Tech: counterfeit windows 7

Subject: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: kendall
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 09:11 AM

I keep getting a notice that the copy of windows 7 I'm using is not genuine, and another notice that I should activate windows, etc. Any ideas what the hell is going on?

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 09:44 AM

Exactly what the messages tell you: you didn't register your windows version when you started using it and it is not recognised as genuine.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 10:09 AM

Kendall, someone is trying to hijack your computer. If you hadn't registered the Windows correctly when you first got the computer you wouldn't have been using it all of this time. Ignore the nonsense posted just above this.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: kendall
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 10:52 AM

The computer is working just as before, but that notice is irritating me.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 11:22 AM

'If you hadn't registered the Windows correctly when you first got the computer you wouldn't have been using it all of this time. Ignore the nonsense posted just above this.'

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 11:25 AM

Preinstalled when you bought the machine or downloaded later?
Did the message start as soon as it was installed or how long later?
How long has it been going on for?

Could be failure to register or it could be malware - people will pontificate about their own guess but you really haven't given enough data.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 02:40 PM

Kendall,

Use Malwarebytes (https://www.malwarebytes.org/) free download software to scan the computer to see if there is something in there causing these messages. Use a good antivirus program, there are good free programs but it doesn't hurt to pay for one and have full coverage.

Spoof messages and popup windows are various ways hackers will trick computer owners into clicking that button to find out about their supposed software problem is how they take their hostages (and there is hostage software out there that, if you follow that link, it will tie up your machine and fry things if you don't pay them to unlock it). If Windows thinks you're using a bogus program, they'll shut you down, or tell you in no uncertain terms, if you try to update. So do run Windows update and see what happens. Guests who don't post with any name, let alone a consistent name, aren't considered reliable sources around here.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: kendall
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 04:47 PM

I paid for Kasperski, i see,ms to be working.

The computer is 4 or 5 years old and this just popped up recently.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 04:50 PM

Apparently, this is a new scam:

Windows 7 hit by rash of bogus 'not genuine' reports, validation code 0x8004FE21

I use the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, free from Microsoft. I see that they don't have a tool available to work on Windows 10 yet, but it will work on Windows 7.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: GUEST,EBarnacle on the road
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 09:38 PM

I also suggest you follow the advice above.
Go to Microsoft windows updater and ask that they scan for relevant updates. If they tell you that your copy is not valid, go yell [or at least buzz] at the people who sold you the machine and insist that you get what you paid for. If you still have it, bring your receipt with you.
If they refuse, call a cop and notify Microsoft that these people are selling counterfeits of their products.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 10:47 PM

For as long as he has had this machine, a pirated copy of Windows would have been detected a long time ago. I'm pretty sure that Joe has the answer.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: kendall
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 08:17 PM

I was told by a friend who should know that any notice that appears in the bottom right of the screen, and doesn't move is ligit.

What about this notice that the activation period is ended, and I should click on it to activate windows 7 ?

I hardly dare do anything now!

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 11:19 PM

Don't click it. It's easy enough for hackers to spoof any messages these days. Try running Windows Update, and see what happens. Go to the start button, open the control panel. In there, select Windows Update, and in the right column, click on "Check for Updates."

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: Mr Red
Date: 22 Aug 15 - 03:29 AM

if Micro$oft updates are automatic and regular then the OS thinks it is kosher.
If you haven't touched the update status then this is most likely the case.
There are ways to see when the last update was called in. Mine was about yesterday, but I only allow them on shut-down. Without that they have a nasty habit of getting lost as you type and then decide they are going to to restart your PC NOW just as you forgot it was advisable to save the last 30 minute's work.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Aug 15 - 09:55 AM

The "update history" is a link in the same column as "Check for Updates."

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Aug 15 - 11:38 AM

google "is my win 7 legit genuine"

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: kendall
Date: 24 Aug 15 - 07:27 PM

Problem solved. started with google, followed the trail of gobbledegook, and I was able to get a ligit copy of windows 7, AND, I'm also in line for windows 10. FREE.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: kendall
Date: 25 Aug 15 - 10:13 AM

I expected more interest.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Aug 15 - 09:40 PM

I'm glad you were able to fix it, Kendall.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Aug 15 - 10:45 PM

Interest rates ain't what they used to be.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: GUEST,EBarnacle
Date: 25 Aug 15 - 11:22 PM

So, you did not have a valid copy of Windows 7? Have a word with the person/company that sold you your computer and present them with the bill for your valid copy. If he refuses, offer to take him to small claims court. His time is worth more than the cost of the license. Don't be nice to people who cheat you.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: GUEST,DaveRo
Date: 26 Aug 15 - 02:18 AM

kendall wrote: I expected more interest.

I agree with Mr Red: if you've been applying Windows updates regularly then it's unlikely to have been a counterfeit copy. But you didn't say where you originally got it, or what you did to 'fix' it, so we've nothing to go on. Following 'gobbledegook' on Google is not encouraging.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Aug 15 - 03:19 AM

We'd be interested, Kendall, but I'm not sure you were interested in what we had to say. Many of us are still suspecting that you got a worm on your computer that was deceiving you into thinking you had a counterfeit copy of Windows 7. It's far more likely that you have the worm, than it is for you to have a counterfeit copy.

And if you have the worm and don't get it removed, you put other people at risk - people you burn CDs for, or people you send files to.

What did you do to your computer to ensure that you don't have a worm or other malicious software?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: kendall
Date: 26 Aug 15 - 09:39 AM

Joe, remember, I am almost computer illiterate. I went to google search for advice, and I did what they told me. Quite simple, really.
It was loaded with malware, and Kersperski swept them all away. It's now as clean as a hound's tooth. I appreciate your willingness to help, but I was better able to understand what google told me.

As my pal, Utah said, "For all I know, CD ROM is the prime minister of India."

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: Megan L
Date: 26 Aug 15 - 09:52 AM

Nah Kendall he is trying to take over from Harper.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Aug 15 - 03:36 PM

That's the missing link, Kendall. If you used a reputable antivirus software package like Kapersky and did a full scan of your computer, you should be safe.
I think you'll enjoy Windows 10.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: kendall
Date: 26 Aug 15 - 08:58 PM

If you like it, I will. See you at the Getaway.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: kendall
Date: 27 Aug 15 - 11:23 AM

Max will be there too. :-)

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: kendall
Date: 28 Aug 15 - 07:15 AM

Windows 10 is working well. Of course, everything is different, and I don't like changes.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: Greg F.
Date: 28 Aug 15 - 06:50 PM

Windows 10 is working well. Of course, everything is different, and I don't like changes.

So why then did you install it? WIN 7 works fine.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 29 Aug 15 - 03:56 PM

It didn't last. It became too complicated for me so I went back to windows 7

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: EBarnacle
Date: 29 Aug 15 - 06:40 PM

ahhyup

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: kendall
Date: 30 Aug 15 - 01:28 PM

Do you know how Helen Keller's parents punished her? They re arranged the furniture.

That's what windows 10 did.

Subject: RE: Tech: counterfeit windows 7
From: Greg F.
Date: 30 Aug 15 - 05:45 PM

You bet. god bless MicroSatanSoft. Too much monkey business for me to be invlved in. Linux here I come.