Is my software genuine????
This document refers to Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional/Home/Media Centre holographic CD ROM's
Sick of being ripped off by unscrupulous sellers and ending up with nothing more than a worthless piece of counterfeit software which you have paid out good money for or just worried that you may be about to purchase an illegally produced software title?
Then read on, this document is for you...................
Before we go any further, I am not attempting to sell anything or gain financially from this document, I am just like you, SICK OF BEING RIPPED OFF.
(Please note: I am not affiliated with Microsoft®. This page is not endorsed by Microsoft® or any of their affiliates, permission is pending for the use of text extracts and images from the Microsoft.com web site.)
Click Here for the Hall of Shame
What is Counterfeiting?
Counterfeiting means duplicating and distributing imitation software on a large scale. This is a sophisticated activity and has close links to organised crime. It is extremely difficult to tell the difference between genuine and counterfeit software, and the Internet has made it easier for buyers to be deceived. When you buy online, you cannot see your goods until they are delivered - if they arrive at all. Clever counterfeiters can even fool resellers, who buy fake goods and distribute them without suspecting that anything is wrong. If you are a reseller or a system builder, reduce this risk by buying from an authorised Microsoft distributor.
Source of counterfeiting definition - http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell
How can I tell if my Microsoft® Product is Counterfeit?
Firstly lets take a look at the holographic CD-ROM.
Don't automatically assume that it is genuine just because the CD-ROM bears the full face holographic image.
The hologram should be part of the disk and not just a label adhered to the CD-ROM.
If you are uncertain that it is an adhesive label look for tiny air bubbles or creases on the holographic surface.
Also run your fingernail from the outside of the CD-ROM inwards for no more than 10 millimetres, did you feel a ridge whilst doing this? if so it may be an illegal copy, it should be perfectly smooth all the way from the outer edge to the clear centre part of the CD-ROM but not beyond.
Now take a look at the outer edge of the CD-ROM again and cross reference your disk against the images further down this document, Microsoft® also have excellent examples on their web site which can be viewed at http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell
Lets now go back to the clear centre section of the CD-ROM. At the join where the copper full face hologram meets the clear centre section, does the transition here appear to be professionally made or a roughly cut label edge with traces of silver or transparent patches?
On this image of the counterfeit CD-ROM the 'ridge' can clearly be seen
(Click the image to download or view the high resolution version)
A digital photograph of a genuine disk, notice the crisp colours when hit by bright light and the sharp white spot from the flash.
(Click the image to download or view the high resolution version)
A digital photograph of a counterfeit disk, colours not as bright and the white flash spot is dull and blurred.
(Click the image to download or view the high resolution version)
Now for the last test on the CD-ROM:
Turn your CD-ROM over and use it as a mirror (the silver side). You should see a reflection of your face and surroundings very clearly. Now turn the disk back to holographic side and try again focusing on your face to dismiss the hologram, the reflection you see should be just as clear as it was looking at the silver side of the disk except for it being a 'bronzed' reflection instead of 'silver'. See the two images below for examples of this.
A close up shot of the genuine disk without flash, look how clear the reflection of the camera is.
(Click the image to download or view the high resolution version)
A close up shot of the counterfeit disk without flash, look how blurred the reflection of the camera is.
(Click the image to download or view the high resolution version)
As you can see the top image is crystal clear, that is how your reflection should look.
By now you should be more certain as to whether you have a genuine or counterfeit CD-ROM. Please feel free to read on. Details on what to do if you do have an illegal copy are listed at the foot of this document.
Now lets examine the 'Start here' booklet.
The first two example images that I am going to show are scanned from a counterfeit copy of Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Edition.
Until I was caught out and purchased an illegal copy I never bothered to read the 'Start here' booklet. It is worth taking a look just to witness the shoddy grammar and spelling mistakes that reside within the counterfeit copy. Take a look below for the examples, errors found are underlined in red. Also included is a section of the back page from my genuine home edition which is perfect. I do not believe Microsoft® would release anything that had not been proof read several times, therefore not letting poor quality like the next two images on to the open market.
Page 4 from the counterfeit 'start here' XP Pro booklet, does your copy have any mistakes like these?
(Click the image to download or view the high resolution version)
Section of back cover scanned from counterfeit XP Pro booklet. Again do you have similar mistakes?
(Click the image to download or view the high resolution version)
Section of back cover scanned from genuine XP Home booklet. Yours should look like this.
(Click the image to download or view the high resolution version)
Lets now look at the Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
This COA could also be known as a 'Product Key' in advertisements, to be clear on this the COA should look similar to the two images below, the product key is only the XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX element of the COA. REMEMBER MICROSOFT® SOFTWARE IS ILLEGAL WITHOUT THE COA. Further information on the COA is available at http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell
Displayed above are two examples of genuine COA's. Im not going to spend too much time on this subject as the counterfeit copy of Windows® XP that I purchased had a fantastically reproduced COA. (same as the first example above) The only problem I encountered was that it was almost impossible to remove from the shrink wrap without damaging the COA. Again, do not just glance at the COA and assume it is genuine, follow all steps in this document.
Have you installed the software yet or do you have access to an old PC that it can be installed on?
If the software has been installed, on completion of the installation was you required to activate the product either through the internet or via telephone?
You should have been asked to activate the product or reminded that you have 30 days to activate the product if you decided to use the skip option immediately after installation.
If your CD-ROM has the following text on the holographic surface 'For distribution with a new PC only. The Certificate of Authenticity label should be attached to your PC. For product support contact the manufacturer of your PC.' perform the following task, If not skip the following section
Click your right mouse button on the 'My Computer' link in the 'Start Menu' and click 'Properties'.
You will then be presented with the 'System Properties' dialog box.
Look underneath the 'Registered To' section and you will find a long string of numbers which will look similar to this 55274-020-XXXXXX-22534. Where I have listed XXXXXXX this will be a seven digit number, I have chosen to omit this for security reasons. Where I have listed -020- yours MUST state OEM and nothing else. Example 55274-OEM-1234567-54321
Make your decision
By now you must have ascertained whether your copy of Microsoft® Windows® XP is genuine or not.
If you are certain that it is counterfeit please email me at [email protected] and I will tell you what additional information I require. As after investigating further I will have no convictions about naming and shaming perpetrators in the Hall of Shame on this web site.
I will also pass the information on to [email protected]
You should also request your money back from the vendor.
If you are a retailer and wish to link to this site from your eBay advertisement page or web site please email me first at [email protected]
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Please note: I will not be held responsible for individuals attempting to tarnish other persons or organisations reputations by intentionally providing false information, should this happen the details of the original person making the complaint will be passed onto the relevant authorities.
Microsoft® and Windows® are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation.