Theres been alot of reports about this. Infact, my uncle who bought a brand new Acer notebook from a reputable computer store has his computer now come up and say its not geniune.

Welcome to the age of Microsoft. Cant wait to see how much grief Vista causes.

This lame piece is what you guys call an article?

Bring Mary Joe back, PRONTO. Back then we had good inside info on Microsoft. Not comments like that beating the dead horse of activation. Not that Mr. Joe Wilcox is any worse that the rest of the gang�

vista download no online repair of vista windows xp or other. you suck bill for no support on all system drivers. and things ok yellow flag hell. driver tookkit is the only thing that fixed yellow flags.

Same story with my mom. Bought XP pro new for 450 can. and got a false p[os that almost killed the hd. microsoft's advice was to replace the hd and buy another copy of xp! Back to piracy for me.

Same story with my mom. Bought XP pro new for 450 can. and got a false p[os that almost killed the hd. microsoft's advice was to replace the hd and buy another copy of xp! Back to piracy for me.

@ Author of articel:
That article is the worst I have ever read here.

WGA is not related to your moms internet problems.
And if your mom has not deactivated "Automatic windows update service" then she will have all security related Updates from MS that are available.

I have no idea what that article of yours is about... you even imply that your mother uses a pirated version - so it is very likely that there is more pirated software from where that came and with it the high risk of virii / spyware / etc.
If you want to comment on WGA and its ups and downs for companies you should use less "may"s and more facts.

@Rick: "got a false p[os that almost killed the hd" - lol ? WGA does not format your drive, delete files or "overpower" your power supply to destroy your hdd. Also you could have returned the copy to your vendor and get a legit copy.

@Steve: Most companies create an image of a laptop and use that image to "install" the software. It is faster that way but the windows-key used will be the same on each laptop. You uncle just needs to use the key that sticks under his laptop to activate again.

I recommend your mother use antiwpa, it works fine with Windows XP ;-)

RE:m4ko :

-This one did. Ruined the mbr and would not allow a re-format with the legit disk. I was only able to recover the hd by using the pirated copy. No more WGA problems, no more hd problems- no more trying to go straight with Billy's flawed and invasive anti-piracy tools. The point was we tried to go straight and immediately regretted it. Went back to pirated and the computing experience is back the way it should be. Mine is only one event but I'm not the only one or there wouldn't be so many forums dedicated to the problems caused by WGA.

OH, and by the way, you seem to have completely missed the part where I said she just bought the disk. It WAS legitimate and no replacement should have been needed, but it WAS needed because the software is flawed-just like EVERY single other piece of software ever released by Microsoft always has been. I know I sound like an MS hater, but if I am expected to pay for a product, I expect it to work right the first time. I don't expect to be told to spend more money on hardware and software and report back on it! If it doesn't work properly, don't expect me to endorse or pay for it until it does.

I just hit somethign similar to this with the MSDN copy of Office 2007 RTM - the key that MSFT supplied me via MSDN is being thrown by Office Genuine Advantage as being pirated! Go figure....it's irritating as heck...

buy a mac?

Hi all. Just another little tidbit to add to this licensing debate. It appears as though MS is still going to use the "one hardware transfer" rule to harass PC enthusiasts who have the gall to purchase OEM copies of Vista. If you pay more and buy retail Vista, you are entitled to less harassment upon OS transfer. (why do they even bother selling OEM versions if they are just going to harass you for using them???)

The following is quoted from a Newegg review of Windows XP Pro SP2b that includes a coupon for a free copy of Windows Vista. (both OEM) Seems like a cheap way to pick up both OSs for very little money if you can deal with the restrictions.

*"Buyer Beware

Pros: New O/S with the latest features and protections.

Cons: Memory Hog.

