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General discussion

Is IT Legit?

Jun 11, 2010 9:10PM PDT

This morning I started my PC to discover that it told me I have a illegal copy of Windows 7 on my PC, funny thing is *I* own a retail version of Windows 7 home premium, so I restored the PC thru safe mode
and when it came up, I found *ALL* my security software shutdown, and not current. Including Windows Defender, and Windows Firewall was shutdown, as well as my other firewall. NOW I'm wondering if this so-called retail version of Windows 7 is truely legit.

Discussion is locked

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Actually easy to answer.
Jun 11, 2010 9:29PM PDT

You look at your retail package and see the usual hologram and more. Microsoft knows about some fake retail packages out there and will help you for free verify if yours is fake. For your trouble, if it is fake they have been known to replace it IF you work with them to supply them with where you got it and give them the fake products.

-> There is also a lot of malware that will damage the OS and cause validation failures. But there is nothing in your post about that or torrent use.
Bob

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Talked to Microsoft
Jun 12, 2010 2:29AM PDT

Talked to Microsoft counterfeit support. They told me this is a new thing to them, and they had me reregister my O/S. So from what the rep told me I am the FIRST that has run into this problem. And they were VERY very sure into checking my retail version was indeed real.
There is a little code on the retail package that YOU would think belongs to WalMarts that the rep had me give him before he would work with me. I also worked with Norton's support as well to get my 360 back working. Whatever this is, it shuts down or removes any security package that you have installed on your PC(s), INCLUDING Microsoft's own Windows Defender. I think were gonna be in for a LONG summer of misery!

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Possible Malware Infection
Jun 12, 2010 2:54AM PDT

I would like to rule out Malware as the symptoms are that of a compromised computer. There is a free online scan you can run called "Housecall" The good thing about this scan is that part runs online and is safe from getting compromised like locally instllled software. The links are below:

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

You want the link in the middle of the page that says Download Housecall 32-bit. Another source of an "online scan" is F-Secure it's link is:

http://www.f-secure.com/en_EMEA/security/tools/online-scanner/

Hope this helps rule in or out Malware and if so may be able to clean it enough that your other security software will become functional again and can clean up the rest.

John

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Shakes head.
Jun 12, 2010 4:08AM PDT
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Microsoft Piracy Support
Jun 12, 2010 1:21AM PDT