Problem

"John W.." <john@liverpool18/5.com> wrote in message news:4lh3iiF1tiedU2@individual.net...
> I have been using the same laptop for 2 1/2 years on logging on today
> message on screen saying "Not a genuine Microsoft product" I am running
> XP Pro and this was on the laptop when I bought it. Have not added
> anything other than MS Photoshop about a year ago that was a leagle
> product anyone know how to fix this? Many thanks..


Yup, I'm afraid Microsoft's Windows Genuine "Advantage" program is more of a hassle and pain in the butt than it is an advantage.

There should be an option to validate your Windows installation which should get it to stop complaining. The important part is the
key. When you bought your system, you should have gotten a Windows CD, manual, sticker of authenticity and cd-key. At the very
least you should have a shiny, holographic sticker with the key on it. You can use that key to validate Windows and it should stop
nagging. If you didn't get a sticker of authenticity, then you may be able to report the shop where you bought it to Microsoft and
possibly be eligible to receive a legit copy of Windows. Of course this only counts if you actually paid extra for Windows when you
bought the laptop. If you paid the same price for a laptop with Windows as you would have without it (the shop-illegally-threw in a
copy as a "value-added" bonus) then you won't be eligible and are out of luck-at least officially.

Check your system tray, is there a blue star in it? If so, then you can get Windows to leave you alone by uninstalling/disabling
the WGA. Do an Internet search for "wgatray" to find (many) websites with instructions to do so. It will likely be reinstalled the
next time Windows updates, so you may have to disable Automatic Updates as well. If you have a legit copy


HTH

--
Alec S.
news/alec->synetech/cjb/net