Help for a stupid techno phobe

lindsay ormerod

lindsay ormerod

Pillar o' t' Community
Tackler
I have got a pc given from a genuine source; it has windows xp on it already but I keep getting a message saying it's a counterfeit copy ! I have tried to update the tool key ,put the 25 digits in from the label on the back of the pc and it says it's not recognised. What do I do next ? The label on the back looks genuine enough to me.
Plain english please cos i know nothing about these things !
 
Did your genuine source possibly get it from a less genuine source? It sounds like a dodgy copy, but I could be wrong. Entwisi will know more about this sort of thing.
 
There are some 'genuine' windows license keys that are being identified as dodgy. There is a phone number for Windows activation, If you are absolutely sure of its provinence then ring them and tell them its life history and they should be able to issue with a new number.

You do need to know where your dad bought it from though. If its a large store like PC world etc then you will be fine, if it was some bloke on a market somewhere then probably( but not necessarily) not.

The workaround Kipax mentions is a way that confuses the windows genuine check tool into thinking its legit even if it isn't.
 
It's got a "Time " logo on the front and a silver label on the back with the same logo and a serial number. Is this a good thing ? :confused:
 
A Time label is never a good thing! (Sorry Lindsay:D, I'll toddle off and leave Kipax and Entwisi to answer sensibly.)
 
If he did then just call Microsoft up and tell them your problem. IF they can't help let us know.

If however he bought it s/h it is probably as Kipax mentions a dodgy copy installed by someone. we can cross this bridge when we come to it.
 
Could also of been a discountinued multi licence install maybe.

Even if it is dodgy it doesnt do no harm, effect you PC just the annoyance of being reminded all the time.:)
 
It's been installed by a " friend" so it's dodgy ! i wouldn't mind if was judt the message but i tried to listen to summat on Amazon today and it won't let me install the thing you need to listen to stuff ! Grrrrr.
 
Right, it could just be a mismatch between the license sticker and the key that teh (ex)friend used.

Install this Magical Jelly Bean Software - Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder v1.5 then compare teh number it retrieves with the number on your sticker. If they are different, start backing up your stuff ready for a reinstall (it seems the Change broken key in XP is broken). TBH a re-install is "a good thing" as it will clear out a load of crap that accumulates over time. Its just a pain to do.

If they are teh same I would give MS a call and explain that you bought this PC, it has a genuine (Or appears to you to be genuine) sticker but teh number is being flagged as dodgy.


The above are the legal ways of sorting teh problem. If you don't you get a 'very restricted' set of updates from Microdsoft and as you found 'other' stuff won't work. There are iffy ways round this that confuse the genuine advantage tool but as said, these are dodgy and therefore (as I always say) not up for discussion by me on a public forum.
 
To be quite honest I haven't a clue ! A "friend" with knowledge of these things came round and did something ; it involved me now having "avast!" and summat to do with the key (??) . He also put me a virus scanner on too ! So it's all good now !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top