WGA notification on existing installation

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  Hello MadKat,

   

  Where did you purchase the software which is currently installed on the system? Please share with me where the software was purchased and any information such as the website, telephone number, etc. 

   

  Thank you for posting your diagnostic information. Diagnostic results help our team in determining the root cause of your issue. I have extracted a portion of your diagnostic results to review with you:

   

  WGA Data-->

  
              Validation Status: Blocked VLK

  Windows License Type: Volume
              Windows OS version: 5.1.2600.2.00010100.2.0.pro
  
          We are sorry to hear about the problem your currently experiencing. I can see right away what the issue is and why you are not passing validation.  Unfortunately, the product key used to install Windows XP Professional is a Volume License Key (VLK) that has been blocked per the request of the legal VLK holder.  As a rule, VLK editions of either an Operating System and/or Office should not be sold to individual consumers. Businesses, schools and governments normally use VLK editions for flexibility in installing many computers. Also, Volume Licenses for Windows XP and MS Office are Upgrade licenses ONLY and cannot be used as the original or base license for a new computer.

   

          If you want to keep Windows XP Pro installed on the computer, then your best option is to participate in the Genuine Windows Offer and purchase a WGA Kit for $149 USD.  You will be emailed a Product Key that can be used immediately for your currently non- genuine installation of XP Pro, and then about 2-3 weeks later you will receive a genuine Microsoft Windows XP Pro full retail CD and COA, which you can use to do a clean installation (recommended).  Also please review the Validation Advisor for further guidance at:

  https://www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhelp/ValidationHelp.aspx

   

      First, if this comes as a total surprise to you, please visit the retailer where you purchased the computer or operating system and let them know the operating system is a counterfeit copy.  Please print a copy of the diagnostic report so you may show them proof for the VLK status. Request they immediately reimburse you and/or provide a Genuine Copy.

   

  Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) is here to help protect YOU, our valued customer. It is important for more people like you to report piracy @ http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/default.mspx  who have become victims. Microsoft legal will follow up on all leads provided.  Submitting piracy reports will assist in stopping unscrupulous business practices.  We CANNOT determine the "Quality" level of non-Genuine submissions and cannot guarantee such a thing here on the forum. You may be eligible for free software if you have high quality counterfeit discs as illustrated here:

  http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/content.aspx?displaylang=en&pg=counterfeit

   

                   Again, we are sorry to hear about your situation. Please be sure to backup or otherwise offload any data from the hard disk because a clean installation/reimaging will destroy all personal user data on the hard drive. Please don't hesitate re-posting if you need further assistance.  

   

   

  Thank you,

   

  Stephen Holm, MS

  Wednesday, December 12, 2007 1:41 AM
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  Hi there, Stephan!
  
  I may not have been clear in my original posting. The information generated by the Genuine Diagnostic Tool is incorrect and this is not a VLK installation. I would like to clear up this error. In the interim, we have been simply closing the Genuine Advantage "nag screen" but this is not an acceptable long-term solution.
  
  I looked in my records and was able to find a packing list for the original purchase. It does not have any real information about the vendor other than a web site address https://store.prostores.com and that site gives me an error. I suspect the retailer is no longer available for comment. It has been 18 months, after all.
  
  I have scanned the packing list from June of 2006 along with my original installation compact disc and the COA. I took a very low-tech approach and covered private information with a bit of Post-it(R) note and then scribled over it with a black marker to obscure the text. If you need additional information, such as part numbers, serial numbers or anything from the printed Windows manual that came as part of this purchase, I can provide that.
  
  A PDF scan of my original packing list, installation CD and COA can be found at http://therealstupid.com/_images/20071219085249032.pdf  The disc is very "genuine" complete with the Microsoft hologram.
  
  Diagnostic Report (1.7.0066.0):
  -----------------------------------------
  WGA Data-->
  Validation Status: Blocked VLK <-- INCORRECT, THIS IS AN OEM SOFTWARE VERSION
  Validation Code: 3
  Online Validation Code: N/A
  Cached Validation Code: N/A
  Windows Product Key: *****-*****-X9QRG-J4B2Y-GR2TT <-- DOES NOT MATCH MY COA KEY
  
  Please note that this is NOT a VLK copy of Windows; it is fully licensed "OEM Software" and genuine Microsoft installation CD! (see the linked PDF scan)
  
  Please note that the COA being reported by the Genuine Diagnostics tool was NOT the key used during instalation and does NOT match my Genuine COA! (see the linked PD scan)
  
  Only the final five characters are shown on the scan, but it is clearly not a match with the key reported by the Genuine Diagnostic Tool. The key on the COA was used to install the software. They key reported by the Diagnostic Tool is incorrect. When I attempt to input the correct key (from the Genuine COA that I purchased in June of 2006, and the correct key that was used to install the software) I get the message "The product key entered is not a valid key for this system.  Please check it for typing errors and try again."
  
  I must reiterate that this is not a case of software piracy and that my copy of Windows is, in fact, Genuine. I'm a bit surprised that you would suggest buying another key when I already own a Genuine copy of Windows. I personally installed this version of Windows on the computer and am 100% sure that the key being reported by the tool is incorrect. The Product Key Update tool will not allow me to enter the key that was used during installation. I wish to use the valid and Genuine product key that I already own, not to purchase another key.
  
  Is there a procedure that will allow this?
  

  Sunday, December 23, 2007 10:28 PM
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  Madkat_meow,

   

  The XP Pro licensing kit picture that you posted seems to look a lot like a Genuine licensing kit, but there's really no way to positively confirm from a picture.

   

  What is NOT in doubt is that, at the moment, the installation of XP on the computer is a nongenuine installation of XP Pro, which used a blocked VLK.  Also very curious is the current installation of Office.  The mgadiag utility is showing it as Not Activated, so the system cannot go further to compare its activation key with the list of known pirated ones, but just be aware of the fact that the edition of Office you have installed, Office XP Pro w/Front Page, was an edition offered only thru Volume Licensing channels and it is an edition that is very frequently reported as pirated.

   

  It is very possible that the original Genuine installation of XP Pro you did with the pictured CD and PK have been overwritten if you, a friend, or a computer shop have recently run any sort of repair on the system not using the CD you pictured.  It's possible that whoever did the repair used a downloaded "bench" copy of XP Pro.  If you didn;t have Office before the repair and then all of a sudden had Office, baddabing, that pretty much confirms the situation.

   

  The other possibility is that the CD you have really did install the current installation and if so, try this experiment.  Pop the CD into the computer, then navigate to the \i386 folder of the CD.  Find the setupp.ini file, it's a small text file.  Post back and in the post, insert the last two lines of this file.

  Monday, December 24, 2007 2:04 PM
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  Thanks for responding, Dan.
  
  I understand that you have a lot of piracy issues and that it is difficult to trust a picture. I hope that there is some way to get beyond that in this case since I -do- have an actual hologrammed retail disc and am having a "genuine" issue. (pun intended)
  
  This computer has never been to a shop as I do all of my own repairs and software installation. I may have inadvertantly done a "repair" using a different disc, but I think that is very unlikely as I only have two Genuine copies of XPSP2 in my home. One is a Dell-licensed verison and one is the one pictured. I would say it is _very_ unlikely that the two were mix-and-matched since one is a purple Dell-branded VLK disc and the other is a hologrammed retail version. The two discs live in separate homes, so to speak -- I keep a separate shoe-box full of all the miscellaneous "stuff" for each machine.
  
  In any case, I followed your directions, and the file you asked about only contains three lines total. The last two lines are as follows:
  
  ExtraData=796674736977656D7A622E385892A4
  Pid=55274270
  
  (This was a direct copy/paste from the file.)
  

  Thursday, December 27, 2007 7:46 AM
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  Uh, not to quibble, but it has been over ten days since I posted my information. Is there any hope of getting an answer? What can I do to definitively prove that I have a Genuine retail copy of Windows XP installed on my coputer and eliminate the WGA notification? Thanks!
  

