Why a Genuine Advantage Notification (GAN) from an Install of anOEM XP Pro?

  • Thread starter Thread starter W. eWatson
  • Start date Start date
W

W. eWatson

The way I understand the GAN is that it means the XP Pro install may
somehow not registered with MS. That seems a bit surprising. I bought it
from Newegg. I would have thought these distributions are OK by MS.
Should I be concerned?
 
W. eWatson said:
The way I understand the GAN is that it means the XP Pro install may
somehow not registered with MS. That seems a bit surprising. I
bought it from Newegg. I would have thought these distributions are
OK by MS. Should I be concerned?
Click to expand...

You didn't really give much to go on.

OEM's are supported by those who installed it - however.

Clean up and then come back with more information.
Not sure how - read on...

Start button --> RUN
(no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
--> type in:
winver
--> Click OK.

The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the general
(Operating System name) while the line starting with the word "version" will
give you the rest of the story. Post _both_ in response to this message
verbatim. No paraphrasing - instead - ensure character-for-character
copying.
;-)

Ignore the title and follow the sub-section under "Advanced Troubleshooting"
titled, "Method 1: Reset the registry and the file permissions"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377
*will take time
** Ignore the last step - you hopefully alrwady have SP3 - if not - not now.

Download/install this:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

After installing, do the following:

Start button --> RUN --> type in:
"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!
--> Click OK.
(The quotation marks and percentage signs and spacing should be exact.)

Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan (separately) with the
following two applications (freeware versions are the ones to use for this):

SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/

MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/

After performing a full scan with one and then the other and removing
whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall these products,
if you wish. You may be rebooting if they find something they cannot
get rid of otherwise.

Download and run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

Reboot.

Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/...6F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4&displaylang=en

Reboot.

and...

Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
.... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to the root
of the C:\ drive, do the following:

Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.

Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
--> Click OK.

(If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click on
NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...

Reboot.

Then follow the instructions here:

How do I reset Windows Update components?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

Reboot.

Still getting the WGA notification?

Visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/diag/

Click on "Start Diagnostics".

Restart when done.

Better? If not...

Create a (no cost) WGA support request:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52029

Do you have something else installed - like Microsoft Office?
 
W. eWatson said:
The way I understand the GAN is that it means the XP Pro install may
somehow not registered with MS. That seems a bit surprising. I bought it
from Newegg. I would have thought these distributions are OK by MS.
Should I be concerned?
Click to expand...

Well, did you authorize the validation of your OEM version during its
install? That it is an OEM version doesn't preclude the necessity of
validating it.

Start menu -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Activate Windows
(or run "msoobe.exe /A")

Does it say that your instance of Windows XP has already been activated?
 
W. eWatson said:
The way I understand the GAN is that it means the XP Pro install may
somehow not registered with MS. That seems a bit surprising. I bought it
from Newegg. I would have thought these distributions are OK by MS.
Should I be concerned?
.
Click to expand...

The way you avoid WGA and WGAN is to never let them install in the first
place. If Automatic Updates is set to "automatically download and install
updates" that's what you get.

To avoid this, clean install XP, install the latest Service Pack and set
Automatic Updates to "Notify you but do not download or install". When you
are offered updates, uncheck the box of any update related to WGA. Custom
install the updates and mark the box that you don't want to be notified of
that update again, and you won't.
 
Let's back up. I installed the OEM version about a week ago, and began
populating the PC with several pieces of software over the next few
days, and using some of them. Originally, I gave a key. I saw nothing
about needing to authorize anything during the install.

A few days before my post, I a NAG window appeared and asked me if I
wanted to finish the install. Interesting that it took so long to ask
this. I replied yes. It couldn't confirm the authorization, so asked me
if I wanted to try two other ways of doing this. At that point, I
stopped, and asked myself what is this all about. That's when I posted.

I guess the question I have in my mind is should I continue? I am not at
all excited about repeating all the work I've done so far.

It's a bit difficult to transfer information between the OEM installed
XP PC and this one. I have not yet, nor do I really intend to, install a
mailer on it. There is no printer. All I have is a thumb drive to move
messages back and forth. I guess I could use my Yahoo mail to attach
some of the info that's been requested above. However, that will take me
off the NG. I do have a browser on that machine, so maybe I can get to
the NGs that way from Google. I think they now "own" them all.
 
