I'm not sure if a Firewall could cause a glitch like this or not, I would guess not, but ya' never REALLY know what goes on in "the box!"

I did get an automated response that they (Microsoft) got my e-mail message. Just waiting for a response now. I figure I'll give them 2 weeks, and then either limp along on my "bad" copy of Windows until Vista comes out, or I'll use Linux for the time being!

Yeah, I would say that most patches from Microsoft are either bogus, or just don't apply to your particular system. I don't think I really knew what it was when Microsoft said I had to have it ~ Live and learn ay?

//Captain.Jerry/

I got the same problem i bought a HP pavilion computer after i while i putted new RAM and a videocard in it now it wont accept my OEM license key they just force u 2 call them if u are lucky they wont let u wait 10 min's on the line :/

I had the Genuine Windows thing happen on my computer without my doing. I don't have automatic updates, but when I went to update one thing, it ran it. I knew i was legit (well at least pretty positive, just got computer re-vamped).

But one thing I would say about M$. They will probably be more likely to help you out then let illegal copies of their software running around. They'll probably charge you a smaller amount then the new version, but their in it for the money. But thats just my opinion.

From what I've heard from my friends dad, who works for HP, he said that Microsoft is actually being pretty lenient towards getting a new copy of windows.


In some situations they are providing legit CD keys by mail I think.
Even if they don't approve for you to get a CD key they are offering Windows XP at discount prices to those who have been notified about having a pirated copy.

But in my personal opinion I have a feeling that they really want to make it hard to do any of this and would rather people go out and buy a new copy, because thats just the way they do things.

M$ still has a heart for people... well, their data at least. They've actually changed their Genuine checker root kit thing... it now calls home less frequently and it is more of an "option" to download it. It would be dumb to say, "The OS you've been using for 2 years now is a pirated copy. Here, re-install with this disk and by the way, it erases your previous installation completely including all data."

Also, any of the software that's for "Genuine copies of Windows" can easily be downloaded from places outside of Microsoft (like I've seen a million places where you can get Windows Media Player 11, a Genuine Only download).

The Genuine thing is just asking for another law suit against them. Personally, I don't like my Windows system to be spied on from home.. bad enough when I tell it DO NOT download & install updates without permission, it downloads Microsoft's "really critical" updates & installs without permission and so I find my laptop rebooting unexpectly... I thought "DO NOT" applied to ALL updates.. guess it only applies to the ones Microsoft wants it to...

[N]F

You should contact Microsoft, they will assist you you know what my windows is not genuine i am using a copy of Windows XP lolz and still i am able to download any updates and software. it works i dont know how it doesnt even ask about the license or any key

You can just call microsoft and they will give you a key. There is an alternative but I'm not allowed to say it cuz its probably illegal. The people at microsoft are nice (not to be mixed up with bill gates). Call microsoft and say you lost your cd key They'll give you a new one