Answered by:
An unauthorized change was made to windows

Question
-
Hello,
I rebooted my computer today after apparently a Windows update was applied at around 4:30 pm and now receive the following message:
an "unauthorized change was made to windows" there was no error code just a link to genuine advantage and a close button that logs me off. It fails validation now but has been fine for a year.
At the moment all i can do is use safe modeI tried to do a system restore, but it tells me that the disk needs to be checked, but chkdsk will not run at startup no matter what I try.
I don't get any start button or desktop when I try to start up Windows normally.
I checked all of the applications that cause the Tamper state to come on and I don't have any of those.
I haven't installed any applications recently or made any changes.
I ran Windows Defender and a full Norton scan, nothing was found.
Please help!
Thanks
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 5:51 AM
Answers
-
Hi incandescent,
Vista is in, what is called a 'Mod-Auth' Tamper state. There are 2 types of Mod-Auth tampers.
1) A critical system file was modified On Disk - What this means is that the file, located on the hard drive, was modified in some way. This can be caused by random file corruption, a malicious program (spyware, malware, virus) or by manual file modification (by a user of the system). There is also a very small chance that an Update may fail in mid-update and cause this type of issue. As a safety mechanism, Updates are made so that if they fail, they roll back any updating that was done before the failure, but there is an off-chance that the roll back did not occure.
2) A critical system file was modified In Memory - What this means is the file itself (on the hard drive) is un-modified, but the code, from that file, running in the system, was modified in some way. and is usually caused by a running program that is incompatible with Vista.
Because of the Mismatched files listed under the "File Scan Data-->" line of your Diagnostic Report, I beleive your issue is a On Disk Mod-Auth
So, what I would like to do is exclude a failed update as the cause of your issue. To do that, I would like you to uninstall/reinstall the update that correspond with mismatched critical system file seen in your Diagnostic Report under the "File Scan Data-->" line. (i.e. slc.dll[6.0.6000.16509] ) by following the below steps:
First, uninstall the updates:
1) Log into Vista in Safe Mode
2) Click 'Start' button, then Click 'Control Panel'.
3) Click 'Classic View' in the upper right of the Control Panel window.
4) Double-Click the icon named 'Programs and Features'.
5) Click the 'View installed updates' link in the upper right of the Program and Features window.
6) It may take some time for the list of Updates to appear, please wait.
7) Right-Click on the update 'KB933928' and select 'Unistall'.
8) Reboot into Normal Mode
Now, reinstall the updates:
(At this point, Vista may or may not be in reduced functionality, the below steps assume that Vista is in reduced functionality)
9) Log in to Vista and select the options that brings up the Internet Browser.
10) Go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads
11) Search for KB933928
12) In the search results, click the update that has "KB933928" in the name.
13) Click the 'Download' button.
14) You will be given the choice to Save or Run, select Run
15) Reboot 2 times.
If no KB933928 Update was installed on your computer, I suggest running a Anti-Spyware/Malware and Anti-Virus program to see if this issue was maybe caused by a malicious program modifing the file.
And lastly, if none of these suggestions resolves your issue, open a (no cost) support request at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52029 for additional assistance.
Thank you,
Darin Smith
WGA Forum Manager
Thursday, January 31, 2008 11:29 PM
All replies
-
There is a Support Doc: "You may be prompted to activate Windows Vista on a computer on which Windows Vista was already activated by a Volume License or OEM installation" at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;931573 That I believe may specific to your issue. Please follow the resolution portion of the doc.
If that does not resolve your issue, please follow the steps below. If the first set of steps does not resolve, move on to the next set of steps.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Step set #1
(If you access to the start button)
1) Click the Start button
2) Type cmd in the Start Search field
3) At the top the Start window, you will see cmd.exe
4) Right Click cmd.exe and select Run as Administrator
5) Type: cscript %windir%\System32\slmgr.vbs /ilc %windir%\System32\licensing\ppdlic\Security-Licensing-SLC-ppdlic.xrm-ms
6) Hit the Enter key
7) Reboot 2 times
(If you Do Not access to the start button)
1) Click the option Access computer with reduced functionality
2) A Browser will open, type: %windir%\system32 into the address field
3) Find the file cmd.exe
4) Right Click on the cmd.exe and select Run as Administrator
5) Type: cscript %windir%\System32\slmgr.vbs /ilc %windir%\System32\licensing\ppdlic\Security-Licensing-SLC-ppdlic.xrm-ms
6) Hit the Enter key
7) Reboot 2 times
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Step set #2
(If you access to the start button)
1) Click the Start button
2) Type: slui.exe 3 and hit the Enter key
3) Type in the Product key from the sticker on your computer
4) Click the Next button.
5) You will be asked if want to Activate, click ok
6) It will attempt to Activate by the internet and will return an Invalid Key error (this is ok, continue to step 7)
7) Click the Start button
8) Type: slui.exe 4 and hit the Enter key
9) Select your location in the drop down menu and click the Next button
10) The next screen provides the number to call to Activate by Phone
NOTE: when you call that number, you will first hear an Automated Voice that will try to Activate Vista for you. If the Automated Voice gives you an option to talk to a Live Activation Rep, select that option. If not, do not enter any numbers. This should force the Automated Voice to transfer you to a Live Activation Rep. Trying to Activate thru the Automated Voice will not work, in your case, only thru the Live Activation Rep will your Activation be successful.
