Victim of software counterfeiting

[keyboardken]

Hi Everyone.
I have bought a secondhand machine running Win XP and there is
an icon on the task bar that says " you may be a victim of
software counterfeiting".
When I right click on it says "validation failure, this copy of windows
may not be genuine", and invites me to purchase another copy.
As the machine was cheap, I didn't want to spend anymore on it, does
anyone know how to remove these messages please.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have bought a secondhand machine running Win XP and there is
an icon on the task bar that says " you may be a victim of
software counterfeiting".

When I right click on it says "validation failure, this copy of
windows may not be genuine", and invites me to purchase another
copy.

As the machine was cheap, I didn't want to spend anymore on it, does
anyone know how to remove these messages please.

I'm sorry you paid for something you actually did not get.

Perhaps - if you know the person you bought the system from - you should
complain about this to them. Perhaps they have the actual copy of Windows
that is supposed to be on the machine.

Install Linux. It's free in many forms.

Get your favorite flavor:
http://linuxiso.org/

You can use OpenOffice as your free alternative to Microsoft Office.
http://www.openoffice.org/

Otherwise:

Search using Google!
http://www.google.com/
(How-to: http://www.google.com/intl/en/help/basics.html )

You never know what you might find.

 

[BruceM]

I'd say it's some kind of prank myself.
I'd try to track it down & remove or uninstall it. I doubt it's any genuine
message from MS.

 

[Tom [Pepper] Willett]

It's definitely from MS. Their new Windows Genuine Advantage Validation
Notification tool. Installs during the Automatic or Live Update, and nags
you forever.
\
Tom

I'd say it's some kind of prank myself.
I'd try to track it down & remove or uninstall it. I doubt it's any
genuine message from MS.

 

[antioch]

Hi BruceM
Sorry, but have you been on holiday for the last 5 or 6 weeks - this has
only been one of the hottest threads being discussed in the groups. Until a
user gets legit, they will forever(well almost) have that reminder popping
up.
The poster must have downloaded that high priority/security whatever? They
call it WGA.
And he has been caught out apparently and may need to buy a genuine Win OS.
Have you downloaded WGA yourself.
Rgds
Antioch

I'd say it's some kind of prank myself.
I'd try to track it down & remove or uninstall it. I doubt it's any
genuine message from MS.

 

[DanS]

Hi Everyone.
I have bought a secondhand machine running Win XP and there is
an icon on the task bar that says " you may be a victim of
software counterfeiting".
When I right click on it says "validation failure, this copy of windows
may not be genuine", and invites me to purchase another copy.
As the machine was cheap, I didn't want to spend anymore on it, does
anyone know how to remove these messages please.

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/04/26/disable-and-remove-windows-
genuine-advantage-notifications-nag-screen/

Watch for Wrapping.

 

[Leythos]

Hi Everyone.
I have bought a secondhand machine running Win XP and there is
an icon on the task bar that says " you may be a victim of
software counterfeiting".
When I right click on it says "validation failure, this copy of windows
may not be genuine", and invites me to purchase another copy.
As the machine was cheap, I didn't want to spend anymore on it, does
anyone know how to remove these messages please.

You must have had an idea that something was too-good to be true, at
least a little idea of it - based on what you've written above.

There is no legit way to get around this if you want to keep Windows XP
on the machine.

There are a couple versions of Linux that should work on your machine
and still provide support for most hardware (printers, scanners, etc..),
but Linux will require some effort on your part.

A OEM Copy of Windows XP/SP2 will cost about $99 for the home edition
and about $149 for the Prof edition (USD). You can then do a
repair/reinstall and it should change everything needed to make you
legit and you should be able to keep all of your other settings,
software, data.

 

[philo]

It's definitely from MS. Their new Windows Genuine Advantage Validation
Notification tool. Installs during the Automatic or Live Update, and nags
you forever.

According to Microsoft's website...the warning can just be turned off

 

[Jeff]

Ah,
Nothing's permanent. That CAN be made to go away! Not just turned
off;GONE! But without it you won't be able to access new stuff from MS.

Microsoft just doesn't want you to know this. And they don't make it
easy;but it can be done.

P.S. KB905474 is the same thing-don't download it.
Jeff

It's definitely from MS. Their new Windows Genuine Advantage Validation
Notification tool. Installs during the Automatic or Live Update, and
nags you forever.

According to Microsoft's website...the warning can just be turned off

 

[keyboardken]

Thank you all for your contributions

It's not that I am a thief, as I already have a genuine copy on
my main machine, I thought a second machine just for
internet browsing without the risk of viruses spoiling my
lifetimes work, would be an advantage.

A bit nasty minded from Bill Gates however. As if he hasn't
got enough money already.

