The PokéCommunity Forums

The PokéCommunity Forums (https://www.pokecommunity.com/index.php)
-   Off-Topic (https://www.pokecommunity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=23)
-   -   Windows Geniune Pop Up (https://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=177429)

Mitchman May 1st, 2009 12:57 PM

Windows Geniune Pop Up
 
So then bad news. My copy of windows has notified Mircosoft and such and lately it had been showing me a pop up. My dad looked into it and well he got all mad. Now we were worried of closing the computer and all cause we didn't want it to happen but it did. My copy if XP isn't legit or so it says. What can I do and will it ultimately brick my computer?

Virtual Chatot May 1st, 2009 1:13 PM

You could try Linux...? :P

Mitchman May 1st, 2009 1:14 PM

Hahaha. I never touched an apple product before. Seriously now what do I do?

X-626 May 1st, 2009 1:15 PM

I'm not entirely sure what your problem is, but Windows Genuine Advantage is extremely buggy. It can pop-up saying your copy isn't legit, when it really is. That could be what's happening to you.

Mitchman May 1st, 2009 1:17 PM

Well hypothetically it isn't. Would it eventually brick the PC or would it say just be there as a constant threat.

s0nido May 1st, 2009 1:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todoroki Is (Post 4599464)
Hahaha. I never touched an apple product before. Seriously now what do I do?

Linux isn't Apple lol. Anyway, just ignore it. It really doesn't do anything; you're just overreacting. It just disables you from putting desktop backgrounds and from using Windows Update or downloading programs from Microsoft. Otherwise, your computer won't be deleted or bricked or anything serious like that.

Mitchman May 1st, 2009 1:27 PM

Oh okay but yeah. So all it will do is just disable me from having a desktop backround and windows updates? Nothing serious like windows being a bit mean to me? Cool I think I can live with that. And uh how do I get rid of that stupid resolve now every time I open my PC XD

Gerri Shin May 1st, 2009 1:34 PM

If what I read is correct, that you bought that version of Windows XP and it had a Windows Genuine key, then you should be just fine. If you've done any modifications, like allowing custom visual styles to be used, then I would suggest using the system restore function to restore the computer to a state prior to those modifications.

If you haven't done any modifications, and this pops up then you should contact microsoft to see if they can help remedy the situation.

If you did not buy the Windows OS and that version was not originally bundled with that computer, then I would have to say go buy a legitimate OS disc and key and that should remedy the situation.

羨望 May 1st, 2009 1:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todoroki Is (Post 4599398)
So then bad news. My copy of windows has notified Mircosoft and such and lately it had been showing me a pop up. My dad looked into it and well he got all mad. Now we were worried of closing the computer and all cause we didn't want it to happen but it did. My copy if XP isn't legit or so it says. What can I do and will it ultimately brick my computer?

Is probably just Windows Genuine Did not recognize Right away try activating again,the only thing that Microsoft can do to your computer is lock you out of Windows If it is not legit anyway is just a Operating System you could try Linux/GNU if that happens but I highly doubt it.

Pazuzu May 1st, 2009 2:13 PM

Or the most absurd idea ever. You could actually buy a legit copy, omg.

Glitchfinder May 1st, 2009 2:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 羨望 (Post 4599684)
Is probably just Windows Genuine Did not recognize Right away try activating again,the only thing that Microsoft can do to your computer is lock you out of Windows If it is not legit anyway is just a Operating System you could try Linux/GNU if that happens but I highly doubt it.

Do you have any idea what you are talking about? Based on all the floating capitals, which show you didn't care enough to type properly, you probably didn't care enough to do research either. Windows Genuine advantage is microsoft adware that was beta tested in other countries. All it does is check to see if you have a "genuine" copy of any given Microsoft product, and, if not, continuously gives you popups notifying you that you have an illegal copy. It will then go on to tell you how to go about obtaining a legal copy of the software/os. Microsoft will NEVER lock anybody out of their computer, for fear of potential lawsuits, as well as the potential of bugs in the software that could trigger it accidentally.

As to the OP, do you or do you not own a legitimate copy of Windows, with a legitimate key to activate it? If you do, I suggest reactivating your copy of windows, and, if that does not work, calling microsoft tech support to resolve the issue. If you do not own a legitimate copy of the Microsoft product in question, I suggest you make haste to obtain one, preferably at a reasonable price, as it is not adviseable to try to force Genuine Advantage to stop, and I wouldn't recommend trying to bum rush tech support into activating your copy, although many people do that as well.

