How do I troubleshoot validation problems?

Have used my OS over a year. Suddenly now, when I restart or do a cold boot I sometimes get a quick flash perhaps saying "re-validation required" just before the Welcome screen. I then get the Welcome screen followed by a blank gray screen for 30 seconds or so and finally the OS is running correctly with my background and icons displayed. That pause between Welcome and full running is a mystery and it doesn't happen every time.

Does anyone have an idea? Thank You

Maguscreed said:

hold the windows key + the Pause|break key (usually over pageup on most kb's)

At the bottom of that window what does it say your validation status is?

That shows the Windows activation status. Validation takes place after the software has been activated and Microsoft have recently released a validation (anti-piracy) update that checks for non-genuine software.

Windows Activation Technologies Update for Windows 7

Greggo, welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

If you believe your software is genuine and are happy to check with Microsoft they can help you with validation issues.

With Windows Key + Pause it says GENUINE.
I don't just believe my OS is legal, I KNOW IT IS LEGAL. That's no the issue.
The issue is why do I sometimes get a blank gray screen for 30 seconds or so after the Welcome screen and before the OS is up and running as GENUINE? It appears it is self-validating.
Why did it lose it's validation in the first place? That's what I am trying to troubleshoot.

Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB971033) is already installed !!

Can you believe this? Microsoft wants to charge for Tech assist with validation problems I guess because
my Windows 7 is an OEM version and not one bought installed on a computer. I installed it over a year ago.
I don't have a validation problem that falls into one of their knowledge based answers baskets so I am stuck.
My Windows 7 does validate, it just pauses sometimes (a blank gray screen) on reboot to auto-validate, as far as I can tell.

I wasn't trying to suggest your software was illegal, but something is obviously very wrong as the update you've installed triggers automatic contact with Microsoft's servers to re-validate your software.

Why did Windows 7 ask for me to re-validate almost a year later? - Yahoo! Answers

You are of the opinion that you see a message asking you to re-validate your software so either there is something wrong with Microsoft's validation software or there is doubt over the operating system's authenticity as far as Microsoft is concerned.

I think you going to have to contact them to find out just why this situation has occurred.

Just read your last comment vis: "my Windows 7 is an OEM version and not one bought installed on a computer"

Could you not just tell Microsoft you've rebuilt your computer and as such bought an OEM version of Windows 7 to install on it?

They might say you'd have to go to your vendor for support, but surely you'd be the system builder and therefore they should activate and validate your software.

Which is going to be cheaper: opening a support case or buying another product key for Windows?

I think I would try a system restore or a clean install before paying for tech support or buying a new copy. I'm not saying that its bad advice, I'm just cheap and would want to try everything I could before forking out some dough. :)
Correct me if I'm wrong but validation has to do with Windows Genuine Advantage, which does not aways work the way Microsoft has intended. If you can un-install KB971033 I might try that as a test to see if your problem goes away. Something else to try is running the system file checker sfc/scannow. I believe WGA checks a couple of system files to look for tampering. If one of those files is corrupted I would think that could mess things up somewhat. Are you having any other system/windows problems?

I'm not sure if you have done this, but on the system screen you can click the "Learn more online" link under the blue ask for genuine Microsoft software logo. Then look at the "Help and how to" link on the page that opens.

My OS is OEM because I did build this machine. I hadn't though of approaching Microsoft as a builder/vendor.
When I get that blank gray screen I don't really know what it's doing for 30 seconds or more. I do know that some sort of very quick message crosses the screen (I think I saw val..) just before the Welcome screen, then the gray blank, then up and running as genuine. I did go to the link "learn more online.." (under the genuine logo), but my issue is so peculiar that I have little hope of finding a solution there. This is further aggravated by the fact that right now I don't have the problem. Everything is just fine and has been for the last three boots. Huh? By the way, I use imaging software, Acronis, so I can restore. I also clone another Hard Drive every week. This problem has appeared and disappeared several times over the past three weeks.
I would like to thank everyone for trying to help. I will wait until the next occurrence and then I will
try to uninstall KB971033.