Two months ago, Microsoft pushed an update of its Windows validation software, part of the Windows Genuine Advantage program, to all Windows XP users. I’m hearing an increasing number of reports of problems with this update. I’ve written about this at ZDNet (Microsoft presses the Stupid button).
If you’ve experienced WGA problems recently, I’m interested in hearing about it. Leave a comment here and describe your experience.
Ed Bott 
WGA is the strangest “update” I’ve ever gotten from Microsoft. First, aren’t critical updates the only ones that AutoUpdate usually pushes at you? Yet, here is an update that Microsoft clearly says is “pre-release” in the license you must acknowledge. For that reason alone I haven’t accepted it on a couple of critical systems.
On the XP setups I have (VS2005 VMs and some real iron), the WGA Validation tool (KB892130) installs fine, but the WGA Notification update (KB905474) fails to install with error 0x80242006. If you Google for it you’ll find lots of similar errors. The manual download/install mentioned in several of those threads worked in the one VM where I tried it.
I ran Windows OneCare Tune Up for the first time on Friday (I am loving that product. My Tablet PC is fully backed up now).
OneCare’s tune-up report said I had critical updates and when we went to Windows Update, there were two. One for the Validation Tool and one for the Notification tool. The notification tool failed to install repeatedly (same error as reported above). But OneCare decided that my system was running AOK and gave me a green status bar. I have gone about my business without worring about the notifier.
I had for days troubles downloading the update from Microsoft Update, then it downloaded and installed itself..
Although I have a legal version of XP i had a wired error before login of a corrupted registration or something like that, i cant remember, i almost corrupted my pc, so i did a like format + reinstall everything back.
Now everything is fine and silent.
Yesterday, I decided to manually check for updates. WGA was the only update available so I said okay (I’ve previously done this so was surprised to see it there). It appeared to update correctly, but when Windows Update looked for more updates, WGA was there again. I okayed updating it again, but it failed this time. Rebooting and trying again multiple times didn’t help.
I checked a newsgroup link (from the error message in Windows Update History) and found an item with similar symptoms. The answer provided by a networking MVP was to click on a link which downloaded some stuff and finally reboot. After that, I was able to get a clean report in Windows Update.
Yes, I know, this was a highly technical explanation. Unfortunately, I didn’t save any of details so I’m going completely by memory.
I think I’ve updated/installed WGA 3-4 times on my system. Last time it wanted to update/install WGA before other critial updates.
I have an XP Media center with a promise RAID 0 4-disc array. When I installed the WPA it broke the drivers for the array by causing failed delayed writes (half of the array just “disapears”.) If I do a system restore to before the installation of the WPA everything goes back to working just fine. All other updates are installed, this is the only one not yet installed. This software is woefully decrepit and should never have been foisted on users in the state it is in.
I have had a number of problems since installing WPA but I am not tech savvy enough to connect them to the program. I’ve had blue screens and a total inability to boot. I had to run the XP repair function to get the computer to boot. I had a damaged boot sector on the hard drive. I am running two drives on a RAID 1 config. I didn’t even suspect that any of these problems could be related to WPA but now I am not so sure. Stay on top of this and keep us posted Ed.
Last week I got a new Dell laptop with XPHome. I wanted XPPro, since I already had a old legal copy of XPPro that I hadn’t used I went that route. I installed and about 10 drivers were missing, Dell said the drivers required SP2 when I went to get SP2 WGA wouldn’t let me through. I found a back door site for SP2 (hours later) installed it, the drivers and WGA worked fine. This brings up another point why isn’t there a way to unactivate a copy of windows if you are wiping it so it can be reinstalled on another machine.
I’m not certain that it’s WGA but since I installed it some ASP pages give exceptions and syntax errors on my local copy of IIS (like http://localhost/iisstart.asp) ie. IIS documentation doesn’t work anymore.
I sent my Compaq Presario notebook for service repair, and it fails the WGA check. I have a legal version of windows xp professional on it.
But I have no way to correct this problem.
I bought a new copy of windows xp professional and installed it, retail box, but it still fails the check.
(I didn’t reformat, just installed over top).
So what do I do? who do I call? I’m not paying for a service call.
BTW there is an MSDN link that allows you to get all windows updates WITHOUT the WGA check, but I don’t think I can post it here.
Recently my Father in laws XP Pro came up as non-legit.
It looks legal and I’m sure it’s OK as it activated before.
Now he can’t access his PC as it needs to be activated and will need a new key.
He’s not happy and will have to cough up some more $$$.
How can MS do this?
I can’t say for sure if any of this is related… but lately quite a few of my Microsoft products have been wonky… to say the least.
First thing to go wrong: Outlook Express-started timeing out every time it tried to retrieve messages from any one of my 5 email accounts/servers.
Second: Internet Explorer-would load up then the next site/link/whatever would cause it to freeze. Actually now it won’t even load up
Third: Excel-started getting this message:microsoft excel is waiting for another application to complete an ole action. It says that right when I open it, and now I can’t use the program at all. I keep clicking OK, and it keeps coming back. There’s no VBA or R-project or whatever going on.
Fourth: Administrative Options->Services-won’t load at all, have to end task every time.
Tried to reinstall office…but nothing helps
Related….??….Seems Fishy.
after KB905474 on a winxp pro windows update stopped automatic download of any updates!
It gets better. Although I had the failed update for the WGA Notification, apparently there was a version of Notification already installed.
I noticed because I powered up my Tablet today to download this week’s crop of security updates. Wammo, Microsoft OneCare (I do love that software) lets me know that it has blocked an effort by WgaTray.exe (WGA Notification) to access the internet. Hah. I tell OneCare to leave it blocked.
However, the stupid button is still shorting somewhere. When I connect Microsoft Update, it gives me a crop of updates (including the Defender list and the Malicious Software Removal tool). At the top of the list is “Update to Notification – KB917734.”
I figure this will be interesting and I go through the Microsoft Update, watching the goodies download over my broadband connection.
Wait, what’s this? I get a windows that lists a potfull of updates that failed to install. I close that and the Microsoft Update page lists as the reason that Microsoft Update is still installing in the background. Yes, that’s how I use it.
So I click on the little updater system-tray icon and up comes what I was expecting, the “How do you want to install updates?” dialog. I select Custom Install and then watch the installation log run. I always do it that way. I don’t accept updates until I can manually review what they are, and I don’t install the updates until I am ready to do that.
So it seems this startling “Updates were unable to be successfuly installed” notification is inappropriate for the case when downloading and updating are split into two separate steps, exactly the way I intend to continue to operate.
Oh, and as soon as the updates were complete I got another notification from the OneCare firewall that it had blocked the WGA Notification software again, and I patted it on the head, said good dog, and left it blocked.
I purchased a SEALED OEM copy of XP Professional. WGA said the license key was already used. I called MS and they said I should uninstall and buy another copy. I told them I wasn’t made of money and hung-up.
I have had problems with the Windows Genuine Advantage program for over a week now! My Automatic Update window is stuck at “8% downloaded”, and the irritating icon will not go away from my system tray. Worse still, I cannot see any other updates that I should be downloading. I have already used the online version of this validation program and “validated” my program, and still I keep getting prompted to install it. And when I do choose to download and install this program, the update fails! And worse, no other updates are installed! I even tried stopping all my anti-viruses and my firewalls, but to no avail!
I am at my wits ends. And so is the MS Email support person i have been in touch.
My first attempt at activation failed. Microsoft rejected the product key that came with the ThinkPad I’m using. I had to call in and they gave me another code to enter which supposedly worked but now I get the blue screen of death about every other time I reboot. I’ve also lost all internet connectivity. I don’t know if there’s a connection there but the timing is suspect. Meanwhile I’m scheduled to leave for a business trip tomorrow morning and my laptop is now worthless.
I installed it, several files were said to be missing during the install and afterwards my computer was cut off from my home network, All the purchased music downloads on my computer had to be restored and all the owned tracks won’t play because the media player can’t find the licenses. It seems to have wreaked havoc on my router. I just don’t have the energy to find and open all he individual ports anymore or to get out of the fetal position on the floor next to my computer.
At work I have an Acer tablet system that I had to re-install from the recovery cd 3-4 months ago. It makes a wireless connection to the network domain. If for some reason it loses connection and does not re-establish it on restart, it will disable active desktop. When this happens, the Not a Genuine Copy of Windows message appears and asks to “Get Genuine”. Then the systray message pops up to further notify my user that we are using pirated software. If the wireless connection is made, this message does NOT appear. Am I only legal if I can connnect to the network ?
For the tale of two of my WinXP machines, read here.
The third one, purchased late last year or early this year was fine until it would not print. the two always-running Lexmark background programs were on as they should be, so I rebooted. Now, I cannot log in, getting error 0x80090006 about Windows Genuine Advantage cannot check to be sure Windows is not stolen. As of later today, 6 of our 12 computers will have left Windows.
Good grief.
I am a consultant for a small company which uses XP. This company has a corporate license for XP. I have copies of the paperwork from Microsoft that show the license date and serial number to be used when installing XP on their corporate desktops.
The latest version of WGA has decided that several of the desktops are not legal. A call to Microsoft to remedy this issue led to some interesting information.
There is no “live” support or help for this type of problem. The response from the one “live” person I was able to contact revealed that the serial number I am using is a legitimate number and part of a license agreement with the company that the desktop computer belongs to.
The Microsoft person then informed me that the only way to resolve this type of issue is by going to a Microsoft website and running the WGA check utility that will resolve this issue.
I go to the suggested website, run the WGA check utility. The computer passes the check, but the website informs me that the serial number of the computer is not genuine. I have to submit a report and someone will get back to me with suggestions.
At 4:00am the next morning, I receive an email from a Microsft rep. This email directs me to go the the same website I have alreay visited, perform the WGA check and submit the report that is generated. (In other words, I am back at the same point I was at the day before, with no resolution in sight).
In the meantime, I have a client that wants to know why their software is not legal any more, and what did I do that caused this situation. They also want to know what the value of a corporate license is since Microsoft clearly does not honor this type of contract. After explaining the problem to the customer, they now want to know why Microsoft would take the position of forcing beta software on a company computer…cause it to have problems, then not supply some type of solution that is timely.
This morning (06-27-06) I read that Microsoft may now inlcude a “kill” switch with WGA wiich will be able to shut down or otherwise make a computer inoperable.
What is Microsoft thinking? This company paid for a corporate license. They should not have to endure these types of problems. Linux is starting to look better… a lot better!
I repair computers at home as a sideline business. A client who had an older IBM Thinkpad wanted it upgraded last year to XP. We bought him an OEM of XP Pro SP2, with a unique key, and it installed and updated fine. In late March he decided to try out the beta of OneCare. We had turned off the Security Center nags much earlier, as his free AVG AV was not recognized as “working”. He ran it for two months, and it had obviously changed some settings from what we had left it set up with.
With the nags turned off, it was not telling him he now had a “new” thirty days to authenticate and register.
Last week, his machine suddenly blue screened upon boot, stating it was an unmountable boot volume. This error occurs when:
1) the drive is failing -or-
2) the boot.ini file is corrupt
I pulled the drive, mounted it in my diagnostic machine, and it spun up and checked out as mechcanically sound. Looking at the boot.ini file, the date showed it had been written on the day before the Thinkpad quit. I deleted the boot.ini and replaced it with a copy of the one running the diagnostic machine. Replaced the drive back in the laptop, and it booted normally… (!!!).
OneCare beta showed no uninstall available, so I took the rough way out, deleting the folders and files by hand, and ripping out the registry enties with regedit. Not fun.
Yes, there is a kill switch. They are trying it out on any “suspect” machines, and I note several comments are about the Thinkpad. A coincidence?
