Hi Brenda,

Microsoft implemented this on 26 July 2005. If you plan to download
Microsoft Windows XP software or software updates from the Microsoft
Download Center, Windows Update, or Microsoft Update you will be prompted to
validate that your copy of Microsoft Windows XP is genuine. You can read
about it here:

Join the Windows Genuine Advantage program:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/update/genuine.mspx

The following is taken from the Q&A link on the above page:

The genuine validation process will collect information about your system,
such as Windows product key, PC manufacturer, and operating system version,
to determine if Windows is genuine. This process does not collect or send
any information that can be used to identify you or contact you. The
complete list of information collected in the validation process is shown
below:

OEM product key
PC Manufacturer
OS version
PID/SID (Product Identification Number)
BIOS info (make, version, date)
BIOS MD5 Checksum
User Locale (language setting for displaying Windows)
System Local (language version of the operating system)

Sven Swanson, Sr.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brenda Dencer" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 9:11 AM
Subject: [PCSOFT] validation tool


Looking for updated drivers, etc. for my brand new HP Pavilion laptop, I was
directed to M$'s website.  I had to load a preliminary update in order to
get to the real updates.  I downloaded something called  the "Windows
Genuine Adantage Validation Tool (KB892130)".  Have I invited M$ into my
computer?  If so, what can they learn about me?

Brenda Dencer

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