I switched on today to find a message that my software didn't pass the microsoft validation test. Microsoft can get stuffed as I have had the same software on this same pc for 4 and a half years.

Has anyone else experience this shenanigans and is a legitimate, ie is it OK to proceed through their labyrinth of installations etc.

Bob; any ideas, my man?

Cheers

Chris

Chris,

You can remove the checking programs & get rid of the problem that way, if you don't want to go through the Microsoft root.
Here is a thread discussing the various ways of getting rid of the messages etc.

windows-xp-problems-t10298.html

When it first happened (a few years ago now) I had the same problem - saying that my version was not an authentic Microsoft version. I just deleted the files that were causing the "check" & have not had an issue since - although I now make sure that I never download any Microsoft "improvement" that is called anything like "Windows Genuine Advantage".....

Thanks for the fast response Bob, much appreciated.

I'll follow up on the thread and see how we get on,

God; Microsoft are gits sometimes

God; Microsoft are gits sometimes

Git did you hear that..

I had a legal version of XP, but after installing it on a new computer, I got messages that it wasn't a legal version.
Called Microsoft that it was still my version with my serial number and gave them all the info they needed, but still kept getting the "illegal version" messages. After more phonecalls and e-mails nothing changed and in the end I gave up.
I removed "Genuine Advantage" (a virus made by Microsoft) and since then I don't get the warnings anymore.
The problem is however, I can't install new Microsoft programs (i.e. Office or a new version of Media Player) on my computer, because during the installation of a new program it checks if I have a "legal" Windows version.

Sometime ago my computer crapped out on me. Took it to the local fix it shop and they installed a bogus copy of MS. For a while I couldn't update my computer with MS updates, until I download a systems information program that gives me all the details of my computer. Through this program I discovered a way to update my computer and have all the latest updates. Most surprising of all I get the "automatic updates" icon and when I click on it the latest updates are downloaded.

there is a validation tool which you download and copy the number and install it when ever it ask you
I know it a pain but if you want your up dates this is one of the prices you pay. if you change your graphics card (video card) and your computer crashes you have to call Microsoft again to validate your installation all over again

Well personally I have moved away from Internet Explorer (to Firefox) away from Microsoft Office Professional (to Sun Open Office) and am currently looking at moving from XP to pclinux. So then Mr. Gates can kiss my ass & I don't have to put up with his overpriced, faulty & memory consuming products ever again!!!

Does "Pops" do re-formatting and clean-ups, 'cos the pc could do with a good seeing to.

Thx all for your views.

Bob are you sure you want to go linux because not to many software co write programs for linux
I bought a new Imac and it great I also have my old pc which runs win/xp I also have a problem with Imac they don't have the selection of programs windows has

Ron, what program do you need to run?? Maybe I can help.

this is off my desktop. mr. billy can

Wonder how long it will take you to migrate back, Bob, when you find out that you can't run your favourite programmes. Any digital camera etc you buy will probably not run its software under Linux.

Pak at the moment I am OK with the software I have installed I will investigate further and let you know

mr. billy can

ease up on the poor guy, ok, rich

but he is tops on the game for giving money away, amazing amounts to real charities, his own, which he oversees, sort of. probably has saved more lives than any individual country.

ok, so he's a savey business man and found his niche, lucky

where's mine

i want to come home and say, draw bath, and have the water come on automatically. i have a hard time even getting water

i want my own electricity, not 2 breakers

i'm satisfied with his products, though fairly ignorant to options, but must not need them, as i do all that needs to be done on his.