Computer help please.

[Pelham Boy]

A friend of mine built my PC for me a couple of years ago,i was always breaking it and he would always be on hand to fix it for me.

Unfortunately he isn't a friend anymore and my PC is telling me my copy of Windows is counterfeit. It is telling me i can download a genuine version for £95.

Is there any way around this?

Any help much appreciated.

[Flea]

Be very careful with this - the message looks spookily like a computer scam.

Either take your pc to someone else who knows what they are doing, purchase a copy of the software from a shop do not download it as I think this may just be a way of obtaining your credit-card details or purchase a new computer.

If you do decide to purchase from a shop, check out software for protecting your pc from spyware as I suspect you may find your pc is infected.

Sorry if this sounds a bit heavy, it's not supposed to be - it's just a warning as I've heard a few horror stories that have emanated from similar messages.

[lucky_scrote]

I didnt know you could download windows online, this is a scam if ever ive seen one.

Time to get some decent anti virus and firewall!

[Pelham Boy]

Hmmm thanks guys!!

If i was to get a copy of Windows off a mate would i be able to use that?

[Bongo]

It could be a scam, but Microsoft now operate in this way too, it's called Windows Genuine Advantage.

If you were to get a copy from a mate, you would still have the same problem unless you have a genuine key, or choose not to download the Windows Genuine Advantage tool...

[Graham C]

I think it's genuine.  Sounds like your ex mate put a hooky copy of Windows on and you've downloaded an update.  Golden rule of hooky software is never download updates.

Two options, either get a new crack or buy a copy of Windows.  Personally, if it's your main pc, I'd buy a copy. I'm all for free stuff, especially if it's supposed to be expensive, but the basic operating system is an essential bit of kit and you don't want to risk your whole PC.  If it's just a spare pc, then a new crack will  suffice

You could always install Linux.............

[Bongo]

I think it's genuine.  Sounds like your ex mate put a hooky copy of Windows on and you've downloaded an update.  Golden rule of hooky software is never download updates.

Dear god! Always install updates, always, always, always!

You could always install Linux.............

Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntu.com/) is great, nice and easy to use too.

[Graham C]

Never install updates if you have hooky software, you're hooky software will cease to work!

Always install if it's genuine, yes I 100% agree and would never suggest otherwise

[Pelham Boy]

It could be a scam, but Microsoft now operate in this way too, it's called Windows Genuine Advantage.

If you were to get a copy from a mate, you would still have the same problem unless you have a genuine key, or choose not to download the Windows Genuine Advantage tool...

That's it,its called Windows genuine advantage.

Im fairly sure it's not a scam, i cant access my Windows media player. It asks me to validate my copy of Windows which of course i cant do>

[Ironside]

easy way to tell if you have a legit copy of windows is on the case of the machine you will see a sticker with the registration number on it

no registration number you and 99% likely to have a dodegy copy

[ifm]

Never install updates if you have hooky software, you're hooky software will cease to work!

You are quickly going to be in a world of hurt if you pass on the updates, most of them are bug fixes and security patches.
I'll echo Bongo and say

"Dear god! Always install updates, always, always, always!"

The only one you need avoid is the "windows verification tool" which checks the authenticity of the OS, though i'm fairly certain that any microsoft software upgrade (media player, movie maker etc.) needs verification first.
So you'll be stuck with older versions.
Oh and you'll have that bloody yellow shield in the sys tray forever!!

[totalise]

if you do want to get a new operating system (and by the sounds of it you do) I got one from this place: http://www.awd-it.com/

a friend of bongos runs it, and i had no problems at all with it, the price is good and the service is great.. so it gets my reccomendation.

[Graham C]

Never install updates if you have hooky software, you're hooky software will cease to work!

You are quickly going to be in a world of hurt if you pass on the updates, most of them are bug fixes and security patches.
I'll echo Bongo and say

"Dear god! Always install updates, always, always, always!"

The only one you need avoid is the "windows verification tool" which checks the authenticity of the OS, though i'm fairly certain that any microsoft software upgrade (media player, movie maker etc.) needs verification first.
So you'll be stuck with older versions.
Oh and you'll have that bloody yellow shield in the sys tray forever!!

hmmm, twice I've been quoted and it's as if both times what I posted wasn't read properly.

Oh well.

[OatFedGoat]

There are ways around this if you have a hooky version (which it certainly sounds like you do)
This would be time consuming and a bit complex if you aren't experienced in searching for, obtaining, downloading and most importantly installing software like this.
There is usually a version of xp released which contains all updates monthly from "eth0" if you google "eth0 xp" this and search for the latest version you should be ok.

I believe that there is also a way around the genuine certifcation which would then allow you to download updates although I would know nothing about this as it looks far too complex for me!

Easy answer as others have said is to bite the bullet and my the operating system.
Until recently I had been running windows 2000 on my 2 pc's at home for the reason that I was always able to get updates for it. I've recently put xp onto one of these machines with the june version of xp but have not updated it since. I am not too concerned with security on this PC as I use it purely for downloading and have any programs etc on another machine.

I now play most of my poker from a recently purchased laptop which came with vista. I have to say I'm more than happy with vista's performance so far and reluctantly find nothing wrong with it for my purposes.

[Bongo]

Never install updates if you have hooky software, you're hooky software will cease to work!

You are quickly going to be in a world of hurt if you pass on the updates, most of them are bug fixes and security patches.
I'll echo Bongo and say

"Dear god! Always install updates, always, always, always!"

The only one you need avoid is the "windows verification tool" which checks the authenticity of the OS, though i'm fairly certain that any microsoft software upgrade (media player, movie maker etc.) needs verification first.
So you'll be stuck with older versions.
Oh and you'll have that bloody yellow shield in the sys tray forever!!

hmmm, twice I've been quoted and it's as if both times what I posted wasn't read properly.

Oh well.

I read it properly!

Even if you have hooky software you should always update it!