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October 4th, 2006

Another wave of WGA failures

Posted by Ed Bott @ 8:24 am

Categories: WGA

Tags:

In Focus » See more posts on: WGA

Will Microsoft ever get WGA right? Last week, I reported on a mysterious outbreak of failures that were causing legitimate Windows XP users to fail validation and be tagged as pirates. In all, 42% of the problem reports I looked at were from customers running confirmed genuine copies of Windows XP.

This week, the WGA Validation Problems forum is awash in reports from customers in corporations and at universities that volume license keys (VLKs) are suddenly being reported as blocked.

Reports include:

Microsoft says the problem is under investigation:

On Monday and Tuesday of this week (Oct 2-3), some VLK customers may have experienced problems with WGA validation. If a Windows XP system with a VLK recently began failing validation or reporting as non-genuine, then they may experiencing this problem.  The problem was the result of an issue on the Microsoft server side, and we are still investigating the cause.  We regret any inconvenience this may have caused you, and I am personally working to get the information you need to resolve this issue.

It's particularly embarrassing timing, given this morning's rollout of a renamed and much tougher activation and validation platform for Windows Vista that will increase the burden on corporate customers using VLKs. 

I've asked Microsoft to comment, and I'll pass along any response I receive.

Update 4-Oct 3:00PM Pacific: Microsoft provides the following statement:

Earlier this week one of Microsoft's servers experienced a bug that resulted in an outage of the validation service.  As a result, some Windows XP systems incorrectly failed validation and were reported as being non-genuine. The situation was identified and fixed within 24 hours. 

Steps are now available on our support forum for customers to correct any problems they are experiencing with this issue.  We recognize the inconvenience for our customers and are working to address their specific concerns.

"We recognize the inconvenience…" Is it really that hard to say "We apologize"?

Ed BottEd Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.

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  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 156 Talkback(s)
Short order!!!
Obviously, you either weren't affected by the problem, or don't
work in a time sensitive environment.