W. eWatson said:
Let's back up. I installed the OEM version about a week ago, and
began populating the PC with several pieces of software over the
next few days, and using some of them. Originally, I gave a key. I
saw nothing about needing to authorize anything during the install.

A few days before my post, I a NAG window appeared and asked me if I
wanted to finish the install. Interesting that it took so long to
ask this. I replied yes. It couldn't confirm the authorization, so
asked me if I wanted to try two other ways of doing this. At that
point, I stopped, and asked myself what is this all about. That's
when I posted.
I guess the question I have in my mind is should I continue? I am
not at all excited about repeating all the work I've done so far.

It's a bit difficult to transfer information between the OEM
installed XP PC and this one. I have not yet, nor do I really
intend to, install a mailer on it. There is no printer. All I have
is a thumb drive to move messages back and forth. I guess I could
use my Yahoo mail to attach some of the info that's been requested
above. However, that will take me off the NG. I do have a browser
on that machine, so maybe I can get to the NGs that way from
Google. I think they now "own" them all.
Click to expand...

You want to activate the copy.

If it will not do it over the Internet - you should do so over the phone.
Otherwise - this copy will be disabled shortly. All your work will be for
nothing unless you activate.
 
Shenan said:
You want to activate the copy.

If it will not do it over the Internet - you should do so over the phone.
Otherwise - this copy will be disabled shortly. All your work will be for
nothing unless you activate.
Click to expand...
Where do I call to do this?
 
W. eWatson said:
Where do I call to do this?
Click to expand...

I'll answer by quoting another poster...
Well, did you authorize the validation of your OEM version during
its install? That it is an OEM version doesn't preclude the
necessity of validating it.

Start menu -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Activate
Windows (or run "msoobe.exe /A")

Does it say that your instance of Windows XP has already been
activated?
Click to expand...

The only mistake(s) I see there is the use of the word "authorize" and
"validate" instead of "activate". The method to activate windows is the
same (two ways given) and when you run the activation - it will present you
with a choice - once of which should be "Activate by Telephone".

This OEM copy you got from NewEgg - if this activation thing does not work
(nor does the other advice you have gotten) - maybe you should call NewEgg?
 
Shenan said:
I'll answer by quoting another poster...


The only mistake(s) I see there is the use of the word "authorize" and
"validate" instead of "activate". The method to activate windows is the
same (two ways given) and when you run the activation - it will present you
with a choice - once of which should be "Activate by Telephone".

This OEM copy you got from NewEgg - if this activation thing does not work
(nor does the other advice you have gotten) - maybe you should call NewEgg?
Click to expand...
I continued the NAG trail, and finally got to Start-Programs..., and
got to an agent. After 10 minutes or more of rattling around, they said
they couldn't help me with an OEM version. It sounds like I should call
NewEgg tomorrow. I don't recall getting any identifier from them. I
think they open Monday.
 
W. eWatson said:
I continued the NAG trail, and finally got to Start-Programs...,
and got to an agent. After 10 minutes or more of rattling around,
they said they couldn't help me with an OEM version. It sounds like
I should call NewEgg tomorrow. I don't recall getting any
identifier from them. I think they open Monday.
Click to expand...

They do. 5:30AM Pacific Time.
http://www.newegg.com/HelpInfo/OverView.aspx#ContactUsTab

As long as you used the Product Key that came with the NewEgg Windows XP
CD - if it fails to Activate - they should have to fix it for you (if this
is a new purchase.)
 
WGAN (KB905474) is an optional update. You do NOT need to install it or
updates of it, period.
 
PA said:
WGAN (KB905474) is an optional update. You do NOT need to install it or
updates of it, period.
Click to expand...
I think you need to look at the major part of the thread. I have no
idea what WGAN is. Later this morning I'll call NewEgg.
 
W. eWatson said:
I think you need to look at the major part of the thread. I have no
idea what WGAN is. Later this morning I'll call NewEgg.
Click to expand...

