You may be a victim of software counterfeiting

I bought this compaq computer some years ago when a coworker and her husband were in the process of moving. And they wanted to get a better one for themselves. That coworker is long gone and never gave me the OS disc. I doubt this is pirated because the people were not that computer savy and really honest types. Any ideas from the experts other than selling a kidney to get money to buy new software from micro$oft?
If not, how much will MS charge me do you think? I tried to check on their site but got lost.
Kate

 

What exactly is it you want? to get rid of these warnings and get my desktop back.
To buy a new copy of the Operating System to do a reinstall? NO!
Maybe if you explain what gave rise to you thinking you need new software we can advise further. I started getting that warning and my desktop went all black.
Also do come back and tell us:
1. What is the OS on there now - Windows 2000 or XP and what Service Pack? XP Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 3
2. What is the processor and RAM specs - right click 'My Computer > Properties > General' AMD Athlon(tm) 64 processor 3400+ 2.20 GHz 960 MB of RAM

 

I have a new little icon in my tray that looks like a blue star and if I right click I get these choices:

Validation Failure Details (online)
purchase a genuine windows license(online)
benefits of genuine(online)
Change notification settings(online)

if I chose the first one it takes me to:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/validate.aspx?PartnerID=107&LegitCheckError=13
(but apparently it doesn't like google chrome)

the second takes me to
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/validate.aspx?PartnerID=108
(but apparently it doesn't like google chrome either)

the third is:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/AboutNotifications.aspx

and last:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/no...id=711be6ef-9bf3-43e5-b46d-708317dd04b9&gs=13

Also in my task manager process list I have this WgaTray.exe and when I end the process it comes right back on within a nano second

So I knid of think that Microsoft has installed some malware? And they are using it to identify what might, (or might not) be pirated?
I will try do a screen shot of the error thingie

 

Thats called Windows Genuine Advantage Notification ... it's a little thing that Microsoft employs to stop counterfeiting ... is your copy of Windows genuine? Where did you get it?

 

I bought this compaq computer some years ago when a coworker and her husband were in the process of moving. I believe it to be genuine

 

Click on Validation Failure Details then and tell us what it says ...

 

This copy of Windows did not pass genuine validation.
The product key found on this computer is not valid for use in your region.

 

Googled some and found this link: http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/...p/thread/4701a7c1-7096-421b-866c-57cb70225dcb

Was the computer your co-worker sold to you licensed to a company/business? Read about it at the above link.