I have here XP pro, sp2. This was bought *directly* from Microsoft through
MS Passport. It is a copy from the "Go Pro" promotion where for $40 you got
a full install of XP pro. The only difference is in the license in that it
is non-transferrable.

It was bought over two years ago, installed and activated w/ no problems.
Through several computers and some re-installs, always reactivated with no
troubles. Getting updates always worked and when downloading some programs
that MS wanted to check the validity of my Windows install, always passed
the validation check. This CD has never left my house. I am the only person
in the house who even thinks of installing software on a PC.

Suddenly, I was trying to download the latest version of the security
baseline analyzer and it told me I failed the validity check (in IE). I
played around a little bit but no luck. I then tried in Firefox and had to
download a plugin. When this was done it too told me it failed. I then
downloaded the standalone app to check all this and it returns w/ an
"invalid PID". I played around a little more and then proceeded to contact
MS about this (thankfully they have a link to take you to someone to work
on this problem - apparently it is a common one?). The basic responses were
to give a couple of things to check, blah blah. In IE all the activex stuff
was working (MS has a link where you go through some test to check the
functioning of the validation tool).

I then lost interest for a couple of hours and in the process rebooted at
least once. I then tried again in IE and it magically worked, no problem.
The Firefox route and standalone app still report an invalid key.

I reported this back to MS and hinted that something was going on on their
end, reminding them that this copy was bought directly from MS; it doesn't
get any more legit than that. Their response was to send me a link telling
me how users who purchased counterfeit copies of Windows could get a free
'legit' copy if several steps were followed. The first of the steps is
that, in IE, visit the URL to start the process. The first thing it does is
check the validations and, you can guess by now, responds back that the
program is only valid for those with invalid Windows keys (telling me that
my copy is valid).

So I have an install purchased directly from MS, never a validity problem
until recently, and then for only several hours. I have a MS person who,
upon receiving my CD key, tells me I have a counterfeit copy, and finally
the MS web site authenticating my copy and saying it is indeed legit.
Couple that with a MS standalone app telling me I have an invalid copy.

Anyone else seen this? Can anyone offer a route of contact I can take short
of calling and getting routed to a script reading person in India?

This is rather frustrating. Although everything is working ok, there is
obviously something wrong on the MS end and I am worried about one day all
of a sudden having troubles again. I was willing to play along the
counterfeit route, if that meant them giving me a 'legit' key, after
jumping through some hoops, but I can't even do that as MS automation is
determining that I indeed have a valid install.

ugh.


__________________________________________________ _______________
JG... Jeff Givens
mailto:jgivensXX@comcastXX.netXX

"My hovercraft is full of eels."

Got mine this way also, my motherboard died a few weeks months ago, and I
bought
one and it came up ok. I still have CD cover with Key. I still have my
e-mail from Microsoft
when I got it.

Gary

"Jeff Givens" <jgivensXX@comcastXX.netXX> wrote in message
news:l0jgr1phg8pp1fh0mepfkqa95c6avculls@4ax.com...
>I have here XP pro, sp2. This was bought *directly* from Microsoft through
> MS Passport. It is a copy from the "Go Pro" promotion where for $40 you
> got
> a full install of XP pro. The only difference is in the license in that it
> is non-transferrable.
>
> It was bought over two years ago, installed and activated w/ no problems.
> Through several computers and some re-installs, always reactivated with no
> troubles. Getting updates always worked and when downloading some programs
> that MS wanted to check the validity of my Windows install, always passed
> the validation check. This CD has never left my house. I am the only
> person
> in the house who even thinks of installing software on a PC.
>
> Suddenly, I was trying to download the latest version of the security
> baseline analyzer and it told me I failed the validity check (in IE). I
> played around a little bit but no luck. I then tried in Firefox and had to
> download a plugin. When this was done it too told me it failed. I then
> downloaded the standalone app to check all this and it returns w/ an
> "invalid PID". I played around a little more and then proceeded to contact
> MS about this (thankfully they have a link to take you to someone to work
> on this problem - apparently it is a common one?). The basic responses
> were
> to give a couple of things to check, blah blah. In IE all the activex
> stuff
> was working (MS has a link where you go through some test to check the
> functioning of the validation tool).
>
> I then lost interest for a couple of hours and in the process rebooted at
> least once. I then tried again in IE and it magically worked, no problem.
> The Firefox route and standalone app still report an invalid key.
>
> I reported this back to MS and hinted that something was going on on their
> end, reminding them that this copy was bought directly from MS; it doesn't
> get any more legit than that. Their response was to send me a link telling
> me how users who purchased counterfeit copies of Windows could get a free
> 'legit' copy if several steps were followed. The first of the steps is
> that, in IE, visit the URL to start the process. The first thing it does
> is
> check the validations and, you can guess by now, responds back that the
> program is only valid for those with invalid Windows keys (telling me that
> my copy is valid).
>
> So I have an install purchased directly from MS, never a validity problem
> until recently, and then for only several hours. I have a MS person who,
> upon receiving my CD key, tells me I have a counterfeit copy, and finally
> the MS web site authenticating my copy and saying it is indeed legit.
> Couple that with a MS standalone app telling me I have an invalid copy.
>
> Anyone else seen this? Can anyone offer a route of contact I can take
> short
> of calling and getting routed to a script reading person in India?
>
> This is rather frustrating. Although everything is working ok, there is
> obviously something wrong on the MS end and I am worried about one day all
> of a sudden having troubles again. I was willing to play along the
> counterfeit route, if that meant them giving me a 'legit' key, after
> jumping through some hoops, but I can't even do that as MS automation is
> determining that I indeed have a valid install.
>
> ugh.
>
>
> __________________________________________________ _______________
> JG... Jeff Givens
> mailto:jgivensXX@comcastXX.netXX
>
> "My hovercraft is full of eels."