Windows Update has messed up my laptop

gatita

I downloaded the latest 14!!!! updates for Vista. Can I add that I am always up to date with this, also my virus protection. After ages I finally get the message that "the updates have been unsuccessful" also, that the copy of Windows is not genuine!!! I KNOW it is genuine, so what on earth is this all about? Can anyone help please, and has anyone else had this problem. Oh yes, the 'system restore' has disappeared, so I cannot do a restore. So now I am totally messed up. (I am writing this on a friends PC.
Over the years I have clicked on the "Windows Validation" and have never ever had any problem.
PLEASE can someone help?

aliEnRIK

I must admit that I noticed MS slip that one in so I chose to not install it

Probably not a lot you can do except contact miscrosoft to get them to sort it out (Assuming it is genuine)

Bear in mind that MS have refused to help even genuine users before today though (Which I personally think is unlawful, but of course what I think is irrelevant)

Donnie

Why are you having to write on a friend's PC? Does yours not work at all?

All can be fixed. It's just a matter of time.

Aiadi

aliEnRIK wrote: »

I must admit that I noticed MS slip that one in so I chose to not install it

Rik, Which one is that?

scotsblood

Do the sensible thing and dump MS bloatware!

Consider Linux, there are loads of versions that provide sensible solutions for most users, my favorite is Mint, just google linuxmint.

Download a copy and make a bootable usb drive so you can try it first without installing.

Best of all its opensource and well supported by the community.

System

gatita wrote: »

...
Oh yes, the 'system restore' has disappeared, so I cannot do a restore.
PLEASE can someone help?

You can run "System Restore" manually.

On Windows Vista:

Click START -
Enter rstrui into the "Start Search" box
Click on the System Restore link that was found
You should be able to choose the recommended restore point - to undo the latest update.

My Vista PC has listed these 14 updates ready to install but I'm a little worried now, has anyone else installed these without experiencing this problem ?

gatita

An update! Last night I did yet another Windows Diagnostic, it came up as 'Not a Valid Copy etc etc' I entered the KEY and I KNOW it is a genuine copy grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr before I threw it through the window, I went to bed. This morning dreading the hassle ahead I booted the laptop up................. and crikey moses it booted up no problem at all! what the HELL is going on here? even the system restore worked again.

I thought I will run the diagnostics yet again, all ok but guess what...............................
the product key has been CHANGED!!!!!!!!!!!!! ie it is NOT the one on my laptop.
What a mystery.
I see from the Microsoft Windows Validation Forum that there are MANY people with the same kind of problem.

aliEnRIK

Aiadi wrote: »

Rik, Which one is that?

Cant recall exactly which it is and ive 'hidden' it now

But if you scroll through the information for it, it does mention 'authorisation' on it. I always skip these as they tend to cause trouble for the unlucky few

Donnie

gatita wrote: »

An update! Last night I did yet another Windows Diagnostic, it came up as 'Not a Valid Copy etc etc' I entered the KEY and I KNOW it is a genuine copy grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr before I threw it through the window, I went to bed. This morning dreading the hassle ahead I booted the laptop up................. and crikey moses it booted up no problem at all! what the HELL is going on here? even the system restore worked again.

I thought I will run the diagnostics yet again, all ok but guess what...............................
the product key has been CHANGED!!!!!!!!!!!!! ie it is NOT the one on my laptop.
What a mystery.
I see from the Microsoft Windows Validation Forum that there are MANY people with the same kind of problem.

What laptop are you using?

gatita

My laptop is a Sony Vaio.......... but what could that have to do with things?

JJ_Egan

First question is how do you know its a genuine copy .
Second question is if its genuine you have the key /hologramed disc or its OEM .
If its Sony its probably OEM with no discs but a factory restore opartition and the key supplied as new often on the case itself .

Answer to problem on a genuine installed copy of windows you simply reactivate even if it means using the phone part of the activation method to speak to somebody at Microsoft .


jje