  Saturday, January 5, 2008 9:05 PM
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  If you indeed have a genuine license (product key) for Windows XP Professional, then utilize the Windows Product Key Update Tool: http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhelp/PKUInstructions.aspx

   

  Saturday, January 5, 2008 9:57 PM

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  Madkat_meow,

   

  Right now you do NOT have a genuine retail copy of XP Pro installed on your computer.  You have a nongenuine Volume Licensing installation of XP on the computer.  Although you have what looks like a genuine systembuilder/OEM licensing kit, the fact that the last three characters of the PID= value are 270 is indicative of a strong possibility that you have a high-quality counterfeit CD.

   

  A Genuine OEM CD would have the letters "OEM" where the number "270" is in the PID= value.

   

  Look VERY closely at your CD.  Is the hologram embedded within the plastic of the CD or is it a label affixed to the top.  Also lool VERY closely at the inner band encirclign the center hole of the CD...is the inner band embedded within the plastic of the CD or is it a label affixed to the bottom surface of the CD?

   

  Sunday, January 6, 2008 4:08 AM
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  Dan:
  
  Thanks for finally replying. I'm a bit mystified by this, to be honest. I took a very VERY close look at my Windows XP disc. The holograms are embedded in the plastic.
  
  There is a protective sheet of clear plastic adhered to the top (label side) of the disc. This protective sheet has a "scalloped" edge that follows the edge of the hologram label. My first thought was that you were correct and the hologram was an adhesive label.  I used a x-atco knife to scratch the plastic away from one edge of the disc (hopefully not damaging the data storage layer) and peel up a section. I made a very small scratch across the outer edge of the hologram. It is most definitely not an adhesive label. On close examination, the scratch I made on the label-side hologram is clearly visible on the data side (possibly rendering the disc unusable for a reinstallation -- but we'll deal with that issue later).
  
  The data side center hole hologram also appears to have some sort of protective coating, which made me think that the hologram might be a label. But upon much closer examination, the center hole hologram on the data side extends beyond the inner edge of the protective sheet. As I look at it extremely closely I can see that the protective sheet actually has a wavy scalloped outer edge to match the hologram. On my particular disc, the coating and the hologram "scallops" aren't aligned perfectly and the hologram is visible in several areas outside of the plastic covering. The inner edge of the protective sheet is not scalloped though, only the outer edge.
  
  If I look directly through the disc at a bright light source, I can see some light through the data/hologram mylar, just like any other normal unlabeled production disc.
  
  If this is a counterfiet disc, my hat is off to the counterfeiter for producing such a high quality fake! (Personally, I don't believe this to be the case.)
   
  At this point these are the facts:
  
  1. I have a valid, Genuine Microsoft Windows XP (with service pack 2) OEM disc and product key. You may dispute this, but I am 100% certain that this is true.
  
  2. The installation on my machine was done with this disc and product key, but for one reason or another is not longer considered valid. The exact mechanics of this change are immaterial in my mind. Clearly, "something" happened that made my current installation different than my Genuine disc and product key. Whether that was a software bug, a registry error, or space aliens sneaking into my home in the dead of night and deliberately changing the data stored on my hard drive... quite frankly, it doesn't matter. The fact is that the installation on my computer doesn't match the Genuine disc and product key that I legally purchased. I'm not disputing this. That was the whole reason I posted initially! I just want to "make it right" so that the installaton _does_ match with the product I already purchased.
  
  3. The tools on the MS web site are not allowing me to correct the error. I've played by the rules and tried everything that I was supposed to try. After a month and several posts, we are no closer to resolving the issue than when I first discovered the discrepancy. And, to be completely honest, I'm getting quite frustrated with the "help" (I use that word very loosly) I am receiving here. I merely wish to validate my current existing installation using the Genuine disc and product key that I already own.
  
  Let's assume, for the moment, that I do indeed have a Genuine disc. How can I correct the installation on my computer without having to reinstall all of my applications (i.e. retaining my current registry settings)?
  
