Strange oddity; Lower right corner of Desktop showing message never seen before

[Eagleeye]

Good morning,

 

     First, my computer specs are shown in Signature Line below.  I have been using this computer since it was purchased (refurbished) from U.S. Micro on e-bay back in December 2012 without incident.  I registered the product key, etc, etc at the time I first turned it on and experienced no problems during or after the registration was completed.  (Windows 7 Pro SP1 (64-bit) was already pre-loaded on the computer).  Computer has functioned without any problems since I obtained it, and appears to be working fine...at the moment.  The only application update done yesterday was for the upgrade to Apache OpenOffice v4, done via the Secunia PSI program.  No new programs have been downloaded for over 3 months.  Secunia reports all programs are up-to-date.

 

This morning when I turned it on around 4:30 a.m., I noticed the message shown in the attached screenshot, on the lower right corner of the Desktop screen.

My questions:  Can anyone explain WHY I am suddenly seeing this annotation on my Desktop screen, and what should I do about it, or is this some system 'glitch'?

 

[Computer came with a 90-day HARDWARE ONLY warranty, which expired some time back].

 

(This machine also came with two (2) DVD's.  1 says Windows 7 Pro, 64-bit software, the other is labeled Windows 7 Pro 32-bit software.  Both have statements saying, "Intended for distribution with a refurbished PC").  This is a 64-bit machine, so I'm a little confused about the DVD's.

 

AV, MBAM Pro, & SAS scans return clean.  This is disturbing.  I cannot ascertain WHY...after over 7 months of owning this machine...I am suddenly seeing the aforementioned message.  I've done some checking, but can find no outright complaints about U.S. Micro using pirated Windows 7 Pro software, and have no reason to suspect they are.

 

Thank you for your time and any assistance with resolving this issue.

 

Pete C. (aka EE)

[CWB]

it might be a glitch ... however ...

 

the first step :

call u.s. micro and explain the problem .

i am willing to bet that you are not the first one with such a problem/complaint .

 

if no satisfaction found in step #1 ... then time for step #2 :

call M$ and explain the problem to them ... have them check the validity of the activation key ...

i'll bet that they will be interested in what happened .

[Eagleeye]

Thanks very much for getting back with that info, CWB!

 

     U.S. Micro specifically states they provide NO software support.  They only provided hardware support...and that expired about 90 days after this machine was purchased.  MS Support's phone lines don't open until 6 a.m. (PST), so I have about 2 1/2 hours before I can try to get any help there (I'm on the east coast).  I did go to support.microsoft.com and entered the refurbished product key shown on the Microsoft sticker on the side of this computer, into a box for the system to check.  It returned a message saying it could not find that key.  Don't know if that is because this is a refurbished machine or what.

 

Thanks again!

 

Pete

[CWB]

the way i see it , u.s.micro has a vested interest in this issue ... unhappy customers , os activation and legitimacy problems , license/software (disk) purchasing problems , software logistics .

by "no software support" i would take this to mean specific problems with the os and the machine it is run on or other os and program manufacturer problems .

they sold you a product in "good faith" ... this means correct and proper basic functioning of the machine .

 

in the past i have used those os software packs that you mentioned (and labeled as such) ... there have been no issues to date .

i installed one about two weeks ago ... it activated ok .

logic dictates that if the activation key was invalid , it would show up right away .

 

i have seen this happen after removal of certain infections .

also , i had a glitch on one of my xp machines after doing some updates (about four years ago) .

i do recall *something* about the type of issue you are having occurring with machines that were not "refurbs" nor "contaminated" .

 

maybe ron or david can shed some light on this .

[daledoc1]

Hi:

 

In addition to the expert advices the others have suggested..........

 

This sometimes happens with a legit, legal copy of Windows 7 after a reinstall of the OS & certain other circumstances (common problem).

But it may be the case that you received an illegal copy of Windows from the vendor who sold you the refurbished machine.

 

In addition to getting help here, may I also suggest the following, where they deal with these issues very frequently on a daily basis:

http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/

http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/234159-windows-genuine-activation-issue-posting-instructions.html

(Other helpful tutorials about activation are listed at the bottom of this page.)

 

If you provide the experts there with the information requested in the tutorial linked above, they can definitively tell you whether your copy of Windows is legal or not, and how to proceed from there.

