Download says copy of windows not genuine? [Merged]

sco0ter

feival wrote:

Well my version is totally legitimate since I bought a new Dell PC from Dell and still Windows is telling me I have a dodgy copy! I am not impressed.

Dell computers have a BIOS linked version of windows installed. The workaround for this is to get someone elses OEM XP disk and use your key to install it. This has happened to a few people. Some have actually had luck by using the windows key changer thats available. This forces Windows Activation to restart and you can make sure your key is the same as the one thats on your sticker and then register it over the internet.

Tongue

To solve the problem of the original poster just do a system RESTORE to a dtae before that nasty microsoft warning reared its ugly head on your pc and download future updates from a non-microsoft web page!

Quincy_3

Tongue wrote:

To solve the problem of the original poster just do a system RESTORE to a dtae before that nasty microsoft warning reared its ugly head on your pc and download future updates from a non-microsoft web page!

This is im afraid really bad advice and should not be followed as you do not know what you will be downloading and validation will crop again so no use at all

Quincy_3

feival wrote:

Well my version is totally legitimate since I bought a new Dell PC from Dell and still Windows is telling me I have a dodgy copy! I am not impressed.

Go straight back to Dell as its their problem.

GaryS

My copy of XP was preinstalled on the PC from TIME, so I would assume that it is genuine. - It better be !
I have also received the pop-up and message, but XP is still activated.
TIME are useless at anything so I have used the little workaround to disable the pop-up and will avoid installing the KB905474 update.

rogerramjet

If people checked what microsoft was downloading as updates instead of blindly believing microsoft on the auto install then, if loading manually they would have seen the option to uncheck the windows validation upgrade and also the option to not be reminded of that update again.

so, I'd assume a system restore could remove the update and as long as people then ensure they manually update they *should* be alright until the next time MS hide it

Also, I find it really amazing that so many people didn't know they had a hooky copy of win XP. I'd have thought the fact that manual updates from MS would have made them realise that when they were'nt allowed to update. hence the auto update which is allowed.

GaryS

rogerramjet wrote:

Also, I find it really amazing that so many people didn't know they had a hooky copy of win XP.

If you care to read the thread correctly, you will notice that this is happening on perfectly legit copies of XP as well as dodgy copies.
Too quick to assume that it is only happening on illegal software.

rogerramjet

GaryS wrote:

If you care to read the thread correctly, you will notice that this is happening on perfectly legit copies of XP as well as dodgy copies.
Too quick to assume that it is only happening on illegal software.

Ummm...I have read the thread and others....Yes, there are people posting who have a genuine COA registered OS (as you have) which are having problems, but many of the people have Win XP Pro on machines which, unless being completly naive (yes there are a lot of people out there I know) would know the version they had was dodgy. The sad bit is, I've seen people with legal COA versions of XP Home upgrade to XP Pro because they want better and used a dodgy COA.

I've been to many a computer fair where I've seen vendors selling systems with XP Pro on then where they have had signs saying *operating system is for evaluation purpose only to show functions of system* then telling the potential buyer not to worry if they buy it and don't remove XP!

GaryS

Whats the solution ?

Microsoft assume that your copy of XP has been used on more than one machine, and the original vendors are next to useless !

All is working fine at the moment, I will just check and pick out the updates instead of letting them install automatically.

We have 4 PCs and 2 laptops at home, all running XP.
It is only the TIME PC that has been affected (to date)

rogerramjet

basically the solution is as you've mentioned pick the updates you want yourself, or try to get MS to validate your OS - if you have a COA on the side/back of the case or on the booklet (mines old so on a booklet which came with the disc) then the chances will be high or - search for a solution on the web...the answer is out there.