What Do You Think?

[Sqad]

Windows 7 HP.

Sudden onset no broadband connection. Modem fine, router fine.

On starting, no desktop picture, just this message:

"Windows is not genuine"

Have tried Ibuprofen 600mgms........no improvement, so don't suggest that.

[pinkyboyid]

I presume the copy of Windows is a genuine license install that initially came with the HP ?

Do you get this message every time you power-off completely and then boot up into Windows?

If so, it might be worth first checking that you do not have any bad disk sectors / clusters which could potentially cause the error.

Try running a system CHKDSK command that will check the Hard Disk for any errors and fix them automatically. You can also run an additional SFC command that will check the system integrity and report any further errors if they exist.

- To run CMD command click on the Windows Start button and type in the search box CMD.EXE
- right-click on CMD.EXE filename found and Select 'Run as Administrator'
- the Elevated Command Prompt window should pop up
- At the Command prompt, type CHKDSK C: /R and hit the Enter key
- Windows will report that the drive is locked, and indicate that CHKDSK will run at he next system reboot - hit the Y key, and then reboot.

- CHKDSK will startup automatically on reboot and will take some time depending on the size of the drive, so just let it run until complete!

After the CHKDSK has completed, Windows should boot normally (possibly after a second auto-reboot)

- now run the SFC command as per instructions:

- Click on the Windows Start button and type in the Search box CMD.EXE
- right-click SFC.EXE filename found and Select 'Run as Administrator'
- the Elevated Command Prompt window should pop up
- At the Command prompt, type SFC /SCANNOW and hit the Enter key

Wait for the scan to finish - make a note of any error messages and then reboot.

Worth a try, which at least will eliminate or identify any Hard Disk errors

[society]

Pinkyboid, I so would like to know who you used to be before you became Pinkyboid. :)

[Sqad]

Thanks pinky.....going to do that right now......don't wait up for me...

[Nibble]

Have you tried a "second opimion" yet, sqad?

[Sqad]

Nibble.....bugger off..;-)

Pinky.....done it......no violations found.After rebooting itnis now Installing 9 updates and bybthebspeed of progress, it will take all night.

[society]

Sqad, is your computer set to update automatically?

[Sqad]

society....no.

[Baldric]

A Cat scan and a Lab test maybe?

[society]

Squddie, you should 'turn on' automatic updates.

With automatic updating, you don't have to search for updates online or worry that critical fixes might be missing. Windows would automatically checks for the latest updates for your computer depending on the Windows Update settings you choose. Windows can install updates automatically or just let you know they're available.

[Sqad]

soc......thanks......where do i find Automatic Updates on Windows 7 HP?

[society]

- Click the Start button and click on Control Panel.
- Find the Windows Update icon and click it.
- Alternately, you can click Start and then type the word "update" into the Search box. Windows 7 will then present you with a click-able link labeled "Windows Update."
- Once in the Windows Update screen, click on "Change settings" in the left pane.
- Now, choose either "Install updates automatically" (this enables automatic Windows updates) or "Download updates but let me choose whether to install them."
- Pick a time to install new updates and then select the two following options: recommended updates and Microsoft update.
- Use your own best judgment as far as the other two options.
- Click OK to confirm your choices.

[Sqad]

soc...thanks......will do.

[pinkyboyid]

Well, Squad, I presume from what you say that all seems to be 'sort of' ok now and the 'Not Genuine' message has now 'gone away'?

If so, good to know you are almost back on track with full Surfing capability!

And for Society previous question, was and still is just a 'lost' soul wending ones way through the 'sea' of never ending 'Techy' problems that abound (amongst others!), but always like to try and help if possible!

[society]

Well I'm glad you are here, PinkyB. x :)

[Old_Geezer]

Unsure how much help this is but when MS decided my copy of Windows 7 was not genuine it was still usable. It just had a black wallpaper and various other annoyances.

My experience is that they don't decide this lack of validity and inform you immediately but wait until the person who sold you your copy has got clean away before dumping on you.

You could try re-entering your serial number to re-register. But if that fails I'm unsure MS will easily back down.

If you really can not use the PC referred to, then I'm wondering if you have an infection rather than a genuine MS "gotcha" ?

[Sqad]

O_G I hasn t the guts to tell pinky as he has put so much effort into my problem, but I am beginning to think that it may well be viral in origin as the problem still remains.

[Old_Geezer]

Worst comes to worst you can scrub the hard drive and reinstall, assuming you have backed up your valuable files and have the installation disks. Still maybe something can be sorted before being so drastic.

[society]

Sqad you could contact Microsoft. http://tinyurl.com/b52roz4

I see there is an option - Error: "This is not a valid Office Product key."

[Old_Geezer]

If you can boot into safe mode or even from a CD/DVD then you may be able to run a virus scan.

This any help ?
http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en/genuinewindows7/thread/bd8d5175-b714-4a93-8654-61444bc07b93

[pinkyboyid]

Well!, assuming you still have the problem, next questions...,

- how long have you had the HP and did it come with Windows 7 already installed?
- Did it come with a Windows CD / DVD ?
- Is there a 25 Alpha/Numeric Windows Product Key printed on a Microsoft 'Proof of Purchase' Label sticker anywhere on the system unit, usually located at the rear / underside?

You could try downloading and running this Microsoft diagnostic tool which will produce a comprehensive report about you system status including license info:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012

The diagnostic report may be useful if you later contact Microsoft for clarification.