Genealogy Chat

Thank you all very much for your help and advice,as ever it seems that I am not the only one to have this problem. Regards Maurice

Maurice this is such a common problem, many people within the computer industry make illegal copies of software and pass them on as genuine to unsuspecting customers, I have had several friends who have been caught out. I now buy any software I need from PC world or the like. You should be ok, but will not get any updates. If you do pay the fee, all they will do is legalise your copy and send you updates, .They will probably send you a licensing code for you to enter, Worse case you may have to install a legal version, but hopefully registering what you have with a legal licensing code will be enough.their concern is that they have not been given their licensing fee, which is why they are asking you for the £98 Good Luck Fuzzy x

Microsoft detects illegal copies of it's software when you use the 'Windows Update'. One of the regular updates is the 'Microsoft Genuine Advantage Update Tool'. It is this item that detects the 'unauthorised' copies. All that will happen is that you will only be able to download (and only by the automatic tool) security updates, but that probably wont last forever. You will not lose any data from your computer, the worst that might happen is that the suspect software will stop working until you pay the fee and get a proper registration number or install a new (legal) version of the offending software.

I've also have this problem. I bought my computer second hand with windows xp installed. Does that mean that I have to buy more software? What will happen if I don't? I realise now that I have not looked into it properly, but at the time it seemed alot to pay anyway.I do seem to be having the updates though Help if you can please Lynda

Maurice, Both my computers came already loaded and I didn't have to do anything - BUT included in the package each time were original MS disks, to be used if the computer failed and the software reinstalled.(code number on packaging) The laptop is my computer, and came with a more extensive range of software. The PC (connected to the net) is actually my partner's - it came as a computer 'package', but hasn't as wide a range of factory installed programmes. If you go for new, check exactly what software it comes with. I have several GR contacts who bought a 'package' computer with MS Works only. They can do word processing fine, but when I tried e-mailing them attachments, charts done in MS Word, there were problems. Ask lots of questions and make sure you get what you really need, rather than just what sounds the best deal. Jay

Maurice My new pooter (one month old) came with Windows XP as standard, already installed. I did an upgrade for £50, to get a 19#' monitor (standard is 15') and an all singing all dancing printer scanner copier (which I havent quite mastered yet, LOL). The whole lot cost me £450. Im thrilled skinny with it! OC

Janet, No I do not have a copy of the copy, I think I will buy a new computer like Olde Crone suggests. Then maybe I could link the two together,transfer the details I need then sort out the problem. If you buy a new computer do they give you a Microsoft (In my case Windows 2000 Professional) disc with it , or is it just loaded on by them under some kind of trade licence? Maurice

Maurice I too was worried about my documents etc, but as I couldnt get at them anyway (Word disappeared, along with most of my files, and the files that remained were encrypted - download Javascript, it said - I tried, another endless loop situation) I decided to ditch the lot. I have kept my old computer, as I am worried that the disks I did have, are possibly infected (I had a virus problem too) and one day, I am going to manually transfer all the info from my read-only old computer! And of course, my GR tree is on here anyway, so I shall at some point download that onto a disk. Moral of the story? Make a Start Up Disk, like it tells you to, when you get a new pooter. Make copies of all files which are important - I have a 6000 name database which I can no longer read!! OC

No expert on this Maurice, but I would make sure you have back up copies of everything - if you wanted to pay for the 'legit' software, it could well be that your existing programme has to be uninstalled first. I assume in such a case this could result in the deletion of your original files. Did your friend give you a copy of the software disk he installed? The disk would indicate whether or not it was legit. Jay

Jay, I have not sent one of those send message things, I did go onto the Microsoft Site and tried to download updates once,the computer has also been in for repair recently, after which the 'offer' from Microsoft appeared on my computer. The computer was home made by a person I have now lost touch with, it is likely that he bent the rules a bit. I am concerned now that if Microsoft are able to 'tamper' with my computer, if I fork out the £98 will it put all my Word Docs and tree at risk ,I do backup to disk regularly. As you will gather I am still on a learning curve. Maurice

Maurice I had a worse problem than that - on 1st Jan 2006, my Microsoft 2000 Professional closed down altogether! Repeated attempts to reinstate it just got me into an endless loop - click here to reinstate-sorry, Microsoft cannot reinstate, blah blah blah.I have a feeling that mine was something to do with having an Administrator as an entry password, because it never recognised me as the PC owner and never saved anything I did. I managed to limp on for a bit, but finally threw in the towel and bought a new PC! Where did you get yours from - I bought mine secondhand from my sil, who works for a computer company and I have a feeling that 2000 Professional dont like this! OC

I think they are now inviting people to 'update' - you are then asked to read the t&c, and they can then access your computer. If they 'suspect' your Ms software is not legit, they 'advise' you of this. Have you had a problem and had one of those 'send message' options? If so, I wonder if they can tell from this. Jay

I have been informed by Microsoft that my Windows 2000 Professional is a copy ! They are asking for £98 from me to 'legalise' it. They will no longer send me updates. Has anyone else had this happen? Regards Maurice