Windows Threat

paintmywagon

After installing a new router, I keep getting a card pop up say "30 days to activate Windows". It reads like a threat and I don't know why or what to do about it. My pc didn't come with a disc, although I never noticed until I had to have it repaired a year later. What should I do?

Jaffa.

Have you tried activating Windows by clicking on the ballon when it pops up?

mr_fishbulb

What did they do when they repaired it? Reinstall windows?

Jaffa.

mr_fishbulb wrote: »

What did they do when they repaired it? Reinstall windows?

By the looks of it, and they used a dodgy copy

What happens when you try and register windows paintmywagon?

paintmywagon

Thank you all for your replies. I haven't clicked on the card or tried to install it. I'm scared what will happen if the copy on my pc IS dodgy. I guess I have no other choice than to do it, as I don't know what will happen if I don't!

Jaffa.

paintmywagon wrote: »

Thank you all for your replies. I haven't clicked on the card or tried to install it. I'm scared what will happen if the copy on my pc IS dodgy. I guess I have no other choice than to do it, as I don't know what will happen if I don't!

If it fails validation then it will ask you to enter a new product key (you can try the one on the side of your case?)

There's no need to be scared of it

The worst that will happen is a genuine advantage thing will pop up and your background will be changed to black.

paintmywagon

I have just clicked on the balloon and it says - To reduce software piracy, please activate your copy of Windows now. Activation over the internet is quick and easy.

Then it goes on to say if I don't activate it within 30 days I won't be able to use Windows.

The problem being if it is a dodgy copy, am I in trouble? The shop that repaired it for my isn't there anymore.

Jaffa.

paintmywagon wrote: »

The problem being if it is a dodgy copy, am I in trouble? The shop that repaired it for my isn't there anymore.

Nah your not in trouble, but the shop might be for supplying a dodgy copy to you.

I know many people who use failed copies of windows - it won't kick you out of Windows, it will just annoy you with the advantage tool see http://www.microsoft.com/Genuine/

paintmywagon

Oh, thank you so much Jaffa, you have put my mind at rest. x

RobTang

XP wga just anoys you.

Vista is another ballgame WGA really really cripples what you can do with your pc, you can transfer your files off and thats about it.

It should be fine anyway you should have a geniune key on a sticker somwhere on the pc, if it fails call up the number wga will give you and ms should be able to sort it out.

[Deleted User]

RobTang wrote: »

Vista is another ballgame WGA really really cripples what you can do with your pc, you can transfer your files off and thats about it.

In what way?

The more hard-line restrictions on the machine were done away with in SP1. A non-genuine version of Windows still allows you to use your programs as normal and download critical updates from Windows Update, you just are alerted via pop up notifications that it's not genuine and your desktop background changes to black every 60 minutes.

It's not that crippling.