I shall stay with this group ( I believe it's called Lurking You
never know, I might be able to contribute something

Cheers everyone. Happy computing.......Ken

 

[Gene K]

Not nasty minded at all since all it is intended to do is prevent theft! I
don't really understand why you are not complaining to the person/retail
activity who sold you the computer. If you do not get the OS verified, you
will be blocked from Windows Update, etc.
Gene K

 

[Guest]

Hello,
This is my understanding concerning "Illegal" Microsoft OS and other
"Products".
1. Microsoft will allow security updates for "Illegal" OS.
2. "Notifier" at this point is voluntary. KB905474.
2a. Use manual updates not auto install, disregard installing KB905474.
3. Once installed cannot be removed using Control Panel - Add/Remove.
4. "Notifier" can be removed using the registry.
5. This will not change Microsoft viewing the OS and other "Products" as
"Illegal".
6. This does not stop the ability to use that "Illegal" OS on that unit.
Corrections and/or added information appreciated.

take care.
beamish.

 

[Jeff]

Ah,
Voluntary if you know what you're looking for.
KB905474 still exhibits "spyware" characteristics as defined by MS own
definition of spyware!! Argument still stands. Spyware.
How many people know how/or even want to edit the registry?
Does MS follow its own definitions? Definitely not!! in regards to this
issue. Even try to coerce people into thinking that it is "high priority"!
Even if people do pay attention-closely; if you decide NOT to download it.;
a visually BRIGHT yellow module is on the updates page; WARNING you that you
chose not to download a "high" priority update; and "highly" reccommending
that you do install it or your computer may be at risk!! LOL At risk of not
being monitored every time you boot up; At risk of MS not being able to
track its software. Shall I go on? Legimate purchase of valid software is
one thing. Genuine Advantage Validation Tool serves that purpose well. If
you have an "illegal" copy of MS software; Genuine Advantage Validation Tool
will not allow access to any other "Genuine" MS software. Genuine Advantage
Notification; on the other hand;border's on harrassement. Ah but now a moot
point in the U.S.; as spying on legitimate customer's and citizen's is seen
as not only acceptable;but required!
Am not aware of a registry hack that will make that go away!

 

[Jeff]

Oops,
Another person posted the same subject title in xp.newusers.
That's where the initial part of my answer was;sorry;however KB905474 IS
Spyware!
Jeff

 

[Richard Urban]

A bit nasty minded from Bill Gates however. As if he hasn't
got enough money already.

Just because the owner of the local hamburger joint is rich doesn't mean he
has to "give" away his food - does it?

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Jeff]

Richard,
Point taken; however Genuine Advantage Validation Tool does the same
thing; help stop piracy;without being "spyware" ALMOST. Not being able to
easily remove software; No ADD/REMOVE option is borderline-at best. Pretty
much unremovable;to a majority of users; who either do not know how;or if
they do; care not to mess with the registry. So again, MS resorts to spyware
tactics over this issue. Any more justifiable because it's from MS? I think
not. Resorting to the same actions as disreputable "pirates" solves nothing.
In fact;to the contrary;will end up doing more harm to MS then good.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Please follow this WGA troubleshooting procedure:

1. Download and install the WGA Diagnostic Tool:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012

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 your 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/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­----------------

:

| Hi Everyone.
| I have bought a secondhand machine running Win XP and there is
| an icon on the task bar that says " you may be a victim of
| software counterfeiting".
| When I right click on it says "validation failure, this copy of windows
| may not be genuine", and invites me to purchase another copy.
| As the machine was cheap, I didn't want to spend anymore on it, does
| anyone know how to remove these messages please.

 

[Pete]

Just because the owner of the local hamburger joint is rich doesn't mean
he has to "give" away his food - does it?

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

I would say that he does have a social responsibility. So I disagree.

 

[Vanguard]

Hi Everyone.
I have bought a secondhand machine running Win XP and there is
an icon on the task bar that says " you may be a victim of
software counterfeiting".
When I right click on it says "validation failure, this copy of
windows
may not be genuine", and invites me to purchase another copy.
As the machine was cheap, I didn't want to spend anymore on it, does
anyone know how to remove these messages please.

Contact the seller. It is likely that either you didn't understand that
they were just selling the hardware which contained a polluted drive
(i.e., they were too lazy to wipe the drive and you are expected to do
that) or they lied about including the software (especially if they gave
you no installation media).

While Microsoft has a forgiveness plan for helping users get licenses
for computers where they thought they received a legitimate copy of
Windows, you bought a used computer and it was your responsibility to
know what you were getting or go after the selling to charge them with
fraud.

Also see http://snipurl.com/r18c.

 

[Vanguard]

Thank you all for your contributions

It's not that I am a thief, as I already have a genuine copy on
my main machine, I thought a second machine just for
internet browsing without the risk of viruses spoiling my
lifetimes work, would be an advantage.

Installing your existing copy on a second computer (while still leaving
it on the first host) violates the license agreement. You'll have to
contact the seller to see if you can get a legit copy of Windows from
them (not likely) or go buy the software. Of course, there are
alternative operating systems available but you'll have to decide if you
can afford the time for the learning curve to acquaint yourself with
some version of *NIX. Visit http://www.distrowatch.com for various
distributions. Many are free.

A bit nasty minded from Bill Gates however. As if he hasn't
got enough money already.

So anyone selling a product should incur losses just because YOU want
one for free. Gee, you could steal anything you want from the grocery
and retail stores because obviously those companies have made lots of
money already. Stop acting like a child. No business is in business to
give away its wares for free and expects to stay in business.