WGAN is what you seem to be referring to: Windows Genuine Advantage
Notification.

PA Bear seems to think (and he very well may be correct) that you are
referring to Windows update KB905474. When running Automatic Updates (or
perhaps by visiting the Windows Update site), it sounds like you
installed this particular update, which checks to see if you are running
a valid version of Windows. Is this correct?

For clarfication, what is the make and model of your PC? Did it not come
with Windows XP reinstalled? (I ask because you apparently purchased a
generic OEM copy of Windows XP from New Egg.)
 
W. eWatson said:
10 days old. I certainly hope they do. This certainly has never happened
to me before.
Click to expand...
I can report virtually no progress on this. I contacted NewEgg and they
seemed confused by it, and sent a request to someone in their org,
presumably to clear it up. I gave the product key and 3 other codes on
the tag on the CD package. No response yet.

A really screwy thing occurred later in the day. I got a call from India
saying whomever they were had found viruses in my region of the world
and wanted to help me remove them. I think you might know what my
response was. It was quick. I can just see them as being so interested
in the millions of people in Calif they they want to give everyone here
a call. Gee, I feel honored. Yikes.
 
Daave said:
WGAN is what you seem to be referring to: Windows Genuine Advantage
Notification.

PA Bear seems to think (and he very well may be correct) that you are
referring to Windows update KB905474. When running Automatic Updates (or
perhaps by visiting the Windows Update site), it sounds like you
installed this particular update, which checks to see if you are running
a valid version of Windows. Is this correct?

For clarfication, what is the make and model of your PC? Did it not come
with Windows XP reinstalled? (I ask because you apparently purchased a
generic OEM copy of Windows XP from New Egg.)
Click to expand...
I built the PC myself with an ABIT motherboard, and installed W2K on it.
As described above, I recently installed an OEM of XP on it. Yes, I
think WGAN. I don't recall requesting an update of any kind. It's
possible, as I think I mentioned above, that I didn't complete the
install. When I decided to continue with the WGAN window, I found it
wanted me to complete the install. Somehow I got steered to calling
Windows, and they could not verify my key. I called the OEM dealer
today. All this pretty much said above. Next to PA Bear's post below this.
 
It's quite possible that I copied something down incorrectly, but GAN
was plastered across the window screen. The PC is 100' away from where I
am, and no mail facility--I don't need it on that machine. So I get to
scribble down notes, and bring them into the house. As far as I know, I
was minding my own business when this occurred. See my post moments
above this one. I mention an incomplete install.

The fact remains Windows techs could not ID the product key.
 
I can report virtually no progress on this. I contacted NewEgg and
they seemed confused by it, and sent a request to someone in their
org, presumably to clear it up. I gave the product key and 3 other
codes on the tag on the CD package. No response yet.
Click to expand...

This is not a New Egg issue (thus their "confusion").

You never said whether or not you tired VanguardLH's suggestion (which
was repeated by Shenan):

Start menu -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Activate
Windows

What do you see after you do this?
 
W. eWatson said:
Here's what he said.
-------------------
Well, did you authorize the validation of your OEM version during its
install? That it is an OEM version doesn't preclude the necessity of
validating it
Start menu -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Activate
Windows (or run "msoobe.exe /A")
-------------------
Authorize, validate, activate. Confused me. Possibly I missed the run,
but it did give me a choice. Again MS techs could not validate my
product key.

However, I did try the example you show above, and that's when I ended
up calling MS. I believe I stated that in the last day or so.
Click to expand...

So, when you tried the example above, what did you see in the window?
You never definitively stated what it was (unless I missed something). I
am asking because for all we know, your installation has already been
activated! If not, that's fine; you can try again via the Internet. And
if that doesn't work, *then* try the telephone activation.

This next part is VERY important:

You are *not* supposed to give the MS person your Product Key when you
activate by telephone. The Product Key is what you enter via the
keyboard. If you choose to activate over the telephone, Setup gives you
*another* code, and *that* is what you need to give the MS person. For
more information:

http://www.it-adventures.org/material/WindowsXPTelephoneActivation.pdf

Note Steps 4 and 6!!!!
 
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