You May be a victim of software counterfeiting error!?

[Deegle]

Gday guys,
turned on my computer today (after it had installed some windows updates last night) and it came up with an error stating 'Your copy of windows is not geniune, you may be a victim of software counterfeiting'. It came up with an option with either 'Purchase genuine windows license' or 'resolve later' ( i chose resolve later.)

When opening the internet it came up with an error and send an error report etc. to windows, so i did. Now i have an icon in the bottom right hand corner of like a 5 pronged navy blue/black star, when clicked on the icon it encourages me to purchase a genuine windows license as well as the option to see the 'benefits of a geniune windows license'.

So yeah guys what do i do? The windows on my computer is legit as far as i know as we purchased the computer with XP over 18 months ago and never encounted anything like this.

Could this simply be a money-making scheme or is it the real deal? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[jim boy]

Windows has been rolling out the 'genuine Advantage' update, which does check for pirated windows, but beyond checking it does nothing else. You may have bought your pc legitimately, but the provider you bought off may not have been so scrupulous.

However I don't think Windows actually gives you the option to purchase, rather than advising how you can obtain a legitimate copy, so it sounds a bt suss to me.

I was lucky enough to stop that particular update from loading

 

[Benno_900]

I was lucky enough to stop that particular update from loading

How?

 

[jim boy]

I have my windows update settings as 'download them, but let me choose whether to install'. I then opted not to install that particularly update.

 

[Dylz48]

is there anyway to get rid of it once you have it

 

[spitlizard]

If you purchased it from a computer shop with the knowledge that the XP version was legit, I would be giving them a call.

Make sure you have the receipt and if the shop doesn't want to know about it, "suggest" that you may call Microsoft about it.

Betya they will come to the party then
Onus is on them...

 

[rfctigerarmy]

What happened with one of my programs which I bought (EyeTV), the key had been used by people torrenting and downloading it illegally. So, they terminated the account and my EyeTV wouldn't work anymore. I got in contact with the company and they issued me a new serial.

Perhaps the same has happened with your version of Windows?

 

[Rambo Stallone]

is there anyway to get rid of it once you have it

I don't know but if you haven't got the real deal just reinstall the computer from scratch from the disc you have plus your computer would run good with all the junk from before gone that's hidden and the programs you don't use gone that you don't wont to reinstall.

I always clean my computer out every 6 months or so and reinstall it from scratch it's easy,the disc does most of the work but Microsoft must kind of spin out thinking I'm using the same CD for like several computers.

The only thing is i have to get all the recent updates after Service Pack 2 again that might take hours to download.

I still don't understand why people don't just buy a copy,you won't get updates with a fake one . I wouldn't use a fake one when your buying things or banking online,it's probably o.k if you only surf the net with a fake one and watch the sites you go on.

 

[Borgsta]

I don't know but if you haven't got the real deal just reinstall the computer from scratch from the disc you have plus your computer would run good with all the junk from before gone that's hidden and the programs you don't use gone that you don't wont to reinstall.

I always clean my computer out every 6 months or so and reinstall it from scratch it's easy,the disc does most of the work but Microsoft must kind of spin out thinking I'm using the same CD for like several computers.

The only thing is i have to get all the recent updates after Service Pack 2 again that might take hours to download.

I still don't understand why people don't just buy a copy,you won't get updates with a fake one . I wouldn't use a fake one when your buying things or banking online,it's probably o.k if you only surf the net with a fake one and watch the sites you go on.

I have no idea why you reinstall it every 6 months as I think that is a ridiculous idea but if you feel you must do that you should call Microsoft and get an SP3 disc sent out to you. Would save you downloading all the time.

 

[Rambo Stallone]

I have no idea why you reinstall it every 6 months as I think that is a ridiculous idea but if you feel you must do that you should call Microsoft and get an SP3 disc sent out to you. Would save you downloading all the time.

Yeah i just do it for 1 just to clean previous programs i used that i don't want no more on my computer.

The other reason just to have a bit of fun reinstalling,that i like doing.

I actually like to remove the program Windows Media Player for good but it hasn't got a option to remove it permanently.

I hate that program,i use Power DVD that comes in a bundle program i bought.

When i do i watch Movies on my computer and when that program Windows Media Player starts up sometimes the movie has a green line on it.

Windows Media Player is pretty crap for also playing music, it sometimes can't find the CD artwork of my CD and the sound is not as good as others.

The main reason i reinstall is to get rid of all the previous programs junk and the games i once installed that still leave some bit on the computer.

The other reason I'm having a problem with my Video To DVD Maker that doesn't get a picture,that i installed a while back that worked but have never used it. It could be because of other similar programs,maybe something to do with things like DVX codex?

I also noticed that 20 gigs of hard drive is used,but there is like 15 or more hidden somewhere and I've cleaned my Windows temp folders and local system folders temp files. It suppose to be 120 gigs but really only 110 gigs,but it's only giving me 90 gigs.

I Do know Reformatting to much can kill the hard drive.

Yes that's a good idea getting service pack 3 sent,saves time downloading it.