3rd October, 2006
Microsoft Genuine “Advantage”
So at my work today, we suddenly started seeing problems on some of our PCs that have Windows XP Pro installed (via a Volume License Key). Seems that Microsoft’s “Genuine Advantage” tool has suddenly decided that ~2% of our PCs are running on pirated software (they aren’t), even though they are using the exact same VLK as the rest of the PCs at the company.
Searching around the ‘net led me to some clues at ZDNet. Digging a little deeper, I came across Microsoft’s official support forum for problems just like these. And boy, are there a lot of them, the majority of which started the exact same time we began to experience our problems, and.. ::shocker:: ..the problems are all exactly the same! Really seems to indicate that there are some serious problems in MS’s “Advantage” software.
The forum is currently very active with people reporting problems. I attempted to call a couple of numbers at MS – their Activation hotline and their software support hotline – but on both attempts, I was told that the only way I could get support was through their support website. So, I dutifully posted my complaints along with everyone else and now all there is to do is wait.
GG, Microsoft. >.>
[Follow-up] Microsoft has posted a solution to the problem, however they are still unsure as to the cause.
Posted at 6:44 pm | Comment (0)
