Can you tell if your Windows is "genuine"?

[DrakeCKC]

There seem to be some savvy techies here so I am going to ask this in hopes of getting an answer.

My desktop is an assembled machine, rebuilt and refurbished with parts from several machines by a former flame of mine. He is an IT person for a small operation but did not have an actual degree in computers.

Anyway, I am not sure and due to our very sour relationship can not ask, if the Windows XP he has on the machine is correctly licensed or genuine. Thus I am not wanting to do any of the upgrades in fear I'll get the dreaded "not genuine" message. When he did this for me, I never even thought of that issue and didn't ask.

Any way one can tell without running the Microsoft program? The machine is nearly 5 years old but runs perfectly and fast so I don't want to screw it up.

Thanks in advance!

 

[andysayshi]

Run an update. If your Win installation is not genuine, and Microsoft detects that, it will refuse to install the update, but it won't affect your existing installation.

My guess is, knowing tech-savvy lads as i do, and taking into consideration the makeup of your machine, that your copy of Windows is probably not officially licensed.

If you are not conscious of any missing components in your system, and you have decent third party virus protection, why even bother updating? If it does everything you need it to do reliably, leave well enough alone.

When the machine starts failing to meet your expectations, buy a genuine copy of Win7 and move forward. Until then, enjoy the reliability you already have.

 

[TriBi]

I had a laptop which had a 'non genuine' copy of Windows. Given that it had previously been owned by a Malaysian student I somehow thought it might not be genuine.

I studiously avoided downloading the "Windows Genuine Advantage notification" - until I was prompted to an upgrade which (unbeknownst to me) included it as a default. Yes - it was NOT genuine - and it was a complete pain in the ass.

I stuck with the old (dying) laptop until I could upgrade the new one to Windows 7 (Vista is just HORRIBLE). Avoid Windows Genuine Advantage Notification like the plague - if your copy is not genuine you will regret it.

Alternative - get a new PC with a genuine copy...

 

[DrakeCKC]

Thanks for the info, I have studiously avoided the "Windows Genuine Advantage notification" deal as well. I was foolish and I started an update to Windows Media and got the "validate" screen. Thus I became curious. There is every chance this bozo put a copy of Windows on from his work, but then I just didn't think about it.

I have a new laptop with Windows 7 and love it. I probably should update the old machine with 7 sometime...but since it runs so well, I just leave it be.

 

[T-Rexx]

I doubt that your copy of Windows XP is "genuine," Drake. Building a PC out of spare parts left over from other machines is kinda fun - you get a fully-functional computer for nothing! But it spoils the fun and the economy when a legitimate copy of Windows costs just as much as buying a brand new basic PC. Microsoft has always punished hobbyists by keeping the price of a copy of Windows sold to an individual very much higher than the cost to a computer manufacturer. In fact, hobbyists are thought to pay about four times what manufacturers pay for the same Windows license. It is actually kinda foolish for an individual to install a "legitimate" copy of Windows on a refurbished/rebuilt PC.

Because your friend works in IT, however, he probably used a copy of XP from a site license to a company to which he has access. There is a good chance that such a license will test as "genuine" even though you are using it on your home PC. Microsoft's WGA servers cannot know that your home IP number is not an off site facility of the company holding the license. If that is the case - and if the serial number for the site license has not been widely abused - you will have no trouble whatsoever with updates, etc.

WGA is a major reason why I gave up on Windows after Win 2K. I try to be an honest man, so I have always insisted on paying the appropriate licensing fees for Windows. But I don't like getting raped, either.

 

[GhostPhoenix]

I doubt that your copy of Windows XP is "genuine," Drake. Building a PC out of spare parts left over from other machines is kinda fun - you get a fully-functional computer for nothing! But it spoils the fun and the economy when a legitimate copy of Windows costs just as much as buying a brand new basic PC. Microsoft has always punished hobbyists by keeping the price of a copy of Windows sold to an individual very much higher than the cost to a computer manufacturer. In fact, hobbyists are thought to pay about four times what manufacturers pay for the same Windows license. It is actually kinda foolish for an individual to install a "legitimate" copy of Windows on a refurbished/rebuilt PC.

Because your friend works in IT, however, he probably used a copy of XP from a site license to a company to which he has access. There is a good chance that such a license will test as "genuine" even though you are using it on your home PC. Microsoft's WGA servers cannot know that your home IP number is not an off site facility of the company holding the license. If that is the case - and if the serial number for the site license has not been widely abused - you will have no trouble whatsoever with updates, etc.

WGA is a major reason why I gave up on Windows after Win 2K. I try to be an honest man, so I have always insisted on paying the appropriate licensing fees for Windows. But I don't like getting raped, either.

Completely agree. If he worked for a medium corp or larger he likely used a VLK (Volume License Key) version of XP which unless its been abused will pass all WGA testing. Its only when the micrsoft system see's a large number of activations for the key that far exceeds what they expect for what the company purchased.

If it is a small company its very possible (ran into this at the last company I worked for) that they used retail copies, and OEM copies for whatever PC manufacture they purchased (what a freakin hassle that was, but they were too cheap to fix any of it).

I would just disable automatic updates, and avoid updating. But keep your antivirus, and malware detectors up to date and you should be fine until your ready to deal with either switching to 7 or new pc.

T-Rexx:
Yes microsoft is notorious for over charging enthusiasts for the OS. Last I read Dell pays MS between $20 - $30 per license of the windows OS. Where you or I even buying an OEM copy would cost us $100 - $175 which is insane. As a result this year I signed up for Microsoft Technet which gives me access to just about all of Microsofts Software, which in the long run for my household will be cheaper.