  Failing that, is there ANY way to definitively prove to Microsoft that I am in possesion of a 100% Genuine disc and product key (regardless of what is currently installed on my computer)?
  
  Thanks for any input you can provide.
  
  
  
  PS to Carey Frisch: I appreciate that you are only a forum volunteer. I've been there and I know what it is like. But it's usually helpful to read the entire thread before commenting. As I wrote in my initial posting, I have already made several attempts to input the correct product key using the tool you linked. If you had bothered to read my original posting you would have seen that I even posted a link to the tool, and included the error message I am receiving. For this reason, I am marking your response as NOT HELPFUL.
  

  Monday, January 7, 2008 2:15 AM
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  MadKat,

   

   I would really like to get a better understanding of this issue so we can better assist not only you but other users with similar problems as well.  Could you please submit a service request with Microsoft Product Support using the following link:  http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=52029.  Please include the following information if possible. Also can you provide information highlighted below back in this thread?  I will provide this information up my channels.  Also I recommend for you to submit a piracy report by visiting http://www.microsoft.com/piracy

   

   - Your product key for (Office or Windows), 

       -- Please post the last 15 alpha/numeric characters of your product key

  -  Business location where purchased

   

  -  Business Address where purchased

   

  -  Phone number where purchased

   

  -  Point of Contact @ the Business (if you had any)

   

  -  If purchased on the internet please provide the website

   

  -  What alias was the individual using online?

       -- Usually this is prevelant with people who are selling software on auctions sites

   

  -  Provide us with your email address, telephone number and/or Cell number so we can reach you and provide you with   an update.

   

  -  Did you purchase the computer brand new, used, @ an auction, off the internet or how?

      Please provide the detailed information for the location.

   

  -  Is the computer a commercial built system or was the system custom built by a local shop?

      -- Please provide all the details.

   

  -  Do you have all the original software which was originally installed on the computer @ the time of purchase?

   

  - Last has the computer ever been turned in for repairs if so please provide detailed information as above? 

     -- If so please provide location details including webpage.

   

   

            Also please run the diagnostic test again for inclusion with the support incident. This will enable us to review current information after any changes you may have made. Once you have done that, please reply back to this post and provide the SR # generated by the service request.  I will work with you and provide this information you provide to my supervisor.  Please let us know if you would be willing to do this!!

   

   

  Thank you,

   

  Stephen Holm, MS

  Wednesday, January 9, 2008 8:20 PM
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  Hi there, Steven!
  
  I submitted a service request via the page you provided. My confirmation ID is 1055210407. I also used the piracy link and checked my disc and CoA agaisnt the step-by-step checklist on the "How to Tell" pages and both my CD and my CoA PASSED as valid Genuine products. Here is the additional information you requested.
  
  

   - Your product key for (Office or Windows), 

       -- Please post the last 15 alpha/numeric characters of your product key

  Windows XP (with Service Pack 2)
  

  _____-_____-MV24Y-KV6VY-RMDG8
  

  
  

  -  Business location where purchased

  This product was purchased via mail-order on June 8, 2006.
  

   

  -  Business Address where purchased

  This product was purchased via mail-order on June 8, 2006.
  

   

  -  Phone number where purchased

  This product was purchased via mail-order on June 8, 2006.
  

  
  

  -  Point of Contact @ the Business (if you had any)

  This product was purchased via mail-order on June 8, 2006.

  
  

  -  If purchased on the internet please provide the website

  https://store.prostores.com
  

   

  -  What alias was the individual using online?

       -- Usually this is prevelant with people who are selling software on auctions sites

  I never spoke to any individual, I found this retailer using www.pricewatch.com
  

   

  -  Provide us with your email address, telephone number and/or Cell number so we can reach you and provide you with   an update

  -

   

  -  Did you purchase the computer brand new, used, @ an auction, off the internet or how?

      Please provide the detailed information for the location.

  This computer was a home-built system. I purchased individual parts off the internet (using pricewatch.com) on June 8, 2006 and assembled it myself.

   

  -  Is the computer a commercial built system or was the system custom built by a local shop?

