Fake Windows From The Computer Shop

[lynna]

I bought a laptop last November in Panthip Plaza,Chiang Mai, and after several updates I got the warning that I had counterfeit Windows XP.

Brought it back to the store and they instaalled the real thing, and it was ok.

Now, I have taken it in again to reinstall windows due to a virus, and again..I get the message : 'You may be a victim of counterfeit software'

What are my rights here to obtain a real Windows from the store?

The software is included in the total cost of the machine,

but, not being Thai , I'd like to know how to go about this.

Any tips anyone?

[withnail]

Did they at any point tell you that they were going to be giving you genuine software? If it was, as you say, included in the cost of the machine then expect to have about 5 thousand Baht included in the price.

If you look at the spec for most computers in Thailand they will say Genuine License if it comes with one if not they will put whatever you want on it but nobody is usually under the impression that it is a legal copy.

[TopDogger]

What model is the machine?

[Denim]

Firstly, you should turn off your automatic updates from windows !!! Amongst all the security updates they send out is one that will detect if your windows is authentic or not. You can still have updates but it is better to screen them first yourself to ensure your computer doesn't dob itself in. Secondly , get a decent AV program. AVG anti virus from grisoft is free and gives regular updates to keep up with new virus's.

When I asked about getting an authentic windows XP in the shop I got my desktop from they all laughed.!! Why pay 3000 baht plus instead of 100 baht ( free in my case with new comp ) 2 years later...still no problems.

[lynna]

It is a Acer Aspire 4520, 401 G01 something...

and it was on the list of 'ingredients' Windows Vista 2008, which I was adviced to uninstall and install xp instead.

So I did...

I am really thankful for all your answers here.

[onethailand]

It is a Acer Aspire 4520, 401 G01 something...

and it was on the list of 'ingredients' Windows Vista 2008, which I was adviced to uninstall and install xp instead.

So I did...

I am really thankful for all your answers here.

If that is the case, they are supposed to take your copy of Vista and return it for a genuine copy of XP from Microsoft - which they obviously didn't do.

Take the Vista back to them - and demand a genuine copy of XP, with certificate of authenticity, otherwise you call Microsoft.

[Chivas]

It is a Acer Aspire 4520, 401 G01 something...

and it was on the list of 'ingredients' Windows Vista 2008, which I was adviced to uninstall and install xp instead.

So I did...

I am really thankful for all your answers here.

If that is the case, they are supposed to take your copy of Vista and return it for a genuine copy of XP from Microsoft - which they obviously didn't do.

Take the Vista back to them - and demand a genuine copy of XP, with certificate of authenticity, otherwise you call Microsoft.

I dont condone theft of any kind but even as a non techie I cracked up reading that suggestion.

[Dave the Dude]

It is a Acer Aspire 4520, 401 G01 something...

and it was on the list of 'ingredients' Windows Vista 2008, which I was adviced to uninstall and install xp instead.

So I did...

I am really thankful for all your answers here.

If that is the case, they are supposed to take your copy of Vista and return it for a genuine copy of XP from Microsoft - which they obviously didn't do.

Take the Vista back to them - and demand a genuine copy of XP, with certificate of authenticity, otherwise you call Microsoft.

I dont condone theft of any kind but even as a non techie I cracked up reading that suggestion.

So did I. That would be the point when they mysteriously don't understand Engrish &/or run away

Dave

[Guest Reimar]

If that computer has a legit version of Vista on it at the time you bought, than it has a License Sticker as well at the time you bought and still should have.

In that case just go to the Acer Service Center and they will copy you the software back on or give you a copy of the DVD which maybe cost you THB 100.00

The "real" Acer version is an special Acer OEM version with some modification and you can't use on an other than a Acer computer. All required Drivers are added to that version as well. And the CD-Key from Acer will works only with that version.

Cheers.

[withnail]

I don't see how owning a genuine copy of Vista gives you any right to a free copy of XP. Personally I'd put Vista back on it and maybe upgrade the RAM.

[Crossy]

I don't see how owning a genuine copy of Vista gives you any right to a free copy of XP. Personally I'd put Vista back on it and maybe upgrade the RAM.

