"this copy of Windows is not genuine" - but it is!

Nahtimu · 03 Dec 2011

thanks for the direct link seavixen32 and yep I tried the latest (non BETA) driver, i.e: 285.62-desktop-win7-winvista-64bit-english-whql.exe. That didn't work, so I removed and installed historical drivers going back to the driver that originally worked i.e: 257.21_desktop_win7_winvista_64bit_english_whql.exe.

I disconnected my Winfast Video Capture from Power Supply, re-inserted the GTX 470 card in a different slot, and it has booted up ok (slower than normal) but did not hang on "Starting Windows". Now even the Nvidia Control Panel opens. It's been 1 day and all seems well now.

(thanks also NoelDP but as per #8 post I reinstalled Win7).

By the way, this forum is the best, people are friendly and willing to provide advice! Thanks all :)

seavixen32 · 03 Dec 2011

You're very welcome and thanks for the kind words about WSF, we do try and help as best we can.

Pleased to hear you are up and running, but as you had to try your graphics card in a different slot you may have a problem with your motherboard.

Something you might want to consider if you continue to have problems.

NoelDP · 04 Dec 2011

Nahtimu said:

So I contacted Microsoft and they confirmed that my serial number, product id, etc has not been leaked and they were extemely apologetic and stated that they're highly recommending affected users to RESINSTALL Windows and they stopped some security update causing this issue.

Thanks Microsoft! Grrrrrr! (of course I'm upset, they caused this mess in the first place!)

As far as I'm aware there has never been a security update which caused this issue - and I've lived in the specialist WGA forums for the past two years, so I would have heard about it if there was

There was a brief server problem which affected only users attempting activation, but did not cause problems with existing activated systems, and was in any case months ago.

I'd like to see a copy of the MGADiag, even if there is no current problem, since the MS Activation operator's knowledge (or rather, lack thereof) is legendary, and there is no way that the advice that you appear to have got should have been issued.