Error in update: Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (KB905474)

Hi there

This morning (central european time) an update from Windows Update was ready
for my pc [Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (KB905474)], and I went
ahead and installed it. Now I wish I hadn't, because I'm slightly offended by
the message that is plastered all over the logon-screen in my Windows XP Pro:

This version of Windows is NOT genuine. You might be the victim of pirated
software. You need to click "Go Genuine". Do you wan't to continue or resolve
later?

.... or similar wording to the effect, that it's suggested that I'm running a
pirated version of Win XP Pro, which I most certainly am not. It's an OEM
licence I bought together with my pc approx. 2½ years ago, and I have the
CD-ROM, cover-sheet, serial number and activation code all intact.

So what gives?

When I check the Windows Update web site for my update history, it says that
the installation of the KB905474-update failed (with a question mark next to
the status symbol). But on the other hand, I cannot rerun the installation of
the update .... ???

Anyone with a similar experience?

Is there an Microsoft-insider who can tell me of a bug in the update, and it
will be fixed ASAP?

Generally speaking I'm quite happy with my Microsoft products, and having
worked in the IT industry (IT security services and later SAP
implementations) the last 8 years, I know from experience that errors
generally will be corrected in a short time. But I must confess that I'm
slightly offended by a suggestion of piracy plastered all over my screen
[insert a furious smiley at your own leisure].

It borders on liability in my eyes, since the piracy-message will be visible
to both co-workers and customers seeing me working on my pc, which leaves an
unacceptable and non-professional statement.

Swearing is not nice, but somebody at Microsoft bloody better fix this error
soon.

If it turns out that an error happened during install or any mistake was
made by myself, I offer my apologies if anyone feels offended by this message.

But ...

Can anyone clarify?


Kind regards

flnielsen
(living in Denmark)

flnielsen <> wrote:

> This version of Windows is NOT genuine. You might be the victim of
> pirated software. You need to click "Go Genuine". Do you wan't to
> continue or resolve later?
>
> ... or similar wording to the effect, that it's suggested that I'm
> running a pirated version of Win XP Pro, which I most certainly am
> not. It's an OEM licence I bought together with my pc approx. 2½
> years ago, and I have the CD-ROM, cover-sheet, serial number and
> activation code all intact.

You should phone Microsoft directly to resolve this issue. The support for
this issue should be free of charge.

--
Robin Walker [MVP Networking]

"Robin Walker [MVP]" wrote:

> flnielsen <> wrote:
>
> > This version of Windows is NOT genuine. You might be the victim of
> > pirated software. You need to click "Go Genuine". Do you wan't to
> > continue or resolve later?
> >
> > ... or similar wording to the effect, that it's suggested that I'm
> > running a pirated version of Win XP Pro, which I most certainly am
> > not. It's an OEM licence I bought together with my pc approx. 2½
> > years ago, and I have the CD-ROM, cover-sheet, serial number and
> > activation code all intact.
>
> You should phone Microsoft directly to resolve this issue. The support for
> this issue should be free of charge.
>
> --
> Robin Walker [MVP Networking]
>
>
>
>

We experienced similar problems yesterday with a recently purchased computer
from Dell. I don't know whether the problem will recur, but in order to get
the machine to work I had to restore it to the previous day and turn off
updating. It might be an activation problem, as we've had the machine about 1
month, but there have been no prompts, and we assumed that the supplier had
installed everything correctly. Obviously in the longer term we'd want to
turn the updating back on, but it'd be good to know if this is a bug in the
updating, or some other problem before taking the chance on this.