Other Thoughts: I contacted M/S with the number here and was directed to Vista marketing. I was told that if you purchase OEM versions of Vista (like the coupon is) you will experience a lot of difficulty upgrading your PC and using this O/S copy again. She also said retail copies of Vista should allow you to upgrade a single PC and keep on using it... if not abused." *

So I guess OEM serial # = more false positives on Vista. Lovely.

sorry to rain on your parade but i'm 13 and have done the exact same thing but nobody recognises the small people nooooooooo

Wow, i understand that it does kind of suck having to go through a WGA check... BUT if your copy of windows is actually genuine then when you call Microsoft's 800 number they will give you the codes to fix it over the phone/reactivate windows... and if it's not genuine and you bought it from a reputable computer store then when you contact Microsoft they will take down the information for the store that sold you the computer, give you a new activation code, and then your done.

Also
@Rick: If you called the activation number I highly doubt someone told you to by a new "disk" and buy a new copy of windows.

Another also
I like how you're comparing windows XP problems your mom is having to how business will roll out Vista. I use VBScripts to automate the process. Having in grabing an un used windows cd key from our cd key pool then activating windows. The only user intervention is to click on when it's all done. So i'm pretty sure if my VBS can do it so can you.

On a final note... i really really hope this was a fake article because once you get passed the premise of it and read into it you see things like "If experienced Verizon technicians couldn't solve the Internet connection problem over the phone, I'm unlikely to do better." The only thing the Verizon tech wanted to do was get your mom off the phone. Well have fun blaming micro$oft for all your problems.

Hmmmm....

I have a lot of doubts about some of the dubious claims of license problems...

1. WGA does not interfere with your internet connection. You may not be able to download updates and it's possible someone trying to work around it could trash a computer.

2. OEM versions are not actually meant to be purchased directly, they are supposed to be sold with hardware (it's part of the license). There are companies that work around this and sell them anyway. I guess you get what you paid for.

3. If you change your hardware a lot (like I do) and re-install you may need to call up Microsoft (a number is provided when you get the error) and read off a confirmation number, then voila, it works.

4. Large corporations will likely purchase volume licenses, which work completely differently than the columnists' mother's version.

5. Has the writer of the column ever heard of research? The column if full of supposition...

Both Mauro and M4KO seem to be from the same flock of hired spammers being employed by a marketing firm to "defend" Vista, the Zune and Microsoft in general.

They have been invading digg.com and several other fora.

I guess it's really war in marketingland. What else is left if hou have to defend the indefendable?

Both Mauro and M4KO seem to be from the same flock of hired spammers being employed by a marketing firm to "defend" Vista, the Zune and Microsoft in general.

They have been invading digg.com and several other fora.

I guess it's really war in marketingland. What else is left if you have to defend the indefendable?

Someone suggested buying a mac, want to explain with some good reasons why his mam should do this? spend a rediculous amount of money on a mac and accept the microsoft bricked her machine, if she uses it for the internet, install ubuntu its free. btw my parents had a problem with internet explorer, outlook, thunderbird, but not with firefox and msn messenger, is this the same problem? I couldnt fix this and I just installed ubuntu, my mam and dad barely noticed the difference

Instead of calling the windows activiation number and giving them the key number that was supplied with your valid copy of windows, and talking to someone in india for less than 10 minutes to get her copy reactivated you went the distance to write an article.

This is ridiculous for already mentioned reasons above me. Write some decent articles for a change.

Install Firefox

This is the worst article i have ever read what the hell how can u dig this?

See this, among other reasons, is why I love Linux so much.

Whatever you do, don't reward Microsoft for screwing your computer by buying yet another Windows-based machine.

Unless you're an idiot.

Buy her a new Mac, and have her ship the broken computer to the trash bin. Problem solved...for ever.

Would you like some apple pie, dearie? ARRRRR!!!

Sorry to hear your mother is being victimized by Microsoft's predatory licensing practices. It's not that uncommon, unfortunately. My 70 year old father has also been labeled a common criminal for reinstalling his copy of Microsoft Office after his Windows system became corrupted and had to be restored. Three hots and a cot for that ne'er-do-well! The fiasco left such a bad taste in his mouth that he switched to OpenOffice.org.

Let the ABM comments begin!

well, if you dont want to have license problems, you dont install propietary software. Use software libre! Viva Linux!

get a mac

@nathan Johnson:
Why? it costs a lot + is proprietary, too. No Apple fanboys allowed here!