GP

 

[MindBlast]

I doubt that your copy of Windows XP is "genuine," Drake. Building a PC out of spare parts left over from other machines is kinda fun - you get a fully-functional computer for nothing! But it spoils the fun and the economy when a legitimate copy of Windows costs just as much as buying a brand new basic PC. Microsoft has always punished hobbyists by keeping the price of a copy of Windows sold to an individual very much higher than the cost to a computer manufacturer. In fact, hobbyists are thought to pay about four times what manufacturers pay for the same Windows license. It is actually kinda foolish for an individual to install a "legitimate" copy of Windows on a refurbished/rebuilt PC.


WGA is a major reason why I gave up on Windows after Win 2K. I try to be an honest man, so I have always insisted on paying the appropriate licensing fees for Windows. But I don't like getting raped, either.

Actually, you can now buy OEM versions of Windows easily. I just walked into Memory Express, and asked for an OEM version of Windows 7. No questions asked, done. $110 (Canadian), I don't consider that gouging for an OS.

 

[GhostPhoenix]

Actually, you can now buy OEM versions of Windows easily. I just walked into Memory Express, and asked for an OEM version of Windows 7. No questions asked, done. $110 (Canadian), I don't consider that gouging for an OS.

LOL. I humbly disagree with you here. The license agreement for the OEM/System builders version is limiting. It basically states that I can't reuse it on say the replacement PC if this pc should die. It gets locked to that hardware. Where as the full retail versions don't have this limitation. Why should I have to pay over and over for an OS because I a) switch hardware often (which doesn't mean I've given the os to someone else with the hardware), or b) have had a hardware failure like the motherboard (which as far as MS is concerned if it is replaced makes it a new pc) and should b happen you end up on the phone with someone who has been outsourced to another country who is reading a script, and have to argue your case as to why they should allow the activation of the OS.

I have no problem paying for software and products (with reasonable prices), however I have a problem with them telling me how I can use them.

 

[MindBlast]

LOL. I humbly disagree with you here. The license agreement for the OEM/System builders version is limiting. It basically states that I can't reuse it on say the replacement PC if this pc should die. It gets locked to that hardware. Where as the full retail versions don't have this limitation. Why should I have to pay over and over for an OS because I a) switch hardware often (which doesn't mean I've given the os to someone else with the hardware), or b) have had a hardware failure like the motherboard (which as far as MS is concerned if it is replaced makes it a new pc) and should b happen you end up on the phone with someone who has been outsourced to another country who is reading a script, and have to argue your case as to why they should allow the activation of the OS.

I have no problem paying for software and products (with reasonable prices), however I have a problem with them telling me how I can use them.

Yeah, I actually agree with you as far as that goes. I've had to call them before to re-activate it and it's annoying. I've never been denied though.

 

[T-Rexx]

Actually, you can now buy OEM versions of Windows easily. I just walked into Memory Express, and asked for an OEM version of Windows 7. No questions asked, done. $110 (Canadian), I don't consider that gouging for an OS.

It's also not legal. Read the license on that copy.


(And $110 CAN is still twice what the manufacturers pay).

 

[T-Rexx]

LOL. I humbly disagree with you here. The license agreement for the OEM/System builders version is limiting. It basically states that I can't reuse it on say the replacement PC if this pc should die. It gets locked to that hardware. Where as the full retail versions don't have this limitation. Why should I have to pay over and over for an OS because I a) switch hardware often (which doesn't mean I've given the os to someone else with the hardware), or b) have had a hardware failure like the motherboard (which as far as MS is concerned if it is replaced makes it a new pc) and should b happen you end up on the phone with someone who has been outsourced to another country who is reading a script, and have to argue your case as to why they should allow the activation of the OS.

I have no problem paying for software and products (with reasonable prices), however I have a problem with them telling me how I can use them.

Yes, exactly!

GhostPhoenix!

I swap motherboards all the time. I don't really care to have to obtain Microsoft's permission every time I want to upgrade a system.

 

[DrakeCKC]

He works for a small hospital that I think is owned by a larger corporation. I can imagine that the licence is from the larger company.

I am going to leave well enough alone and when XP is a problem, I will get a whole new machine or just use the laptop.

Thanks for all your replies and the interesting discussion. I do not post much but have lurked and read threads here for 3 years now it seems!

 

[seven2go]

There USED to be a warning, once M$ discovered a pirated copy of Windows with the WGA thing, you were given 30 days to buy a key or your computer would not boot.

I'll bet MS profits THAT year went up BIG time.......

 

[T-Rexx]

As a result this year I signed up for Microsoft Technet which gives me access to just about all of Microsofts Software, which in the long run for my household will be cheaper.

GP

It'd be even cheaper to switch to Linux.

He works for a small hospital that I think is owned by a larger corporation. I can imagine that the licence is from the larger company.

I doubt that you will have any trouble whatsoever. Your copy would probably pass all WGA tests.

I am going to leave well enough alone and when XP is a problem, I will get a whole new machine or just use the laptop.

If you do encounter any trouble with licensing, just install Linux on your rebuilt computer. Distros like Fedora and Ubuntu are arguably better than Windows 7 anyway, and are completely free and legal. And all updates are free forever.

Yes, there is a slight learning curve. But you only need to learn once, and you are free of the hassles and tyranny of Windows (including that ridiculous WGA) forever!