Once completed, you may need to reboot twice.
(If you Do Not access to the start button)
1) Click the option 'Run with reduced functionality'
2) A internet Browser should come up, type: %windir%\system32\cmd.exe in the browser address bar
3) A window with a black background will come up
4) Type: slui.exe 3 and hit the Enter key
5) Type in the Product key from the sticker on your computer
6) Click the Next button.
7) You will be asked if want to Activate, click ok
8) It will attempt to Activate by the internet and will return an Invalid Key error (this is ok, continue to step 9)
9) Return to the window with the black background
10) Type: slui.exe 4 and hit the Enter key
11) Select your location in the drop down menu and click the Next button
12) The next screen provides the number to call to Activate by Phone
NOTE: when you call that number, you will first hear an Automated Voice that will try to Activate Vista for you. If the Atomated Voice gives you an option to talk to a Live Activation Rep, select that option. If not, do not enter any numbers. This should force the Automated Voice to transfer you to a Live Activation Rep. Trying to Activate thru the Automated Voice will not work, in your case, only thru the Live Activation Rep will your Activation be successful.
Once completed, you may need to reboot twice.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Step set #3
1) Open Internet Browser
2) Type %windir%\system32 into the browser address bar.
3) Find the file CMD.exe
4) Right-Click on CMD.exe and select Run as Administrator
5) Type: net stop slsvc (it may ask you if you are sure, select yes)
6) Type: cd %windir%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SoftwareLicensing
7) Type: rename tokens.dat tokens.bar
8) Type: cd %windir%\system32
9) Type net start slsvc
10) Type: cscript slmgr.vbs -rilc (It may take a long time for this to complete, please be patient)
11) Reboot Twice
12) You may be required to Re-Activate. Use the Activate by Phone method outlined below
Activate by Phone steps:
a) If you have access to the Start button: Click the Start button, and type in "slui.exe 4" in the search field and then press the "Enter" key. This will bring up the Activate by Phone dialog window. Follow the steps provided by the window. The phone activation process should only take about 6 minutes.
b) If you do not have access to the Start button: Reboot and login to Vista, a dialog window will come up. In that window, click the option "Access computer with reduced functionality". Once you do that, Internet Explorer or Firefox browser will open. In the address bar type "c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe" press enter, a new window will come up, type: slui 4 and hit enter and follow steps to Activate over the Phone.
NOTE: The key to this process is that you need to talk to a Live Activation Rep! When you first call, you will be interacting with an Automated Voice, either select the option to talk to a Live Rep or if there is no option, do not enter any numbers. This should force the automated voice to transfer you to a Live Rep.Wednesday, January 30, 2008 9:00 PMModerator -
If the steps that Carey had provided, do not resolve your issue. please download and run the Genuine Diagnostics tool at this link http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012. Click "Continue" click the Windows tab, click the "Copy" button, then paste the report into a response message in this thread.
If you do not have access to the Start Button:1) Login to Vista and Click the option that brings up Internet Explorer.
2) Type: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012 into the browser address bar.
3) A window will come up asking if you want to Run or Save, Select Run
4) When the program runs, Click the Continue button, then click the Copy button.
5) Return to this thread by Typing: http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2764074&SiteID=25 into the browser address bar.
6) In a reply post, Paste the Diagnostic Report.
Thank you,
Darin Smith
WGA Forum Manager
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 11:33 PM -
Here are the results of my diagnostics. I didn't have any luck with the steps that Carey sent me. I could not run the vbs scripts, kept telling me that permission was denied and was running cmd.exe as administrator. I also received other errors referencing 0x80070426.
In looking at the diagnostic results, my product key on the bottom of my laptop does not match that.