Client is a disabled person, on a fixed income, and couldn’t afford my fee for the hours I spent – I wrote off my bill for good reason; it’s obvious the experience learning about this time bomb is going to be useful in the near future.
I have a Dell Inspiron 9300 that I bought from the Dell Home & Home Office site about a year ago. WGA has decided that it is not a Genuine copy. There has been no service or other modification made to the machine at all.
Well let’s see, first I run Windows Xp64, that in itself is a bunch of problems, but I won’t go there, but ever since I installed WGA I get random blue screens, browser crashes, browser freezes (this is with IE..) and my computer keeps telling me that I removed a card from my SLI configuration so SLI no longer works, meanwhile I’ve only had one video card in here the whole time I’ve never had an SLI configuration running… It’s great when the broswer crashes in the middle of writing or responding to an email, I have to re-do the whole thing over, then of course when it crashes as i am sending the message I never know if the message was sent, sometimes they are and sometimes they aren’t during a crash during send there is never a copy in my ‘sent messages’ folder, and this is also using an @msn email account… I also use MSN Explorer which allows me to connect to all of my emails at once, after the install of WGA my main email account dissappeared from my account, and it told me I needed to pay to access my email, of course after calling MSN and chatting with numerous people who just couldn’t quite understand what I was saying it was figured out and my email account was back… to many problems for me…. Linux is sounding good…
I am having big trouble with the WGA tool. After its installation it rebooted the computer (normal). Since then I have the windows rebooting the computer ever again. Windows XP is on a RAID 1 array.
Is this really a good measure of cause and effect? I have a home-built machine running MCE with RAID off the motherboard (RAID 1) and RAID off a Silicon Image PCI card (Raid 0 + 1). It has an Audigy card with FireWire, a Pinnacle card with FireWire and an ATI All-in-Wonder card. I’m wondering why my machine is still running with all this hardware. And yet, WGA has had no negative effect on my machine. If it should take down anyone, I’d wager it should be me.
I use a copy of Microsoft Windows XP (Professional Edition) that I have not paid for. It was from a co-worker of mine from a past employer. I share it with family and close friends as it is expensive and out of reach for most people to afford. I install it (with no phyical connection to the internet) and then apply Service Pack 2. It installs all the usual patches and upgrades. It is not an updated release of the Service Pack and does not include any WGA silliness. At that point, thanks to previous WGA experience (ack!), I turn off Automatic Updates, System Restore and the Windows Security services. I am a big boy (and a techno ubergeek at that..) and can take care of my own computer system. I use AVG for antivirus services, along with Ad-Aware, Spybot R&D and RegistryFix. Add in a bit of paranoia and dash of extra lockdowns within Internet Explorer (I use FireFox also) and toss in some common sense, and I can pretty much keep my system clean (the process task list is your friend). And while not everyone aspires to be a propeller-head, I hope to show that you can indeed manage your (illegal?) copy of Microsoft Windows and keep the silly WGA (Just Say No!) at bay.
This is typical microcrap-although this time their mafia move really does sicken me. I have seen these WGA problems since the update was originally released! The Kill switch has been used ALREADY for those that complain too loud!!! I might add that these people/small firms have a paid for licensed legit product..Your journalistic responsibility is right on target: although we all need to be thinking of NON microcrap desktop OSes for our boxes–Yesterday—or–NOW!
I have seen all of the above problems—especially with pc’s THAT DO HAVE LEGIT OSES!!!
It is the roll of the dice as to whether one has a problem or not.
This is why numerous Fortune 50 firms have stayed with WIndows 2000 pro —any subscription model of software already has the trimmings of phoning ET’s home, dictating what updates or patches are applied to that pc, not to mention the outright boot up and functioning of the machine. Also I have to tell you that I TOTALLY DISAGREE with your assertion that MS handled the XP issue of registration and activation with ease. You see you are a bigshot that enjoys the advantages that 90% of MS CUSTOMERS DO NOT ENJOY!!
Now in the 21st century buying anything from MS is Caveat Emptor!!!!!
ms DOES NOT CARE!
I purchased a copy of Windows XP Professional from the Microsoft Store while I was visiting Redmond, Washington, with some friends. I have continuously updated SP1 and SP2 (purchased CD’s from Miccrosoft), upon their availability. When WGA came along, on it’s first inquiry, it was determined that I did NOT have a genuine copy of Windows. Numerous calls to Microsoft (2 1/2 months worth) got me nowhere. Finally I reinstalled XP Pro with SP1 and SP2, then let the whole update process via express run its course. At the completion, everything was fine, until I exited Windows and rebooted. “Not a Genuine copy of Windows” it said on the boot-up screen.
Calls to Microsoft; “I bought it at your Company Store; I have the receipt.”
Microsoft: “You must either be in error, or your machine is faulty. What brand of computer are you using?”
Me: “An Apple G5 running Tiger…”
Microsoft: “There’s your problem. We don’t support third party installations….”
Me: “Listen up you as$#@(*%^). a copy of Windows XP Professional purchased at YOUR Company Store in Redmond is running on MICROSOFT VIRTUAL PC Version 7. You manufactured the OS and the Virtual Machine program it runs on!!!!!!!
Microsoft: “We still don’t guarantee third party installations even our own (third party if its their own?). Our recommentdation is to junk the Apple and geta normal PC. Since you have already loaded this version, be sure to get a PC loaded with another genuine Windows OS, since you can’t use this one again. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
I simply hung up the phone….speechless!
Hi
Since i’ve read these comments, I am amazed that a company can use such a negative form of tracking. I used to use windows 98 for a very long time, I had no problems, as I purchased my copy froma local computer store here in North Vancouver.
One day my updates would not work any more, I was informed by microsoft that I had an illegal copy, seems the cd keys became public knownledge, so I had to get a new copy of windows xp home edition.
The thought of having to make yet another puschase of thier operating system, if this copy, which I also purchased from the same store in North Vancouver BC, some how does not meet the mircosoft wga, this would totally suck.
As I am not a rich person, my income is only 1000 a month, half of which is taken before I reieve my money, I’ve been living off of 500 per month for some two years.
I can not afford another copy, if this kill switch idea infact becomes a reality. Then I would have no other options, this is similar to what Rogers Cable did to us customers with their negative billing options, which by the way even the government got upset with.
Rogers at the time, provided us with more options no one had asked for, and made it a requirement that the customers had to pay for unwanted options regardless of what the customers wanted.
Eventually if was refused by so many customers, they lost some 18% of their customers base as a result of such a tatic.
Punishing legit customers because they can not write secure code is not our fault, nor should any one who has made a proper purchase ever be forced to “prove” what is already a legit copy.
When and if the kill switch for windows comes into effect, if this does in fact affect me, I well no longer use my computer.
Microsoft can be poor like me from that point on.
I really can’t believe that WGA will become a kill switch in the Fall. The ZDNet blog article by Ed Bott http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84 quotes someone who called Microsoft Support and I’m guessing that an underpaid bored clerk answering yet-another-incoming call at Microsoft Support got WGA mixed up with WPA where WPA is the activation that you have to do when you first install Windows XP or else it stops working in 30 days. You know how people get mixed up between WGA Validation (for downloading updates) and WGA Notification (which notifies you if your WinXP is not “genuine”). Toss in WPA, which is for the initial activation of windows, and you can see how an idiot clerk who doesn’t know any better will get the 30-days shutdown under WPA mixed up with WGA.
Nonetheless, it’s better to be safe than sorry. So, I have ghost image backup copies of the C: system drives for my computers for just in case the Microsoft idiots really go insane and really turn the next version of WGA into a kill switch and as a result of such idiocy will most likely and not surprisingly have false-positives shutting down legally-owned Windows XP computers all around the world. The class-action lawsuits and the state attorney generals will be going after Microsoft and the head idiots Gates and Ballmer if that ever really happens.
This is becoming like the Y2K Scare where WGA is now becoming the new Y2K with people wondering if their computers are going to die in the near future.
I installed WGA on a copy of Windows that was, admittedly of dubious legitimacy. The box became unusable immediately. The source of the problem was explorer.exe using up all available CPU cycles. I reinstalled the OS and it still continued. All spyware and virus scans came up clean. The only solution was to format and reinstall, which is what I did.
I was reading about the WGA problems on the site and was wondering….
I read Pats comment “1. Pat Says: June 27th, 2006 at 12:41 pm . The WGA downloaded on my hubby’s puter and crashed it completely saying his was not a genuine xp pro. It also downloaded on my puter and I have been having a lot of problems since especally one that Pat describes “2) the boot.ini file is corrupt” I am now that computer sauvie but I do know that both our copies are legal. His he bought and installed back in 2000 and mine came with a new computer in 2004. I also have Windows Live One care running on my computer and it seems that my files change once a week and I’m expected to backup every 5 days or so, at 6 dics per backup. Then I downloaded IE 7 beta and oh lord let the games begin. So what do I do next? I already have one machine paperweight that needs to be sent in for repair and now I have a second one that is coughing. I ahve always been a good Microsoft customer but it’s looking like they are not playing the game to really want consumers. Anyone have any suggestions on dealing with my computer that would be really helpful.
I have used Windows since the days of Win 3.1, and have legal copies, now unused, of many Microsoft products, in my desk drawer.
I am currently using WinXPPro, and am in New Zealand.
I’ve just had a major problem during a ZoneAlarmPro update. This left me with no Internet Browser for 4 days, until I got the phone call from the ZoneLabs Tech in the USA, who spent 1 +1/4 hours on the phone, walking me through, until my PC was running properly once again. There have been other folks who had trouble with their latest ZAPro Update, caused it seems by WGA.
I have noted since installing WGA, that “a-squared Guard/scanner from EmsiSoft states it is Spyware”.
Since WGA installed itself, Firefox has been crashing, at generally very inconvenient times. I am on a large International Forum, and there are members there (some who are Microsoft Partners) who say that WGA appears to be a “Kill-Switch”.
I cannot see any “Genuine Advantage” to me, in being forced to accept an “update” into my PC, when Microsoft have mis-used the Security Update facility, to try and instal this troublesome WGA Software on my properly licensed Software system.
I have written an email to Microsoft, re this set of problems, and wait for their proper response, or otherwise.
It already appears that Microsofts’s WGA has already done exactly that, cut off licensed Users at the knees..
Perhaps it’s time we all vacated the Microsoft saddle, and shift to a better sort of horse for the future.
I downloaded the WGA the first couple times on an OEM copy of Windows XP that I have had since before SP1. The third time I downloaded the WGA it invalidated my installation and would not let me getc critical updates or upgrade to IE7. It kept saying that I had not activated my copy of windows but I was unable to. There was no help listed except a few paragraphs insinuating that I had a bootlegged copy of XP. I reinstalled the whole OS over and slipstreamed SP2 into it. I have done the WGA a few times since and have had no problems. What happened to the invalid copy????
I’m not having any problems. Did I forget something? Oh yeah. I didn’t install this Windows Genuine Spyware. I’m sure it would cause all kinds of havoc on my 64-bit XP Media Center 2005 PC, simply becuase I’ve messed with windows for my liking.
I like to manually review my updates before they get installed. Certain updates (Outlook Express) don’t get installed, and this one just sounded too fishy to me. The ONLY reason I use windows is because of the programs that don’t work right with Linux, but with this “Genuine Advantage” crapola Windows just keeps sounding worse, and worse, and worse.