羨望 May 1st, 2009 4:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glitchfinder (Post 4599966)
Do you have any idea what you are talking about? Based on all the floating capitals, which show you didn't care enough to type properly, you probably didn't care enough to do research either. Windows Genuine advantage is microsoft adware that was beta tested in other countries. All it does is check to see if you have a "genuine" copy of any given Microsoft product, and, if not, continuously gives you popups notifying you that you have an illegal copy. It will then go on to tell you how to go about obtaining a legal copy of the software/os. Microsoft will NEVER lock anybody out of their computer, for fear of potential lawsuits, as well as the potential of bugs in the software that could trigger it accidentally.

As to the OP, do you or do you not own a legitimate copy of Windows, with a legitimate key to activate it? If you do, I suggest reactivating your copy of windows, and, if that does not work, calling microsoft tech support to resolve the issue. If you do not own a legitimate copy of the Microsoft product in question, I suggest you make haste to obtain one, preferably at a reasonable price, as it is not adviseable to try to force Genuine Advantage to stop, and I wouldn't recommend trying to bum rush tech support into activating your copy, although many people do that as well.

Forgive me for my grammar,I was just mentioning that Windows Genuine Advantage may not recognize the Activation Key due to maybe a server went offline or the internet connection.Now about Microsoft locking someone out of Windows,I was just Indicating the worst case scenario,Which I again Doubt it.

twocows May 1st, 2009 8:59 PM

1 Attachment(s)
I'm going to assume you have a legitimate copy of Windows; I recommend if you don't, that you remain quiet about it.

The WGA installer contains the following files:
legitcheckcontrol.dll
spmsg.dll
wgalogon.dll
spuninst.exe
wgatray.exe
(in a folder called "Update")
wganotify.cat
updspapi.dll
update.exe
update.inf
update.ver

WGA is a pain to uninstall manually. Luckily, while investigating some of these files, I found an automated uninstallation script (link). I've attached a batch file that should automate the uninstallation process of WGA if you're using Windows XP. I looked through the code myself, and it shouldn't cause any problems for your PC as far as I can tell; still, use it at your own risk.

EDIT: Oh snap, I left out an "n" in "uninst." Oh well, can't fix it now.

Mitchman May 1st, 2009 9:24 PM

Well I got all the answers i need so uh yeah thanks.

as2 May 2nd, 2009 1:26 AM

Yay for promoting not doing windows updates... Precisely the reason Conficker managed to get such a stranglehold; using an already patched flaw!
Avoid Windows Updates is the stupidest thing you can do if you at all value the data on your computer. Don't do it. You make life a pain for every other system administrator out there. Don't do it! :)

Just curious, go into system properties (Right click My Computer) On the general tab have a look for the product ID, what is the string of 3 characters in the middle? OEM, 770, or something else? http://www.mvps.org/marksxp/WindowsXP/prodid.php

If its OEM you can go and moan at the person who sold you the computer and probably trading standards if the copy turns out to be dodgy. If its another code, let us know as it tells us where your copy came from. Retail, MSDN, etc etc

j

:)

twocows May 2nd, 2009 9:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by as2 (Post 4601208)
Yay for promoting not doing windows updates... Precisely the reason Conficker managed to get such a stranglehold; using an already patched flaw!
Avoid Windows Updates is the stupidest thing you can do if you at all value the data on your computer. Don't do it. You make life a pain for every other system administrator out there. Don't do it! :)

Just curious, go into system properties (Right click My Computer) On the general tab have a look for the product ID, what is the string of 3 characters in the middle? OEM, 770, or something else? http://www.mvps.org/marksxp/WindowsXP/prodid.php

If its OEM you can go and moan at the person who sold you the computer and probably trading standards if the copy turns out to be dodgy. If its another code, let us know as it tells us where your copy came from. Retail, MSDN, etc etc

j

:)

WGA doesn't patch anything, its sole purpose is to cripple your installation if it thinks it's not genuine; it has absolutely no advantage to the end user, and I strongly recommend nobody install it for security reasons (it sends information about your PC out every two weeks).

Rukario May 2nd, 2009 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twocows (Post 4602265)
WGA doesn't patch anything, its sole purpose is to cripple your installation if it thinks it's not genuine; it has absolutely no advantage to the end user, and I strongly recommend nobody install it for security reasons (it sends information about your PC out every two weeks).

Its purpose is to BUG you to buy a legit key and/or disk.. nothing more.

