Windows XP and Vista users have been falsely accused of running pirate copies of the operating systems, with Microsoft's heavily criticised Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) tool preventing paying customers using features such as the Aero graphical interface.
Microsoft blamed an unspecified server problem for a 19-hour stretch, which it said was fixed on Saturday.
"We are aware it is a server-side issue," said Phil Liu, a Microsoft program manager in the WGA group. "[But] the cause is unknown at this current time."
"Customers who received an incorrect validation response can fix their system by revalidating on our site," said Alex Kochis, senior product manager of WGA, in a blog posting. The site Kochis referred to is the Genuine Microsoft Software home page, which includes links to validation tests for Windows and Microsoft Office. "After successfully revalidating, any affected system should be rebooted to ensure the genuine-only features are restored," Kochis continued.
The validation server snafu began on Friday, when users started posting messages on Microsoft's support forums, including Vista Validation Issues, saying that their PCs had been tagged as running non-genuine Windows. Overnight, the number of users adding their accounts to the tale spiked significantly, as did the frustration index.
"What in hell is going on, Microsoft?" asked a user named Hedgemeister.
"SUPPORT? Where are you? Validation issues with Vista. Hello? All of us need help," wrote Gnrlbzik.
"This is an absolute disgrace. Treating legitimate customers like criminals is a great way to make people want to buy your software in the future! [I'm] absolutely disgusted," added Costanza.
Although copies of both Windows XP and Vista were being tagged as counterfeit during the 19 hours, users of the latter were especially incensed. The WGA antipiracy scheme for that operating system disables several features when it thinks the copy is bogus, among them the Aero graphical user interface and ReadyBoost.
Early in the outage, several Microsoft customers posted what they said was the text of email they had received from Microsoft support that suggested users sit tight for several days. "I'm sorry to inform you that the Windows Genuine server might be down for few days," the email, attributed to Microsoft Technical Support, said. "I have escalated the issue to our Genuine team, kindly try to validate again on Tuesday 28 Aug 2007."
If the message was intended to mollify users, it didn't work. "TUESDAY!?! Yeah, f that," said Nooaah.
It wasn't until Saturday that a non-anonymous Microsoft manager offered up information. "I guarantee that we're working on this issue right now," said Liu in a post to the forum. "My goal is to identify a FIX for this issue - afterwards get you all what you are looking for, an explanation and cause. I promise I will have an explanation and resolution as soon as humanly possible."
Comments
D.Aynsley said: So its Microsoft who was the culpritI thought I had been invaded so reformated etc12 hours later Im back with no problem Ive had my fingers burnt but NEVER againIt seems as in the law criminals are protected whilst the innocent are not
GALLEY SLAVE said: I bought this computer with XP PRO installed three years ago a year later WGA tells me it is fake many arguements by phoneat some cost later I had not choice but to buy for some ninety pounds GENUINE ADVANTAGE worked fine for a while then I started getting the same messages many phone calls later still have the problem The solutions given by Microsoft engineers were beyond my abilities and timeSo I have disabled XP PRO on my slave disc and put a new copy of XP HOME on my master disc works ok at the moment tomorrow who knowsProblem with Microsoft is that they seem to have no representation in the UK SAME IN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES just Ireland and Luxembourg so it seems so we have no office to go to to grab someone by the collar to get their attention very smart of them
Beryl said: The WGA system is a farce My daughter has been repeatedly told for a very long time that her XP was bogus It wasnt She had the disk with code and contacted Micrst several times They said the code was wrong pirated etc She bought the PC from a legitimate PC store She sent a copy of the receipt Micro st wouldnt budge and told her to buy a new copy As if For a long while she obtained the updates through another website which seems to have been shut down She now has a Mac Bill Gates shot himself in the foot again I havent decided what my next PC will run It will either be Linux or a Mac I dont want Vista at any price