Community Newsletter: Q&A: 8/25/06 Help! Windows Genuine Advantage issue
- 8/24/06 5:28 PM
Simple Fix
by scottwilkins - 8/25/06 6:06 AM In reply to: Other suggestions from our members by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you can get a copy of the OEM install disc from the computer maker, do that first. Most will charge a small fee for the disc, like Dell who normally charges $10. I highly recommend when ordering a Dell or other computer, that this $10 is very well spent. MAKE SURE you get that option on the next one you order.
Now, if it's a major manufacturer, like Dell or HP, you just pop the OS CD in and "upgrade" the current OS. This will send the OS back to it's original install state, without removing your user files and setup.
Then, manually go to the Windows Update site and choose to "custom" install updates. In the list (after the second update go-around.) you'll find the "WGA Notification tool" sitting there waiting to be installed (remember to do this "custom", not "express") Just uncheck that little bugger and tell the site to "not notify you again" of this update. You'll never see the problem again.
I've changed all my computer away from automatic update now. They do automatically download, but I examine all the updates before I install them now. Microsoft has done the World an increadible dis-favor on this. Now really important updates are going to be delay now more than ever. I think they shot both their feet on this one.
Reply to Simple Fix
by Batman - 8/25/06 8:42 AM In reply to: Simple Fix by scottwilkinsThat's what I had done.
I simply wento to add/remove progams and removed it; when i saw it in the list of updates, i unchecked it, and told them to never tell me about it again.
I dare MS to shut off my computer, as reports have said would happen (denied by MS).
MS can **** on their WGA. Activation is bad enough; WGA is the worst idea ever. I mean, how many times does it take to verify something is real?
prevention
by altoya - 8/25/06 8:46 AM In reply to: Simple Fix by scottwilkinsA little late after the fact but if found to have the WGA pest on computer one could do a system restore before the point of installing the WGA. This got rid of it for me, from then on with Windows automatic update I do a custom install and check out the WGA so this update won't be installed and also check the box that says windows won't bother with this install again (although that is not certain). Just keep checking the custom for windows updates and eyeball what windows is trying to update you to. Also on another computer I could not do the system restore to rid of the pest, someone elses, but there seems to be a window of time to do the restore before the WGA takes hold. On that computer I did a format and reinstalled a fresh OS.
Custom vs Express
by Foggy - 8/25/06 8:50 AM In reply to: Simple Fix by scottwilkinsYou are exactly right!!! I never use Express, as I always want to see what crap they are trying to put on my computer and more than once I've unchecked something and checked the do not notify again.
Dell OptiPlex and Latitude Currently Have CD As Standard
by pmchefalo - 8/25/06 8:55 PM In reply to: Simple Fix by scottwilkinsAnd they're supported on-shore. I almost always prefer these lines from Dell. The $10 fee in "included" in the price. On an apples-to-apples basis costs are very close. Dell Dimension and Inspiron lines are consumer models, with neest features, but cut to the bone in upgradability, and normally have a lot of unwanted software to uninstall.
Always Custom Install...
by maxheadspace - 8/26/06 7:29 AM In reply to: Simple Fix by scottwilkinsHow right you are! I have always used "custom" install; I want to know about everything that gets loaded on my machine. The first time I saw that WGA update pop up, I recognized it as trouble. I un-checked the block for download and clicked the box to never see it again. I warned my wife and kids about the download to prevent this malicious critter from creeping into any of our systems.
I have ran into this situation:
by quarky42 - 8/25/06 6:24 AM In reply to: Other suggestions from our members by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The manufacturer installed a corporate version of windows (because they didn't have to fool with the licensing) and can reuse the same key. The vendor probably slapped a completely legit sticker with COA on the case, but took 1 shortcut. The corporate version of windows is a very slick install with very little aggrivation...
Until WGA. Now WGA is getting pickier and it is craping out on the corporate version.
I have successfully repaired multiple systems this way:
1. Obtain an OEM Windows XP cd. (http://www.pricewatch.com OR if you can't buy the CD by itself for cheap, prove to me that you do own a legit copy of the license and I'll send you an OEM Windows XP installation disc. It isn't illegal if you own the COA/license for it.)
2. Boot off of the Windows XP OEM disc.
3. When presented with the "Repair" option the FIRST time: DO NOT SELECT REPAIR!!! Again: DO NOT SELECT REPAIR ON THE FIRST SCREEN THAT HAS A CHOICE FOR REPAIR!
4. Select a new installation, it will analyze your harddrive and present you with a SECOND repair option.
5. Choose this section repair option during installation.
6. Any version of Windows XP will be upgraded to the XP OEM edition. When asked for a key, put your OEM key from the sticker on your case in there.
All of your files and documents will remain entact as long as you make sure you choose the second repair option and not the first one. If you do not have a repair option then there are other steps you need to take. Do not keep going if you don't get a second repair option.
Email me if this isn't clear and I'll find the original document that I found this "treatment" on. My email is tcn (put the at sign here) usa.com
You must get an OEM cd for Windows XP Pro.
It is really sad that Microshaft didn't give people an easy way to convert from one license type to another without reinstalling.
key changer
by jeepster - 8/25/06 8:35 AM In reply to: I have ran into this situation: by quarky42As my copy of xp was not legit I purchased a new licence from microsoft who sent a link to a key changer. This checked my system and after entering my new key I was legit.
ok Quarky
by busterrr19 - 8/27/06 3:30 PM In reply to: I have ran into this situation: by quarky42How do I contact you and how do I prove I have a legitimate coa? so you send me a oem cd?
Its illegal to copy the disk (even for a legit owner)
by thewizardofahhs - 8/30/06 11:03 PM In reply to: ok Quarky by busterrr19Under MS license you can make ONE copy for yourself (not for others).
This is to conform to the Digital Millenium Copyright Act.
You can't copy it for others (even if you have no monitary gain form the transaction).
Before you repair or upgrade!!!!
by thewizardofahhs - 8/30/06 10:58 PM In reply to: I have ran into this situation: by quarky42see my earlier message:
http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-10149-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=200939&messageID=2169611
run the compatibility report!!!
To Quaarky 42-XP Pro OEM Disk
by Andy Penso - 8/21/08 10:41 AM In reply to: I have ran into this situation: by quarky42My XP Pro disk is about 6-7 years old, and is legit. I am 79 years old and enjoy the internet. However, I have two computers, 1 is very old, and the other one that I mostly use, is about10 years old Pentium 3, I think. I had both computers crash at the same time about 3 months ago. I had trouble installing because my install disk is scratched and doesn't always install, fully. Will your OEM disk help me? How do I prove to you my disk is legitimate? Do I send you the code or what? Would appreciate any info you can help me with. Sincerely, Andy Penso ajpenso@peoplepc.com
I am having trouble installing my other programs, such as Nero Ahead and Nero Essentials. Any help would be appreciated. If your disk can help me, let me know what the charges would be.
I'll give you my code if you want it and if it will help:
cq882-m68jb-94982-x73g3-8t9kt
No offense...
by tnfeden - 8/25/06 6:54 AM In reply to: Other suggestions from our members by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
To all of you wannabe tech guys, but don't you think you should research Microsofts support pages before you go telling someone to edit their registry. This could cause some serious issues, not just with the user, but with the administrator of those PC's as well. How do we know the person does not have stolen software? Bassically your just giving them a response to get around a rather pesky, yet important issue. So all I can say is to research Microsofts website for a proper removal method. Here's a page that may help out. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905474/
WGA is TWO SEPARATE Applications
by Flatworm - 8/25/06 9:21 AM In reply to: No offense... by tnfedenWindows Genuine Advantage is two separate applications, WGA Validation, which is the problem that the user here seems to be having, and WGA Notification, which has caused problems for me.
WGA Validation is only technically spyware in that it does scan your computer to determine certain licensing aspects. It has not caused me any problems at all.
WGA Notification, on the other hand, is DEFINITELY spyware and is the part of the application that frequently "phones home," so to speak. You can read about this copiously all over the Internet.
This was a problem for me because I have a fairly "mature" computer with a lot of highly customized configurations and applications, and WGA Notification seemed to be the cause, or part of the cause, of a condition where my computer was sporadically unable to execute ANY programs even though it seemed to boot normally. It works fine far more consistently (although not always) after deleting WGA Notification.
Microsoft is particularly insistant that you keep WGA Notification on your computer. If you are able to delete it (a difficult trick that is best performed by running any of several little third-party apps that remove it), it will IMMEDIATELY reinstall itself the first time you reboot afterwards if you have Automatic Updates turned on.
If you turn Automatic Updates off, you will get a warning every time you reboot that "Your computer may be at risk." If you miss clicking on the tiny little "X" in the warning box and click anywhere else on the box instead, it will begin to reinstall WGA Notification.
Whenever you do manual updates, it will appear as a "Critical Update." If you hide this update, every time you go to Windows or Microsoft Update you will get a scary warning that reads, "Important: You've hidden important updates. You've asked us not to show you one or more high-priority updates but your computer might be at risk until they are installed. Restore them now."
I'm surprised that they don't blame my deletion of WGA Notification on my computer for the unrest in the Middle East, or for the proliferation of AIDS.
Deletion of WGA Notification does not interfere in any way with WGA VALIDATION. I continue to be able to update my computer manually using Microsoft Update without any problems (except those dire warnings) whatsoever.
I guess Microsoft does these sort of things for the same reason dogs lick their nether regions: Because they can. But this application is of no value whatsoever to me, a perfectly validly licensed user of MS Windows XP. I do not want such applications on MY PC (it IS still mine, isn't it?), and I don't want to be constantly warned that the world surely will come to an end if I don't meekly comply with the Great God Microsoft.
Right on!!!!!!
by Foggy - 8/25/06 9:50 AM In reply to: WGA is TWO SEPARATE Applications by FlatwormCouldn't of said it better!!!
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