24 hours! If that's short, I'd hate to see a medium or long amount
of time. But, ... (Read the rest)
Posted by: Hameiri Posted on: 11/30/06 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
The problem was the result of an issue on the Microsoft server side  cnfrisch | 10/04/06
But it is fair  k12IT | 10/04/06
So what exactly did you do for those 2 hours?  ShadeTree | 10/04/06
Made it go away  k12IT | 10/04/06
Self-contradiction, part II  Yagotta B. Kidding | 10/04/06
Microsoft Won't Admit Liability or Fix Its Problems  Cardhu | 10/04/06
Microsoft will not fix problem  jhughes_z | 10/09/06
I thought problem reports had dropped?  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 10/04/06
Nor will any amount of spinning make it worse.  ShadeTree | 10/04/06
No, I only provided links to four sites  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 10/04/06
Of Course Problem Reports Were Dropping  Cardhu | 10/04/06
Please Keep Up The Reporting, Ed  Cardhu | 10/04/06
When will you understand?  TripleII | 10/04/06
See your masters have you  Linux User 147560 | 10/04/06
Will Microsoft ever get WGA right?  Yagotta B. Kidding | 10/04/06
And from my perspective....  bportlock | 10/04/06
Re: And from my perspective....  cnfrisch | 10/08/06
Hey, Great!  Cardhu | 10/08/06
Not causing MS any problems?  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 10/04/06
Every so often  Yagotta B. Kidding | 10/04/06
Lol...10.0...nice job!  techboy_z | 10/04/06
Will they get it right?  beaner1111@... | 10/04/06
How bad is it?  bportlock | 10/04/06
Numbers  pkstephens | 10/04/06
get false positives under 5%?  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 10/04/06
three orders of magnitude?  pkstephens | 10/04/06
Amphibian water temperature  Yagotta B. Kidding | 10/04/06
MS is willing to work the issues?  TripleII | 10/04/06
Microsoft isn't most companies  Yagotta B. Kidding | 10/04/06
Wrong numbers  Yagotta B. Kidding | 10/04/06
Like IT has nothing better to do:ROI  TripleII | 10/04/06
Simple simple maths...  bportlock | 10/04/06
That's why they need a script  TripleII | 10/04/06
Actually...  bportlock | 10/04/06
Re:That's why they need a script  cnfrisch | 10/06/06
Ed, how about the Geek Squad angle  TripleII | 10/04/06
Care About Results, Not Excuses  Cardhu | 10/04/06
This CRAY-ON speaks out  Old Timer 8080 | 10/04/06
You Have Your Perspective As An Insider  Cardhu | 10/05/06
And I Think The Point Is  Cardhu | 10/05/06
History Records Only the Consequences  Cardhu | 10/07/06
Issue has been fixed!  cnfrisch | 10/04/06
It was a bright cold day in April...  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 10/04/06
All computers, or just NEW validations won't have a problem?  TripleII | 10/04/06
3K affected computers in one school district  cnfrisch | 10/04/06
Now you're just being silly  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 10/04/06
Is this the fix?  TripleII | 10/04/06
Nope, there is no fix... just his hopes that he  Linux User 147560 | 10/04/06
Re: Is this the fix?  cnfrisch | 10/04/06
Why is my post moot if I run Linux?  TripleII | 10/04/06
The only reason....  cnfrisch | 10/04/06
Provide A Link To Your Crystal Ball  Ole Man | 10/04/06
No Actually we are bored  Linux User 147560 | 10/04/06
Another Issue Fixed  Ole Man | 10/04/06
Carey, please call your office...  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 10/04/06
My mistake  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 10/04/06
Ed, there is no  Linux User 147560 | 10/04/06
Get with the times  Yagotta B. Kidding | 10/05/06
Now your just being petty.  ShadeTree | 10/05/06
At least WGA functioned fine  TripleII | 10/04/06
"MS can't be responsible" - Why not?  eckenheimer | 10/05/06
:-D  TripleII | 10/05/06
Issue has been fixed!  ksarkies | 10/05/06
The Issue Really Has Not Been Fixed  Cardhu | 10/05/06
fixed for who? Microsoft are disgusting human beings  ozkim29 | 10/10/06
Short order!!!  Hameiri | 11/30/06
I think this story just says it all  TripleII | 10/04/06
RE: Another wave of WGA failures  Altiris_Grunt | 10/05/06
Tickle Me Funny  Ole Man | 10/04/06
I Agree ...  Cardhu | 10/05/06
WGA is a FAILURE for Microsoft. WGA should be WITHDRAWN!!!  rh0 | 10/04/06