I mean, seriously! Microsoft wants to check my machine to make sure it was bought legitimately, because that’s “critical”? It also wanted to automatically download updates for itself whenever? I found out later that it was daily, and could reak havoc by crapping on my machine. And now it can simply turn off my computer? An upgrade to Linux is looking good right about now…
I provide on-site sysadmin serices to a local business. All of their machines have been purchased directly from Dell with Windows XP installed. When WGA was first rolled out, one the machines turned up as “counterfeit” and would not download patches from windows update. They asked me to resolve the issue for them. I spent MANY hours trying to get Microsoft to acknowledge that this was a mistake, to no avail. Dell told me it was not a problem they could deal with, and all they could suggest is a complete re-install with a new license (which they did offer to provide). The company decided to just forget about patching the machine for now, since they obviously have no desire to shell out $$$ for the time and trouble to wipe & re-install a machine that has nothing wrong with it EXCEPT the WGA.
MICROSOFT BURN IN HELL !
Since I installed the WGA on my desktop, my usb keyboard stopped working. as a matter of fact, NONE of the usb keyboards I have tried work. I had to go back and get a ps/2 one, login, and system restore to before the WGA…
Well, I have the WGA Confirmation thingie installed and not had much trouble, although there were versions that, in the past, were near impossible to get passed by.
With regard to WGA Notification, a different system of mine (not having Microsoft OneCare) reported that it was a download, so I decided to see what would happen. Last night’s version brought me to an EULA before completing the installation. There is an almost-clear explanation. And the opportunity to decline accepting the WGA Notification update. I did that and asked Microsoft Update to not remind me of this one again.
The only odd part of this is that there is no clear indication of consequences with respect to declining instead of accepting. I’ll be watching …
PS: Under what conditions is purchasing an OEM copy of the OS that was not installed by the manufacturer “legitimate?” Just curious.
WGA has broken my Windows development box at home several times, usually by disabling the Explorer core.
Normally, downloading the usual parade of system patches from the Windows Update site would fix it. However, the last time it also disabled IE, without which one can’t use the Ms’ patch site.
The solution? IPL in “safe” mode, install Opera (which is now free), configure it to impersonate IE, and perform a patch download.
If Ms learned that a couple of college-age ex-Nokia employees had saved the day, they’d have a fit. Well they should.
(The insecure-by-design Windows box will soon go off the LAN. I’ve no idea whether it will continue to work. I don’t care much.)
My daughter has a Compaq laptop that a couple of years ago was hit hard with Sasser and would not boot. We wiped the hard disk and twice did a reinstallation of Windows XP and each time, before we could download the security update it was infected again by Sasser. We ended up taking it to a University computer department and they re-installed windows for us. Now she is getting the message that the windows installation is not authentic. What the hell should we do about it??? Go and buy another copy, wipe the hard disk again and start over? You have to be joking!!
This entire problem was started by Microsoft’s security holes. They were no help in getting it fixed. It cost us hours of work and a lot of lost data files when it was first hit by Sasser.
Every time I see that “Windows may not be genuine” message come up I could seriously ****** someone from Microsoft.
We e-mailed them explaining the problem.
Guess what. No reply. You are on your own to fix another of their problems.
I keep getting prompted to install it every few days, I also get the small alert shield in system tray – it says downloading 0%, then disappears.
When I go to Windowsupdate, the WGA is ready for download -again. And again. And again. I have administrator rights on my system.
I feel like I am in groundhog day, although, not as funny.
What you do is use a firewall which can block windows from accessing the M$ servers (I use Sygate). That way, your copy will not even know of WGA. In the rare case that it could connect to the update servers, it cant download it. 🙂 (its happened a couple of times)
Try looking for Sygate Personal Firewall. Problem is, Sygate got bought out by Symnatec (figures) so good luck finding it.
This is unbelievable.
Users have to download 1000 KB tool to simply make Microsoft CEO happy.
This tool is probably one of reasons why Microsoft lying off 214 sales persons (link).
Either way – or WGA tool will help to make sales or there will no stupid users to buy new licenses.
From the FAQ on the MS site under Genuine Microsoft Software:
WGA collects and sends to Microsoft the following:
Windows product key
PC manufacturer
Operating system version
Windows XP product ID
PC BIOS information (male, version,date)
BIOS MD5 checksum
User locale setting
Language version of the operating system
Office product key (if validatiing Office)
Hard drive serial number
Validation and installation results
IP address.
I think if I break into a system and extract that information from it without explicict direction of the owner I can be charged with a felony.
Here is the response Email from Microsoft New Zealand:
Date sent: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 10:38:53 +1200
Thank you for contacting Microsoft.
We have received your message; a Customer Service Representative will respond to you within 6 business hours.
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I shall place their response in this Blog, when I receive a Proper or other Response.
I think bill gates set this up, because hes leaving MS, I have some of the same problums others are having. I feel sorry for those who own stock in MS, by the time all this is over, MS stock value will not be worth toilet paper.
Me I can’t prove I bought my copy, the syore I got it from is now out of business. It just makes me think if MS can do this to us, what else can they do. Alot of business out there are at there wit ends, they paid alot of money for there copys and now there not worth anything.
People band together and send letters to our govement telling them MS broke the law on this and we want to sue. Bill Dork, is getting while the getting is still alittle good.
Me Im not going to buy the new OS, Vista, they can keep it, and Im telling everyone not to buy it, if they know what is good for them.People this is just the tip of the problums MS is going to give us, if it’s not the WGA, it will be something else to get us to buy there trash, why with all these updates, why can’t they get it right, they keep selling us unfinish OS’s, MS is going to owe us big time for this, and knowing them they are going to say, who are you, you don’t matter, can’t help, buy our new verson, it’s better, you can’t go wrong. Hay if you guys want to buy this bridge I’ll sell it to you cheep. They need us, if it wasen’t for us they all would be out of a job, think about that for a min MS, you need us not the other way around, if you don’t want us well find something else to spend out money on. And you’ll go of the way of the dumb ass.
WGA has been telling me for weeks that I have an illegal copy of Windows. Microsoft WGA offers a link to their website. I ran the tests there, and it comes up as a genuine copy. (also other available tests). Every test I do shows it to be a legal copy, and I paid the full price. As well as announcing that my OS is not genuine when I switch on, and offering me a site where I can buy a legal copy (Dream on you Microsoft morons), it pops up a balloon at regular intervals announcing that my system is at risk and as this is an illegal copy I am no longer eligible for Windows updates. It tells me to “Click here to resolve”. However when I do so a window comes up stating:
The Windows Genuine Advantage Kit for Windows XP is currently only available to users of known invalid Product Keys for Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home.So WGA recoginizes mine isn’t invalid, but still tells me it is.
This all started when I bought a new hard drive with XP Pro and registered it. I wish I hadn’t. I checked with my dealer here in UK. There’s no doubt my XP is legal. He has a legal license but many of his customers are having this problem. It’s costing him money and time. Microsoft people are so stupid they don’t register their own legal license holders. Why is nobody suing them for defamation? Why don’t we have a mass court action against the company? We need to hit the media with this big time.
THERE ARE TWO FILES THAT APPEAR IN MY TEMP RILES ONE IS WGA ERROR NOTIFY AND THE OTHER IS WGA ERROR SET.AS MUCH AS I SURF THE INTERNET THESE ARE THE ONLY TWO FILES THAT SHOW UP. EXPLAIN
THANK YOU,
WILOUGHBY
I have 400 users we are small and located in the middle of noware literally only internet access is a DSL connection, imagine the bandwidth mess when WGA starts to phone home once a month is still going to cause me problems. I have one WAN location that internet traffic goes back through my in the middle of noware location (we monitor) all traffic for internaet and our ERp comes back to the main facility (remote). Corporate clients with EA or E-Open need to be given a option to turn this off once checked, MS does not hve to deal with the CEO asking why is the system slow I do.
I just updated the tool from windows update, restart computer and when it gets to windows it crashed!!! Now I can’t boot up no more, I think it fried my motherboard, I tried reset cmos and still nothing on monitor.
My Windows ME died; bought WINXP Pro OEM from Computer Warehouse #4; registered it without any problems; frequent patches & downloads from MicroSoft went off w/out a hitch. Until a month ago. They tried downloading a 1.1. MB file and up popped this box saying my copy wasn’t genuine, please go “here” and buy your legitimate copy now. Well, no, I won’t. It was legitimate to them for 1 1/2 years it can continue to be o.k. until Vista arrives.
I have 5 user accounts set up on my Dell laptop which was pre-installed with XP-Home. When one account logs on the warning is given about not haveing genuine Windows installed. The other 4 accounts dont get this. The user account in question is denied access to their ‘Desktop’ folder – I don’t know if the two are linked. I have scanned the Disk for virus’s etc and it turns out clean. I checked the Windows serial number in My Computer – Properties, but the same serial number is given for each user, so I presume WGA is looking at the registry somewhere. I don’t wish to go messing with the registry so I’m going to set up a new account and see what happens with that.
I didn’t know about all the issues regarding the WGA until today, so I’ve said yes to the download each time it shows up. The reason I searched for info on it today is because it downloads TOO OFTEN. I’ve had download attempts 3x in one day and average about 2x a week. I get no failure notices of download or install. Everything completes like it’s all working, but this thing appears more often than a Nigerian spam. Thanks again, Microsoft. You took an idea. Corrupted it’s use to abuse your customer base one more time and still can’t do that right.
I had a legitimate copy of windows (sticker on the side and everything) running on my computer, albeit an old PC (PIII 667) which was not connected to the internet. All was running right as rain until I required an update to run a new program i bought. I then took my pc around to a friends, configured it to go on the net via his nice fast broadband, downloaded updates, was then told by WGA that my windows was not genuine, failed the updates from then on, including the one i needed to run this software, and my friends pc on the hub then reported that his windows was not genuine – it had passed previously – and after a couple of reboots both the systems would not work – looks to me like they have a kill network computers switch aswell just incase we got the others wrong. Quite fortunately for me I was able to wipe and re install as my data was on my new(ish) large hard drive where windows was on my original small hard drive, notably I didnt re install windows as MS was unable to help me and suggested that I buy a new copy of windows as the support for mine would be ending on july 11th anyway – why should i buy a new windows just because MS bust mine and told me that they are going to stop supporting it soon (Looks like there is no support now to me) as if i didnt feel ripped off enough by having opted to pay the extra £40 to have win me not win 98se when i bought the computer! Suse linux worked out better for me anyway as it happened to support the program i needed via wine – a nice little util by the way! I cant say the same for my friend though – he was holding off buying windows until vista came out (already overdue isnt it?) and has had to fork out for windows XP home just to continue being able to use his computer cos his also reported that it was a dodgy copy even when he re-installed over the top of it so that he didnt loose his data! Damn shame that he wont be buying that horrible sounding windows Vista though! he did return the first copy of the windows XP that he bought as that also reported that it was dodgy, the second one was installed by the place he bought it from and they got it working for him – no charge might i add as they were embarrased that the first one was a serial number that was leaked according to MS (my guess is that it was someone in the supply chain or one of those keygens that can be gotton from the net that had duped the proper retail windows he bought) so I am happy as larry running suse linux (i bought it to show my support for them) and he is out of pocket running another legit windows which is soon to be out of date that he didnt like or want and is currently using his pc through gritted teeth, finding that all his old legit software isnt XP compatible and doesnt work correctly if at all under XP even with the compatibility options set! he is working hard at finding a way to make it happen with his old copy of windows – my suggestion to him was to do a backup of the stuff he wants wipe and reload win ME and see if MS thinks its legit afterwards? then return the windows XP to MS asking for a refund as he doesnt agree with the lisence on the compulsary download of WGA to get the updates. I am sure that there was something in the liscence agreement about doing that? anyone know for sure? anyone else think that this is a good idea?
Recently my computer has been insisting that I download an update each and every time I start my dual-boot box in Windows XP (I don’t use Automatic Updater). The update in question is named ”Windows Genuine Advantage Notification”. MS’s attached explanation informs me this tool helps me determine whether my copy of Windows is genuine or not.
