Is There a Solution to Fake Windows XP Software?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the issue of receiving a "victim of Counterfeit" message on a Windows XP installation, particularly after a reinstallation at a local computer store. Participants explore the implications of using potentially pirated software, the legitimacy of the installation, and possible solutions to the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about receiving a counterfeit message after reinstalling Windows XP, questioning whether to click on a prompt that appears on startup.
  • Another participant suggests that if the computer was purchased with Windows pre-installed, the user is not using it illegally.
  • Some participants inquire about the legitimacy of the installation done by the local computer store, suggesting it may involve pirated software.
  • There are suggestions to run antivirus and malware scans to rule out malicious software causing the message.
  • One participant mentions that Microsoft has released updates that check for counterfeit software, which may lead to such messages if a valid product ID is not used.
  • Another participant proposes reinstalling Windows using a restore CD to avoid issues with counterfeit software.
  • Some participants speculate that the user may have a "cracked" version of Windows XP, indicating it is not a legitimate copy.
  • There are discussions about alternative solutions, such as using different operating systems like Linux or ensuring better security practices to avoid viruses.
  • Participants discuss the technical aspects of capturing the screen to share the error message, with varying opinions on the methods to do so.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the legitimacy of the Windows installation or the best course of action. Multiple competing views remain regarding the nature of the software installed and the implications of the counterfeit message.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions about the specific software installed by the computer store and whether it was a legitimate copy of Windows XP. The discussion also highlights the potential for confusion regarding the legality of the software based on the installation process and the product ID used.

peejake
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Fake Windows Xp software...

hey guys,
i have had my computer for 4 years now and due to a recent crash due to virus attack i had to delete all the stuff on my computer and get windows reinstalled at a local computer store as i did not have enough money to buy the genuine software. A year has gone by now and i get this message that says i may be a "victim of Counterfeit" as soon as i start my computer up. Following which i get this message to click on a balloon to solve the issue. I am not sure whether i should click on it or not because i don't want to get caught.... Can anyone tell me is there any other way of solving this problem...? Is there anyother inexpensive way out...? Do i have click on the balloon>>>>??:mad:

thanks
cheers
jake
 
Last edited:
Computer science news on Phys.org
If you purchased the computer with Windows already on it, then you're already paid for Windows, and are not using it illegally. Don't worry.

- Warren
 
Thanks for replying,
But i want to know why do it get the message that says that i might be a "Victim of Counterfeiting software". Are you also saying that i just click on the balloon to solve the problem??

Thanks
jake
 
peejake said:
and get windows reinstalled at a local computer store as i did not have enough money to buy the genuine software.
So what did they install exactly?

You would still have to pay them the money for a Windows XP license...unless they used a pirated version in which case they're not running a very honest (or legal) business.

Edit: Did they just reinstall the copy of windows that came with your PC?

If it's just a message then I don't see the big problem. Does it still allow your computer to run properly after you close the message? It could just be some sort of virus or malicious program that's causing it, especially since it's been a year since you installed Windows. Try running an anti-virus scan and an adware/malware scan.

I would also try searching Google for the exact phrase that pops up to see if other people have received the same message and if it's actually coming from windows or some other program.
 
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I suggest you click on it. Local store should have also installed original copy of windowsxp on your pc. If not, they are the one who will get into trouble. Or if you don't want to bother with the bubble. Turn it off in Services. I don't quite remember exactly how it was but I think I'll be able to help you. Can you just write the exact message you see, or take a screenshot and post in?

There is also simpler and cheaper solution to solve the matter of viruses and the like. Use firefox (doesn't provide 100% guarantee of not getting it, however increases chances that you will not.) Or, install Linux!
 
Microsoft recently released some Windows updates that will detect if you are [potentially] using a couterfit/pirated version of windows.
It checks to see if your product ID code is "valid" [not really the right word I want to use] or not.
Normally, if you don't have a legit seriel product code, they won't let you download and install updates, but they were ever-so-nice by allowing everyone to have this update.

Near as I can tell, at this point, all it does is pop up with a little balloon and stay in your task bar. It probably sends some information to Microsoft as well, so you might be on some list of where they will send their anti-piracy ninjas.

If you do own a legit copy of Windows, you should be OK though (in theory).
However, when the computer store reinstalled windows, they might have used the same seriel number for use as they did for 12 other people (or more) and Microsoft knows this. In that case, the computer store is just asking to get sued. It might be better if you re-re-installed windows yourself with the restore CD you should have gotten with your computer.
 
dav2008 said:
So what did they install exactly?

You would still have to pay them the money for a Windows XP license...unless they used a pirated version in which case they're not running a very honest (or legal) business.

Edit: Did they just reinstall the copy of windows that came with your PC?

If it's just a message then I don't see the big problem. Does it still allow your computer to run properly after you close the message? It could just be some sort of virus or malicious program that's causing it, especially since it's been a year since you installed Windows. Try running an anti-virus scan and an adware/malware scan.

I would also try searching Google for the exact phrase that pops up to see if other people have received the same message and if it's actually coming from windows or some other program.

Thankyou all for replying,

My computer was not bought all assembled but i remember buying it in bits and pieces and then getting a tech to assemble it...He did it at home and he installed the CD's. By the way i don't remember buying an original copy of windows xp from them...They just installed windows using a copy of their own fake cd's i guess...By the way this was in India and now am in New Zealand.

Anyway the guys here in NZ installed windows Xp and i remember paying them 30 bucks for it...Im not sure whether they used fake software or not...I will try taking a picture or two and post them as heartless suggested...

As for the virus i don't think i have any virus at all as i got Norton Installed...There seems to be no problem about that at all...:smile:

-jake
 
you have a cracked version of XP...
 
Anttech said:
you have a cracked version of XP...

Yea it looks like it...Anyway heartless i have taken some picks of the actual thing.

NewPics003.jpg


NewPics002.jpg


NewPics001.jpg


Tell me what you think of the problem...

thanks
jake
 
  • #10
You know, you can just hit the "PrtScr/Sys Rq" button on your keyboard and paste the image into any image editing program such as MSPaint.
 
  • #11
dav2008 said:
You know, you can just hit the "PrtScr/Sys Rq" button on your keyboard and paste the image into any image editing program such as MSPaint.

yea i know but the thing is I am not using the internet on that computer at the moment...im using my laptop now because the other one does not work that well...it takes ages to start up as well...:frown:

i rather do it this way

-jake
 
  • #12
peejake said:
hey guys,
i have had my computer for 4 years now and due to a recent crash due to virus attack i had to delete all the stuff on my computer and get windows reinstalled at a local computer store as i did not have enough money to buy the genuine software.

Could be that the Windows they used is the Windows disc from the computer store.
 
  • #13
Even if they used a disc of theirs I am pretty sure that they had to enter the code in order to work install the software properly...so why does it have to come up with a message like that...? i don't understand...
 
  • #14
dav2008 said:
You know, you can just hit the "PrtScr/Sys Rq" button on your keyboard and paste the image into any image editing program such as MSPaint.
Would that work on the Welcome Screen?
 
  • #15
Curious3141 said:
Would that work on the Welcome Screen?
Nope don't think so...

Anyway.. there isn't really much u can do.. except fork out cash for the real thing or be creative in other ways...
 
  • #16
Anttech said:
Nope don't think so...

Anyway.. there isn't really much u can do.. except fork out cash for the real thing or be creative in other ways...

Actually, that does work on the welcome screen...
 
  • #17
Curious3141 said:
Would that work on the Welcome Screen?
I just tried it and it looks like you have to press Shift+Prt Scr.
 
  • #18
dav2008 said:
I just tried it and it looks like you have to press Shift+Prt Scr.

Really? I just did it normally.:rolleyes:
 
  • #19
Hey does it really matter guys, i sent the pictures already and you know what I am talking about...Its just another opportunity to make use of my new digital camera. I think i have hardly taken a couple of snaps which seems pretty less when taken into account that i bought it a year ago...:smile:

-Jake
 
  • #20
I believe windows update only validates the software if you download the updates manually . If you allow windows to download and install the updates automatically it dosent look to see if your software has a vailid serial number or not.

And the reason being i suppose is because its better for microsoft and all the people running legitamate software if the majority of the machine's connected to the internet have the most recent security updates installed.
 
  • #21
hey guess what?

If i don't bother the balloon it does not bother me at all...

i don't have to bother about it anymore...:smile:

Thanks for all your help

jake
 
  • #22
peejake said:
hey guess what?

If i don't bother the balloon it does not bother me at all...

i don't have to bother about it anymore...:smile:

Thanks for all your help

jake
the problem is... i don't think u can run windows update anymore. I don't know if this is illegal or not... but if u use Bit torrent download a genuine validation from www.isohunt.com. i think it will stop it
ps: i don't know if it the right thing to do or not... I am not aware of pirated/copyrights thing a lot... i think because I am in Australia that why.. every1 do it hehehe
 
  • #23
ekinnike said:
the problem is... i don't think u can run windows update anymore. I don't know if this is illegal or not... but if u use Bit torrent download a genuine validation from www.isohunt.com. i think it will stop it
ps: i don't know if it the right thing to do or not... I am not aware of pirated/copyrights thing a lot... i think because I am in Australia that why.. every1 do it hehehe

hey thanks for that,
ill check it out...im in new zealand and believe me its worse here :smile:

jake
 

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