"Robin Walker [MVP]" wrote:

> flnielsen <> wrote:
>
> > This version of Windows is NOT genuine. You might be the victim of
> > pirated software. You need to click "Go Genuine". Do you wan't to
> > continue or resolve later?
> >
> > ... or similar wording to the effect, that it's suggested that I'm
> > running a pirated version of Win XP Pro, which I most certainly am
> > not. It's an OEM licence I bought together with my pc approx. 2½
> > years ago, and I have the CD-ROM, cover-sheet, serial number and
> > activation code all intact.
>
> You should phone Microsoft directly to resolve this issue. The support for
> this issue should be free of charge.
>
> --
> Robin Walker [MVP Networking]
>
>
>
>

dave2002 <> wrote:

> It might be an activation
> problem, as we've had the machine about 1 month, but there have been
> no prompts, and we assumed that the supplier had installed everything
> correctly.

After one month, it is unlikely to be a missing activation. But you can
check by clicking Start, Run, then type:

oobe/msoobe /a

If the PC is already activated, it will say so. Otherwise, it will invite
you to activate it.

--
Robin Walker [MVP Networking]

Had the same problem with the update. But what's really funny is that the
message said I had pirated copy of XP Pro, but I am running an OEM home
edition. I had had this XP home edition tunning for at least 2 years. When
I checked my update history it does say that the update was successful. I am
able to re-boot and start my computer, so I don't know what else or if
anything is failing.

"flnielsen" wrote:

> Hi there
>
> This morning (central european time) an update from Windows Update was ready
> for my pc [Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (KB905474)], and I went
> ahead and installed it. Now I wish I hadn't, because I'm slightly offended by
> the message that is plastered all over the logon-screen in my Windows XP Pro:
>
> This version of Windows is NOT genuine. You might be the victim of pirated
> software. You need to click "Go Genuine". Do you wan't to continue or resolve
> later?
>
> ... or similar wording to the effect, that it's suggested that I'm running a
> pirated version of Win XP Pro, which I most certainly am not. It's an OEM
> licence I bought together with my pc approx. 2½ years ago, and I have the
> CD-ROM, cover-sheet, serial number and activation code all intact.
>
> So what gives?
>
> When I check the Windows Update web site for my update history, it says that
> the installation of the KB905474-update failed (with a question mark next to
> the status symbol). But on the other hand, I cannot rerun the installation of
> the update .... ???
>
> Anyone with a similar experience?
>
> Is there an Microsoft-insider who can tell me of a bug in the update, and it
> will be fixed ASAP?
>
> Generally speaking I'm quite happy with my Microsoft products, and having
> worked in the IT industry (IT security services and later SAP
> implementations) the last 8 years, I know from experience that errors
> generally will be corrected in a short time. But I must confess that I'm
> slightly offended by a suggestion of piracy plastered all over my screen
> [insert a furious smiley at your own leisure].
>
> It borders on liability in my eyes, since the piracy-message will be visible
> to both co-workers and customers seeing me working on my pc, which leaves an
> unacceptable and non-professional statement.
>
> Swearing is not nice, but somebody at Microsoft bloody better fix this error
> soon.
>
> If it turns out that an error happened during install or any mistake was
> made by myself, I offer my apologies if anyone feels offended by this message.
>
> But ...
>
> Can anyone clarify?
>
>
> Kind regards
>
> flnielsen
> (living in Denmark)

rks-Hi <rks-> wrote:

> Had the same problem with the update. But what's really funny is
> that the message said I had pirated copy of XP Pro, but I am running
> an OEM home edition. I had had this XP home edition tunning for at
> least 2 years. When I checked my update history it does say that the
> update was successful. I am able to re-boot and start my computer,
> so I don't know what else or if anything is failing.

You should query this directly with Microsoft Support, preferably on the
phone.

The immediate implication of the system thinking that you have a pirated
copy of XP is that you will not be able to use the Windows Update or
Microsoft Update sites, though Automatic Updates should continue working for
critical updates.

--
Robin Walker [MVP Networking]

Same darn thing here. Windows Update tried to install something last night,
and when I woke up this morning it told me my Windows XP Pro was not valid,
which is BS. I restarted the computer, and checked Windows Update again. It
showed I had successfully installed the Genuine Advantage Update twice.
Windows Update still seemed willing to let me download updates, although
there were no security updates to be had so I'm not sure things are still
working properly.