Diagnostic Report (1.7.0066.0):
-----------------------------------------
WGA Data-->
Validation Status: Invalid License
Validation Code: 50
Online Validation Code: 0x80070426
Cached Validation Code: N/A, hr = 0x80070426
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-WWR7C-QF2M7-2TB37
Windows Product Key Hash: YqRmTj4qWYwTYqB/WJzBj8/adyc=
Windows Product ID: 89578-OEM-7332157-00056
Windows Product ID Type: 2
Windows License Type: OEM SLP
Windows OS version: 6.0.6000.2.00010300.0.0.003
CSVLK Server: N/A
CSVLK PID: N/A
ID: {42F1609A-99A3-49A4-8477-4228854024B7}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
WGA Version: Registered, 1.7.59.1
Signed By: Microsoft
Product Name: Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium
Architecture: 0x00000000
Build lab: 6000.vista_gdr.071009-1548
TTS Error: M:20080130182149168-
Validation Diagnostic:
Resolution Status: N/ANotifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A
File Exists: No
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002OGA Data-->
Office Status: 100 Genuine
OGA Version: Registered, 1.6.21.0
Signed By: Microsoft
Office Diagnostics: 77F760FE-152-80070002_7E90FEE8-175-80070002_B4D0AA8B-531-645_025D1FF3-282-80041010_025D1FF3-170-80041010_025D1FF3-171-1_025D1FF3-434-80040154_025D1FF3-178-80040154_025D1FF3-179-2_025D1FF3-185-80070002_025D1FF3-199-3Browser Data-->
Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: AllowedFile Scan Data-->
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\slc.dll[6.0.6000.16509]Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{42F1609A-99A3-49A4-8477-4228854024B7}</UGUID><Version>1.7.0066.0</Version><OS>6.0.6000.2.00010300.0.0.003</OS><Architecture>x32</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-2TB37</PKey><PID>89578-OEM-7332157-00056</PID><PIDType>2</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-307492600-3371751529-922308082</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>LENOVO</Manufacturer><Model>0768A53</Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>LENOVO</Manufacturer><Version>63ET58WW</Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="4"/><Date>20061219000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>04323507018400FE</HWID><UserLCID>0409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Pacific Standard Time(GMT-08:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>2</stat><msppid></msppid><name>Monaco Enterprises, Inc.</name><model>D-21</model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>LENOVO</OEMID><OEMTableID>TP-63 </OEMTableID></OEM><BRT/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>100</Result><Products><Product GUID="{91120000-0030-0000-0000-0000000FF1CE}"><LegitResult>100</LegitResult><Name>Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007</Name><Ver>12</Ver><Val>5F8B6D2FDAD96CE</Val><Hash>89wxIo8K6xndDO9cVWqqZnc+oeE=</Hash><Pid>81599-871-0721031-65433</Pid><PidType>1</PidType></Product></Products></Office></Software></GenuineResults>Spsys.log Content: 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
Any other ideas are greatly appreciated!
Thursday, January 31, 2008 2:29 AM -
Hi incandescent,
Vista is in, what is called a 'Mod-Auth' Tamper state. There are 2 types of Mod-Auth tampers.
1) A critical system file was modified On Disk - What this means is that the file, located on the hard drive, was modified in some way. This can be caused by random file corruption, a malicious program (spyware, malware, virus) or by manual file modification (by a user of the system). There is also a very small chance that an Update may fail in mid-update and cause this type of issue. As a safety mechanism, Updates are made so that if they fail, they roll back any updating that was done before the failure, but there is an off-chance that the roll back did not occure.
2) A critical system file was modified In Memory - What this means is the file itself (on the hard drive) is un-modified, but the code, from that file, running in the system, was modified in some way. and is usually caused by a running program that is incompatible with Vista.
Because of the Mismatched files listed under the "File Scan Data-->" line of your Diagnostic Report, I beleive your issue is a On Disk Mod-Auth
So, what I would like to do is exclude a failed update as the cause of your issue. To do that, I would like you to uninstall/reinstall the update that correspond with mismatched critical system file seen in your Diagnostic Report under the "File Scan Data-->" line. (i.e. slc.dll[6.0.6000.16509] ) by following the below steps:
First, uninstall the updates:
1) Log into Vista in Safe Mode
2) Click 'Start' button, then Click 'Control Panel'.
3) Click 'Classic View' in the upper right of the Control Panel window.
4) Double-Click the icon named 'Programs and Features'.
5) Click the 'View installed updates' link in the upper right of the Program and Features window.
6) It may take some time for the list of Updates to appear, please wait.
7) Right-Click on the update 'KB933928' and select 'Unistall'.
8) Reboot into Normal Mode
Now, reinstall the updates:
(At this point, Vista may or may not be in reduced functionality, the below steps assume that Vista is in reduced functionality)
9) Log in to Vista and select the options that brings up the Internet Browser.
10) Go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads
11) Search for KB933928
12) In the search results, click the update that has "KB933928" in the name.
13) Click the 'Download' button.
14) You will be given the choice to Save or Run, select Run
15) Reboot 2 times.
If no KB933928 Update was installed on your computer, I suggest running a Anti-Spyware/Malware and Anti-Virus program to see if this issue was maybe caused by a malicious program modifing the file.
And lastly, if none of these suggestions resolves your issue, open a (no cost) support request at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52029 for additional assistance.
Thank you,
Darin Smith
WGA Forum Manager
Thursday, January 31, 2008 11:29 PM -
Hi Darin,
I uninstalled KB933928 and rebooted. When I started up, I was prompted to install the Windows installation disk to recover missing system files. I could not boot into normal or safe mode. I was able to boot into safe mode with networking where I was able to back up all of my files.
I then attempted to use the Lenove resuce and recovery utility and restore from a backup. I took me restoring twice to a very early date to be able to boot into Windows again. After just a few minutes in Windows, I was receiving messages that Windows needed to be activated, then after another reboot I was back to square one, not able to access anything.
To make a long story short, I have restored my system back to factory specs as it seemed that the OS was missing many files and was very unstable.
Thank you for all the suggestions, I have learned alot about Vista through this experience.
Lena (Incandescent)
Saturday, February 2, 2008 5:48 AM