my windows genuine advantage validation tool is damaged. Can anyone tell my why this, is and what does it mean

Question

My windows XP was already installed on my PC when I bought it. Don't know how long it has been damaged only found out when I was having problems loading different websites after installing internet explorer 7. I looked on Yahoo answers and found if I deleted cookies and history that might help, other than that try going into tools/internet options/browsing history settings/view objects to see if anything was damaged and thats when I found out. The problem with internet explorer 7 I was also having everytime I closed a programme I would get a blank page come up and in the address column it would say About Blank can anyone help me with this? It was also happening when I was not using internet explorer for instance if I used word, Paint or publisher.

Answer 1

If you tried to upgrade to Windows Vista and are now trying to restore your system, your older Windows software keys are now no longer valid. You have to purchase your older versions of Windows all over again.

If not, then you have been hacked with one of the more recent trojan horse viruses / rootkits and need to recover your system. Re-install the entire operating system using your original CD for the system. When the install is happening, it will ask for your CD key. Put it in and it will reset that entire part of your system. Download all the windows updates and refresh the system. While downloading the updates, the WGA tool will re-download and re-install earlier versions of itself and upgrade itself to the newest version.

Answer 2

Ya, its probably either an illegal copy or you have installed the same copy too many times. If you need a new serial number go to http://www.serialz.to ... although, many of the key listed on that site wont allow updates either.

Answer 3

Don't think it's damaged. More likely to be that your OS is illegal.