purchase XP. The price in these
cases is less than that of an upgrade and I think there may be a cost free
option in some cases. Sorry to be so gloomy.

Chelsea

 

[Stuart]

Until Microsoft decides to fix this..... you can just disable the WGA key
check altogether.

Open IE, Go to Tools, Manage Add-ons, Select "Add-ons that have been used by
internet explorer" from the Show drop down menu, scroll down until you find
the one called Windows Genuine Advantage. Select Disable in the Settings
section below the list. Close IE, and then go back to windows update.

Even if you have a pirated copy of Windows you can,as I understand it
,still get critical updates and security items ......Are there any
updates that you will not get that might be considered necessary .For
example,would somthing similar to SP2 be available even to pirated
copies ..??
Stuart

 

[Terra Prime]

You're welcome

Thank you for that Terra Prime

 

[Greg Ro]

Chelsea see below

Microsoft are now checking for paid up copies of Windows before providing a
free update. The verification has been in place on a voluntary basis for
over a year now, but became mandatory only last week. As you will know
keygens are available which produce a CD key and also get round the product
activation. Those keygens are very faithful to the formula Microsoft uses
and that is why they work. What the keygen cannot do is guarrantee the
number corresponds to one which has been used on a shrink wrapped package
and as the manufacturer MS has a complete list of all those CD-keys, amongst
other things. What seems to have happened in your case is your cd-key is not
on their database. As MS have had the test in place for a while, I suspect
they have ironed out the glitches before going compulsory, which means you
have a pirated copy of Windows XP. You don't say where your copy of XP came
from, but just because it came on a machine from a supplier is not a
reliable test because some smaller PC assemblers have used pirated copies of
Windows to save on cost and maximise their profitability. I think your
options are limited here, but you should contact MS and if you are lucky
they will help you change the internal key that identifies your copy of
Windows. Otherwise they will advise you to purchase XP. The price in these
cases is less than that of an upgrade and I think there may be a cost free
option in some cases. Sorry to be so gloomy.

Chelsea

Chelse,
Have you been reading these newsgroups and even grc newsgroups?
He said his system was legal. If I bought one xp machine from
wal-mart and it said it was not legal. I would disagree.

People having been having trouble with legal preinstalled systems.
Some have even have trouble with legal retail either upgrade or full
versions. Even some businesses has had trouble with their legally
bought systems.

There might be on exception to that rule. The business didn't know
they well selling illegal copies.


Greg Ro

 

[Jerry]

The XP Pro from all I know is legal and registered. I bought it from a
company about 4 yrs ago when I built this PC. It has all the MS logo and I
have had to call MS previously and had to describe the disk before getting
help. As the help was given then, I have to assume that XP is legal. ONE
thing for sure Microsoft will NOT get another dime from me if this situation
continues. It is just one more reason to go to another OS.

 

[Greg Ro]

The XP Pro from all I know is legal and registered. I bought it from a
company about 4 yrs ago when I built this PC. It has all the MS logo and I
have had to call MS previously and had to describe the disk before getting
help. As the help was given then, I have to assume that XP is legal. ONE
thing for sure Microsoft will NOT get another dime from me if this situation
continues. It is just one more reason to go to another OS.

Jerry, if you can remember did Microsoft give a new key to use, when
you called in? If so anytime you reinstall the operating system you
need to use that key.

Greg R

 

[Jerry]

NO I am still using the original Product Code number. I have never been
issued a different Product Code. Only difference I see in this install and
earlier ones, I have made a slipstream CD to install sp2 when xp installs
and I used that for this install on a new hard drive about 4 months ago.

Strange also is that during the test period for this authentication, I used
the check and everything went fine without any hitches.

As a follow-up, has anyone actually talked to Microsoft about this. Since
Friday, I have tried every day and have been on hold now for a total of
about 6 hours. I hate that loud music they play. I can hear it all the way
across the room. As I am a stubborn butt head, I will keep trying. The
phone number <and it is MS> is for the Activation Center 888-352-7140 <only
# I have>. If anyone has a better number, I sure would appreciate it being
posted.

 

[Greg Ro]

Jerry
See below

NO I am still using the original Product Code number. I have never been
issued a different Product Code. Only difference I see in this install and
earlier ones, I have made a slipstream CD to install sp2 when xp installs
and I used that for this install on a new hard drive about 4 months ago.

Strange also is that during the test period for this authentication, I used
the check and everything went fine without any hitches.

As a follow-up, has anyone actually talked to Microsoft about this. Since
Friday, I have tried every day and have been on hold now for a total of
about 6 hours. I hate that loud music they play. I can hear it all the way
across the room. As I am a stubborn butt head, I will keep trying. The
phone number <and it is MS> is for the Activation Center 888-352-7140 <only
# I have>. If anyone has a better number, I sure would appreciate it being
posted.

Jerry
I had problems with a slip stream versions before.
Two ways you can go about it.

Install xp than install xp sp2 or try changing the key to the one you
installed xp with. You may have to activate it.

Key Change
Don't do this from windows xp safe mode.
Make sure you do this from an administrator account

Connect to the internet
Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.

In the left pane, locate and then click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current
Version\WPAEvents
In the right pane, right-click OOBETimer, and then click Modify.
Change at least one digit of this value to deactivate Windows.

Click Start, and then click Run.
In the run box, type the following command, and then click OK.

%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a

Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to
activate Windows, and then click Next.

Click Change Product key to key you installed with.

Type the product key in the New key boxes, and then click Update.

If you are returned to the previous window, click Remind me later

DON’T reboot.

In the run box, type the following command, and then click OK.

%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a

Chose internet than activate. You will need to allow connection from
your firewall.

(if it denies you. You will need to do the phone activation and tell
them you installed a hard drive.)

In the run box, type the following command

%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a

And you will see this message.

Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit.

reboot


Greg Ro

 

[Jerry]

Greg I am not sure what that is supposed to accomplish. BTW I used a
slipstream that is NOT unattended made using Nlite. During the install I
had to enter the Product Code. XP is activated and registered.
I am never thrilled about going into the register, although I have done it a
few times. The one thing I do is have a Ghost backup on DVD for
emergencies.

 

[Terra Prime]

Jerry... like i said in an earlier post....

Open IE, Go to Tools, Manage Add-ons, Select "Add-ons that have been used by
internet explorer" from the Show drop down menu, scroll down until you find
the one called Windows Genuine Advantage. Select Disable in the Settings
section below the list. Close IE, and then go back to windows update.

 

[Jerry]

TY Terra, I have done that and worked fine as far a I know. As another
follow-up, I was reading a newsletter from Computer World this morning and
according to the article, this new validation check was hacked within 24
hours of it being implemented. It allowed the hackers to bypass the check
<don't ask me how>.

According to the article a quote from a Microsoft spokes person <take that
for its worth>,
Users can override the WGA by pasting javascript:void
(window.g_sDisableWGACheck='all') in the address bar of their browser and
pressing enter. The code "turns off the trigger for the key check,"
according to the Web log posting.

I also saw in usenet a small program that can be run to bypass the check
also. I have NOT bothered with it as the fix Terra gave me seems to work
fine.

All this said and done "WHY ARE WE HAVING TO JUMP THROUGH HOOPS" to get
around a problem that Microsoft created??