Posted on 05/05/2012 12:50:49 PM PDT by library user
Yes, I'm logged in. Tanned, rested, ready, cheese, moose, sister....
I'm trying to help a senior citizen on a fixed income, in my neighborhood, with a computer issue.
He bought an HP desktop back when Win 7 first was issued (I think Nov. 2009) and all was well until about a month ago.
Now, whenever he boots up the PC, a message pops up saying his copy of Win7 isn't genuine.
He's called both HP and Microsoft and each company blames the other.
Most of the time, his phone calls go to India and he has a hard time understanding the tech. support person on the other line.
I've heard of a file at Softpedia called RemoveWGA.exe which I've used on XP but never on Win7. Is it safe to use RemoveWGA.exe on Win7?
BitDefender flags the file as a trojan, but I'm pretty sure that conclusion is a false positive.
I see from googling this problem, that many users have a similar problem (Windows all of a sudden saying their software isn't genuine), but I haven't found a cost efficient solution.
This gentleman already paid for Win7 once, when he first purchased the computer, so I would think he wouldn't have to pay for it a second time.
Unfortunately, when he made the purchase, HP did not include a Win7 disc with his shipment (otherwise we could do a re-install).
I know there should be an option to re-active Windows by right-clicking COMPUTER and going to Properties, but he doesn't have this option.
Any tips, suggestions (even "Buy an iPad, you fool!") appreciated and welcome.
Thanks so much.
“He’s called both HP and Microsoft and each company blames the other.”
My daughter’s Gateway has started displaying the same message, which makes me think it’s not the manufacturer’s fault (unless HP and Gateway made the same mistake). So far everything still works so she’s just been ignoring it.
If they didn’t ship the disks with the computer, there’s almost always a recovery partition.
Otherwise, HP should be able to send the disks for 20 bucks, or so.
look through this it should help
http://www.tweaksforgeeks.com/windows-xp/2006/05/this-copy-of-windows-is-not-genuine-how-to-fix
program called Autoruns , Winlogin tab remove check from box in Wga.exe I think
or here http://www.aspfree.com/c/a/Windows-Security/Solving-Windows-Genuine-Advantage-Problems/
Had something similar on a friend’s system. We called Microsoft support. They asked for the laptop’s serial number and the Windows license number. Then they issued us a new Windows license number. We did that and had no more trouble.
Back-up everything, immediately. Seriously, just in case it suddenly takes a dump. There’s a place in the Start/Control Panel to validate Windows; maybe you want to try that? Does he have the “Product key” on the User’s Manual, which came from HP? If not, then you don’t want to do it. I don’t know why they wouldn’t ship the WIN-7 DVD with it. Weird.
“trojan” Oh, just saw that.
Does he run Norton SW or Norton 360 or McAfee? MalwareBytes? AVG? Did any of them work? I’m not familiar with BitDefender; does that remove virii/trojans/keyloggers?
Just asking what you’ve tried/not tried.
PC manufacturers haven’t shipped OS disks for years, folks. The OS resides on a separate disk partition. All systems now have recovery routines to reinstall the OS.
However, that’s not the answer here. As others pointed out, call MS and DEMAND they activate your software. Trust me.
If you need to reinstall the OS with that number and let it register on-line and it should be good to do
If the computer has a system recovery program it will make the CDs to reinstall the OS and needed drivers.
HP puts a sticker on the case of the PC that has the key for your copy of Win7.
Go to Control Panel/System and enter the key and it should be legit.
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
This is a known issue with vista and 7 with some of the updates . right click on my computer . go to properties . there you will see near the bottom of the page activate windows . that’s all you need to do
Source(s):
MCP, A+, Dell Certified Tech
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100310154446AA1BHfo
Please, please, please...just buy a Mac. It’ll hurt your wallet, but your heart and mind will shower you with gratitude.
Proud owner of one of the first 10,000 Apple IIgs’s to roll off the line...and it STILL WORKS!
The last time I bought an HP computer, you had to burn your own recovery CD’s. You could also order them from HP for an extra $50 or so. You could probably still do that.
Do you remember the telephone number you used? Every telephone number we use for Microsoft connects us to India, where they want to charge more than $100 to resolve the issue. Thanks much if you can provide the telephone number you used, as there’s tons of different phone help numbers out there for Microsoft, and very few of them are helpful.
“Most of the time, his phone calls go to India....”
.
Are you being racist?
Phone calls regarding technical questions in the US are mostly passed on to consultants located in an Asian subcontinent.
There, I corrected you.
He can't understand the tech. support calls that go to other continents. Language barrier.
Are you being Leftist?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.