You May Be A Victim Of Software Counterfeiting?..

[Jouho]

Okay, I got this computer with Vista Ultimate x64 installed before it arrived at my household, I received it the beginning of October. However, I have started maybe around 2ish weeks ago getting a message that I may be a victim of software counterfeiting. It pops a little window up every now and then.
I've searched around and still have not found a solution to it..

I cannot open Control Panel, I cannot open System Properties via the Computer window.

I've tried 'net start slsvc' in the cmd prompt, and nothing.

Help is GREATLY appreciated, thank you.



Also, if this isn't the right place for this, please feel free to move to the designated forum area, if there is one.

 

[Brink]

Hello Jouho, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Method One in the tutorial below may be able to help you.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/121866-reduced-functionality-mode.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Jouho]

Thank you for the reply, however it seems that does not apply to my situation.

In step one it says "Whe you logon to Vista, you will see this message with a window with the options below if Vista is running in reduced functionality mode."

I don't see any window like that pictured on that webpage. Also, I have SP1 installed.

 

[smarteyeball]

Where did the PC come from? They may have installed a pirated OEM copy on it.

Hit WIN+Pause/break to bring up to check it's activation status. (If it will open)

 

[Jouho]

I bought it from pcusa.com, and I have the CD with the case and protective case right here which I'm assuming Vista was installed from.

I tried the Windows button + Pause/Break, but nothing happened. :*(

Here is a picture I just took of the vista packaging.

 

[Brink]

Juoho,

You might see if you will be able to do a phone activation with it.

 

[Titancom]

Sounds like it hasn't been activated as yet, if you have internet access then start the activation process but if you dont have internet connect try as Brink said do a phone activation.

 

[Jouho]

How would I do the internet activation? I can't open System propeties via the Computer tab.

Also right clicking on Computer and clicking Properties doesn't open anything either.

Thanks

 

[Titancom]

Does the start button/all programs/Accessories/System Tools access work?

 

[Jouho]

Yes, I can get to Disc Defrag and cleanup, etc.

 

[Titancom]

Under system tools is the activate Windows icon there?

Or maybe you see the Activate windows just at the top of the start column?

 

[Jouho]

Nope. Picture attached is the options I have.

 

[Titancom]

Hmmm try running windows update and see if that may prompt to activate windows its a long shot but the only other thing that comes to mind is the installed version of the OS has had a Banned CD key used to install it which would explain the message you see now regardless of what disc is supplied with the PC.

Failing all that i would be contacting who ever you bought the PC off and let them fix it. Hope it helps

 

[Titancom]

Or last option is reinstall with the disc supplied from fresh.

 

[smarteyeball]

If you can open the cmd prompt as administrator:

If it works, you should be able to restore your desktop enough to activate properly.

cscript slmgr.vbs - rearm

 

[Jouho]

Pic attached. This is for regular cmd prompt.

And this pic is running cmd as administrator

 

[Jouho]

These are results I got from following instructions on Some Windows Vista functions may not work, or Windows Vista may stop responding . I tried opening the CBS log, but it told me that access is denied. Ugh.


So I went to http://www.petri.co.il/add-take-ownership-context-menu-vista.htm and followed instructions and I now have the CBS log open, but it is A LOT of text. Where do I go from here?

 

[Titancom]

OK so it says there are some corrupt files that it couldn't repair, at this stage i think i would be doing a repair install.

 

[Jouho]

I would like to do a repair install, however I'm not sure how. I've inserted the Vista install cd, and there was no repair option.

 

[Brink]

Jouho,

This may help you with that.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn