Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Other subjects

Flip

Original poster

Why is my PC saying this?

21 replies

NutterlyUts · 11/08/2006 19:33

Have just logged into my pc and was informed on start up that my windows is possibly counterfeit and now Norton is telling me that too. Have run AVG virus check which found nothing

I don't understand why it is telling me this? Windows and Norton came with the PC and have worked with no problems for over a year. It even worked totally find this morning.

ARGH!!! Help!!!!

OP posts:

SenoraPostrophe · 11/08/2006 19:38

where did you buy the pc from?

I've seen that counterfeit windows message and it does usually mean that someone has loaded hacked software onto the machine, I'm afraid. Microsoft have been getting clever about it lately.

now I guess there's a small chance that a virus writer has copied the counterfiet windows message but I doubt it and that would be bad news too.

Mum2FunkyDude · 11/08/2006 19:41

If you are running Win XP you can go to microsoft site and download a piece of authentication software that really just confirms that you didn't steal your software...
try \www.microsoft.com/uk/piracy/genuine/default.mspx{this}

SenoraPostrophe · 11/08/2006 19:42

did your pc come with a windows cd or even some form of paperwork which shows you bought windows as well as the pc?

Mum2FunkyDude · 11/08/2006 19:43

oh that link thing didn't work will try again

this

SenoraPostrophe · 11/08/2006 19:44

M2FD - you only get the message that NU has if your PC has failed that test though (or its equivalent via windows update). nu can download and run it but it won't confirm that her software isn't stolen, i guarantee it.

Mum2FunkyDude · 11/08/2006 19:46

Again...really just go to microsoft.com and in the search option type software authentication it will provide you with a number of links, the one you wnat reads " is your software genuine?"

Mum2FunkyDude · 11/08/2006 19:48

Mmmm, might be a virus then, I then suggest running the virus checker first.

SenoraPostrophe · 11/08/2006 19:51

she already has. I think it really is dodgy software. It is not unheard of for shops to sell PCs loaded with it.

theflumpsmum · 11/08/2006 19:53

have you updated your windows today..its just there is a windows genuine advantage tool on there.once downloaded to your system is tests your windows to see its genuine.
although you bought your pc with windows on it it sadly doesnt mean your pc has genuine windows.a lot of people have found this out after downloading windows genuine advantage tools to their pc's or using the tool on the microsoft site.sadly also theres no comeback from your pc supplier.
my dp was one of these people with dodgy windows on his pc..he contacted his supplier and kept on and on at them till in the end they sent him a authentic windows disc to shut him up,sadly he's in the minority tho,most have had to wipe their pc's and buy a windows disc themselves and re-install it all.

hope it hasnt happened to you.

liquidclocks · 11/08/2006 19:58

This happened recently to a friend of mine who did buy her own windows originally - we concluded it was a virus. She had to getthe hard rive wiped professionally (doing it herself didn't seem to work for some reason) an do a complete reinstall.

SenoraPostrophe · 11/08/2006 19:59

yes, I was going to suggest going back to the shop and playing merry hell.

nb the windows advantage software will have come with windows update, but if your pc is set to update automatically you might not know about it. It'll be ok for a few weeks but you do need to get a genuine copy of windows because your pc will not accept windows updates from now on and is therefore more susceptible to viruses etc.

SenoraPostrophe · 11/08/2006 20:01

lc: did she reinstall using the same registration code?

theflumpsmum · 11/08/2006 20:04

just to add to senorapostrophes post below about windows updates,there is a website that does do the updates for people with fake windows.can't remember the addy offhand but post here if you need it and i'll get the addy off dp.

Original poster

NutterlyUts · 12/08/2006 04:29

So basically I am f**ked?

PC is from Webb Computers back at home in Jersey. They were recommended to us. The laptop is an Acer one.
I can't understand why it has only given me this message today and why, if the shop did sell me a pc with counterfeit windows, hasn't that message appeared before? Am not at home with the PC at the moment so will try all these things when I get home. I can 110% confidently say no-one has recently downloaded anything onto my pc as I am the only one at home!

Re the genuine windows - the back of the pc has a hologramed sticker saying genuine as did the disk it came with although I guess now I will have to unpack all my boxed up things (am moving house) to find this! Will def try the update suggested by theflumpsmum.

Liquidclocks - what does a total wipe of a harddrive mean? How much did that cost?

OP posts:

Original poster

NutterlyUts · 12/08/2006 16:58

Update

I've just turned on my laptop, and its loaded like normal, no more counterfeit messages and everything is working normally again, Norton included.

I am now currently nuking the pc with every antivirus I can to be triply sure it was not a virus.

How Bizarre is this?!

OP posts:

SenoraPostrophe · 12/08/2006 19:01

nuts - if it doesn't appear then it's probably corrected itself. microsoft add registration codes to their database all the time so it is possible for a computer to work ok for ages and then show the counterfeit message. but apparently it has been a bit overzealous lately so it could have corrected itself. I doubt it was a virus - viruses either hide themselves away so they don't get fixed or they parade themselves about so the writer gets kudos - there just wouldn't be in it for the vikrus writer to hide a virus in something that needs fixing anyway.

Original poster

NutterlyUts · 13/08/2006 14:33

Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciate PC is still behaving so hopefully that episode is far far behind us!

OP posts:

aitch71ababe · 13/08/2006 15:00

it happened to me too after i downloaded a windows update. i got my computer from dell and have the discs and everything, but my techie-whizz sister tells me that if someone else happens to have come up with the same 'pin no' as is on my discs (perhaps by coincidence, perhaps a disaffected Dell or Microsoft staff member selling on as hoooky discs) then so long as their number has gone into microsoft's system first then they will be regarded as the 'genuine' ones regardless.

i had to uninstall that update anyway as it was playing havoc with my wireless connection, so i've just switched off automatic updates for the moment but i really should contact msoft about it at some point.

anyway, what i'm saying is that it's probably not a virus and it doesn't necessarily mean that your discs are dodgy. just that someone dodgy has somehow got hold of your pin no at some stage back in the process.

are you hunker btw?

Original poster

NutterlyUts · 14/08/2006 11:31

No am not hunker. Have the same idea re: names though - was FuglyDuckling but switched over to my email address name at the start of the month.

OP posts:

throckenholt · 14/08/2006 11:45

aitch71ababe

what was happening with your wireless connection ? I ask because mine has started dropping out over the last few days - I have to keep hitting the repair button, and it is driving me nuts. It had worked with no problems for months before this.

How do you uninstall an update ?

aitch71ababe · 14/08/2006 22:36

snap, throckenholt.
go to accessories, system tools and then do a system restore back to the point before you downloaded the update. you won't lose emails or saved work.
you'll also have to switch off automatic windows updates so it doesn't just download again. it's not a perfect solution but it solves the problem until i can be bothered to contact microsoft. i went on some geek messageboards afterwards and there were loads of people complaining about the wireless issue, so it's not just us.

Flip