MSE problem

Have downloaded MSE for a friend after removing a very old version of Trend that she has never kept up with - updating or scanning etc etc. She is not very computer minded and did not want to have to pay for the Trend all over again so I downloaded MSE for her last night and got a message then that it needed "validating".

I am fairly sure it was downloaded from the Microsoft site and am concerned re this validation thing. The downloads where I saved the download before install is mseinstall and is 7,683Mb in size. In properties it states copywrite Microsoft Corp All rights etc the File version is 2.0.657.0 and the Product version is 2.0.0657.0.

I brought the machine home with me tonight to uniinstall and reinstall via my broadband connection (she uses a dongle for emails etc) but I cannot get it to display anything on the net.

The machine is a Toshiba A210 with Vista Home pre ver 6.0.6000 Build 6000 + SP2 AMD Turion (tm) TL-62 2.1Ghz 1Gb RAM.

Now what I cannot understand is why cannot my modem connect this machine to the net?

Sorry to be such a damn nuisance but I thought I could just uninstall and reinstall again to make sure I have the right one / product - is there any way of telling this?

I would send pics but as i cannot get it to connect I have no way of showing what I have and the validation message has got me really concerned.

By the by the GUI looks very genuine and the updates took ages last night to download and install.

Can someone please help me with this one? If so I can send more info that anyone should require as in the hardware etc.

Hey thanks mate it was the lower of the two versions in your downloads ref that I downloaded - en-us\x86\mseinstall.exe - 7.5Mb and it wasn't anything like the fake things I can see the funny print and the obvious lower pics with those funny little screens.

Wish I could get it to connect though - got me beat. I could send a pic or two to show you. All that I am worried about now is what is this validation bit all about as it said that MSE would stop working after a month.

Anyway thanks again for your time and patience you eased my mind a fair bit now as I thought I had done something drastically wrong.

I was unable to install MSE on a number of machines. Not because of validation problems, ( except in one case where the person concerned was using a cracked version of Windows). I just got loads of errors. Now, I don't even bother trying it because it is too much hassle if it doesn't work.

I just install this;

Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus

So, not really a direct solution to your problem, but a viable and reliable workaround.

With regard to your connection problem, does the dongle you mentioned also control internet access? If it does, then you can't connect without it! :)

Regards....Mike Connor

Bill2 said:

Hey man, are you sure the friend's computer has genuine windows? Why dont you validate windows first?

Ok thanks Mike - will keep that up my sleeve and Bill how do I do that I have just thought re validation and went looking for the validation tool to do that.

The machine has an OEM that came with the machine (just like the one I am on now - but is 7) and I cannot find any activation numbers or whatever anywhere - unless I am looking in the wrong spot. She bought it from a reputable dealer so am assuming that it isn't pirated. But without being able to find the activation code as I can't with this one how can anyone validate / activate anything one puts on it.

Having said that if it is pirated I suppose the MSE is going to be rejected isn't it?

Now I don't want to go doing a restore because of the cost of the dongle downloading and if the same thing happens it's going to be dollars down the gurgler.


Look sorry to take up your time like this but didn't expect all this hassle.

Oh look you blokes you know you are dealing with a half wit here don't you?

I just built a desky and had to stick that OEM label on that and jeez how could I not think of that - yes it has a Microsoft sticker on the bottom - Home Premium OEMAct.

Think I'd better start taking my medicine again or commit hari kari.

Look thanks for all your troubles, time and patience.

Many many thanks from your friendly local town idiot!!