Windows validation tool

[Guest John D]

Hi

 

I was asked by a friend of mine to have a look at his computer as he is

having a variety of problems, but the trouble is he is not sure if his copy

of Windows is genuine or a pirate copy. He has XP professional on the

machine, but he bought it from a colleague at work, who he can no longer

contact to ask if the copy of XP is a legal copy. When I try to run updates

for the computer, the Windows validation tool comes up. I know this will

check for pirate copies. What does the validation tool do when it detects a

pirate copy. If it will stop him using his pc any longer, I don't want to run

it, but there is also the possibility that his copy of Windows is genuine and

needs updating. Please advise

 

many thanks

John

[Guest TaurArian]

Re: Windows validation tool

 

For a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ), visit the following Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/FAQ.aspx

 

--

 

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Update Services

http://taurarian.mvps.org

======================================

How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco

 

 

"John D" <John D@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:1C85A7EB-56F0-437D-BFE7-EE2CAF56BF2D@microsoft.com...

| Hi

|

| I was asked by a friend of mine to have a look at his computer as he is

| having a variety of problems, but the trouble is he is not sure if his copy

| of Windows is genuine or a pirate copy. He has XP professional on the

| machine, but he bought it from a colleague at work, who he can no longer

| contact to ask if the copy of XP is a legal copy. When I try to run updates

| for the computer, the Windows validation tool comes up. I know this will

| check for pirate copies. What does the validation tool do when it detects a

| pirate copy. If it will stop him using his pc any longer, I don't want to run

| it, but there is also the possibility that his copy of Windows is genuine and

| needs updating. Please advise

|

| many thanks

| John

[Guest Alias]

Re: Windows validation tool

 

John D wrote:

> Hi

>

> I was asked by a friend of mine to have a look at his computer as he is

> having a variety of problems, but the trouble is he is not sure if his copy

> of Windows is genuine or a pirate copy. He has XP professional on the

> machine, but he bought it from a colleague at work, who he can no longer

> contact to ask if the copy of XP is a legal copy. When I try to run updates

> for the computer, the Windows validation tool comes up. I know this will

> check for pirate copies. What does the validation tool do when it detects a

> pirate copy. If it will stop him using his pc any longer, I don't want to run

> it, but there is also the possibility that his copy of Windows is genuine and

> needs updating. Please advise

>

> many thanks

> John

 

You can update XP whether it's pirated or not through Auto Update. Set

Auto Update to inform but not download or install. When you're informed,

check them and make sure that Windows Genuine Advantage is not there

and, if it is, untick it.

 

Alias