Apparently there are a lot of people out there who can't tell the difference between an 'articel' and an op-ed piece. Also a number of complaints about the 'article' seem to stem from a complete misunderstanding of what's being said here. Poor reading comprehension + a quick-to-post attitude == reader looking like an idiot.

Terrible article. Joe Wilcox should not be allowed to post on the internet.

Just buy your mom a Mac.

A lot of these hacker milfs seem to hit up a website called WWW.EWOKY.COM

Ewoky!

I am not hired by anyone. I just dearly miss Mary Joe, who cached the chips and left Dodge.

I do visit this “e-week” site now and then on the hope that it improves.

Those two poor folks (Wilcox, Galli) seem to have an obligation to write three articles a day after reading Microsoft press releases and some other equally low-nutritious sources.

Mary Joe used to have a “network of informers” that was behind her previous success. I am sure that Wilcox and Galli have a mortgage to pay but they are making fools of themselves.

wonderful story! want to help my mom? :)

Please???? Im begging you!!!!

I've worked as a helpdesk, on-site technician, net admin (big nets too!), san mgr, NBU handy man, DTP pro, etc...

She's been on the net for 3 years and i cant teach her to do anything! I've trained over 200 pro's to works with all Mac programs (or moft office if needed) but i've never seen someone who can't learn!

So, what's the key for recitent citizens of this cyber world to dig in?

Forget the printer, or the scanner! Forget the save document box and more importantly where it goes in what folder! Forget the power button!!!!

It's on, she finds the pw in her agenda (believe me, even i couldn't find it from her directions in that book!) But in meetic, she has a ball!!!! No explanations needed! can you believe that?

Man was she excited to play with meetic! Until she met some of the geeks in the world! Explain cyber world to mom...

Unsolved challenge for mom, get her to clean the printer's heads... Believe me, it's not because she's blond... She's smarter than i ever will be!

To each their own artificial reality... can you interface with blender.org's free baby and sculpt away?

Maybe mom would love to sculpt her art pieces in the free cyberworld... but she will never understand the GUI...

cheers guys! Just dont let your mom be the victim of a swine PC salesman...

Cheerios for mom...

A brand new Dell at my work won't update because of WGA issues.

A new Dell Laptop at my work won't update because of WGA issues!
Sigh, and the boss looks at me like I should know how to resolve this problem.
RUN LINUX BOSS BOY! HA-HA!

My legally purchased computer with WInXp installed also reported it as pirated. I have yet to call to get a new serial number, but I guess I could do that. (I am sure it is because I install new HD, Memory and Video card)

Yeah I'm not surprised like many others. I'm a student at Penn State University and just a few days ago I saw a laptop and desktop computer saying that the copy of Windows is not genuine. Good luck with the troubleshooting.

Get your mom a Mac!

@ Jimbo

A $999 iMac is a great value. You don't have to pay for things like Monitors, Keyboards, Mice, Antivirus, Antispyware, Firewalls, and Registry Cleaning software. You also save even more money from the iMac's ultra low power consumption (less than a 100w lightbulb when running full blast).

Macs are not proprietary: Mac OS is Unix/Linux based and BootCamp lets you run any OS on a mac.

Apple's products are well engineered, maintain themselves better, and have an easy interface that is ideal for everyday people like Joe's Mom.

I think time has come now for me to remove Microsoft Watch from the list of feeds I subscribe to. I miss Mary Joe!
This is one horrible article!

My mom is a software pirate too.... at least Microsoft thinks she might be. I've been having that stupid WGA problem on her XP machine. Little does she know, she's getting a Mac Mini for christmas.

This will solve these problems.

I have installed XP and Office several times on several of the family pcs. Buy the student versions if you have a kid in school, My son goes to ITT Tech, and they get multi-user versions (5 pcs) as part of their software. Even when I have to call MS to get another key, all I have to tell them is that this is a student multi-user package, and they have always given me a key. 1st rule of thumb. Install Win XP on a clean hard drive, if its an update copy, all they ask you to do is insert the previous version (98, 2000, me., etc) and you're off. Most of the "genuine windows" issues occur when someone doesn't start from scratch, on a clean hard drive, but tries to update an existing or previous installation. Install XP, then your antivir/internet firewall/etc. Burn an image of your drive, and then an update once you have all the programs on your machine. I use either Nero or Ghost, depending on whether it is an image or a backup.