I'm not totally certain about Vista, but OEM XP came with a 'downgrade' licence allowing you to install W2k or NT etc. in its place. I expect OEM Vista does too.

[LivinLOS]

I don't see how owning a genuine copy of Vista gives you any right to a free copy of XP. Personally I'd put Vista back on it and maybe upgrade the RAM.

There was such a dislike of vista on marginal machines that vista users fought for and got a downgrade license.. Not sure if it applied to all or only some 'vista ready' machines..

[onethailand]

All computers which have Vista Business or Ultimate pre-installed are entitled to get a downgrade to XP. You can contact Acer but I'm pretty sure they will refer you to Microsoft despite the fact that their own OEM version is on the machine. However, if Acer has their own official downgrade version, then they would be responsible for exchanging the licenses.

You non-techies can laugh all you like

Edited October 26, 2008 by onethailand

[wpcoe]

IIRC, you need to contact Microsoft directly for the "downgrade" to Windows XP. After you have installed and activated XP, you would later be eligible to "upgrade" back to Vista, I believe, using the same serial number. The only "restriction" is that you can only activate and use either XP *or* Vista, not both at the same time, either through dual-booting or on separate machines. Now, having said that, wasn't there a deadline -- which has passed -- after which the Microsoft up/downgrade program was terminated?

[Phil Conners]

Firstly, you should turn off your automatic updates from windows !!! Amongst all the security updates they send out is one that will detect if your windows is authentic or not. You can still have updates but it is better to screen them first yourself to ensure your computer doesn't dob itself in. Secondly , get a decent AV program. AVG anti virus from grisoft is free and gives regular updates to keep up with new virus's.

When I asked about getting an authentic windows XP in the shop I got my desktop from they all laughed.!! Why pay 3000 baht plus instead of 100 baht ( free in my case with new comp ) 2 years later...still no problems.

The update is clearly labelled as something like "Microsoft Genuine Advantage check". Just untick it and tick the "don't ask me again" box and you can keep installing all other updates for a long as you care.

Who would want to give the Evil Empire more license money? They already have too much money in the coffers, so much money in fact they could swallow up Yahoo without noticing it. I don't mind a company earning a fair buck, but Microslush' licensing fees are outrageous compared to their cost of creating and maintaining the software, mainly due to their quasi-monopoly status gained through unfair competition (as decided by both US and European courts but so far mostly ignored by M$).

Edited October 28, 2008 by Phil Conners

[Tim207]

I don't see how owning a genuine copy of Vista gives you any right to a free copy of XP. Personally I'd put Vista back on it and maybe upgrade the RAM.

This was something MS came out with because of the problems people were having with Vista, at least according to DELL website. You don't get the right to two different copies of windows, you get the right to use either version and to also switch between versions.

[Tim207]

I bought a laptop last November in Panthip Plaza,Chiang Mai, and after several updates I got the warning that I had counterfeit Windows XP.

Brought it back to the store and they instaalled the real thing, and it was ok.

Now, I have taken it in again to reinstall windows due to a virus, and again..I get the message : 'You may be a victim of counterfeit software'

What are my rights here to obtain a real Windows from the store?

The software is included in the total cost of the machine,

but, not being Thai , I'd like to know how to go about this.

Any tips anyone?

PM me if you just want instructions to get rid of the nag screens. As far as I know you are entitled to use XP instead of Vista if you own Vista. The difference between "genuine windows" and "pirate windows" is that ms can tell they were not paid for it. In your case you are not required to pay for XP so simply stopping windows from checking for WGA will save you the trouble of working things out with ms.

[scorecard]

So how can anyone be sure that the sticker with hologram (or whatevr it's called) is genuine?

[harrry]

I don't see how owning a genuine copy of Vista gives you any right to a free copy of XP. Personally I'd put Vista back on it and maybe upgrade the RAM.

This was something MS came out with because of the problems people were having with Vista, at least according to DELL website. You don't get the right to two different copies of windows, you get the right to use either version and to also switch between versions.

I would check about the right to switch. I was told by microsoft at one of their presentations in australia that the downgrade right was a one way right only. It was to help businesses which had an exclusive XP system throughout to continue untill the next major upgrade of their computer systems.