Community Newsletter: Q&A: 8/25/06 Help! Windows Genuine Advantage issue
- 8/24/06 5:28 PM
Replacing Windows XP Pro with a legal OEM disk
by fishnet555 - 8/25/06 5:52 AM In reply to: 8/25/06 Help! Windows Genuine Advantage issue by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have read through all of the replies posted and did not find any mention of the fact that Windows XP can be repaired or replaced by simply copying a new version over the old version without losing any of the former setup.
First one needs to enter BIOS and determine that the 1st. boot device is the CDRom or DVDRom drive.
Restart the system with the XP install disk in the appropriate drive. It will then go through the normal installation routine and when it looks for and finds the original Windows XP installattion it will ask if you want to repair it or make a new installation. Choose 'repair' existing installation. It will then save your original configuration without modification, and proceed to re-install XP repairing and/or replacing XP system files as required.
When it asks for the product key code, simply use the new numbers that came with the OEM disk, once the install operation is complete it will end with your being asked to 'activate' the installation on line. In my case the numbers were accepted and no further problems.
My setup was preserved and is still healthy.
In a friend's machine the same series of events occurred, however he was given a long string of numbers which had to be repeated to Microsoft over the phone and they responded with a completely new key code.
In both instances the original setup and configuration was preserved in its entirety without further hassle.
My personal concern is that Microsoft would invade the privacy of one's computer with a program that reports back to home base every time I boot my machine. Like others I am concerned about what data is being sent back to Microsoft concerning my machine and its contents. I think it is an intrusion that if challenged could be proven as spyware and unlawful.
This is evidenced by the poll on this subject.
Tool to remove WGA
by KewlEugene - 8/25/06 5:54 AM In reply to: 8/25/06 Help! Windows Genuine Advantage issue by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
There's a utility to remove the WGA that seems to work very well:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=135257
WGA
by pjamme - 8/25/06 6:24 AM In reply to: 8/25/06 Help! Windows Genuine Advantage issue by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I too had a brand new HP that started giving this error after about a month, probably due to a windows update. As it were it was the CFO's and he wasn't too happy. i rebooted a couple of times and it went away??
I did some research on WPA and foud a utility to correct erroneous WPA findings. It's called removewga.exe and can be downloaded and instructions from Wilder Security at:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=135257
I haven't used it yet, bu I am ready.
Peter
To go around MS GENUINE ADVANTAGE
by 4jackie40d - 8/25/06 6:26 AM In reply to: 8/25/06 Help! Windows Genuine Advantage issue by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Shut off the junk windows XP calls a fire wall and get Sygate and do a block of all windows SERVICES . .
Second stop the Automatic UP DATEs Thirdly go up manully
to Microsoft and do your up dates . . I have the same windows 2000 Pro on about 10 computers and they can get the UP DATES . .
Easy solution that has worked for me 3 times so far
by piercemj - 8/25/06 6:42 AM In reply to: 8/25/06 Help! Windows Genuine Advantage issue by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have had the same problem setting up a machine from scratch with XP Pro(2 desktops and 1 laptop). Everything loads fine, but then it says that it isn't a genuine copy (which it is) and won't allow updates.
I installed Service Pack 2 and this issue went away.
You may want to try the Service Pack if you haven't already before you dive into your registry.
Good luck,
Marty
Manufacturers
by zerochaos72 - 8/25/06 6:44 AM In reply to: 8/25/06 Help! Windows Genuine Advantage issue by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I know a lot of the guys who are putting these PC's on the market today are not sending recovery disk but they are sending a recovery partition instead. So how are we suppose to know what the original product key is. I know HP only gives you one chance to make a backup of the whole system. Well I started off with a CD so I had to make 12 more. I see that an answer has been given I just want say that my opiniion is that most people want think of or dont look into the part where they have to make the recovery disk themselves. We pay for the software so why do we have to go out and waste our 13 disk or one dvd to do this. I know the other way of going about the problem art had was to have maybe had the people he was helping to call and order a backup I mean it cost but they can have a complete backup of the machine. Its cheaper than going out buying XP with a product key.
zerochaos
I have experienced this problem on an MSDN version of XP!
by pearl298 - 8/25/06 6:50 AM In reply to: 8/25/06 Help! Windows Genuine Advantage issue by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
This copy of XP came on the green colored CD from MS, Disk 1012 dated October 2001. I obtained the CD as part of the regular monthly distribution with my (personal!) MSDN Universal Subscription. As a result I am fairly sure that this CD really came from Microsoft!
Yes the subscription WAS a nice perk from a startup! 
MSDN allows several activations for each copy, this one installed without problem on 3 systems then gave a WGA "invalid" flag on the fourth! In each case the "upgrade" to SR2 and WGA came a long time after the installation.
Removing and re-installing the copy of Windows fixed the problem.
This is practical on a software test system, but hardly reasonable on one's working version of Windows!
replace w/ updated WGA tool
by zlevee - 8/25/06 6:53 AM In reply to: 8/25/06 Help! Windows Genuine Advantage issue by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I had the same issue. The version of the WGA tool that caused these problems was pushed to users as a critical update even though it was actually a Beta release. After removing the WGA tool, and allowing the "fixed" version of the WGA tool to install, my ability ot access updates returned.