If you purchase hardware with your OEM copy it's legal, and although I've never done this, I don't see any reason why one would be treated any differently.

Also, DO NOT TURN AUTO UPDATES ON!!!!!. Subscribe to an e-mail zine such as Windows secrets or Woodys Windows watch. When these guys tell you to install updates, then do it. Sometimes, however, Mickeysoft pushes their updates on you, sneaky like, when you shutdown (WGA checker is a good example) If you refuse to download this upgrade, after a couple of weeks, it gets installed anyway. This and possibly some other malware from mickeysoft, screwed up my sheetfeeder on my scanner. HP says they do not know why it worked on new install, but after fake checker was installed, only the scanner works Go Figga!

I find it completely amusing that anyone would defend WGA. I just love when I hear these guys try to say MS would never tell you that or you must be lying because X can't happen. Yet these same people download those MS patches religiously to fix problem that did happen. So how can they even say with a straight face problems can't exist and further more you shouldn't even be talking about them so let's move on. Just how far do these people have their heads up MS @ss. I wonder if these defenders of WGA would be happy if automakers limited the speed of their cars until they validated they are the legal owner. Or their house denied them entry until they proved on a random basis they are the owner. Or to have their TV stop working until they validate with Sony that it is using a genuine Sony LCD display? The only thing I can say to these guys is WAKE UP up or that's exactly what you're going to get.

I never even thought about businesses, pirated software and the problems that it could cause. Nice article!

I'm glad Vista is coming out. This will finally push me over the edge to understand and use unix, and try out tools like open office. I have yet to see any new features in any MS products in the last 3 years worth buying. Is it just me or is this now a mature industry with the bully of it acting as chief proctologist?

Re: Jimbo

Have you priced macs lately, you're 3 years behind in your information. As for Apple being proprietary, you may need to update that too and compare Vista.

I have never encountered any problems with WGA or any other Microsoft product. I am running the IT dept for a small business that is filled with idiots and know-it-alls, and yet WGA is working like a champ. I wonder why?

Luck?

No. Running a clean business.

Company policy very clearly states: "Any bootleg, pirated or open source software found on a laptop or PC will result in immediate termination of the employee operating the infected computer."

By keeping the illegals and undesirables off the computers we have prevented 99% of the problems of the world.

We still have IT issues: Spilled coffee in a keyboard. Floppy disk jammed in the DVD burner. And the occassional "I lost my password" request. And there are serious software issues.... just not with Microsoft products.

One last comment. Do me a favor and keep pushing open source and Apple. As soon as the spammers and virus makers figure out how easy it is to right virus for your products they will spend their time writing for you and will leave us Microsoft users alone.

I always love the people who write that they haven't experienced any problems, because they only poop dandelion flowers in the morning and everyone else is dishonest.

Problems usually occur with people who upgrade hardware or who occasionally need to rebuild or repair OS software. Slow metabolized users don't usually face these issues.

I service PC's. I see OEM XP Windows activation issues daily. Yes, even with grandmothers and motherly types. What an insult to the customers who pay all of that money for something and have to be treated like that.

Computers are expensive and complicated enough without the OS vendor screwing around with things.

Customers and support techs don't have time for this. We don't want to have to call some tech center for permission to repair or upgrade a computer. So they have to pay some shop or service guy $100 to re-issue their license.

This MS program is a failure. I recommend Ubuntu and have converted dozens of users and one small office. It is an excellent system and a real pleasure to use.

I won't push users to Apple. Sorry Mathue, Apple hardware and software IS more proprietary than MS ever was.

I can see great potential for Linux conversions of corporate clients in the near future and I'm looking forward to achieving that goal.

May be just someone else used a keygen and came up with the same serial.