It does not spy on you (although it does compare your os version and key to a master db at M$)

for some updates and downloads from M$ you HAVE to run/install it or else no download for you.

the ONLY solution to the WGA popup is to use only a legit copy of the os.. go buy a key.

twocows May 2nd, 2009 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rukario (Post 4602362)
Its purpose is to BUG you to buy a legit key and/or disk.. nothing more.

Yes
Quote:

It does not spy on you (although it does compare your os version and key to a master db at M$)
Every two weeks, it sends out this data:
  • Computer make and model
  • BIOS checksum.
  • MAC address.
  • A unique number assigned to your computer by the tools (Globally Unique Identifier or GUID)
  • Hard drive serial number.
  • Region and language settings of the operating system.
  • Operating system version.
  • PC BIOS information (make, version, date).
  • PC manufacturer.
  • User locale setting.
  • Validation and installation results.
  • Windows or Office product key.
  • Windows XP product ID.
Source and source
Quote:

for some updates and downloads from M$ you HAVE to run/install it or else no download for you.
Only optional updates and a few products, like WMP and Windows Defender, none of which are necessary.
Quote:

the ONLY solution to the WGA popup is to use only a legit copy of the os.. go buy a key.
The thing is, many people who get these popups have a legit copy. According to an arstechnica article, 22% of Windows installations were identified as "not genuine," and 90% of those were false positives related to issues that had nothing to do with piracy (for instance, misuse of a vendor OEM license on a non-authorized computer).

Mitchman May 2nd, 2009 10:46 AM

So wait the more I ignore the more windows gets on my case until they say come to my house with the police or something?

twocows May 2nd, 2009 2:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todoroki Is (Post 4602468)
So wait the more I ignore the more windows gets on my case until they say come to my house with the police or something?

So far, WGA is the only spyware-type program I know of that Microsoft has widely installed. Just remove it and make sure you don't reinstall it, and you should be fine.

Eureka1 May 2nd, 2009 4:13 PM

Basically, Volume License Keys.

Why even have to bother WGA when you have the selection of any kind of XP ever.

Glitchfinder May 2nd, 2009 5:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twocows (Post 4602442)
According to an arstechnica article, 22% of Windows installations were identified as "not genuine," and 90% of those were false positives related to issues that had nothing to do with piracy (for instance, misuse of a vendor OEM license on a non-authorized computer).

Actually, OEM software being used on a machine that it was not authorized for is considered pirated software. That is one reason Ebay doesn't allow the sale of OEM software. (Although I HAVE seen it being sold on Ebay anyway, and have actually bought an OEM game from Ebay. FYI, I already owned the hardware that the game was authorized to be used on)

twocows May 2nd, 2009 9:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glitchfinder (Post 4604267)
Actually, OEM software being used on a machine that it was not authorized for is considered pirated software. That is one reason Ebay doesn't allow the sale of OEM software. (Although I HAVE seen it being sold on Ebay anyway, and have actually bought an OEM game from Ebay. FYI, I already owned the hardware that the game was authorized to be used on)

Talk to ars about it, I pretty much quoted them word for word on that statement.

Anyway, the point is that WGA has an absurdly high false positive rate, and there's absolutely no reason to have it on your system. If you don't have it, don't install it; if you do have it, try using the batch file I provided earlier if you're using XP.

Mitchman May 3rd, 2009 4:22 AM

Can we close this I found a solution!

Eureka1 May 4th, 2009 12:25 AM

On the topic of WGA, Microsoft are removing it for Windows 7 apparently. Even pirate copies will be able to download updates, which I find both smart and stupid.

1. It'll discourage people from buying it
2. Keep people away from Mac/OSX and Linux

Let's just hope Windows 7 is decent after Vista. :P


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 6:32 PM.


Like our Facebook Page Follow us on Twitter © 2002 - 2018 The PokéCommunity™, pokecommunity.com.
Pokémon characters and images belong to The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo. This website is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Nintendo, Creatures, GAMEFREAK, The Pokémon Company or The Pokémon Company International. We just love Pokémon.
All forum styles, their images (unless noted otherwise) and site designs are © 2002 - 2016 The PokéCommunity / PokéCommunity.com.
PokéCommunity™ is a trademark of The PokéCommunity. All rights reserved. Sponsor advertisements do not imply our endorsement of that product or service. User generated content remains the property of its creator.

Acknowledgements
Use of PokéCommunity Assets
vB Optimise by DragonByte Technologies Ltd © 2023.