This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

Something weird has just happend on my PC.

The wallpaper has disappeared and the background is all black. I had a message asking me to register my Windows Vista and I have the following written at the bottom of the screen:

Windows Vista (TM)
Build 6002
This copy of Windows is not genuine

I must point out that the copy IS genuine, it came installed with the machine, when new, two years ago.

Can anyone advice?

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

Try this link for Windows Vista Re-Activation Problem


http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...8-d57530818e84

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

Being bought with a machine doesn't guarantee it is genuine.

If it is an off the shelf branded PC it is probably a false positive but if you bought the machine otherwise, you need to have the certificate of authenticity stuck to the tower...

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

My son in law has just had the same thing with windows 7. He thinks it some form of new blag like the anti virus con. he did a scan and his anti spyware stuff flagged something up.

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

i've just had to reactivate my sons old copy of vista we had on a hard drive ,we used the hd in a new machine so i think it was because of the hardware changes

@Flyboy have you changed any hardware?

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

This was bought from John Lewis and has the cert on the side of the tower.

---------- Post added at 22:13 ---------- Previous post was at 22:10 ----------

Yes, I had a new MB fitted two weeks ago. Do you think I need to do a recovery?

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

Just spoke to him on the phone. He says he looked in the system icon in control panel and that confirmed he was genuine and he had the blue icon saying it was genuine but he had a changed screen and a pop up stating he had failed windows genuine validation.

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

Thanks, I'm giving that a try now.

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

A motherboard is seen as a significant hardware change and would have triggered a new activation. It may just be that the OEM key has been used a few times by others and it has been flagged.

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

if you change too much hardware in a pc then windows thinks it is in a new machine and will shut down .All you have to do is either activate on line ,or over the phone if it refuses to activate and fight your corner ,you have every right to upgrade your machine and re-use a legit copy of windows in it regardless of what M$ think

basically it's a microsoft scam to get you to buy another copy of windows

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

I will be visiting my son in law tomorrow and i will try to get to the bottom of what happened to him in case this is a new type of scam.

@flyboy

I agree with the others that the change of motherboard might have triggered this.

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

If the motherboard is an identical replacement however, Windows PROBABLY wouldn't notice a difference

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

If it's from John Lewis and still within their two years guarantee, then they'll sort it out.

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

From the OEM licensing T&C:

"Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on your computer and maintain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software, with the exception of an upgrade or replacement of the motherboard. An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal computer." Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from one computer to another. Therefore, if the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect then a new computer has been created, the original license expires, and a new full operating system license (not upgrade) is required. This is true even if the computer is covered under Software Assurance or other Volume License programs."

You should be OK if the motherboard was replaced after becoming defective. However you will probably need to speak to Microsoft to get this resolved.

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

Thank you everyone, particularly DaiNasty for finding that out. I will have to talk to the people who replaced the MB (it was replaced because it suddenly died on me) and ask them for advice on what I need to do. I am a little more than peeved that they never told me this problem would manifest. But again, thanks to everyone who offered advice, all of which was very constructive.

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

You're welcome. It's an issue I've run into with repair work in the past and I agree that the people that did the repair should have been aware of this and dealt with the reactivation as part of the job.

I suggest that you use telephone activation and see if they can help.
To activate by phone, click on the Start button
in the Search box, type
SLUI 4
and hit the Enter key
Select your country, and follow the instructions - you will get an automated service, do NOT respond when asked which service you require - this should force an operator to pick up, who can assist you.

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

Firstly, Although possible, Ive never come accross a Windows geniune virus.

1. Lauch Windows Task Manager.
2. End wgatray.exe process in Task Manager.
3. Restart Windows in Safe Mode. (By pressing F8)
4. Delete WgaTray.exe from c:\Windows\System32.
5. Delete WgaTray.exe from c:\Windows\System32\dllcache.
6. Lauch RegEdit.
7. Browse to the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify
8. Delete the folder ‘WgaLogon’ and all its contents
9. Reboot

I am not liable for anything that breaks :D

That will get rid of it as far as I Know.

If it is a scam, Its definetely the first of its kind and I'd love a peek!

EDIT: Oh I didnt realise it had been solved! I wanted it to be a virus =[

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

Adzii, is that to correct the issue or to see if it is a virus or scam?

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

All that does is remove windows genuine notification which will reload after the next update.. you still need to contact microsoft and explain to them that it was a repair as to the replacement motherboard though you might need the repair invoice..

Was the replacement motherboard a like for like swap??

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

It was a like for like swap. It is looking more likely that I will have to follow it up after Christmas. Is the computer likely to crash, if I leave it until then?

Sorry for all the silly questions, but I really am a bit thick when it comes to computers. :D

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

Computers not likely to crash, but you might find that it'll restrict updates to critical ones only

Re: This copy of Windows is not genuine
 

Computer wont crash, As said above ''This will restrict Major/Critical updates''

As for the virus talk, Its best to keep it to a minimum because if this hasn't been done yet.. We just gave them the idea. Not to mention its a brilliant idea if cloned flawlessly. Wheras the fake AV's are just appauling in effort.