This copy of Windows is not genuine

[HOOT]

Grrrrrr! I hate computers!

Ever since I added that external HD every time I restart my computer it wants to "check for consistency" on that new drive which is not a problem however when it completes this task (after about 5hrs) my computer will restart and when doing so it comes up with a message saying that Vista is checking to make sure it is a genuine copy of Vista. The weird part of this is the message comes back and says everything is okay and I have a genuine copy however when my computer actually finishes starting up it gives me a warning saying it isn't and now on my desktop there is a message in the corner saying:

Windows Vista (TM)
Build 6002
This copy of Windows is not genuine

I know, or would hope, this copy is genuine as I got the computer directly from HP about a year ago.

This is the second time this has happened the last time it happened I just did a system recovery to the day before and everything went back to normal. Expect every time I started the computer up after being shut down it would ask me to do this consistancy check on the external HD and I was just skipping it until this morning when I started it and walked away forgetting what it was going to do. I decided to just let it do it's thing and do the check again and the same problem happened.

I didn't mind skipping the process after starting up but if I forget there is no way to back out of it once it starts and that is 5hrs I have to wait, then do system recovery, every time that happens.

Any suggestions on what I should do? Or why it would think it isn't genuine when it clearly is? I'm avoiding having to phone HP at this point as they were frustrating last time.

Thanks in advance!

[jayocal]

It may be your best bet to reformat your PC by reinstalling the OEM disk (HP manufacturer disk with Vista, drivers, ect) and then upgrade to Windows 7. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/

Microsoft has pretty much admitted that Vista is bunk (remember Windows ME?) Personally I wouldn't even bother to fix any unusual problems on Vista without starting fresh. Don't waste your time screwing around!

I'll admit I'm a bit of a "formatoholic" but it has always worked well for me and has solved ALL of my and other people's problems I have encountered.

[HOOT]

I actually did a fresh start with all 3 of my computers before adding that external HD and finally networking them. This problem seems to be from 'checking the consistency' of the external HD and only happens after this one task.

Vista in general has been pretty good to me considering all the complaints I hear about it and this isn't a big enough issue to spend $500+ on new software for all my computers. It seems to do all the same things, all programs are working the same so I'm not sure what the difference is besides that little text on my desktop.

I'm going to check for Vista updates to see what it does or comes up with maybe it will sort itself out. I just really don't want to have to buy more software because of this small problem.

[bomber317]

That sounds really weird... So the external hard drive consistency issue is causing your windows validation errors?

What if you do a chkdsk /r on the external harddrive to permanently get rid of the error? Or is it running that switch already?

If you run the chkdsk from DOS, should be your safest bet (booting from a Windows CD and choosing repair console may do it, not sure since it's an external drive)

[Hemi-Cuda]

Windows is the one product i refuse to actually buy for PC, given that a cracked install of XP, Vista, or 7 won't have any of that activation BS and you can download disks that have all of the updates slipstreamed in. if i could pay a reasonable price ($50-$60) for a slipstreamed Windows version with no stupid validation checks i would, but unfortunately the only way to get those is through other means

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by bomber317

That sounds really weird... So the external hard drive consistency issue is causing your windows validation errors?

Well it only seems to happen when I let it do that check. If I skip it before start up everything seems to work out fine but if I forget not only am I stuck waiting 5hrs for it to check the files/folders/blank space but it also comes up with this message.

What if you do a chkdsk /r on the external harddrive to permanently get rid of the error? Or is it running that switch already?

If you run the chkdsk from DOS, should be your safest bet (booting from a Windows CD and choosing repair console may do it, not sure since it's an external drive)

The problem is I don't remember getting a Windows CD with either my of my desktop or laptop so I can't use that disk. I was told last time I needed it that I had to get HP to send me a copy because they didn't include them with this desktop. It's not the greatest computer but it is perfect for what I need it for, basically a computer to stay on 24/7 where I can grab all my files/print from my other desktop and laptop when I need it through the network.

It's confusing me because I don't understand what the external HD has to do with validating my Windows but it only seems to do this after this check, or at least the twice I have let it do the check. I'm going to surf around the HP/Microsoft websites for updates and see if that can solve it. I just thought maybe someone on CP has experienced the same issues.

[HOOT]

Also a newb questions:

If I do end up going the Windows 7 route will it delete all my information when I do the install on my laptop/desktops?

Will I have to then reinstall every program I had previously on my computer?

Will most programs I do currently have work with Vista? I don't play games but just programs like Office 2007, Adobe Master Collection, CuteFTP, etc.

edit: As well I believe my two desktops are 64bit and laptop is 32bit does, does this matter once I install Windows 7? Can I make them all 64 or 32 bit or should I stick to what they are now?

Thanks!

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by HOOT

Also a newb questions:

If I do end up going the Windows 7 route will it delete all my information when I do the install on my laptop/desktops?

It's not supposed to.

Will I have to then reinstall every program I had previously on my computer?

You have a few choices when you install Windows 7.

If you have Windows XP on the computer, then you must do a full install. This means that your computer's OS will be "brand new" - as if you installed Windows 7 onto a blank hard drive. Your user account files, program files and the old Windows directory will all end up in a folder called "Windows.old".