While I’m grateful to MS for their proposed assistance, I’m afraid I can’t comply with this request. You see, it might even be illegal or at least in violation with the spirit of the laws of my country.
Contrary to what MS seem to believe, my computer is my property, not theirs. It is my property just as my house is my property, and it is my decision who I let into it. According to our laws, I only have to let the police in against my own will, and then only if they have a court order to search my house for stolen property or the like.
I have carefully read the Windows EULA (End User License Agreement) which I have agreed to, and I can’t find in it a clause ordering me to let MS into my computer at their will to check whether my copy of Windows XP is ”genuine”. Certainly I’m no legal expert, and my command of the English language is sadly lacking as far as legalese is concerned, but I think I would have understood if such a clause was written or implied in the EULA. Even then, I would have to weigh whether such a clause is in agreement with our laws. I fear the result of such a contemplation would be in the negative from MS point of view.
While on the subject of stolen property, can they disprove the persistent rumor in IT circles that Microsoft itself was founded on stolen intellectual property? The rumor has it that the DOS (Disk Operating System) that Microsoft sold to IBM in 1980 or so, and which is the basis of Microsoft’s commercial success, was in fact stolen through a proxy from Gary Kildall of CP/M fame. If there is any truth to this rumor, it certainly puts their enthusiastic efforts to determine whether peoples’ copies of Windows are genuine or not into entirely new light.
MS call their downloadable spy program “Advantage Notification”. Excuse me, who’s “advantage” are they talking about? From where I stand it looks like no one is going to benefit from it, not even MS, while they may still think otherwise. I’m certainly not going to benefit one iota from it because I know exactly where I got my copy of Windows XP and no “tool” is going to increase my knowledge about it.
MS are not going to benefit either because with this spy program they did in what little goodwill MS still had in my eyes. I’ve been an avid Linux user for years (I’m an IT consultant), and MS’s blatant effort to increase their already obscene profits will only serve to help me (and my customers, if I’ve got any say about it) avoid Windows like the proverbial plague. With this “tool” MS have dug their own grave, and good riddance, too.
Obviously not realising it, MS have given Linux and Mac the biggest boost they ever received from any single act by anyone. This WGA Notification is one “advantage” that I can certainly do without, and I need it like I need another hole in my head.
Another persistent rumor has it that this spy program is a beta test version which already has seriously harmed numerous computers all over the world. Nevertheless, MS pushes this harmful program to unsuspecting layman users with complete abandon. Just say “No thanks!”
Incidentally, my XP Pro is genuine but I’m not going to let MS tell me either that or otherwise. I’m not going to install WGA, period. If MS refuse to supply me with critical security updates because of that, or better still, are trying to use a “Kill Switch” to render my copy of XP useless, I’m one customer who will join a class action suit against Microsoft.
i recenrly put together a brand new machine. AMD 64 3500+ venice processor, DFI lanparty ultra-d nf4 motherboard, cosair 2gb dual channel memory, diamond x550 pcie 256mb radeon video card.
i am also running 120gig and 160gig internal hard drives and 2x400gig external hard drives.
i installed xp pro and updated 2 weeks prior to the WGA update (as i have a million times before). everything was running just dandy. 2 weeks later i updated again and got the WGA and it install without problems. however, ever since my machine runs terrible. and not just bad, really really bad…
firefox, photoshop, illustrator, dreamweaver, my tv tuner application, dvd player, etc… they all constantly hang. they do not crash, they hang. i get multiple DCOM errors, i get multiple ftdisk errors. i have to reboot at least 5-10 times a night because of task manager hanging as well. i am close to buying a mac. ’nuff said…
is this caused by the WGA installation? i dont know. but its too much of a coincidence not to consider it.
I am an Action Pack and MSDN subscriber. Today my HP laptop , which still has the XP Home installed that came with it, s started to display notifications that my XP was counterfeit. I went through the steps to resolve it and I could validate windows and office. I looked at my notification settings and it started to alert me again that my XP was counterfeit. I went through the process again and when I looked at my notiviation settings, it again started to alert me. I did it one more time and then rebooted without looking at the notification settings. It hasn’t alerted me again, so far. This is the first time that I have seen this. I tried talking with Microsoft support and they were useless. They said that they do not provide phone support for WGA.
I have sent an e-mail to WGA support asking:
How often does it keep checking to see if my windows is valid.
Why should I waste my time fixing their false identification that my windows isn’t “genuine”.
Something needs to be done about this.
Hi
I updated my home system running a licensed version of Win XP, with the WGA update, and now I can’t boot through my hard disk.
It keeps booting again and again after showing the initial XP screen. Tried the Safe Mode but it shows a bunch of “….sys” lines and then boots again.
And I don’t have a way to boot from another disk to recover my precious data.
Can anyone help??
Pawan
WARNING!! CAUTION!!!!I downloaded wga and now XP has been deactivated!!!!!
I have had to reauthenticate my windowsxp pro I bought from New Egg 5 times in less than 4 months. Each time I have had to go through the same rigamaroll and sit on the phone for over an hour while Microsoft experts switch me back and forth among people who cannot speak plain english,to higher powers. Then after all was suppose to be well, I start getting the Micropuke wag again! This time it let me type my name in the registration and it gave me the genuine authentication go ahead. Now, I have had the demonic Genuine Advantage tool go into a loop on their site and everytime I reboot, there it is again waiting to be downloaded and installed. I have been emotionally upset over this. I feel invaded, demoralized,put upon,humiliated, condensended to, and totally subjigated. I use to think Microsoft was there to protect my interest as a good customer since 1995; however, now I feel they are money grabbing, power consumming bullies,with a glaring superiority complex.
I have an Acer Aspire LMI1522XPP with Windows XP Pro SP2 installed, all legitimate. It fails the authenticity check so I just removed WGA. I am no longer a fan of Acer for other reasons (I’ll never buy their products again) but this is unreal. I’m going all Mac/GNU and never going back. You’re telling me that a company with a current market cap of 237 billion needs to do this? It’s sickening, and I’ve had it with these guys and their crappy software.
I have a Dell laptop and Microsoft is telling me the copy of windows is not valid! I am going to contact Dell directly, but have no time this AM. It was purchased in in 2003 I think.
I have customers who try to reinstall Windows using their Dell restore disks, then WGA says their copy is invalid AND WON’T LET THEM DOWNLOAD ANY MS UPDATES AT ALL.
This is terrible!
Microsoft should be forced to buy us all hookers.
my xp is genuine, but after installing a new MB, WGA says it is not NOW! WTF. I even retyped the key from the back of the computer.
My copy of XP is genuine and came preinstalled on my PC late last year. The day before yesterday the ‘This copy of Windows is not genuine’ message first appeared. I thought maybe a reinstallion would make it go away. Wrong! The reinstallation seemed to go OK and I put in my 25 digit COA code. Then rebooted. The computer now hangs on the user selection screen (the PC is set up for multiusers). I spent a couple of hours on the phone to Microsoft Support trying to get Windows up and running again. We went through the process of trying to start the PC in Safe Mode, then with the Repair Console, but to no avail. Microsoft Support then washed their hands of the problem. Thanks Microsoft:(
After reading a warning on BBC Sci-Tech about the Windows Genuine Advantage Notification, I decided not to accept the update, for now.
Each time I switch on the pc, Windows Live OneCare changes it’s status from Good (Green) to Fair (Yellow) & insists that I go to MS Updates. I click on the relevant button in OneCare & as soon as it connects to MS Updates, the sttus changes back to Good (Green) & I don’t accept the updates.
I’ve read through the majority of this string & am very concerned about accepting the update. I bought my PC through the highly reputable department store John Lewis. Only once I am ready to accept the update (everything backed-up), I will do it. If the update then prevents me using my pc or causes me problems, I’ll be straight back to John Lewis with the accusation of them having sold me illigitimate software on my pc. and if they do not fix the problem, I’ll prosecute.
Is this a good fix?
http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/04/workarounds-to-disable-non-genuine.html
I think the hole thing is stupid because microsoft seem to forget that not everyone can afford to pay the rediculous prices for there software which usually has floors in it that they reveal at some point its not fair since microsoft control 80% of the current market I would like to see a more competitive market i.e MORE choice cos aint none apart either imac or linux but thats it whats going man!!!
My son-in-laws system got WGA’d. The system told him that his copy of XP was not licensed even though it was the OEM copy on the box. Now his box loads the background, but the desktop does not come up and the only way to execute programs is to spawn a new task from the task manager.
In the last month I’ve three relatively new HP-Compaq machines in for updating (from clients who use them in factories & don’t have internet access on the PCs).
On all three, after installing all Windows updates over several update sessions, the WGA Notification pops up and says they are not legitimate copies of Windows.
Two are on XP Pro, the other XP home. All three have the original HP Windows CDs and manuals and a hologrammed Microsoft licence sticker on the machine case.
None have been re-installed, they are all as they were when originally purchased retail.
I’ve seen way more false alarms so far than machines where ‘WGA’ has not complained.
I see it as both defamation and blackmail – how many businesses can afford to leave a machine visible to customers when it’s showing popups that it’s running a so called ‘pirate’ copy of windows?
I hope the legal action against Microsoft is as fast and effective as it was with Sony & their idiotic copy protection system..
Since WGA was installed on my system, websites in Firefox open only after repeated opening and closing of the browser. The hourglass remains visible and the page will not be accessible regardless of how long you wait. The browser can be closed after a few seconds by clicking the red X in the upper right corner of the browser window.
I have learned that I can get around this faster if I first open MS Internet Explorer and then try Firefox, but I would still like to have my computer free of WGA again so the websites would open on the first try.
Thanks for the opportunity to complain, Ed!
I run XP PRO SP0. It doesn’t seem to occur regularly (thought it might be, I’m not sure) Windows Update will open instead of my Homepage when I start IE. It’ll ask me to install SP2 and I say no, because I know it won’t work, it then asks me to validate and I decline because I already know that my copy isn’t legal, (My legal home version wouldn’t let me connect to the internet via DSL, while the pirated pro would, and the internet is worth not using a legal copy.) WGA is definitely something sour, and I dont’ think I’d have any genuine advantage of using a legal copy of Windows myself.
i cannot install windows xp SERVICE PACK 2 …it says ur windows is not genuine…is thr any patch available for it?..HELP!…. plzz…..
Running Sony VAIO notebook with original Sony install. Had all updates, but recently lost connection to the internet via lan here at home. During this repair the windows verification that I intended to do once I reestablished connection with net, has frozen my boot screen at the “Windows is starting up…” on screen display. Down in the rt corner is: “This copy of windows is not genuine. You may be a victim of software counterfeiting.”
I have left this screen untouched, waiting for something to happen for as long as an hour, and nothing. So I have no access to my files for banking etc. Now what?? If this is all MS fault, where do I sign for the massive class action lawsuit??
I have owned my computer with Windows XP for a little over a month. I too have received that dreaded Windows Genuine Advantage virus, I mean, update. My problem, is that the update will not install because my Windows “must be activated.” Since this is liscensed OEM software, presmably Gateway already activiated Windows, since there is no way now for me to activate. According to the instructions, all one has to do is click “all programs”, “accessories”, “system tools”, and then “Activiate Windows.” However, the last click is not there. Now what?? Microsoft wants me to completely reinstall the OS or risk getting shut out of my computer altogether! Or buy a new copy. Isn’t this a bit like extortion? July 26
i’ve had problems installing certain programs it says my windows isn’t genuine so i cant install windows media player 11 is there anyway around this so i can install the player
This is second and last installment of my “Windows Genuine Advantage” saga, the first report posted July 26. It has a happy ending and I hope this blurb will help somebody somewhere.
To review, my problem wasn’t (yes, past tense now) that WGA reported that I had an illegal copy; it was that my OS refused to install WGA thinking I had not activated Windows. After spending hours over several days talking with numerous techs from both Gateway and MS, the consensus was that I needed to reinstall Windows OS to retrieve the “Activate Windows” command.
