Solved Please help repairing windows not genuine dialog popping up

[tenjuna]

I just noticed something else as well. The laptop is not keeping time very well, and in fact every time I set it to the correct time (via Internet Time tab in clock settings) the "your windows is not valid, click here to learn more" dialog comes up.

Sounds like an encryption/certificate type issue to me, yes?

 

[NoelDP]

Sounds more to me as if there's a motherboard problem
Please upload a new set of event logs, and I'll see what I can see there.

 

[tenjuna]

It wouldn't surprise me at this point.

Not sure which event logs you wanted, attached the app one...

Assuming we cannot resolve this, what is going to be the most time-effective way to get this (the unauthorized dialog) to go away?

 

[NoelDP]

I need the System and Application event logs - I don't see any attachments in your last post??

A repair install may be the quickest way forward - or a clean install as a last resort.

Please run this command in an Elevated Command prompt - what response do you get?

winmgmt /verifyrepository

 

[tenjuna]

WMI repository is consistent

files are attached.

I am going to try a repair install as I am about to start classes back up. if that doesn't work then a fresh install it is.

 

[NoelDP]

The only errors of any significance in the logs relate to the Windows Search service - but there are thousands of them
Try running the Fixit here... Fix Windows Desktop Search when it crashes or not showing results - it may help.

 

[tenjuna]

The laptop died 15 minutes after my last post so this is moot now.

 

[NoelDP]

Ouch!
What sort of 'died'?

 

[tenjuna]

Unsure, sent laptop in to repair shop. I was about to do a repair install so I did a restart from Windows after my last post, and it never turned back on. Probable motherboard issue. For all I know this has been the root of this thread's problem all along.

 

[tenjuna]

PROBLEM SOLVED!

I gotta tell ya, I have been around computers for ~30 years, and it's rare I find an issue as challenging as this one (though I do loves me a challenge).

I decided to send in the laptop for repair (power controller chip died), and got it back yesterday. Spent most of the day with a hammer and various explosives, and managed to figure out what it was.

The issue was definitely related to the Turbo Memory, but the twist was the Verizon Cellular Data card I also had installed. There was more to it though, but here is a extremely truncated summary of what I did to fix (these may not even be what finally did fix it but are the major things I remember doing):

Remove Turbo Memory card entirely
Go to BIOS, reset to defaults, turn off Cache slot, and change Wi-Fi Catcher switch to only control Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Go to Safe Mode and remove last remnants of Turbo Memory driver in Device Manager
Remove cellular data card
Go to Safe Mode and remove last remnants of cellular card driver in Device Manager
Boot to Windows

After all that I get into Windows and suddenly I have 48 updates to install and my iPhone works again. AND no more dialog telling me my genuine copy of Windows is pirated! Hallelujah, it's a miracle!

The really funny ha ha part of all this is this issue made me break down and buy a new $2000 laptop, and now I don't need this one anymore :sarc:

Anyway thanks for all the help I appreciate it!

Jason

 

[NoelDP]

I don't think I'd ever have gone for an add-in card being the cause!
Thanks for coming back with your resolution - I'll try and remember to look further afield for the source of the problem, next time.

 

[tenjuna]

Oh and just for giggles I tried re-installing the Inter drivers again and they wouldn't install at all. I then tried the Intel Matrix software and the invalid dialog came back. So the original fix of removing that software and/or re-installing it you guys use all along is valid. Obviously I am not going to try and use it anymore.