Here's an article, actually from this site, about it:
http://news.com.com/Microsoft+Heres+how+to+halt+WGA+alerts/2100-7350_3-6088669.html
more info
by zlevee - 8/25/06 7:06 PM In reply to: replace w/ updated WGA tool by zleveeUnlike others here just providing info on removing the tool, the method I'm describing will get a working version of the tool onto the affected machines so that they will have full access to all MS updates.
This link which only addresses the first part has been provided in other replies is also in the article I gave a link to above:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=921914&SD=tech
However I wanted to point out that on the machines that I encountered with this problem, though they weren't able to access the MS update site they did receive notifications of available updates through Windows Security Center. The updated version of the WGA tool was available through Security Center. The info for the update says it will remove the pilot version nad replace it. Removing it (and replacing it) in this way is a much easier method than going through the steps in the MS support link.
WGA Office 2003
by sue3333 - 8/25/06 7:00 AM In reply to: 8/25/06 Help! Windows Genuine Advantage issue by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Just the other night I attempted to download an update for Office 2003 as I have done many times in the past even after them running the validation check. I received a message that the numbers had been blocked by Micosoft. I purchased this version from a reputable on-line software company. Is this a problem with the software they provided me?
Activation of Windows XP Home Edition
by JohnM. - 8/25/06 7:07 AM In reply to: 8/25/06 Help! Windows Genuine Advantage issue by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi, I too have had the same issue with updates in Windows XP. When you purchased your PC and or software,
did you activate the windows license and register?
If not,that will cause that problem. Try to get the license info from your system registered programs and applications. Or about windows in the manage my computer files. Info should be there.
Firewalls can also block the update program.
Go into manage my computer and open up the services file. Make sure that all of the services are enabled and on Auto and started.
Once these are all activated,you should be able to get to windows updates and download the latest windows MSI 3.1 installer and you should be good to go.
If you still have problems,I can be contacted at the following: ifixit1@verizon.net
Good luck John M.
icon that says this isn't genuine xp window
by alaska364 - 8/25/06 7:09 AM In reply to: 8/25/06 Help! Windows Genuine Advantage issue by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
You can try one of two ways it should work Personally, I prefer to start the computer in safe mode, delete the 3 files - wgatray.exe, wgalogon.dll and LegitCheckControl.dll, all in the c:\windows\system 32 folder, and restart.
Start in Safe Mode, then delete the file and reboot normally.
You can also do Start/Run and type "regedit" and under Edit, run a search for wgalogon and everytime it finds it, delete it by pressing the Del button.
After you have deleted the 3 files reboot your pc and go to windows update and click windows update you should see express and custom buttons.Before you do anything on that page look in your address bar and you should see a address that says http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us what you have to do is delete that whole address and put this address in exactly the way you see it
javascript:void(window.g_sDisableWGACheck='All')then once that is typed in then press enter on your key pad,now go to custom and click on it and take the check mark out of the box that says checking for genuine windows
good luck
Never Activate your software again...
by bigbill52a - 8/25/06 11:02 AM In reply to: icon that says this isn't genuine xp window by alaska364Microsoft requires you to activate your software, and then, if that wasnt enough, they also require that you allow them to check your computer to see if you have some how escaped their draconian activation procedures and god forbid have a pirated version of their os on your system. If you should somehow succeed in fulfilling all your obligations to the requirements of Microsoft allowing you to use their os, then you still have to fend off 50,000 viruses and 46000 spyware programs that feed off of the vulnerabilities of the self-same os. Take a break. Never activate your software again. Download and install PCLinuxos, wipe MS off your hard drive, and then feel free to install absolutely free thousands of programs. You may have to learn a new os, but you will save many hours fighting an endless stream of viruses, scams, and spyware. I did and dont regret it.
Thank you alska364! Finally no MS BS!
by tldees - 8/25/06 3:50 PM In reply to: icon that says this isn't genuine xp window by alaska364Lee Koo, this will do it for you. No reformating no repair no calling MS.
I will add my 2cents. Someone up the line mentioned they deleted WGA validation from add/remove, if it was update KB892130, it cannot be removed. The same thing for WGA notifications KB905474. At least for me that was the case. When I clicked on either one I got a popup saying you cannot remove it. I had to delete them via the registry which was no big deal. Also I could not delete wgatray.exe from system 32 untill I removed it from the registry also. I did rename LegitCheckControl.dll to .ldl but after all was said and dun I just deleted it to. Just be sure to backup your registry and do everything in safe-mode. I dont want any of that crap on my machine. After all it was put there without telling any of us...
Mr Gates will not get anymore of my money! I would suggest to all to download Fedora Core 5 (Linux) you can put it on 5 CD's or 1 DVD...Its free open source OS and tell MS to take a ''dirt nap''...
A lot of folks seem to think the registry is no mans land. If you just use common sense and take your time
you will be fine. I did everything in safe mode and all was fine.
WGA validation did not bother me, I could still get all the regular up dates. You just couldnt download Defender, EI7 and any download that required validation. What really p----- me off was the WGA notification. That tackey little icon along with the popups. My XP pro is running just fine no thanks to MS.
By the way, a BIG THANKS to all who worked on the workaround for WGA Validation and WGA Notification!!
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/04/26/disable-and-remove-windows-genuine-advantage-notifications-nag-screen/
TOM
Atlanta GA
tldees your very welcome I hope it helped
by alaska364 - 8/25/06 7:48 PM In reply to: Thank you alska364! Finally no MS BS! by tldeestldees I hope my message was of help to you and if you need more help let me know
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