 

HTH,

 

daledoc1

[Eagleeye]

Hi again CWB and daledoc1,

 

     (daledoc1):  I visited the sevenforums site,however for some reason (despite allowing all javascript in FF browser), the "word check" security part of the registration process is NOT working.  I complete all the fields it has, but there is NO challenge word, captcha, etc even shown for me to enter manually.  Clicking on the "Complete Registration" button at the bottom only generates an error message that the word string I entered does not match what is shown...yet there IS nothing being shown!

 

Looks like that source of help is a bust.

 

Thanks for the link just the same.

 

I will try doing a RESTART of the computer to see if that changes anything, however I imagine there is the possibility the machine may not work again and I have NO idea how to go using these 2 Win 7 DVD's to do a complete reinstall, if the restart attempt locks up my computer.

 

EE

[daledoc1]

Sounds as if NoScript or a similar extension might be blocking some of the content on the registration page?

Try disabling that extension or anything like it.

Or try another browser to register.

 

In any event, if you run the requested MGADiag tool (link provided in my earlier reply), the log it produces will provide the experts there, here and at MS with the info they need to sort this out.

Without that info, it's really just speculation and unlikely anyone can provide a definitive explanation or resolution.

 

<just a thought>

[Eagleeye]

Greetings again daledoc1 & CWB,

 

     I just did a restart of my computer and that message I mentioned is now gone.  Everything is functioning normally at the moment.  Do you still want me to try and run that diagnostic at one of those links you provided?

 

Thanks again!

 

EE

[daledoc1]

It's up to you, of course.

 

It appears that there is something wrong with your Windows activation on the refurbished machine.

If so, the message may reappear, and you may possibly eventually be locked out of Windows (depending on the source of the problem).

 

If you would like help, rather than just speculation, the experts will need more info.

The MS tool for which I provided the link will provide that info.

For reference, it is here: Windows Genuine and Activation Issue Posting Instructions

The tutorial contains 2 links for downloading the tool directly from MS and instructions on how to run it.

 

Even if you are unable to register at sevenforums.com for whatever reason, the info in the log will assist the experts here (David, Ron, Samuel, Maurice, Firefox, CWB & so many others) and at MS with sorting this out.

 

 

Good luck!

 

daledoc1

[Eagleeye]

O.k. daledoc1...here is the diagnostic you requested. 

 

Hope it helps!   

====================================================

 

Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->

Validation Code: 0
Cached Online Validation Code: 0x0
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-RT97J-JR7F3-Y7WQ4
Windows Product Key Hash: sOmDoeElDT4lZhDJPOgK9nIdNs8=
Windows Product ID: 00371-OEM-8978064-98707
Windows Product ID Type: 3
Windows License Type: OEM System Builder
Windows OS version: 6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.048
ID: {FE440150-A938-4D80-9FDC-0AC0E8420E91}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows 7 Professional
Architecture: 0x00000009
Build lab: 7601.win7sp1_gdr.130318-1533
TTS Error:
Validation Diagnostic:
Resolution Status: N/A

Vista WgaER Data-->
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

Windows XP Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
File Exists: No
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAExec.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Data-->
Office Status: 100 Genuine
Microsoft Office Standard Edition 2003 - 100 Genuine
OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Office Diagnostics: 025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3_E2AD56EA-765-d003_E2AD56EA-766-0_E2AD56EA-134-80004005

Browser Data-->
Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed

File Scan Data-->

Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{FE440150-A938-4D80-9FDC-0AC0E8420E91}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.048</OS><Architecture>x64</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-Y7WQ4</PKey><PID>00371-OEM-8978064-98707</PID><PIDType>3</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-1148028144-535642835-337438232</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>Dell Inc.</Manufacturer><Model>OptiPlex 755                 </Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>Dell Inc.</Manufacturer><Version>A12</Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="5"/><Date>20081209000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>6E473307018400FA</HWID><UserLCID>0409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Eastern Standard Time(GMT-05:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>DELL  </OEMID><OEMTableID>B9K    </OEMTableID></OEM><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>100</Result><Products><Product GUID="{91120409-6000-11D3-8CFE-0150048383C9}"><LegitResult>100</LegitResult><Name>Microsoft Office Standard Edition 2003</Name><Ver>11</Ver><Val>87982BC29F8586C</Val><Hash>TBd1Az51QeIsleJz/aRh9/BhetM=</Hash><Pid>70141-054-4912496-56643</Pid><PidType>1</PidType></Product></Products><Applications><App Id="16" Version="11" Result="100"/><App Id="18" Version="11" Result="100"/><App Id="1A" Version="11" Result="100"/><App Id="1B" Version="11" Result="100"/></Applications></Office></Software></GenuineResults>  

Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002

Licensing Data-->
Software licensing service version: 6.1.7601.17514

Name: Windows® 7, Professional edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Windows® 7, OEM_COA_NSLP channel
Activation ID: 90a61a0d-0b76-4bf1-a8b8-89061855a4c9
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 00371-00178-780-698707-02-1033-7601.0000-3572012
Installation ID: 015802818143123676071300522453623353552463606053706801
Processor Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88338
Machine Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88339
Use License URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88341
Product Key Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88340
Partial Product Key: Y7WQ4
License Status: Licensed
Remaining Windows rearm count: 2
Trusted time: 7/27/2013 8:25:08 AM

Windows Activation Technologies-->
HrOffline: 0x00000000
HrOnline: 0x00000000
HealthStatus: 0x0000000000000000
Event Time Stamp: 6:20:2013 12:31
ActiveX: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
Admin Service: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
HealthStatus Bitmask Output:


HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: MgAAAAEABAABAAIAAAABAAAAAQABAAEAln20+f4AOuyKKJIuKK8YOGrmIr3audZEKoU=

OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A

OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes
Windows marker version: 0x0
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: yes
BIOS Information:
  ACPI Table Name    OEMID Value    OEMTableID Value
  APIC            DELL          B9K    
  FACP            DELL          B9K    
  HPET            DELL          B9K    
  BOOT            DELL          B9K    
  MCFG            DELL          B9K    
  SSDT            DELL        st_ex
  ASF!            DELL          B9K    
  ____            DELL          B9K    
  SLIC            DELL          B9K    

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Seems to have passed: License Status: Licensed

[Eagleeye]

Thanks very much for that info, Ron.

 

EE

[CWB]

it is 0400 ... top of the first cup of coffee , scanning through the log post :

"Remaining Windows rearm count: 2"

i read this as "Remaining Windows ream count: 2"

sssaaay whaaat ?

 

i am glad the issue is resolved .

[daledoc1]

Glad that is sorted out.

 

Thanks, AdvancedSetup!

[Eagleeye]

My thanks to everyone for all the help!

 

Pete (EE)

[Minecrafter]

Am I the only one that loves to read posts for hours? Malwarebytes forum is amazing. Single best thing ever.

[LoveEnigma]

Hello friends,

 

This is my first post in this forum.

 

I came across this topic when searching to buy Windows 7 for my PC. Just for information, I am looking to buy Windows 7 Pro/Ultimate 64-bit Retail version because I want to install and activate it on my current PC as well as on the new PC that I will be buying this year. No OEM or upgrade, just the full retail version.

 

However, I am not able to understand this sentence: "Intended for distribution with a refurbished PC."

 

Could anyone please tell me what is the exact meaning of this, and the limitations it may have? Or will it meet my requirement mentioned above?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-Windows-7-Professional-32-bit-64-Bit-Pro-SP1-FULL-Version-2CDs-NEW-/390773513449

 

The above seller looks decent to me, both from price and autheticity point of view, so I was thinking if I could go ahead with the purchase. But just  because I don't understand the meaning of the above line I am waiting. I have dropped the queries to the seller too though and waiting for his reply. But since this topic has a mention of this sentence, I thought to check if anyone could please guide me on this.

 

Any advice would be very appreciable. Please let me know if you need more details.

 

Thanks.

 

P.S: Sorry if posting link is not allowed.

[daledoc1]

Hi and   , LoveEnigma:

 

 

I think the issue you're describing is a bit different from the OP's?

It also looks as if you have an identical cross-post in a new, separate thread >>HERE<<?

There's no need to create multiple, identical posts.

 

To minimize confusion for everyone, it would probably be advisable to stick with that other post.

That way, it will receive the full attention of the staff and forum members.

I'm sure one of our smart, expert folks will be able to advise you there.

 

Cheers,

 

daledoc1

[LoveEnigma]

@ daledoc1

 

Hi, thank you so much for the Welcome.

 

Yes, I think you are right. Actually, I was reading the posts here and suddenly thought to post my query when I saw the sentence "Intended for distribution with a refurbished PC" (because I have been wondering about it from past two days and searching a lot). But then realized that a new topic would be better, as you said, so did that. Sorry for multiple posting.

 

Should I remove the post from this topic?

 

Thanks again.

 

LoveEnigma