I did so and…still the command did not appear!!! I desparately searched the Internet for any clues to this baffling mystery and–what do you know? Way down in the bowels of support.gateway.com I found, under FAQ, a blurb about activation. Find it at:
http://support.gateway.com/s/SOFTWARE/MICROSOF/7509595/FAQ/Activation.shtml. (No, there is no T in MICROSOF)
The paragraphs explain that Gateway uses System Locked Pre-Installation (SLP) that automatically activates the OS,
thus making the process completely transparent to the user. This explains why the “Activate Windows” command never appeared. After I re-installed the OS, the WGA validation procedure slipped right through like a banana-peel-on-the-sidewalk pratfall. I don’t know why the glitch happened, but the catch-all explanation is that some file or data got corrupted somewhere along the line. Who knows?
It appears I was mistaken about the source of the problem. After tons of research, my problem is fixed. When we buy factory installed software, the computer companies, ie OEMs, that MS sells their software to can make modifications and MS will not necessarily know anything about them. In this instance, I forwarded the Gateway link to the tech department at MS. I think they are happy to get any information on solutions to software issues.
June 28
Weirdness happening since install. A left click on the mouse or touchpad on my Sony Vaio initiates a continuous delete. Wipes emails and opens delete dialog box when clicking desktop shortcut icons.
I recently purchased xp pro, full version at best buy. I had heard there could be problems with installation, and I knew I would be zeroing out the hard drive, so I parted with $300 to ward off upgrade confusion or problems. I had not understood about this validation process untill the first full install. I was directed to a web site that offered me the ability to pay for a ‘real’ copy of the software. I was told I had a pirated copy. That scared me. I was wondering if I had put the receipt from Best Buy in a safe place.
The few hours I expected to spend on the install ended up taking a few days time, and a few months (from stress) off my life. After rebooting on my 3rd uninstall and reinstall, I didn’t even push any buttons, suddenly, the sceen notified me with wonderful news, that my xp pro software was legitamite, I was not a pirate, would not be shamed in front of my kids when the authorities showed up.
I understand completely what the goal is with microsoft, but I think they should continue to tinker with the technology before springing it on us.
I’ve reinstalled windows oem many times, had to retype the codes and so on, and for the most part all went smoothly. But this was not a pleasant experience, to say the least. I daydreamed for 2 days about best buy being a software pirate.
I have a Presario 2570US Laptop with a Wireless Button that allows me to turn off my wireless connection at will. I have Windows Updates set to Auto so when the update came through for WGA, knowing it was only to install critical updates, it was installed. Now the wireless button control has been overwritten and I cannot turn the wireless connection off not by the button or by enabling it in my Network Connections. I too started going some research.. found where I could uninstall WGA and not install it automatically when it came up. So I did that. I restored back to the previous point prior to the WGA being install… the button worked fine.. everything was back to normal. Then here comes the update. I left the update UNINSTALLED on my computer, having changed my settings to “notify me” but do not download or install.. it downloaded anyway so I ignored it and continued on. Then when I went to turn off the laptop, it told me that I had updates that needed to be installed. I clicked the option NOT to install them and to shut down. The next morning when I started the laptop… the install started also.. and WGA was back on my machine again. The button would not work again… so once again I restored the laptop back to the point prior to the install and ONCE AGAIN set my “Updates to notify only”. The same thing happened again. So this time I restored it back. Turned off the Auto Update, got the button working again but was hassled by the constant reminders of my computer being at risk. I have reinstalled all my drivers for my laptop buttons. I have contacted both my laptop manufacturer and the manufacturer of my wireless adapter and no one has a clue as to what to do to fix this. WGA had previously been installed on my computer and everything is VALID… but this last update of the WGA is a NIGHTMARE. It will not allow you to leave it uninstalled. It will not allow you to update anything else until you install it and when you do, you get problems. I even tried disabling my wireless… directly connecting my laptop to my cable modem, and it wouldn’t let me disable that connection either. It is like once you download this.. WGA update.. you cannot ever get OFFLINE where there is no ACCESS to your computer other than to shut it down! Microsoft needs to have their HEADS EXAMINED… this is SPYWARE …and a NIGHTMARE!!
Assuming that a beta3 event means most problems are solved, I read the requirements for the system and other nuances that Microsoft was finding. It appeared this would work well and so I downloaded and installed IE7 beta3 that sounded much like Firefox. The problem with WGA was not present at first. However, after being informed that the install was not completed, when I attempted to try a second install, WGA gave a failure message. Oh oh I said to myself. Outlook and other programs starting giving me a missing dll error notice. I attempted uninstall and it said due to update 928800 or something like that I could not uninstall without loss of the system. Long story: research on blogs/websites, downloud and install many dll files, disable several services in XP, finally get to roll it back with a restore point that previously would not work due in part to the WGA failure. System is now working well. If they autoinstall the IE7 that I had I will consider giving money to anyone who hacks Microsoft products and go to an Apple machine. It took two days away from my home business.
What’s the fuss, you don’t need WGA, just download and use BigFix, it’s free and much better than windows automatic updates anyway.
Disabled the Automatic update service, turn off securty notifications for auto updates, download bigfix and install it, Problem Solved.
Cheers
I purchase an OEM copy of XP Pro in July 2005 from a legit retailer. In January 2006 it failed WGA. The CD and COA both match the MS visual security check. WGA reported either a pirated copy or Product Key had used multiple times. Both I knew to be untrue. I worked with WGA staff for a short time when they suddenly stopped responding to my e-mails without explaining what was wrong with my XP copy. Three months later a different WGA staff contacted me by e-mail and we did arrive at a final answer: the Product Key was bad. As soon as MS made that pronouncement all further questions went unanswered. In the meantime my retailer was obtaining a new copy of XP Pro that does pass WGA. While I was waiting for the new XP copy, I did enjoy trying the various methods to hack WGA.
I have a lagitamite copy of xp pro disk, key code been registered for a couple of years, computer updated sunday july 23rd when it restarted I get error message cannot find operating system. will not boot up in safe mode, nor will it boot up with xp cd ????????? My second pc gets the Pirate notice constantly (seperate cd key code lagitamite)
I am running XP 64 bit edition from Microsoft’s Action Pack Subscription. I am doing this to find out what problems there are for 64 bit support before any of my customers ask for it. Doing this has thrown up quite a number of issues, and not necessarily those that I expected.
I installed it at the start of 2006; it is patched by WSUS from my SBS server. Whenever I downloaded any extras that required validation, it said it was OK. Since the latest WGA fiasco, it has decided that this is not a legitimate copy of Windows.
So, stuff shipped direct from Microsoft is now failing. This does not actually gibe me confidence that the way they test for it works.
And of course, here in the UK, you have to give a credit card to Microsoft to talk to them, and if they agree that it is their problem, they cancel the charge. Thus it costs you $350 to tell them that they have a problem.
I read elsewhere that Microsoft has caught 60 million cheaters through WGA, but I suspect that a considerable percentage of them are legitimate, or people who have tried to be legitimate e.g.
My elderly mother in law had a stroke and is in hospital and wanted her laptop. Something had gone wrong with the start button. I have spent a lot of time trying to fix it – a temporary workaround was to revert to the classic menu. Of course, HP only supply a disk for XP Home that reformats the whole partition, so the usual option of doing a repair does not work. Using a different disk to do this also does not work, as the HP licence code is locked in some way, so I have to buy a new XP Home copy in order to repair it.
How many other people have had to do things like that? I have more legitimate copies of the software than I have machines.
If Microsoft go ahead and make WGA compulsory, then I hope that someone forces them to deal with all the legitimate problems for free, instead of charging us to even talk to them.
I don’t believe in piracy, but neither do I believe in extortion. The rights have to be balanced.
I’m an IT professional and the only occurance I have seen was my father’s PC. But once is one time too many. Considering my father is a licensed professional engineer and he most definitely has real, licensed copies of all of his software, I think I was more upset by the ridiculousness he was forced to endure as a result. Microsoft has no clue how much this WGA buffoonery can and will upset the typical professional “power user” because this “bug-feature” is effectively keeping them from working (and making money and meeting deadlines) when they have to stop and clean up the mess from this. My dad lost one day of work dealing with this. Microsoft has no freaking idea, because my old man bills $150/hour. And guess how many people have heard about this from him … and then from me. Talk about damage control. Microsoft is effectively pushing Linux and selling Macs with this ridiculousness.
You may be a victim of software counterfeiting out do get rid of this notification it happened after i did a strange update some time ago
I’m running a 3-day old out-of-th-box Compaq laptop purchased from Circuit City, with the software basically as installed from the factory. This includes Microsoft Works and a 60-day trial version (which I haven’t used/activated)of Microsoft Office 2003.
Created my first Works Wordprocessor document, and when I selected spellcheck, a warning window popped up saying I was using an illegal copy of Microsoft Word (repeat: I’m using Works Wordprocessor, not MS Word, and the 60-day trial Office software is uninitiated/unused). When I closed the warning message box, Works Wordprocessor exited, taking my document with it. I was steamed!
Anybody else having similar problems?
rj
You have to remember: many of your problems may come from the fact that when you purchased an OEM copy that didn’t come from Microsoft, someone else may have already copied down the product key off of it before you sold it. Same goes for independent outlets. I’m not saying all outlets are shady, but some ARE.
ED:
as a legit small-business “commercial” purchaser and user of MS products, I am more that incensed that I now receive “Your system may be at risk/Not Genuine MS/Buy Genuine MS” notices. I just purchased new Symantic “2006 Works” and the notice and icon disappeared for on boot cycle and prior to going on-line. Then like magic, the not genuine notice magically re-appeared. Can you help me with this? As a “by-product of this, if I attempt to print anything that comes on screen via Outlook or on Explorer, the program crashes and all is lost. Is this a new phenomenon or is there a fix for these issues? I had hoped the Symantic works might give me an on-going fix, but I guess it was too much to expect. I have attempted to get to MS to get them to help but I only get the “Buy new/genuine MS” line. I have bought MS/done so since starting in business in 1993 and if there was really something else, I WOULD! Ray
Those really sound like three separate issues, Ray. The Norton SystemWorks product won’t help with WGA validation failures. In fact, because it’s a file system filter driver it may be the cause of the crashes.
I’m sending you an email asking you for some additional details.
I run Linux.
Some people say you need to be smart and geeky to properly configure Linux. There is truth in that. For instance, if you want a NAT/Firewall, first you have to spend 10 minutes on the web looking for one that you like (shorewall is good) ; then type “emerge shorewall” and sip a beer while the system installs all required software, then spend another 10 minutes reading documentation and writing a configuration file.
Then it will work for years, until the hardware in the machine dies, the CPU overheats because of crap accumulation in the fan, or you do something stupid like installing alpha release experimental drivers or rip the powercord out with clumsy feet (these are the only ways I ever made a Linux box reboot)…
On windows, on the other hand, configuration is simpler. Sometimes. Not always. However sometimes it will stop working for no reason. For instance yesterday I added a USB Wifi transmitter to my windows computer. Naturally I set it to maximum firewall level. Of course my LAN stopped working as Windows had screwed up the Ethernet adapter configuration. This week I have spent maybe 4 hours just to get file sharing to work between two computers. I can install and configure Samba on Linux in 20 minutes.
Linux : 10 minutes of pain to configure a software package ; then it works for 10 years.
Windows : count about 1 hour per month per software just to maintain it in some semi working state that might break at any moment.
WGA just went past my toleration threshold.
Notice how when Big Business wants to shove shit down your throat they call it “Advantage” “Genuine” or some “Plus Pack” bullshit ?
