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software counterfeiting

17 years ago

I have a Sony Vaio, windows XP. I've had it close to 4 years. Out of the blue I get a pop up balloon in my task bar saying "You may be the victim of software counterfeiting" When I click the balloon it says "Validation Incomplete" Then it goes on to say "This copy of Windows did not pass genuine validation because the validation process could not be completed.
Most customers who receive this error can resolve the problem by:
1.Following the resolution steps found in Microsoft Knowledge Base article # 813442.

2.Running genuine validation again.
If this error still occurs, we recommend that you log in as an Administrator and install the latest version of Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications."
I don't understand. After all these years how can I all of a sudden be told my my software is counterfeit? What is this?

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Comments (6)

owbist
17 years ago
By now I would have thought Microsoft would have sorted themselves out, obviously not. They seem to catch a number of genuine owners like yourself claiming you may have pirated software, hoping perhaps that some will actually buy a new version. I would suggest you read through the knowledge base carefully and do things needed. Up to and including making the toll free phone call if necessary.

When I rebuilt this computer 3 months or so ago MS tried to disallow my validation saying I had tried to validate too many times. What? I had to fight my way through computer generated stuff till I finally got a live body who also suggested I need to buy another copy of Windows. Perseverance paid off and I am validated again. But what if I need to wipe my drive later?
mst___
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks. I will see what I can figure out. I find computers confusing so I'm a little leary of working on it myself.
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marthapartha
17 years ago
That happened to me, when my hard drive started failing. Mine failed from constant use of Starforce copy protection, screwing up my drivers.

When I called Microsoft, they even had it on a taped message: 'if this is in relation to your Windows validation press #?'

They had so many problems with their new Validation tool, they had to train a whole new group of off shore representatives to help with the problem.

The Validation tool doesn't distinguish between problems and/or missing data and Genuineness. It was their number one headache until IE 7.

Reserve a day. Have your Windows Product key number available. You will need it within seven hours after talking to them.

First Microsoft told me I had to work it out with Toshiba, because the computer came with XP installed, Toshiba installed it and they must have done it wrong.

Then I call Toshiba, of course they say "what?" Microsoft is blaming us for their Validation tool not working properly...18 months after we installed XP?

I call Microsoft back...they say its Toshiba's fault that its not genuine...again.

I call Toshiba, who looks up my call from ten minutes earlier, then they tell me to call their nearest service center. The service center at Toshiba then stated that Microsoft was out of their mind to blame them for the copy of Windows not being genuine, after 18 months of claiming it was fine. They further stated they don't service Windows software. That was Microsoft's problem, no matter who installed it.

I call Microsoft back again, and demand to talk to a supervisor and I'm transferred to a disconnected number.

I call back again, this time swearing at them, and I finally get connected to the message about the validation tool problems.

Then I get A service rep, first she looks my product key code (which takes an hour), and my Windows is indeed Genuine, even though their new validation tool claims it not to be. They want me to burn a CD, except I can't because Windows won't let me, thinking Windows is not genuine.

Then I'm told to run down to the local library and burn a disc (from the address they had me write down on a piece of paper). You've got to be kidding me, I asked them if they have ever noticed the actual number of working computers at a public library. I talk to another supervisor he swears that I don't have a hard drive problem, that everything I'm experiencing is fairly common. The disc I'm burning is supposed to override the Validation Tool.

An hour later ...I'm buying a new hard drive, and that was the problem. Almost 12 hours with Microsoft for nothing. It was terrible.

Good luck, may you have a better experience.

marf
jane__ny
17 years ago
Martha, every time I read your story it makes my skin crawl. What a nightmarish tale. How many hours of wasted time. With all the websites, there should be somewhere people can go to sign a petition or some sort of 'class action' to force these companies to pay for our wasted time and money. There should be some sort of penalties imposed on companies who throw their mistakes on the backs of people who spend their hard earned money on their products. Microsoft gets away with murder as does a bunch of other companies.
I tried battling Symantec and kept getting tossed back to Microsoft and Dell with no resolution. Hours on the phone wasted for nothing. And to add fuel to the fire, Symantec (who's at fault), keeps sending 'form' emails thanking me for my calls and that they are glad the problem was resolved. It wasn't and won't be because I won't use their product again, but I'm out the $60.00. But I won't play the phone game anymore (which is what they all hope will happen.) People give up and they keep making money.
Sorry for this rant, but I truly feel for what you have gone through. Sadly, it probably won't be the last of it.

Jane
marthapartha
17 years ago
Yep, its a problem. We all got to go through it. I'm now having trouble with Charter...honest to pete. That one is even worse. After two hours I gave up. Try again tommorow.
pier_3d_hotmail_com
17 years ago
Don't you think it is about time someone brings that case in front of a judge? Imagine if you buy a toaster that refuses to work after a few years and a rep from the toaster company blames you for having made too many toasts. Lollllllll...

The vast majority of the computers have a genuine Windows OS. What Micro$oft has to gain by starting this war? I think they have a lot more to loose than to gain. Like we all go to Mac or Linux, for example.

Pierre

Here is a link that might be useful: Les Sceptiques du QuÃ©bec

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