Genuine Windows

[KH7210]

Can anyone inform me how to Verify that my windows xp is genuine?
2) One check I ran said that it was not.
I know it is I have the tags still on the machine that I bought new.

How do I correct this?
I went top update my virus protection and after 2 hours with their tech he told me it could not be done because my windows was not genuine.
How do I correct this problem.

All help is appreciated.
kh7210

 

[goombawaho]

Was your machine built by a small computer company or a larger OEM (Dell, HP)?
What told you that your software wasn't genuine?

This is the only thing I would trust to tell me:

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=20888

If not genuine, you could compare the C.O.A. on the side of your computer with the one in your computer's registry using a key code finder. You'll have to look that up yourself.

If the numbers were different, you could try changing the key code to the one on the side of the computer using the key code tool then re-run the genuine advantage tool.

If none of this works, you're out of luck because you can't buy XP any more and you'll need to buy Windows 7.

 

[BadBigBen]

I agree with Goom, in that you should have MS check that key (follow the link supplied, or run a WINDOWS-UPDATE (it should download the latest Genuine Advantage Checker and install it))...

lots of OEM manufacturers, sold their XP boxes with the manufacturer key, which is totally different than the one that is stuck on the back of the machine. This manufacturers key, will sometimes be recognized as a NON-GENUINE KEY, the reason is that lots of these keys are running rampant on the internet...

if that is the case, that it is an OEM key instead of the COA on the back of the PC, then follow the instructions below:

How To Change the Windows XP Product Key

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/productkeysactivation/ht/changexpkey.htm

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[KH7210]

Thanks for the help.
The computer is an HP.
The Mcafee tech was the one that told me it was not genuine.
I have been getting updates for years no problem. Then now when I renew my virus this problem comes up.

I did one check and found out as you said that XP is not available they suggested window7 but my machine goes not have the speed for 7.

Goom if I run the download that you included and it is not genuine will this shut my machine down?

 

[goombawaho]

What BadBigBen said was correct as well and we're both aiming at trying to have try the "correct" C.O.A. for your machine and that is the one stuck to the side of your machine. The one that you get from HP is the same for thousands of the model that you have. The one on the side of your machine is unique to your PC and HAS to be valid.

I was going to have you use a third party tool, but the above is a good idea.

No, it won't shut your machine down. You'll just get that nag message upon startup in the task bar.

If this all fails, looks like you will have to look into a new PC or just put up with the non-genuine messages. If you can't get Mcafee installed, just go with AVG or Avira.

 

[KH7210]

Ran a key code finder and found product key in machine and COA on machine are different. I am looking for a key code tool to see if I can change it.

When I do the process and get to the activation page do I just type in the Product key on the COA?

 

[KH7210]

Thanks for the help problem by passed.

Thanks again