Posted: 7/20/2006 2:50:11 PM EDT
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My computer periodically downloads Microsoft updates while I am online. Did it a couple of days ago and Zonelabs pops up on startup and says: Windows Genuine Advantage Notification is trying to read and modify physical memory. Any idea what the deal is? I have the option to accept or deny. Is it really an "Advantage" or just another process to slow my clunker down even more? Thanks |
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I think its trying to verify that the version of windows your'e using isnt a counterfeit. you can read about it here. IMO its a useless peace of crap but others might think different. |
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As others have said, Microsoft is attempting to determine if you have a legitimate copy of Windows XP. Here's a problem I can forsee that might arise in the future, if you keep denying the action, MS might eventually decide that your copy is not valid and disable Windows. Are you knowingly using a pirated copy? |
What if he wants to be able to run popular software and video games? Ubuntu aint going to help him with that. I say, unless you knowingly have a pirated copy, run the update. I work for a on site computer repair service, and I've never had a problem with the hundreds of computers I've run it on. |
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Right now, if the Genuine Advantage software determines your copy of Windows to be illegitimate it will just inform you that you are ineligable for further security updates or support. And it will tell you this with enough frequency to be very annoying, with the reminder icon constantly displayed in the System Tray. I don't doubt that at some point they may indeed start disabling features, or the entire OS altogether. |
Unless it's a very good fake, it's legit. Got it from Staples. I'll tell Zonelabs to quit bugging me. I've got an old Dell- 450mhz processor. I don't use it enough to upgrade and the last 7 years tax programs are on it. Between it and my 56k dialup, BOTD is out of the question.  ETA- Thanks! |