Blue Star In Taskbar? Genuine?

djstevie · 27-04-2006, 00:10

Quick question here. Nipped down to my mates tonight to collect a cd after work and he was complaining about an error message on his computer.

Theres a blue star in his taskbar saying his windows is not legit and he gets an annoying error message everyime he boots up now. Now i KNOW his windows is legit cause the 2 of us got ours at the same time and i've never had any problem with mines whatsoever.

Before he goes up to the computer shop ranting and raving that the guy has sold him a tampered with keycode, has anyone heard of this before. Its just like a blue star in the tasbar and when you right click it, it says Buy Windows, Verify Details and a few other things i cant remember. Seeing as its me who normally "fixes" his computer do you think i should just format it?

Typical how people running pirated versions of windows xp get no probs but us legit users get nothing but hassle

Answers on a postcard please.

Chris W · 27-04-2006, 00:17

sounds like some kind of malware/ spyware which is trying to get money out of him...

i reckon a full adaware/ spybot and AV search should sort things out

*moved to security and virus discussion*

djstevie · 27-04-2006, 00:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris W

sounds like some kind of malware/ spyware which is trying to get money out of him...

i reckon a full adaware/ spybot and AV search should sort things out

*moved to security and virus discussion*

That was my first impression but when i clicked on Buy Now, it took me to what looked like a legit microsoft site. All anti-virus software and spyware blaster returned negative.

danielf · 27-04-2006, 00:27

If it looks like the pic in the attachment on this post it is genuine (Windows Genuine Advantage Notification):

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...5&postcount=50

WGA was part of yesterday's windows update...

djstevie · 27-04-2006, 00:35

Ahhh i cant view the pic as im presumin it needs microsoft word which i dont have but it certainly sounds similar. I'll tell m8 mate to go back with his copy pronto.

cnewton2k · 27-04-2006, 00:38

yeah as of tuesday they have started a new WGA thing !!!

carlingman · 27-04-2006, 01:14

Have another look http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...874#post731874

Living proof here that the fix works although in your mates case make sure he gets a legit copy as he was sold it.

Aragorn · 27-04-2006, 09:05

If the retailer messes him around with a refund / genuine license, you can always threaten to report him to Microsoft - http://www.microsoft.com/uk/piracy/r...w/default.mspx
They used to offer an amnesty (send us hooky software with receipt and we'll send you legit stuff) but can't find it anymore.

djstevie · 27-04-2006, 11:14

Went up with the disc this morning before work and the guy in the computer shop accused ME of giving other people the code thus it becoming corrupted. Utter pile of tosh of course but after 10 minutes of arguing i eventually got my disc replaced, this one is sealed though so better not get the same probs again or i'll be right back up there,

Thanx for the help guys...reps on the way.

Chrysalis · 27-04-2006, 15:07

I got a legit windows and installed this update simply because I thought I would get bugged all day long until it was installed, I have since learnt that you can hide updates so I plan to uninstall it and then hide it in windows update as I dont like the idea of this running in the background.

Druchii · 28-04-2006, 01:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrysalis

I got a legit windows and installed this update simply because I thought I would get bugged all day long until it was installed, I have since learnt that you can hide updates so I plan to uninstall it and then hide it in windows update as I dont like the idea of this running in the background.

Yep found out that you could hide them just a few days ago... Shame i never knew about it until now.

Chrysalis · 28-04-2006, 04:22

I have also found out this cant be uninstalled :/ and I disable system restore, it doesnt seem to stay running tho, checks on startup then dissapears.

djstevie · 28-04-2006, 11:49

Not entirely true cause i did read up on a way to remove it but i wont post it here incase it gets me into trouble. I'll pm it to you.

redlighttraitor · 30-12-2006, 21:13

Ok.... here's how you get rid of the annoying windows blue star.

Go here, read the directions. It'll take you about 2 minutes.
www.imalamebannedspammer.com

If you're getting blocked from downloading updates because of the Windows Genuine Validation thingy, then go here to learn how to bypass.
Edit: Rob - link deleted: we do not allow discussion of means of bypassing copyright (even if the company involved makes a small fortune)

Goodluck and happy new year everyone!

30-12-2006, 21:19

dude

to the forum im not gonna condemn you for posting this but the site does not allow this kind of discussion I therefore advise you delete said post while you can