Windows Genuine Advantage or WGA
was implemented by Microsoft to curb the distribution of pirated
software.
Unfortunately the program does
interfere from time to time with legitimate distributions of Windows
products and the WGA validation process has been known to give false
positives.
To validate your windows product
click here
If the genuine validation says
"genuine" , the product key used in your operating system matches the
cryptography and hardware hash.
If the genuine validation says
"not genuine", the product key used in your operating system was more
then likely one of the keys Microsoft leaked for IT deployment of the
operating system or what is commonly referred to as Volume License Key
(VLK).
To install the product key and
remedy this problem, you will need the correct 25 digit product key that
came with your operating system. You can replace the key:
click here
If you find that your product key
does not work or is not accepted by the key change tool above, the most
likely situation that has occurred is a mismatch in operating system
type and product key.
For example, an Original Equipment
Manufacturer (OEM) Key will not work in a corporate or retail version of
XP. Lets say your computer shipped with Vista and you had decided to
revert back to Windows XP, the key from Vista will not work.
You will need to contact Microsoft product
activation and explain the circumstances to them at this number:
(888) 352-7140
In most instances you will be
referred to the online validation at Microsoft and be required to
purchase the key but in other instances they will provide you with the
25 digit product key that goes with the version of Windows installed on
your machine.
If you have the WGA notification
and you are certain you have a legitimate copy of Windows XP installed,
you can correct and eliminate the nag message by running this tool:
click here