Bob, does your USB Wifi transmitter work at all on linux ? probably not (as well as XP I run Debian-Ubuntu and love it but linux is not yet easy or complete enough for the
averageuser (I have to use ndis wrappers to get any sort of wireless happening on my notebook))Anyway, my daily work (repairs/upgrades etc) brings me accross many illegal copies of windows with WGA isses (sometimes several a day), I have only ever seen 1 false-positive which was due to the system date being incorrect (and it took a lot of work to get rid of WGA notifications after resetting the date) but my main point is to all out there who say that WGA killed thier RAID/USB/periperals/etc , IME thats probably not the case, most failures are not related to WGA , more likely to other security or other updates which are known to break some applications/drivers etc, these updates may well have happened at the same time as WGA.
(spy/malware is usually the root of all such problems + happy home hackers deleting system files in an attempt to remove WGA)
Also as someone who ends up on the phone to MS a fair bit I have to say that IME MicroSoft have always given me the benefit of the doubt when it comes to activation and WGA, I have indeed been surprised several times to have activations allowed… perhpas its my phone manner ?
This has happened in my major customer to a Dell and a Compaq. Both had their company’s respective VL key code. I was not called until 1st tier support had failed to resolve the issue (which involved several phone calls to MS and Dell, with each pointing the finger at the other and nothing done for the customer).
When I was called in, there was a big white label on the sign-in screen proclaiming the piratical status of this factory-stock Dell. Checking the installed CD Key, it was not the same as what was on the label of the machine, no surprise there, I’ve never seen the installed Key match the label on OEMs, only on smaller shop-built machines.
When first confronted with this, I felt the best thing to do would be to reseal the PC and then reinitialize it with the sticker Key, but I felt compelled to image the machine before implementing this solution. Lacking time to do it then, I disabled and removed the WGA software, realizing that if any important security issue requiring an update arose before I got back to it, this machine would be at risk. Thank You, Microsoft!
Fortunately nothing untoward happened in the ten days before I got back, DVD writer in hand, to create the image. Surprise, however, when after the image (an hour and a half of my very-expensive time sucked up by MS) and reseal, the Non-Genuine label remained on the sign-on screen. Thinking they would offer better solutions at this late date, I followed the web solution, navigating to the very obscure link (after all the money grubbing ones, what’s up with that? MS ain’t stinking rich enough already??!) which allowed us to officially change the key and get relief from the Piracy labels.
This cost my client over $75 for this one machine alone. MS can no longer make those stultifying claims about TCO anymore, they must be costing the industry millions dealing with false positives. They have not just shot themselves in the foot with this one, they’ve lost the war. This 100-doctor clinic will be moving to Linux with the next update cycle, and MS can go stuff themselves back into the garage they crawled out of.
Since this does not seem to be affecting HP OEMs (in my admittedly-limited experience), one wonders if this is partly MS punishing those OEMs that don’t sell exclusively MS O/S on their hardware (but the end users take the punishment? And partly some VPs aim to get a name for himself? Hope they wise up and shove him out the door, FAST!
–Steve
Isnt WGA a third party installation, that they dont warrant?
When has any Microsoft software been totally working?
Just.. do whats necessary to use the hardware you purchased and WORKS PROPERLY. If that means improperly hacking some solution to make your computer work, at Microsofts expense. Do so. Otherwise you can continue to count down the warranty on hardware that you purchased because you believed it would work. (That was before Windows was introduced into the situation)
AND for the posters above that have problems with Windows in a VM.. sigh its called virtual for a reason. IRQs and Memory addresses are not the same as a PC with 1 BIOS, 1 BOOT SEQ. But keep complaining, after all, its easier to blame others for stupidity.
Simon Wheeler,
How did you fix this?
“I have only ever seen 1 false-positive which was due to the system date being incorrect (and it took a lot of work to get rid of WGA notifications after resetting the date)”
Yesterday I was messing around and set my date to 2010 well low and behold I’m now an unapproved WGA user. I immediately fixed the date and it still says this.
Well it seems that a Day and a half later after this it has finally gone away and again thinks I’m legit.
After weeks of ignoring the nagging message I finally let genuine disadvantage install. Two reboots later and my system will no longer reboot due to corrupt system32\config\system file. Is this coincidence ? My next ‘pc’ will be an Apple Mac.
I have a small computer repair shop and have seen more and more computers that will not boot after WGA. But its not the flood of broken computers that you’d expect if MS hit a kill switch and knocked out all the illegal copys all at once. I think MS is killing the illegal copys slowly. Trying to keep it stealth to avoid negative backlash.
I’m a small repair shop owner. I do all the support for a client who is also a local municipality. Imagine my dismay when I got a call saying they were getting a popup on a laptop that said that “Windows is Not Genuine” and “This Copy of Windows May Be Counterfeit”. I upgraded the machine about a year ago with several hardware upgrades and a new copy of XP Pro OEM/System builder to replace the XP Home that came on it. I don’t buy software off the back of a truck. Neither do I install VL or pirated OSs on customers machines. The wholesaler I get my parts and software from is totally legit. He is currently working with M$ to get it resolved. Meanwhile I search the forum at microsoft.com/genuine/ find out that there is a WGA report tool and some other things you can do to track down the problem. I run the tool, do the additional validation check on the web site and then write a detailed post to the forum. Anyone wanting to post there and hoping for a real answer to a real problem can forget it. The bot that answered informed me that the Compaq COA on the bottom of the laptop was for Compaq’s version of XP and wasn’t compatable with the version I was trying to install… I just about went nuke! She didn’t read my post at all. In it I plainly stated that I had removed and destroyed the Compaq COA and put the new, Pro OEM sticker in it’s place. She then posted again and said that I should make a piracy report on the dealer I bought the software from or get a WGA kit from M$.
Well that was a solid waste of time. The forum title is a welcoming: “Speak to Us at Microsoft!” but that’s a bunch ‘o bunk. The people who respond to the posts are volunteers; NOT M$ employees and don’t know squat about anything that’s not on their little script sheet of things to say. What’s up with that anyway? Why does M$ need volunteers??? They not making enough money these days??? Also, even when the forum is presented with a case where there is a strong possibility that WGA is a broken piece of beta junk, they refuse to entertain that possibility in a response. They also refuse to upchannel the unresolved issue and put a user in contact with support personnel. What were they thinking anyway, making WGA a “Critical Update”? If a class action comes up against them for this WGA fiasco, I’m signing up. This WGA thing is hurting the professional reputations of honest business persons and M$ couldn’t care less. Using Windows is becoming less and less attractive these days. Can anyone say Linspire? Or something equally distant from the Empire at Redmond.
New Dell PC with XP Pro installed. All runs fine says its genuine but if I run the genuine advantage check it is unable to complete. I am told it is my anti virus program. So I need to turn off my anti virus, whikst kinked to the WEB in order to get the latest security and tools from MS? Or am I confused here?
A client’s HD failed. We cloned it with a USB case. The original HD is growing bad sectors.
The PC has a retail box’d version of XP Pro from CompUSA.
Now, WGA says we’re illegal. We cannot log onto the machine.
MS is wrong.
This is the biggest mistake that I’ve ever seen from MS.
Here is another REAL PROBLEM with WGA…most the people installing pirated Win XP copies use a keygen that generates unique keys.
Some of those unique keys end up already being in use by legitimate users, who have their account flagged and are herded into paying again for another licensed copy as the other choices are so difficult to find and to prove. They are also ACCUSED of being a pirate instead of being recognized as a victim. Very similar to the tactics of the RIAA, but lets not go there. The pirates just jump to a new fresh key, no problem for them.
Also many new computers only come with no or horrible “restore” media, not truly installable full copies, so WHEN problems arise and they have to reinstall, they can either blow away all their data with the crappy included “restore” disc, or do a repair install from a copy that they are not licensed to. They have a license and should have a full copy, but MS’s agrements with many hardware venders only allows for crippled or limited install discs. These aren’t pirates.
MS’s program doesn’t catch pirates, there are even easily found utilities on the new that blow away or alternately trick WGA into always giving false positives.
MS’s program ONLY shakes down the average users for extra cash into MS’s pockets.
Transferring your license to a new machine is difficult. The activation crap is even worse.
What are they thinking….protecting us?…yeah right!!!
I came upon something that worked for me. Email me if you’re interested.
Madelyn, if you have something to share, post it here.
I installed the WGA (KB905474)and now the display has gone into “1981 mode”, 4-bit color with 640×480 definition. Bugger!
When I came back from holiday my computer had installed WGA. It said that I didn’t have valid software. When I checked the validation test online. I passed it. Although this positive result the warning stays on my computer. I can even download from the windows-site. However I cannot get to my e-mail program gmail.com and I want to get rid off the bloody irritating message. Does anybody have a suggestion?
Advice;
1) DON’T leave “Automatic Updates” on “Automatic.” Set to “Manual” or “Turn Off.”
2) If you do have WGA installed, remove it. You can do so with Autorun:
http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/Autoruns.html
Just disable anything named “WGA.”
3) Next time you buy a computer, buy a Mac running MacOS. Go to OpenOffice.org instead of using Microsoft Office:
http://www.openoffice.org/
Cardhu
After downloading and installing the WGA kit AVG anti virus wich was running on my machine for ages no longer works. – I tried to reinstall but it has some language incompatability. – Windows has to rectify this or supply us with another free antivirus solution!
I continuously get a warning “Your System May be at risk” and have to click through the software not genuine on boot up.
Gateway was unable to resolve the problem. They told me to back up and format the hard drive.
Nice solution . . . I would still have the same product key, right?
I just setup a new out of the box Dell GX520 desktop system, with WindowsXP preinstalled. I installed all of the Microsoft patches and updates, Office 2003 and patches and other user applications. I registered the system to our domain (Microsoft Server 2003). Upon completing the installation, I shut the system down, restarted it and logged in to the domain using the clients login and password, to insure that everything was functioning correctly. As an aside, we use WSUS to push patches and updates out to our clients. In my haste to get the system installed and setup at the clients desk, I forgot to plug in the network cable. I turned on the system and as soon as I attempted to log into the domain, I got the “Genuine Windows Validation Error” message. Once I realised I didn’t have a network connection, I found and plugged in the patch cable. It took two complete shutdowns and cold restarts to clear the error. I do believe there is some issue between WSUS and WGA.
I have had problems with WGA and it pisses me off i had to download viruses to make my windows genuine with limewire and remove them with norton antivirus 2006 and it stilll screwed up my computer. My advice is dont download WINDOWS GENUINE ADVANTGE KIT
Ok This is what I heard from Microsoft Tech Support help desk (In India (go Figure)…. When I installed Microsoft XP Pro on my computer and updated it with WGA stuff I never had a problem until the last updates in Aug of 2006 of this year. What it turns out to be is that the computer companys that build computer (Example HP, Sony, Dell, etc…) had been putting in some special file (don’t know what it is) to be used on their machines only. I bought my software from a Computer supplier store in which they ordered their Windows XP software from one of those vendors that I mentioned. Anyhow those updates are corrupting the WGA execute file because of the file(s) that those vendors are installing on their versions of Windows XP. Microsoft has acknowledge the problem and is in contact with those companies to fix the problem. Who knows when the patch will be out or Service pack to fix the problem will be.
Is it right for microsoft to interact with my computer ? just because can ? it is something like , me , going through microsoft’s bank accounts and look over for my money that gave to buy ( yes the crappy ) software to check if the money i gave them is original money or take them back until they ask me for them again ( VS reinstalation )
BTW , linux is an answer (until it become a corporate product ) it does not consume 300 MB of the memmory just to hold the OS ,and loool , at network environment works 2.5 times faster than any of microsofts platform ….interesting .
