Problems with XP Validation: Your copy is invalid

[bcastner]

With Internet Explorer 7 and a general tightening by Microsoft against piracy, more users are seeing warning and error messages that there is a problem with the validity of their copy of Windows XP.

In nearly half the cases where these messages appear there is nothing dodgy about the XP installation.

If you see warnings or error messages, and cannot install newer features in Windows XP, I wrote these notes to try and help you.

Use your mouse and copy/paste the below into a new Notepad session:

%systemdrive%
cd %windir%\system23
regsvr32 softpub.dll.
regsvr32 Wintrust.dll
regsvr32 Initpki.dll
regsvr32 Dssenh.dll
regsvr32 Rsaenh.dll
regsvr32 Gpkcsp.dl
regsvr32 Sccbase.dll
regsvr32 Slbcsp.dl
regsvr32 Mssip32.dll
regsvr32 Cryptdlg.dll
regsvr32 licdll.dll
regsvr32 licwmi.dll

Do a File, Save as, fix_wga.cmd

Double click fix_wga.cmd

Agree to the changes when prompted. Ignore any errors.

When it finishes, reboot your computer.

Now download the Windows Genuine Advantage Diagnostic Tool:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012

Run this tool.
One the first screen click "Continue"
One the second screen click "Resolve"

Hopefully it will automaticly resolve your status.

If it does not, please advise.

The following Microsoft KB article has specific steps to take first though if there are errors:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916247

If no joy is found from the MS KB discussion:

[li] Download and install the WGA Diagnostic Tool:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012

[/li]
[li] After running the WGA Diagnostic Tool, click on the "Validation" tab and then click on "Copy to Clipboard".[/li]
[li] Next, visit the following website and create a post in the "WGA Validation Problems" forum and paste the results of the WGA Diagnostic Data in your post:

http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/default.aspx?SiteID=25

[/li]
[li] A WGA troubleshooting specialist will analyze the data and recommend an appropriate solution. [/li]
One thing to think about: Sometimes people have taken their computers to the shop for repair. Window has been reinstalled. An illegal copy of XP was used for the reinstallation. Think whether it was possible that this happened to you at some point.

My Best Regards to all,
Bill Castner


____________________________
Users Helping Users

 

[bcastner]

Sorry, I made a typing error above:

Where it says:
cd %windir%\system23

It should say:
cd %windir%\system32

____________________________
Users Helping Users

 

[firewolfrl]

Bill,
great article.

I have had OEM CD's that are right from my reputable supplier... Hologram and all...that either the CD code fails or activation fails....the most problems I have seen are on HP machines and their licensing


Calling MS support on these issues is a time consuming task in itself....LOL.... I usually tell the India support staff to transfer me to the Philippines support staff. About half the time the India support staff does not have a clue what you are trying to tell them. Especially when it comes to bad CD code and activation.

It may have been a smart move for Microsoft financially to move the tech support to the India market but it sure frustrates the hell out of the techs that have to call.

I foresee that Vista is gonna be a tech nightmare

The easiest fix is to send back the CD to my supplier and have them issue me a new one

 

[evath]

Bill,
You ARE a genius.
Last night firewolfrl recommended I go download some programs from windows but when I got there they would not authenticate my software.
Today I was looking around here to see what I might dig up to fix another series of problems I am having. (see post thread779-1305624)
Anyway, just wanted to tell you that I didn't even get to push the "resolve" button as my software was authenticated before I even had the chance ;-)
If you have any suggestions for me on my other issues, I'll be glad to try them out too.
Now, I'll go try to install Windows Defender!!!
Thanks a bunch!
Evangeline