      -- Please provide all the details.

  This computer was a home-built system. I purchased individual parts off the internet (using pricewatch.com) on June 8, 2006 and assembled it myself.

  
  

  -  Do you have all the original software which was originally installed on the computer @ the time of purchase?

  Yes. A scan of my Windows XP disc and reciept can be seen at http://therealstupid.com/_images/20071219085249032.pdf I will update this so that all of the last 15 characters of the COA key are visible.

  
  

  EDIT: the updated image is available at http://therealstupid.com/_images/20080110103312112.pdf   I took the CD out of the dust jacket for this scan. You can see the small scratch I made in the hologram in the upper right of the disc.

  
  

  - Last has the computer ever been turned in for repairs if so please provide detailed information as above? 

     -- If so please provide location details including webpage.

  No. This computer has never been to any shop or repair facility outside of my home.
  

  Thursday, January 10, 2008 7:52 AM
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  MadKat,

   

  Please call 1-800 RU LEGIT  and provided them with all this information. The following

  https://store.prostores.com is not a store from what I can tell. What is the actual business which you made the purchase? Please post me with that information if you know the actual store name. 

   

   

  Thank you again.

   

  Stephen HOlm, MS

  Thursday, January 10, 2008 10:25 PM
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  Madkat_meow,

   

  Based on what you have reported, it's my personal opinion that you were sold a high-quality counterfeit CD and possibly counterfeit CoA.  Keep in mind that only Microsoft's crypto lab is empowered to make the final determination of whether the materials are Genuine or Counterfeit.  My suggestion would be to submit the materials to MS as suspected counterfeits and let them figure it out.

   

  The Microsoft staffers on this message board are the only ones with access to the Product Key database so they are the only ones that can look up the PK on the CoA to see if it's legitimate or not.  That is why Stephen has asked you to establish a Service request, so that he can get your personal contact information using a secure means of communication (as opposed to posting it within this forum, which would be against the MS privacy policy).  Once he contacts you, he'll be able to get the entire PK and run it thru the system.

   

  The only way we "civilians" can find out if a given PK is legitimate is to do an installation of XP with it, and then do a Validation, which "proofs" the installed PK against the MS PK database.

   

  If you had a spare computer lying about, you could use the CD and PK from your original purchase to do an installation and then Validate it to see if it really is a Genuine PK and CD.  Or, you could try a repair reinstallation using the OEM CD and its corresponding key.  A repair reinstallation is specificaly designed to preserve installed programs and data, but just in case I woul have everything backed up regardless.

   

  Friday, January 11, 2008 6:12 AM
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  Good Morning Dan,

   

  Thank you again for all the help :-). 

   

  Stephen Holm, MS

   

  Friday, January 11, 2008 5:16 PM
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  Hi there, Steven!
  
  The prostores.com site I gave does not seem to be valid for me either. I pulled my old VISA statement out of my files to see if there was any additional information and it seems that the vendor named on the charge is UNITY ELECTRONICS with a phone number of 510-475-0400. As amazing as it may seem that is almost a local number to me as the 925 area code is the East SF bay area and I live in California Wine Country. According thier web site (unityelectronics.com) they are located in Union City, CA.
  
  They do not list any Microsoft product on their web site, but please remember I purchased my copy of Windows XP from them in June of 2006. A lot can happen in 19 months and I'm not terribly surprised that they do not sell this OS any longer. The price they charged back then was competitive with today's prices (and uite a bit lower than the MSRP listed on the Microsoft ste) so I'm certain that they were not exactly making a huge profit on these.
  
  
  I am expecting a phone call from a MS customer service rep in the morning tomorrow to discuss this issue. I will follow up and let you know how it goes.
  

  Wednesday, January 16, 2008 6:37 AM
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  MadKat,

   

  Thankyou for this information :-). Please keep us informed with the feedback you receive from the customer service representative. Also please submit a piracy report and include all of this information you have. Thank you,

   

  Stephen Holm, MS

  Wednesday, January 16, 2008 5:20 PM