"Not genuine version of windows"

[Tont]

Sorry - but need some help again

i had a problem with my laptop a few weeks back and eventually reinstalled the operating system etc

After a few niggles (not being able to log onto DATM!!!) I got it sorted - installed Kaspersky security, regulalry do the windows updates etc and been working fine for 2-3 weeks now

turned on the laptop over the weekend, the dekstop background was black (but my shortcuts still there) with message in bottom right corner along the lines of "error 6002" - "this is not a genuine copy of windows"

Everything works fine - although there hasn't been any windows updates over the weekend and I can generally guarantee at least one a day
message asking me to activate windows - - goes to the "genuine Windows software" - but won't go any further as it says - "not a genuine copy of windows"

Have I been attacked by a virus / have I pressed something inadvertently / I can't beleive I have to "buy" windows again

Any help please guys ?

[mikeb]

This seems to be a pretty common problem.
Have a look on t'interweb and there are various options ~ depending on your OS.
Seems quite common on Vista.

[Deleted]

The original CD/DVD you get with your laptop is only good for one installation usually... The product key will be assigned to the previous version you've perhaps wiped clean... Might be worth ringing Microsoft Support and seeing if they can assist.. Wouldn't hold my breath like... Think you can export your registry settings out of the old install if not completely wiped... But not sure how to do that...

[mikeb]

Failing that - ring MS and activate over the phone, I had a similar problem in that I had reinstalled too many times and couldn't re-activate. No problem when I rang.

[Tont]

Thanks chaps = done a complete reboot from the original discs that came with the laptop
Had copied all my important stuff to external hard drive some time ago - so nothing lost

the reboot I tried was within my limits of all things technical, so wasn't a complete one

I think I had tried to upgrade from vista basic to premium so the product key was referring to the basic version - any way my PC is now completely clean and free of any threats etc (and the porn which the wife didn't know about !!! - just have to use the magazines kept in my garage with the tools