New Microsoft Scam? ***WARNING***

[Redlined]

My son my best friend and my sister have all had their computers lock up directly after installing the latest "Windows update patch" The Error claims they have an invalid Product key and requires they talk to a Microsoft customer support person at $59.95 per hour.

My sister did. they where vague and evasive with answers but $130 later she had her computer back.

My sons computer is 3 weeks old. I just bought it for his birthday.

I think Microsoft is trying to fleese people out of money.

Personally I have updates shut off.

Anyone else having similar experiences?

[evolutionmovement]

Not anymore. [/smug mac owner]

[n2x4]

Windows XP or Vista?

Where did you buy your son's computer from?

There is a tool called Windows Genuine which checks to see if you have a serial number that was used in many pirated installs which could be what you're seeing but thats about it. Microsoft installs this tool on the machine before they let you do Windows Updates

Do you have the Certificate of Authenticity (with the key on it)? Something doesn't add up about this...

[DLC]

Never heard of this sort of problem.

There was a scam recently going around via email. If someone is stupid enough to download patches from email and not via Microsoft Update, well, they're stupid.

Turn on your Updates, because leaving them off is also stupid.

[Redlined]

My friend and my sister both use XP... I assume xp home. My sons laptop was running Vista home premium.

The laptop was a Toshiba purchased through Fryes Electronics.

The Windows "Product key" Is on a laminated card glued to the bottom of the Laptop. My own laptop has a similar card.

According to Microsoft this product key was an invalid number , and not recognised by Windows Genuine.

We attempted to Reinstall and the installer advised that there was no hard drive installed. I broke out my linux installer and guess what? SURPRISE! there is a hard drive there. So Microsoft intentionally turned my sons laptop into a brick and want me to pay them for 1) customer service 2) a new product key.

I think I'm done with microsoft.

[Redlined]

DLC... how about we keep away from personal accusations? Making statements that say, weather directly or in-directly, "Your stupid", is simply not productive and leads to hurt feelings and animosity.

This was NOT downloaded from E-mail. It was downloaded through the Automatic Windows updater (in my sons and sisters case anyways).

Turning the updater off was my personal choice. My computer is something less that state-of-the-art and the continued increasing drain of resources caused by windows updates simply reached what I deemed an unacceptable level.

[n2x4]

I'd call Frye or Toshiba. The fact that you have a valid key makes all the difference. And Windows Genuine only adds a popup, it doesn't "lock" down your computer.

[Redlined]

My sons laptop was forced to "A state of reduced functionality" to quote the windows pop up that directed us to call customer support and advised we would be charged $59.95 per hour for said support.

In this state he only found access to the internet browser.

I had planned on returning the laptop to Fryes. My son decided he would rather run Linux. After discussing at length the pros and cons I allowed him to do so.

[n2x4]

Silly question, but was the copy of Vista ever registered online? I know that if you don't register it in 30 days, you get the "reduced functionality" mode.

I agree with running limited updates/antivirus on older PCs. Generally they end up slowing down the machine, which is exactly what a virus would do, so what's the point? Just save the good stuff for a locked down PC.

[Redlined]

My son never Registered Vista, Conversely we have only had The laptop two weeks. Still, might be something there.

I do run my own Anti-Virus/Anti-Spybot/Firewall. As such threats are real and can really make for a bad day. Also I have a remote hard-drive for important Documents/Program files etc.

[Buffman]

I'd say it has to be because it wasn't registered, I've never run into an instance where WGA locks a PC down...

[Redlined]

Its possible that it may be the issue in the case of my sons new laptop. But the same thing happened to my sister, who I know also has a valid product code, and my friend... whom I don't know one way or the other about his particular instance of windows. Both of witch have had their computers a substantial length of time.

Anyways. I really really hope that its something as simple as that. It would really burn my biscuit for Microsoft to delve to such depths.

[Buffman]

I've always kept up to date on all of my PCs and with the recent updates no isssues as you're describing.

[DLC]

I've administered, in the past decade, between 500-700 PCs running 95, NT, 2000, XP and Vista. Generally speaking, updating them is a requirement due to their roles and usage.

I've also been "that guy who everyone calls" for a lot of people.

Never have I seen any legitimate version of Windows suddenly deactivate. I have in the past month made calls to the toll free Microsoft number in order to get copies of XP reactivated after major hardware failure and replacement.

Linux is a great choice for an operating system, and I applaud you for encouraging the use of it over a Microsoft product.