So, a while ago I started to get pop-ups "your copy of windows may not be genuine" so I, of course, ignored it because I have no idea what that means. Now that that pop-up stopped a new problem has started. When I go on the internet, I can look at whatever, but if I want to pay a bill, or sign up for something I have to pay for then the next page says "cannot find server" "error" "DNS"? What the heck does that mean? What can I do to fix it? This laptop is rather old, but it just started with these problems. Any information would be great. Thanks

What about Not being genuine didn't you understand? Where did you get your copy of Windows? What version of Windows is it? Sounds like you have an illegal copy of Windows which is limiting what you can do. So the simple answer is get a legal copy.

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Originally Posted by ScottGem

What about Not being genuine didn't you understand? Where did you get your copy of Windows? What version of Windows is it? Sounds like you have an illegal copy of Windows which is limiting what you can do. So the simple answer is get a legal copy.

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What I don't understand is that all the programs came with the computer. So why wouldn't it already be legal if it came from the computer company?

What brand and where did you buy it from? Also, please answer my other questions.

Connect to the Microsoft website to check that your copy is genuine.

There was a slight problem with a recent update of Windows XP relating to "Windows Genuine Advantage" which causes this error message to pop up.
Your copy of Windows should still be safe to use because regardless of whether your copy is licensed, it will still get security updates (but nothing else).


If you start having problems with your Operating System (Windows) and you can't get a replacement copy, and you can't stomach paying for a new copy of Windows XP, you still have the option of installing Linux.

Uninstalling Windows XP is a bit complicated, but you can follow the guide on the Microsoft website. Linux is a perfectly good Operating System, and a lot of people much prefer it to Windows - and it's free!

I have a dell laptop. Windows XP was already installed when I got it. It's about 8 years old. Maybe it's just time to get another computer.

Does window not being genuine cause the computer to not find the server? Or is that a totally different problem?

Hi Chaikabear, I take it that you get the "cannot find server" message when you try to connect to the internet; I think that would be a separate problem - it might be that your Internet Service Provider is having problems (check their website - they probably have a Status Page to show if they are doing maintenance) or perhaps it's a corrupted winsock (don't ask - I don't understand what a winsock is either! I just know it's a bit of code in the software that conects to the internet).

Your laptop might be getting worn out after 8 years (laptops do take a lot of knocks and bumps) but if the battery is still okay and the screen looks good, then maybe all you need is a new hard drive (expect a hard drive to last for 5-6 years without problems, but they do wear out eventually).

8 years old... I think it might me a pirate copy of Windows XP after all. Windows XP came out in 2001 (or was it 2000?) so most likely, your laptop was originally installed with Windows 98 or Windows 2000.

If you can afford it, then laptops these days are fantastic value considering all the technology inside them (but desktops are still a lot cheaper).

You say it's a Dell laptop And XP was on it when you installed it. But you don't say where you got it from. Did you buy it new from Dell directly?

Have you kept up with all your updates?