the problem is this...to answer your query accurately we would have to break some laws...there is a way to 'defeat' this, but...rulez are rulez..

yur better off with a legit copy of XP from the tone I get from your posts, as you don't have to go around constantly 'hacking' your OS to get it to update...just get a real copy (and if you bought this box with a pirated OS, then MS will most likely give you a discount on a real license) and go on with life....

i bought a computer. and guess what?same thing comes up THIS IS NOT A GENUINE COPY OF WINDOWS XP!!!!therefore it will not let me do any new up dates .so until i get a genuine copy of xp i cannot get any new updates. and the guy that i bought computer from will not even answer my call or answer the door! even though i was promised it was windows xp.looks like i'll just have to go pay 100$ for a original copy of xp. they say its all i can do.its still a bummer!! good luck LORI

IF YOU FIND OUT ANY WAY TO SOLVE PROBLEM WITH THE "NOT GENUINE" PLEASE LET ME KNOW .LIKE IF YOU FIND SOME WAY TO GET THROUGH THIS WITHOUT DISHING OUT FOR A NEW COPY,PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I'M SURE EVEN THOUGH I GOT SCAMED I WONT PROBABLY GET A DISCOUNT. BUT IF ANYONE HAS HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM WHAT CAN WE DO? TO ME ITS JUST NOT FAIR. BUT,IS ANYTHING ANY MORE? DISCUSTED NO ONE (alot of NO ONES I KNOW)CANT B TRUSTED!!!!!!!! LORI AGAIN HELP ...DO U AGREE? lorisue1970@msn.com:

We could argue all day about whether Mr Gates and his greedy monopoly has the right to invade our computers. There are lots of opinions, mine is ***** Microsoft if they feel it's ok to play a dirty game then it's OK for us to get at them any way we can.
Go to http://windizupdate.com/ for all your windows updates without fear of Microsoft planting any spyware into your system. You can't use Internet Explorer for the plug-in you must use Nestcape or FireFox.
I accidentally picked up the WGA file and simply did a re-install then found one of the many non-Microsoft Service Pack 2 downloads. It's a huge download, around 200mb but worth the hassle if ServicePack2 is compatible with your system (a lot have trouble with it, I haven't). I believe most of the problems with SP2 occur if you have other applications running while attempting the download.
I can't remember where I downloaded it but there are many legal non-microsoft sources just surf around you'll find it.
There are a few ways of avoiding or removing the WGA spyware without doing a re-install, I just found it easier to do the latter.