Microsoft doesn't need you, you need them  TripleII | 10/04/06
The simple goal of the WGA program  cnfrisch | 10/05/06
More power to them  Yagotta B. Kidding | 10/05/06
But Their Approach  Cardhu | 10/05/06
Translation  Hrothgar - PCLinuxOS User | 10/09/06
Class action suit against Microsoft  Dr_Zinj | 10/05/06
Re: Dr_Zinj  cnfrisch | 10/05/06
Actually..  ju1ce | 10/05/06
Re: Actually..  cnfrisch | 10/05/06
I Recommend  Cardhu | 10/05/06
Oh, so we can be denied use  Cardhu | 10/05/06
Re: Oh, so we can be denied use  cnfrisch | 10/05/06
Not designed to deny use  Cardhu | 10/05/06
You tell him cnfrisch  Hrothgar - PCLinuxOS User | 10/09/06
RTfEULA  Yagotta B. Kidding | 10/05/06
Class action?  TonyMcS | 10/05/06
WAG  mukhtiargill | 10/05/06
Re: WGA  cnfrisch | 10/05/06
Ummm, That's Not What He Said  Cardhu | 10/05/06
Translation  Hrothgar - PCLinuxOS User | 10/09/06
WGA getting out of hand !!  izeekat | 10/05/06
Re: WGA getting out of hand !!  cnfrisch | 10/05/06
It's Utterly Laughable  Cardhu | 10/05/06
Re: Utterly....  cnfrisch | 10/05/06
Laughing Out Loud!!  Cardhu | 10/05/06
You Couldn't Even Read The Post Right  Cardhu | 10/05/06
Promoting Microsoft Threats?  Ole Man | 10/06/06
WGA  Defiledmoose | 10/05/06
The Problems Have Largely Been  Cardhu | 10/05/06
-------  cnfrisch | 10/05/06
Start Writing Now  Ole Man | 10/06/06
Preemptive complaining, I love it!  TripleII | 10/06/06
*****  cnfrisch | 10/06/06
Seems cnfrish just wants to silence this group.  TripleII | 10/06/06
Yes, the WGA program is successful  cnfrisch | 10/07/06
In A Movie, It Was Funny  Cardhu | 10/07/06
For MS, WGA is a raging success  TripleII | 10/07/06
Great, Triplell  Cardhu | 10/07/06
DHB  ozkim29 | 10/10/06
Typical M'softie Procedure  Ole Man | 10/07/06
Still no data  TonyMcS | 10/05/06
"He tells us, standing on his place,  Cardhu | 10/06/06
What's Starting To Look Silly  Ole Man | 10/06/06
The Likely Sources  Cardhu | 10/07/06
How about a new cause?  TonyMcS | 10/05/06
MAD = Microsoft Assured Disadvantage  JelMin | 10/06/06
The Original Acronym Was  Cardhu | 10/07/06
WGA adds additional cost to reinstallations  joe_carton@... | 10/06/06
Re: WGA does not affect Product Activation  cnfrisch | 10/06/06
WPA and WGA Are Different  Cardhu | 10/07/06
The Bottom Line  Cardhu | 10/07/06
I don't support that conclusion  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 10/07/06
Nearly a quarter century of Microsoft products  Cardhu | 10/07/06
Bill Gates Named Most Admired Global Leader  cnfrisch | 10/07/06
An Honor For Mr. Bill Gates  Cardhu | 10/07/06
I Doubt Mr. Gates is Associated With Microsoft Leadership  Cardhu | 10/13/06
Those Leopards Can't Seem To Change Their Spots  Ole Man | 10/07/06
Cardhu, XP in Vmplayer on Linux  TripleII | 10/07/06
Windows Vista RC2 - Absolutely Stunning!  cnfrisch | 10/08/06
Because  Cardhu | 10/08/06
:-D  TripleII | 10/08/06
Fud, Fud, Fud, Fudddddd.....  Hrothgar - PCLinuxOS User | 10/09/06
Obviously you haven't looked at Linux in a long while?  Bobajot | 10/11/06
Great Post, Triplell  Cardhu | 10/08/06
May Be Helpful  Ole Man | 10/08/06
Some more tips  TripleII | 10/08/06
Thanks a lot, Triplell and Ole Man  Cardhu | 10/08/06
Cardu, all: linux for the SuperNewbie  TripleII | 10/10/06
Excellent! Thank you, Triplell!  Cardhu | 10/11/06
If Microsoft Were Telling The Truth  Cardhu | 10/11/06
The "wave" is barely a ripple....  cnfrisch | 10/11/06
Ride Off Into The Sunset!  Ole Man | 10/12/06
As you do for the least little ones  Cardhu | 10/13/06
Immediately After Installing WGA With A Set Of Windows Updates  Cardhu | 10/14/06
Sorry, but WGA is not the problem  cnfrisch | 10/15/06
Uh, Yeah, Right , "Causality Doesn't Exist ..."  Cardhu | 10/15/06
And "WGA Works Perfectly With Zero Errors"  Cardhu | 10/15/06
Just Couldn't Let Go Of What Bothered Me Most  Cardhu | 10/16/06
You did not ask for any help or resolution  cnfrisch | 10/16/06
Another Deliberate Misrepresentation  Cardhu | 10/16/06
----  cnfrisch | 10/16/06
These Are Your Best Comments, Frisch  Cardhu | 10/16/06
Source Diagnosed -- Not WGA  Cardhu | 10/22/06
****  cnfrisch | 10/16/06
I See -- IWhen You Can't Present The Truth  Cardhu | 10/17/06

What do you think?

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