Windows "Not an authentic copy"

I bought windows XP when I built my computer, intalled it, and licenced it with Microsoft about a year and a half ago. I just downloaded an update from Microsoft and it's telling me I don't have a legitimate copy of Windows, when I know full well I do! The worst part is that it's being really annoying about it. Every time I boot up, it's goes to an alternate screen with BS about buy an authentic copy. And it pops up warnings about it all the time. I'm really pissed about this. Anyone else run into this?

I have, but only with a preinstalled copy. Ran that "change your windows key software" and it worked ok

Nope, I've been legit since day one. Nobody ever got on my case yet, I buy either OEM copies of Windows or upgrade retails myself, and I activate my copies (since most of my copies of Windows are Pro based, MCE 2005 included). Seems like that's one way of looking at it.

Something like this happened to me after changing some hardware.

Email Microsoft and show proof of purchase for XP. Give them as much info as you can about where you purchased your PC and that you bought the computer with an OEM version of windoes XP.

I've used OEM software for years that came with any computers I've bought and my current new computer came with an OEM copy of XP. I have never had any issues with OEM XP in the 5 years I've been using it.

Do you have your original XP OEM disk? If you do is it a Holographic CD? If it isn't you may have been sold a dodgy XP.

Sounds like someone has used your key many times... Bad luck dude... Giv MS a call and explain it to them. I don't know weather they listen or not though!

Windows "Not an authentic operating systems".

funny enough, ms has released a tutorial how you can remove these popups/warnings: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921914/

it basically means to delete 2 files in the windows-folder and reboot. ugh!

You are still unable to use Microsoft Update or download or install any genuine Microsoft software if you do that though.

Craig, there are two solutions... if you are legit... call Microsoft and they will issue you with a new key. If you can't handle that hassle, it is easy enough to find cracks for this... however everytime a new WGA validator is released, you will need to install a new crack.

Hey, guys, but is that means even you have legal, licensed WinXP Pro, when you let say, change old graphic card with new one, system will turn in to 'non genuine' becouse of new hardware configuration??

I think there's some sort of number of changes/dramatic changes ratio.

I don't think that is what happened to Craig.

Windows Genuine Advantage just plain screws up in a small percentage of cases. It misidentifies legitimate installations.

Windows Genuine Advantage is useless. I guess that what you get for releaseing unstable products into a mainstream market. So Yeah. Not only is your problem not uncommon - Microsoft don't care either.

There's probably a possibility of a key being blacklisted due to crackers making key gens, thereby stealing keys off of legitimate copies.

MS is great on the phone. I have had to call them multiple times for similar reasons and they take care of you in a few minutes.

I hear most of the time you'll get an Indian operator that doesn't give a hoot what you do anyway.

Why bother?

A) you know.

B) you don't.

if B then you pay for windows and you pay for support, or you use linux and pay for support.

I use Fedora, and when I want to play one of my old games I boot into Win98.

WindowsXP is the best OS I know, you get to re-install it every so often (specially when used by MSN teenagers). Lots of nice $$$. XD XD XD