I HATE to serve the product that i bought to serve me …
why i have the feeling that broadband connections are like trojian horse …. ?
I guess I’ve just been installing updates as they come around for a couple of years now without problems… until now.
I went to go use my computer and logged in. The system was painfully slow and I had a notification on the taskbar saying “You may be a victim of software piracy” or something like that…
My system was acting very strange, the CPU and memory usage was normal (not spiked or anything) and it was intermitently freezing up every 10 seconds. At first I thought my machine was hacked.
My genuine copy of windows was hissing at me all of a sudden and for no apparent reason. I was pointing the finger at M$oft at this point.
I noticed my hard drive light was solid. I set my drive to do a check disk and reboot. Well… I guess my heads are smashing into the platter slowly because every 1000 sectors or so was bad. I guess it no longer looked like genuine windows because my hard drive was screwed.
I let it reboot naturally and came back for a look in the morning. There my machine was sitting with a SMART Failure imminent. Damn, my docs were backed up but not my profile… so now I am wondering if the WGA crappy/useless tool is causing more problems as I try to recover my data.
Like I don’t have enough problems. Damn you microsoft and damn you maxtor crappy hard drives.
I have a legal copy of windows pro and now since the update it says its not legal and tells me to go genuine. Ive had this on my system for years without a problem until now
Whew…
Ok, my story, (And a FIX).
I have a corporate licensed version.
I re-imaged the computer using the official Corporate Image.
Ran for a few months. This user is a “traveling user”, sometimes using Internet, sometimes using Cisco VPN.
This week, WGA popped up… following the links, it provided the correct last few digits of the corporate serial #. And, of course, it woudn’t allow me to re-enter the same #.
Anyway, after the notification popped up, I decided to run Windows updates, and got this web page:
Windows Validation Errror
A problem has been encountered during the Windows Genuine Advantage validation process.
To resolve this:
Log into your computer with a user account with Administrator Priviledges
delete the DATA.DAT file from: c:\documents and settings\all users\application data\Windows Genuine Advantage\data\DATA.DAT (the drive letter may depend on your Windows installation).
(there was a link to “Revalidate” on the page).
At this point, I re-installed all of the updates which seemed to go smoothly.
However, when the user rebooted, the error came back again.
We then followed the last 3 steps on the page:
Click Start and then select Run. The Run dialog box opens.
Type wgatray.exe /b in the OPEN field and then click OK
Restart the computer to remove the non-genuine notifications.
After I installed an update with WGA, I wasn’t able to get any more updates. It told me I didn’t have a genuine copy of windows xp, which I did. I had to pay $35.00 for a tech support call, and they verified I had a valid copy of window xp, but they still charged me for debugging WGA on my computer and getting it working again. What a scam.
I wrote a little note in the windows newsgroup about having burning to DVD problems. This real nice guy took one paragraph about using the Upgrade Advisor. And wrote this reply to post::::::::
The problem with the Upgrade Advisor that is well intended is it’s flat
wrong half the time. On box after box that has enough RAM to run Vista
perfectly, I’ve seen false messages saying drivers won’t work that work
perfectly for Sound, that new IDE Controllers (Intel (R) 82801BA Ultra ATA
Controller) and new IEEE Serial Bus Host Controllers (VIA OCHI compliant
IEEE 1394 Controllers) and they are just flat wrong.
There is also the false message Vista gives on a number of boxes when they
try to dual boot running setup from XP from every since Build 5472 on up
that you cannot install Vista and Vista setup runs flawlessly as does Vista
on each of those machines after you restart and run setup from restart
(which will allow the bios to reassign your drive letters which can be
reghacked back to normal).
MSFT has been well aware of these bugs and done nothing whatsoever about it,
as is par for the course which will along with their new Windows Protection
that targets legitimate copies of Vista cause numerous sales losses and much
time spent after their PSS Convergys of Ohio contractors are incapable of
handling this by MSFT personnel. An example of how calls work when WGA
screws up is quoted on Ed Bott’s blog including MSFT’s head in the sand tail
between legs failure to respond to one of their long-time MVPs and the
author every OS of the MSFT Press book that is one of the leading references
books on the Windows Operating system–his Windows Vista Inside Out has sold
nearly a million pre pub copies:
Another Wave of WGA Failures
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?cat=12
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=142
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=144
Ed Bott Blog Readers Burned by WGA
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1370#comments
You can read Ed Bott’s information and comments on the new SPP here:
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/
From Ed Bott “We recognize the inconvenience.” Is it really that hard to say
“We apologize”?
Apparently the egos at Redmond and the eggregious imperious attitude makes
it impossible to admit they make huge mistakes and impossible for them to
apologize. There is much in common with the disastrous West Wing policy and
MSFT’s implementation of Vista and failure to correct Vista Bugs. “Stay the
Course” no matter how broken the program or feature seems to be the mantra
as the tin eared boys and girls get ready to party over broken Vista with
kegs and tents.
MSFT flat out refuses to fix the broken Upgrade Advisor because they want to
trick unsuspecting customers into buying hardware they don’t need. MSFT
setup teams flat out refuse to fix the setup glitch on a dual boot when
setup is run from XP that has sprung up in every build including today’s
build since 5472.
MSFT would rather protect their revenue stream than their customers who buy
legitimate Windows”
From Ed Bott author of Windows Vista Inside Out
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9361.asp
The book ought to be a great book if it incorporates the insights and
analysis in Ed Bott’s two blogs and is always a must read for a Windows
enthusiast or someone who is teaching or administrating Windows operating
systems and servers:
See:
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/
Ed Bott’s Windows Expertise
Tips, tricks, news, and advice about Windows and Office
October 6, 2006
UAC good. SPP not so good.
“In the midst of a post about Microsoft’s new viral marketing campaign for
Windows Vista (which I wrote about last night), Dwight Silverman tosses off
this aside:
Whether [the Demetri Martin campaign] will be enough to get consumers to
pony up the bucks for a Vista upgrade, and once they have it, make them
forget such irritants as the User Account Control and the Software
Protection Program, remains to be seen.
I just want to go on the record here with my thoughts that these two
features should not be mentioned in the same breath. UAC is without a doubt
a feature that was designed to provide a benefit to Windows users. We can
quibble about the way it works, but not about the goals behind it.
SPP, on the other hand, is the successor to Windows Genuine Advantage. Both
initiatives have in common a reliance on Orwellian language that appears to
be in the customer’s benefit but is actually a horrible inconvenience and
potentially a nightmare. Despite Microsoft’s attempts to spin the new
program, there’s no advantage for the Windows customer, and the only thing
being protected is Microsoft’s revenue stream.
By definition, security measures like UAC are inconvenient. But SPP goes
beyond being an irritant.
OK, rant over. Sorry to pick on a single offhand remark, Dwight.”
Quote from link:
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/
Chad Harris
I’ve spent most of this afternoon reading this thread.
I can readily relate to almost all of the reports and problems – since my system is a pretty old and a really standard XP Home installation.
I’ve successfully installed SP2 and more MS upgrades than you could shake a stick at – and the system stays solid.
WGA is to be installed and running OK; and the system checks out as Genuine.
So, I’ve started to wonder what it is about my system that is keeping me safe.
The only thing I can put it down to is that my small, 5 system, Peer to Peer MS network sits behind a hardware Firewall/Router from ZyXel called a 660H which is set to keep everything I don’t initiate … well and truly OUT.
It has been like that for 3 years; and it’s never blinked once.
On two occasions – both times through my own stupidity – it has let a virus / malware into my master system or any part of the network. Happily, I saw each happen, switched all other machines off and managed to remove all traces of both on my master system – after studious research on the Internet and before any real damage had occurred.
Obviously it allows me to run my Internet connection or I would’nt be here on this site.
I can apparently download and install – using DAP (the free version) – anything I choose and I can and do send and receive files of any size.
I run Microsoft’s Windows Defender, Error Nuker and use F-Prot’s Anti Virus software – all regularly updated.
This whole WGA saga is frightening the life out of me – and I’m sure many others – and Microsoft should be ashamed for doing that.
I’m old and savvy enough to suspect that if Bill Gates were to read this forum he would put a stop to matters PDQ !!
Swearing at him will certainly do no good !
I hope that the forum managers have the means and the will to get this entire thread to Gates and stop this WGA process in its tracks.
I cant even log on to my computer and am told my version of XP is not genuine, help!
One of our office computers started with the wga popups and warnings after the latest wga download. We purchase all of our computers from Dell with Windows pre-installed, so its very annoying to have this type of problem. How do you get rid of this if you know for sure that you have a real copy of windows on your computer (it was activated and valid for the last 3 years),
After I installed an update with WGA, I wasn’t able to get any more updates. It told me I didn’t have a genuine copy of windows xp pro. Mine is an OEM version I purchased from EBAY seller. Worked ok from the install May 2004 and was very stable. On Sept.23, 2006 after installing an additional stick of 512MB memory, my PC system crashed with a blue screen but no mention of invalid OS software. I took the memory stick out and was able to reboot and it seemed to work ok. Then on Oct. 17, 2006 the system crashed again and I could not even get a BIOS post. I took out the BIOS battery and was able to get BIOS to run but it would not boot the OS. I re-formatted the hard-drive and re-installed Win. XP pro. Did it three times but each time it would crash after a reboot. Finally it would not even boot to BIOS and hard drive light would just stay on. Thought system had died, so I bought an EMachine from Wal-Mart and I am now running full steam. I have taken the hard drive from my failed system and it installed as a slave on the new one without a problem. The hard drive appears to be ok, but does it have a virus lurking waiting to crapt on my new system. May just delete the entire drive. Just wondering how to check out old system to see if it can be salvalged. Thanks,
A friend of mine bought a NEW Acer Travelmate laptop in the US. It came with a legitimate OEM version of Windows XP Pro SP2, the recovery CD and the seal in a booklet.
Since a couple of weeks ago she is getting the annoying pop up that the Windows installation is not legitimate!!!! how big a screw up is this? you buy a new laptop of a reputable brand with a legitimate version and then get a false positive like this?
this method works for sure and won’t install viruses. use this to beat the WGA!
http://www.rfuz.com/windows/tips-and-tricks/crack-or-hack-the-windows-xp-genuine-advantage-validation-check.html
Ed could you please edit some of these responses. That would make the list shorter and help folks concentrate on the original problem: WGA.
Poor responses follow 2 patterns:
[1] The previous writer “Johnny” included a link which goes to a page where you have to login. I never could so I never saw a thing. If I give 4 legimate logins for emails and company networks, then will the website hack into life??? Makes me wonder.
I used Google to see if “Site:www.rfuz.com” has any other WGA content. The result was– only the useless webpage listed.
[2] Several writers have some importnat problems with their PC’s, but it’s nothing to do with WGA. No one here is gonna give spyware advice, or whether their harddrive has a virus. I know these are equally frustrating, but really have nothing to do with WGA, and the odd thing is: NO ONE IS telling us what the solution is!
Microsoft has said that we need to use their article
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341/en-us
This tells you how to upgrade or reinstall Win XP. Sounds alittle drastic to me. If my car can’t run due to spark plugs, then i WILL NOT change the engine! Sorry, I will NOT do that for a new set of plugs.
No lets get to the real problem. If it’s HARD to change those plugs, whatever it is, it can’t be as bad as changing that engine — or in this case “Reinstall”
In fact, if you read the article, it states:
“Can’t start XP in Safe Mode …. The problem is caused by a recently installed Microsoft software update, and you cannot solve the problem in any other way.” This IMPLIES that there are better ways to fix the Safe Mode problem. {We can only hope that WGA variants – Safe Mode hassle or not – that all of these have a solutions much easier than a reinstall.}
Soap box closed.