>I'll have to get more information from mom to determine which is the more likely scenario.

Shouldn't you have given her a call before writing this story? Shouldn't the story be completely different if your mom is a false positive to if she is a software pirate? This is poor research.

Try linux!

So, are you guys cool with MS openly admitting to harassing people for purchasing OEM versions of Vista? Cause it really pisses me off.

quote from Newegg review of XP Pro Sp2b with coupon for Vista:

*"Other Thoughts: I contacted M/S with the number here and was directed to Vista marketing. I was told that if you purchase OEM versions of Vista (like the coupon is) you will experience a lot of difficulty upgrading your PC and using this O/S copy again. She also said retail copies of Vista should allow you to upgrade a single PC and keep on using it... if not abused." *

That is 100% harassing known legal customers of Vista, nevermind the multitude of false positives on XP. They are still going to harass enthusiasts for changing hardware if they dare buy OEM Vista. If they don't want it bought, they shouldn't sell it. Ridiculous.

Windows is still the platform of choice for games. Other than that, why use Windows at all? Try Ubuntu. The price is right ($0) and it's easier to install than Windows (of course, most folks pay for Windows preinstalled and miss that hassle).

You raise some valid concerns. Please run this by an editor though, your engrish is frustrating.

>Branded computers receive limited Windows updates.

Would you explain this sentence further. I followed the link it contained and the link didn't explain how 'branded' computers only receive limited Windows Updates. By 'branded', I assume you mean 'oem.'

If it's an oem problem, then Verizon has nothing to do with it; contact the computer vendor and have them tell you how to validate it...

If it's pirated software, get her a valid software license.

I've gone through the WGA problem with a computer and I phoned Microsoft who had me describe in detail my licensed CD (color, logos, etc) for windowsxp and then I was guided through a fix on the phone at no charge...

This is not something you want to put your mother through...

I just want to say, I used to be a Verizon Online phone tech, and I didn't know what I was doing when I worked there. So if you knew anything at all about connections and the internet, you'd prolly do a better job than most of the techs can help you with.

I have come across this at work-- If her clock is set incorrectly (forward or back in time) it could generate a false positive.

WGA, was a update the answer to all your problems would have been like me to not download the update, or use another Os such asd Mac or linux.

WGA, was a update the answer to all your problems would have been like me to not download the update, or use another Os such asd Mac or linux, but if you buy new microsoft software or download free software off their website you will automatically have to install and check to see if its genuine.

Dude...if your Mom's a MILF, I'd be happy to help her with her PC

Hey Joe,

Do you have a need for a top notch technology journalist? Reply off board.

Thx,
D.

Ever heard of GNU/Linux ?

This is exactly why I am not upgrading to Vista and I'm trying to learn Ubuntu Linux.

Wow, look at the "Ads by Google" section in this article today.

"Windows Xp Cd Key
Top 8 Windows Xp Cd Key sites Find Windows Xp Cd Key sites
QwickFinders.com"

I guess that'll get the message across.

hi all,

I wanna ask u q how do i raise up my volume more than the limit of it in laptop acer.

thanks all
regards
Osama

Great article, keep up the good work Joe Wilcox. Perhaps some of the Joe bashers should get a grip and not be shocked that there are people in this world who are growing increasingly tired of lapping up the drivel that "Big Blue" has been shoveling out in large doses to the masses of "sheeples" for a long long time. I just went back to the future and upgraded my OS to XP from Vista. The only thing I had to activate was my legitimate copy of XP because I'm not going to re-install my Microsoft Office 2003. I'd rather use Open Office instead. I'll probably never buy another copy of Microsoft Office again for a host of personal reasons. Vista is not my first choice as a gaming platform. I believe Vista is fundamentally flawed. This could change in the future if they can ever figure out how to turn an Edsel into a Chevy. At this point the only thing that chains me to Microsoft at all is gaming and one or two other applications I need.
I'm encouraged because I don't think it will be long until I don't need them at all. Other viable options are growing fast and things are definitely changing for the better.

Me too.

On Linux too. Bye bye Redmond.