If you have Vista, then you can do either a full install or an in-place upgrade.

Will most programs I do currently have work with Vista? I don't play games but just programs like Office 2007, Adobe Master Collection, CuteFTP, etc.

Most of this stuff should work, check the vendor web site for compatibility/upgrades.

edit: As well I believe my two desktops are 64bit and laptop is 32bit does, does this matter once I install Windows 7? Can I make them all 64 or 32 bit or should I stick to what they are now?

Keep the 64bit desktops 64bit. You can upgrade the laptop to 64bit, provided that the processor is 64bit, but then you must do a full install, no matter what.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Keep the 64bit desktops 64bit. You can upgrade the laptop to 64bit, provided that the processor is 64bit, but then you must do a full install, no matter what.

How do I check this?

All computers in my place are Vista so it sounds like the install could be easy on the dekstops.

My latop actually has zero information on it besides some programs that are installed which can easily be installed again so that's not a biggie. My main issue is the desktop which has most of the information saved on it and the external HD. I just use my laptop mostly when I am outside of the house or just feel like being lazy and want to complete work on my couch.

Does this mean I will have to figure out how to network them all together again? For that reason alone I almost don't want to do it. I finnally figured it out with Vista and don't need to lose anymore hair.

And is it worth the upgrade? Will I find 7 to be that much better than Vista? Like I said I have never had any real issues with Vista before this weird glitch.

Also why does it always cost me money when I come on CP and ask for computer help? Is there some commission program I don't know about.

[Shazam]

Just post the processor name: Start -> Control Panel -> System

Networking shouldn't be an issue if you do an in-place upgrade, everything should have been carried over, except check the Firewall settings as the upgrade probably turned it back on and/or might have turned off File/Print sharing.

I can't bear to use Vista again. They're very similar but those small Windows 7 tweaks make it much easier to use.

And yes, every time I mention Windows 7 I get $1 from MS. Windows 7!!

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Shazam

And yes, every time I mention Windows 7 I get $1 from MS. Windows 7!!

I knew it!!

Processor: Intel(R) Core (TM)2 Duo CPU T5550 @ 1.83GHz

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Windows is the one product i refuse to actually buy for PC, given that a cracked install of XP, Vista, or 7 won't have any of that activation BS and you can download disks that have all of the updates slipstreamed in. if i could pay a reasonable price ($50-$60) for a slipstreamed Windows version with no stupid validation checks i would, but unfortunately the only way to get those is through other means

So basically, you're a thief. Good to know.

If you don't want to pay for Windows, go use open source stuff instead.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

So basically, you're a thief. Good to know.

If you don't want to pay for Windows, go use open source stuff instead.

i'm not going to pay for a product when there is a higher quality version of that same product out there for free

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by HOOT

I knew it!!

Processor: Intel(R) Core (TM)2 Duo CPU T5550 @ 1.83GHz

Yes, this is a 64 bit processor.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

i'm not going to pay for a product when there is a higher quality version of that same product out there for free

That's why I never pay for Apple stuff.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

i'm not going to pay for a product when there is a higher quality version of that same product out there for free

So by that logic, do you only drive stolen luxury cars because they are higher quality and out there for "free"?

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

So by that logic, do you only drive stolen luxury cars because they are higher quality and out there for "free"?

if it's sitting idling with the doors unlocked and the keys in the ignition with a filed off VIN number

maybe

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

So by that logic, do you only drive stolen luxury cars because they are higher quality and out there for "free"?

This is a completely different situation and can't be compared to getting Windows for free.

Imagine you have a "car copier" at home which can make identical 1:1 copies at no cost to you. All you had to do was buy the copier. Or, look at it another way....

You purchase a CD from a store that will give you a refund or exchange for another one if you don't like it. You take that disc home and rip it to your computer. After ripping said disc, you burn it to a blank one that you paid for (including a media tax) and take back the purchased original to exchange for a different one.

Is this stealing? No. It is copyright violation.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Yes, this is a 64 bit processor.

Would you recommend me going 64 bit on all of the computer than?

I know at first I hated the switch from XP to Vista, how close is 7 to Vista?

Are the offering anything for Vista users that I should know about to get a discount so I don't have to buy 3 copies at full retail?

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Frank MetaMusil

This is a completely different situation and can't be compared to getting Windows for free.

Imagine you have a "car copier" at home which can make identical 1:1 copies at no cost to you. All you had to do was buy the copier. Or, look at it another way....

You purchase a CD from a store that will give you a refund or exchange for another one if you don't like it. You take that disc home and rip it to your computer. After ripping said disc, you burn it to a blank one that you paid for (including a media tax) and take back the purchased original to exchange for a different one.

Is this stealing? No. It is copyright violation.

You can call it whatever you like if it helps you sleep at night. Fundamentally though you are violating the legally binding terms of contract for use of the software.

I just think its so laughable that people will claim they won't pay for Windows because of product activation - product activation having been put in place precisely because people wouldn't man up and pay for Windows and own a legally licensed copy.