After using it for years I now get message on screen "Windows Vista Build 6002 This copy of Windows is not genuine "

[In for a penny...]

Please answer all of the following diagnostic questions by number in your very next reply (no need to quote this post):

1. Have you been using Firefox as your default Browser because Internet Explorer "keeps crashing" or "just doesn't work?"
2. What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your subscription current?  What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?  What third-party firewall (if any)?
3. Has a(nother) Norton application or a McAfee application EVER been installed on this computer?
4. Did a Norton free-trial or a McAfee free-trial [pick one] come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)

4a. Are ALL of the following updates listed in View installed updates (not Update History)?

    • KB2497640, KB2508272, KB2412687, KB2509553, KB2507618, KB2506223, KB2524375 & KB2393802

4b. If not, how about these updates?...

    • (a) KB2482017 or KB2416400 or KB2360131; (b) KB980195; (c) KB958869; (d) KB2485376; (e) KB2479628; (f) KB981852 or KB979683

[In for a penny...]

Please answer all of the following diagnostic questions by number in your very next reply (no need to quote this post):

1. Have you been using Firefox as your default Browser because Internet Explorer "keeps crashing" or "just doesn't work?"
2. What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your subscription current?  What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?  What third-party firewall (if any)?
3. Has a(nother) Norton application or a McAfee application EVER been installed on this computer?
4. Did a Norton free-trial or a McAfee free-trial [pick one] come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)

4a. Are ALL of the following updates listed in View installed updates (not Update History)?

    • KB2497640, KB2508272, KB2412687, KB2509553, KB2507618, KB2506223, KB2524375 & KB2393802

4b. If not, how about these updates?...

    • (a) KB2482017 or KB2416400 or KB2360131; (b) KB980195; (c) KB958869; (d) KB2485376; (e) KB2479628; (f) KB981852 or KB979683

1 Not really--I do not use a DEFAULT browser

2 McAfee came preinstalled

2a  I have not installed anti spy nor firewall software--if there is any then it must have come with my laptop

3 Norton --NO  McAfee Yes

After 2 weeks of trying to rid my laptop of that message claiming that after years of usage my VISTA has suddenly become NOT genuine and also when asked to activate I get the message the prodiuct code taken off the COA is invalid now I end up with the screen shaking as if there is an earthquake here

I am replying using another laptop so I cannot check the numbers you mention in Q 4a  4b

I am also unable to get the diagnostics report uou request

Microsoft has really let me down terribly after using your software from win 3.0  3.1  XP and now the version full of problems..VISTA

My friends have been urging me to switch to APPLE and this may well be the time to switch!

Please answer all of the following diagnostic questions by number in your very next reply (no need to quote this post):

1a. When (exact date) does your current McAfee subscription expire?

1b. Has your McAfee subscription EVER expired, if only for a day or two?

1c. Did the preinstalled McAfee free-trial period expire before you purchased your first subscription?

2a. What's the full name of the installed McAfee application (e.g., McAfee Security Center; McAfee Antivirus Plus; McAfee Total Protection; McAfee VirusScan Enterprise)?

2b. Is it the same McAfee application that came preinstalled on your computer when you bought it?

When you have access to the computer-in-question and assuming Vista SP1 (or SP2) is installed:

3a. Are ALL of the following updates listed in View installed updates (not Update History)?

    • KB2497640, KB2508272, KB2412687, KB2509553, KB2507618, KB2506223, KB2524375 & KB2393802

3b. If not, how about these updates?...

    • (a) KB2482017 or KB2416400 or KB2360131; (b) KB980195; (c) KB958869; (d) KB2485376; (e) KB2479628; (f) KB981852 or KB979683

I had this problem also. after trying what the screen said , which did not work. I remembered that i recently loaded a program to access my workplace intranet (citrix). i used ccleaner to look at my startup files and disabled the citrix line. It solved the problem. try looking for something that u loaded recently that probably trys to change the active x file. Hope this helps.

a note to the above post by me. I had to use safe mode with internet to access my desktop and internet to download ccleaner.