I tried the Run "oobe/msoobe /a" trick, and it told me my copy was properly
activated. I suspect there will be a patch to fix the patch very soon.

DG

"Robin Walker [MVP]" wrote:

> rks-Hi <rks-> wrote:
>
> > Had the same problem with the update. But what's really funny is
> > that the message said I had pirated copy of XP Pro, but I am running
> > an OEM home edition. I had had this XP home edition tunning for at
> > least 2 years. When I checked my update history it does say that the
> > update was successful. I am able to re-boot and start my computer,
> > so I don't know what else or if anything is failing.
>
> You should query this directly with Microsoft Support, preferably on the
> phone.
>
> The immediate implication of the system thinking that you have a pirated
> copy of XP is that you will not be able to use the Windows Update or
> Microsoft Update sites, though Automatic Updates should continue working for
> critical updates.
>
> --
> Robin Walker [MVP Networking]
>
>
>
>

I have a similar problem, WU tries to install genuine advantage but the
install screen just keeps going and going. I finally have to close it out.
The end result being that I cannot use windows update. WU says the install
is dowloaded, just will not install.
My comment to Microsoft.....If you want to be 'Big Brother' at least do
it freakin right!

I had the same problem as Keeling, update wouldn't install...and the same
problem as rks. I'm told my activated OEM supplied copy of XP Home is being
read as pirated XP Pro. very frustrating...

"rks-Hi" wrote:

> Had the same problem with the update. But what's really funny is that the
> message said I had pirated copy of XP Pro, but I am running an OEM home
> edition. I had had this XP home edition tunning for at least 2 years. When
> I checked my update history it does say that the update was successful. I am
> able to re-boot and start my computer, so I don't know what else or if
> anything is failing.
>
> "flnielsen" wrote:
>
> > Hi there
> >
> > This morning (central european time) an update from Windows Update was ready
> > for my pc [Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (KB905474)], and I went
> > ahead and installed it. Now I wish I hadn't, because I'm slightly offended by
> > the message that is plastered all over the logon-screen in my Windows XP Pro:
> >
> > This version of Windows is NOT genuine. You might be the victim of pirated
> > software. You need to click "Go Genuine". Do you wan't to continue or resolve
> > later?
> >
> > ... or similar wording to the effect, that it's suggested that I'm running a
> > pirated version of Win XP Pro, which I most certainly am not. It's an OEM
> > licence I bought together with my pc approx. 2½ years ago, and I have the
> > CD-ROM, cover-sheet, serial number and activation code all intact.
> >
> > So what gives?
> >
> > When I check the Windows Update web site for my update history, it says that
> > the installation of the KB905474-update failed (with a question mark next to
> > the status symbol). But on the other hand, I cannot rerun the installation of
> > the update .... ???
> >
> > Anyone with a similar experience?
> >
> > Is there an Microsoft-insider who can tell me of a bug in the update, and it
> > will be fixed ASAP?
> >
> > Generally speaking I'm quite happy with my Microsoft products, and having
> > worked in the IT industry (IT security services and later SAP
> > implementations) the last 8 years, I know from experience that errors
> > generally will be corrected in a short time. But I must confess that I'm
> > slightly offended by a suggestion of piracy plastered all over my screen
> > [insert a furious smiley at your own leisure].
> >
> > It borders on liability in my eyes, since the piracy-message will be visible
> > to both co-workers and customers seeing me working on my pc, which leaves an
> > unacceptable and non-professional statement.
> >
> > Swearing is not nice, but somebody at Microsoft bloody better fix this error
> > soon.
> >
> > If it turns out that an error happened during install or any mistake was
> > made by myself, I offer my apologies if anyone feels offended by this message.
> >
> > But ...
> >
> > Can anyone clarify?
> >
> >
> > Kind regards
> >
> > flnielsen
> > (living in Denmark)