Wayne, I don’t have the time to edit comments. If I did, I’d spend full time on this and other threads. If they’re obscene or spam, they get deleted. Otherwise, well, everyone has to sort through the noise to get the signal. Btw, the link supplied by Johnny worked for me.
Facing problem with microsoft genuine notification
please give me a reamedy
ive had this VL since this pc was built. the frist time i went to update wga came up so i put it in. i couldnt do anymore updates. next day i called microsoft. they gave me a work around and admitted there was a glich with some VL this was right after wga came out. yesterday i had to reformat my pc. so i called them back thinking once more they would just update the key like have have in the past. not so this time they said they had no info on this key and i should eather but a new copy or get a new pc. it really digs at me. i paid for this and they came right out and said it belonged to a tablit pc. then there tech was tacking to the person who looks up the key and says arnt VL only for biz? more or less saying i shouldnt even have. BUT the real part that tick me off was it was my 2nd call that day the 1st time they checked gave me the new updated key like a dummy i just entered in on pc. and didnt wright it down wont do that again
When the update came out, I downloaded it (having nothing to worry about since I have a certified copy). The best of my knowledge, everything was fine – no issues shows. But about a week ago my entire system crashed. I had to boot from scratch. Now I get a Microsoft Genuine Advantage “validation” error, but only when I try to run the SP2 (which I can say that I really don’t want due to issues it has with my security software and my outlook, but other updates are looking for it). To add salt to the wound, I called Microsoft for help, and they couldn’t help me. The claimed that even though my CD isn’t an OEM disc, it is some kind of version they consider OEM (educational copy) and they say I need to pay or go back to the supplier of the computer. I have been a PC advocate over Mac for years, but this just may be the straw that breaks the camel’s preverbial back!!!! Why is it that they continually create updates, many times with flaws or known issues with partner software suppliers, and then can’t help you!!!!!
I have gotten notifications that my copy of Windows is
not genuine.
It is genuine. I have the upgrade box and number to prove it. It is an upgrade over widows 98.
I went through this once were I had to revalidate it. Talking to a voice message.
Now it says it is not genuine again.
Hey, I paid for my copy.
I think it is time to consider organizing for a class action lawsuit. I have already wasted 3 hours on the phone with microsoft since I failed validation with a legal copy on my system. How dare microsoft send the WGA update along with security updates. I have sent in the email at the form for WGA related issues. We’ll see what hapens. I amthinking about sending them a jpg of my sticker with the bar code and all and force them to prove my copy is not legal. I am a professional and my hourly rate is $50 per hour, every hour I miss working due to this problem is adding up.
How do we find a lawyer willing to take them to task for this? I have been falsely accused of stealing their software. How utterly outrageous and contemptible. If any software vendors ever come out with a similar product the masses will flock to it over the debacle of the WGA.
I too have spent too much time digging my mother out of the “Genuine Advantage” hole. In the end, if you have an OEM key, you may need to use the “KeyUpdatetool” availialbe from MS directly. You will need to re-activate the software, but if it takes you should be able to get rid of the Genuine advantage crap without hacking your system.
http://brontide.blogspot.com/2006/12/windows-genuine-advantage-wga-needs-new.html
I steadfastly attempted to ignore the latest “advantage” from MS, but somehow it got downloaded and appears to have totally trashed my machine. I am (or rather was) running WXP pro SP2 that I bought at Fry’s. Unless Frys is selling bootleg copies, I presumed it to be legit. When my system crashed, at first I thought it was a hardware problem, I kept getting an error message about the video file (NVIDIA), but later two copies of windows installer kept popping up asking me to reinstall basically everything (mouse, keyboard, controllers..) So I thought well, it will be a pain, but I had better do a clean install. At the 51% mark, I began getting a “file cannot be copied” message. and about this time the “counterfeit” warning began appearing. So, get this, I bought a brand new copy of XP pro at Best Buy ($300!!) and tried to install that. Same result. I was never even asked to provide the activation key. Now I can’t even boot up in safe mode, the screen goes right to the counterfeit accusation. Only the possibility that this is some sort of obscure hardware problem, which I doubt, prevents me from wishing extreme violence on the thugs at MS. Adhesion contracts don’t give them the right to destroy my hardware. I wonder if this is actionable, as in class action lawsuit. No wonder the EU has it in for this software mafia. I wish them good hunting.
Doug, your problems have nothing to do with WGA. They can’t. There is no way that code could produce the symptoms you describe. You have a catastrophic hardware failure, either on the hard disk or the motherboard.
The first step in installing the WGA Kit for xp pro was to create a restore point. The kit installed OK but I had to go back to the restore point as there was a conflict with 3rd party software and the new key. Now the kit will not re-install message “key previously used or in use”. I have been communicating with a microsoft tech for 2 weeks now but no results.
Microsoft WGA has corrupted my computer ! After installing two days ago, my CD-driver no longer works, the graphics have disappeared, I cannot access items like my scanner.
What other company can get away selling dangerous products to its custromers.
Help.
I have a self built PC with a legal OEM version of Win XP Pro, I have no problems with registering. BUT now that I have the Dam WGA, every time I uninstall software or update software, or uninstall graphic drivers to install the latest drivers, I get a pop up box claiming that my Hardware has changed and I have 3 days to reactivate! Well I see a problem here as there has been NO hardware changed! In a weeks time due to Software problems and Win DVD told me it was a Nevada graphic driver problem, I updated and changed these drives and updated software 3 time this past week, each time the drive was changed I receive the “pop up box claiming that my Hardware has changed and I have 3 days to reactivate! I did this up until I got a message during reactivation stating I had used up all my time’s I can reactivate!!!!!
Bull !@#$ to this. I lucked out by restoring my PC to a date 4 days prior and upon reboot told I had to reactive and this time it passed.
MS needs to answer up for this headache.
I intend to build a new PC and fully intend to use the OEM of XP (legal) on it, of course this PC will be stripped and I will use the current HDD in the new box. I paid for it and as long as it is only used on one machine that should suffice.
I would like to know why I have this problem with reactivation when the is no hardware changed?
Regards,
Deb
Debbie, that error has nothing to do with WGA. It’s an activation issue.
Glad you were able to resolve it.
Recently tried to update a clients machine (virtually new).
Upgraded to IE7, WGA and Malicious Software tool….
System started suffering BSOD and “black” screen hangs, with what looked like “video” corruption.
Removed IE7… ever since, every time I attempt to update IE7, WGA or Malicious Software removal Tool the problem represents.
A call logged to Microsoft was eventually (after nine calls over three weeks) closed with the following work arounds …. decline all offered updates for the three applications (and flag, don’t re-notify…. only good until a new release) and wait for and immediately implement XP SP3 when it’s released!!!!
Was suggested that…
Corruption issues related to some video drivers have been identified…
Memory leakage and memory mapping issues have been identified with IE7 ….
And other issues…
Support rep claimed SP3 is imminent and “weighty”.
Anyone able to confirm SP3 release????/
Well – had a piece of RAM blow in the middle of a disk scan, screwed up my windows install royally. So, I ran the repair install. After the repair install, strange thing s ensued with IE (which had been downgraded to version 6), and WGA started malfunctioning and telling me my key was no good (it’s an MSDN volume key from my fully registered subscription, so I doubt that). Went to install IE7 – hitting the Validate button crashed IE. Every time I try to log on to Windows Update or surf to a web page it says something about my key not being found in a validation set and crashes IE. I managed to get to windows update by typing in “windows Update” in google (for some reason clicking links works but typing in addresses doesn’t). Hopefully an update will solve the problem – if not, I don’t know where to go from here…
I updated with WGAN since it seemed that it was the only way to continue using automatic updates. Now it tells me it thinks I have a non-genuine licence but it isn’t sure because it can’t complete the validation test due to my anti-virus software (Norton.) Norton immediately decided to uninstall itself but I still can’t update or remove the WGAN because of some problem with ActiveX controls. I keep on clicking ‘install’ and it keeps on saying it can’t. I downloaded the .exe installation but the system won’t allow that to run because the originator can’t be verified, but isn’t the originator MS?
i have been facing similar troubles like most who have mentioned this. its utterly rediculous! my friend has a dell latitude, and winxp refuses toaccept the valid license key! the windows had been completely corrupted prior to this, and warranted a format and fresh install. but this whole wga sucks. its been days at end, i havent been able to find any solution. if MS employs a killswitch, eople should bay for thier heads, replace the osama cards with billgates and allchin and the motely crue. i hate them all for the wasted time and effort!
I flipflopped on upgrading to XP (from… don’t laugh… an ancient but stable 95 install) versus moving to Linux on the desktop (it already runs on the server), and let my husband talk me into XP.
It’s been increasingly unstable, and MS blamed the Nvidia driver. So I upgraded it, and suddenly the WGA magically activated. Windows is supposed to be set to manually update, and hasn’t notified me of one in quite awhile… so if it’s actually respected the manual selection (which I begin to doubt), it certainly shouldn’t be anything new in WGA itself.
So yay, now I have machine that still crashes, and thinks its license key is corrupt. Or something.
I’m pretty sure switching to Linux at this point would be less work… the only reason I hesitate now is that dangitall, I PAID MICROSOFT ALREADY, and I haven’t gotten my money’s worth out of XP yet.
Hadn’t installed windows in a couple years, didn’t read up on the WGA thing. Installed a widely distributed winxp torrent version(ABSOLUTELY pirated, came with a publically distributed key they’ve probably seen a million times) , ran perfectly, that is until i updated. Reinstalled the system 5 times before i realized wga was corrupting my system32/config/files (after 2nd round updating). I decided to do first round only, and set updates to notify only. Got a notification icon in the bottom, clicked it, computer immediately rebooted, and every time the bios hits the mbr it autoreboots again, cant do anything, now the CD says the drive is corrupt and cannot install anymore, could be a coincidence, drive might have died, but it was all working perfectly before the wga thing, brand new drive as well, returning it, we’ll see what happens with the next one
Thank you’ll for your lists of problems I think the auto-update feature will be off on all my machines until this mess is fixed- Fortunately my machine was configured for manual install, and I seached for issues before installation. As anticipated MS is never a help to fix missing features or to bridge problems,(A fix to use visual studio on xp home once existed but now gone). but they never miss an opportunity to be both greedy and provide a defective product.
sucks for ppl in india…. everythings pirated out here… tough time finding an original copy of windows here! 😉
i was trying to fix a friends pc she has a hp media center pc. well she had problems and could not use the restore disk’s that she had burned when she bought the pc. she tried to get hp to give her the disk but they wanted her to buy them. instead she used and xp disc that a friend had and the key code. i was trying to update xp but it says her copy is not valid. i have the key code that came with the pc. i do not know how too change the key code. when i go too activate its says already activated
Office 2007 requires Xp Sp2 or Vista to install. Why when W2k SP4 is written to the same API?
When Microsoft is using it’s monopoly position to force an upgrade on people whose OS is perfectly adequate, but whose client’s/business contacts require Offiice 2007 it would seem to be time for DOJ to revisit their action against Microsoft. Clearly Office can run equally well on W2k and XP. The difference is just WGA, and Microsofts ability to force the upgrade because of it’s monopoly position in the industry, no more, no less.
April 2009 and the WGA hell starts again. My personal frustration involves KB905474. Since I earn my living as Microsoft Certified Pro, and always ensure all our systems are absolutely legal, I am now furious 1) at being treated like a criminal 2) at the huge waste of my time, especially as we are at the critical stage in a major software project. Just for the record: my personal system completes the WGA install, and tells me I AM LEGAL and authenticated, however the bloody annoying WGA wizard “nagware” continues to pop up at reboot. The only “support” I have received thus far is that the Microsoft help squad took the same Key numbers, ran them on their validator, and insist that these are NOT genuine. Go figure. The whole experience makes me think Microsoft actually want us to all go use Linux.