Visit the site Vngrabber

Hope these site come in handy to you....Go give your friends a surprise......
digg_url="http://elitehacks.blogspot.com/2008/01/make-your-invisible-yahoo-friends.html";
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Labels: interesting sites, Tips Tricks

Make your Invisible yahoo friends visible

Is your friend always hiding in Invisible mode? Do you want to check out what display image your friend is using eventhough he is offline? Then here is the perfect solution....
Xeeber is one of the very good site that I have came across, accurate all the time. All you have to do is to just enter your friends yahoo id and the site will display the rest. Your friends status and also his display image.
I have tested the site and it is working pretty good. See this is girl is hiding from me....hahahha...
May be due to some heavy load this site seems to display a message 'sever is busy for just few seconds' sometimes.
Visit the site Xeeber
Here is another site that works like the same as Xeeber.VNGrabber is also working good. TESTED. If you know anyother sites like these do add them in the comments section.

iPhone codes

What a hack-y afternoon. Here are some more secret iPhone codes for you to enjoy. After realizing that the *3001#12345#* was a familiar Nokia code, I decided to spend some time googling for other phone codes that might work on the iPhone. These (mostly) do. There are more. Feel free to add your own to the comments.
*3001#12345#* and tap Call. Enter Field Mode.Field mode reveals many of the inner settings of your iPhone, specifically up-to-date network and cell information.
*#06# Displays your IMEI. No need to tap Call.IMEI is the unique identifier for your cell phone hardware. Together with your SIM information it identifies you to the provider network.
*777# and tap Call. Account balance for prepaid iPhone.
*225# and tap Call. Bill Balance. (Postpaid only)
*646# and tap Call. Check minutes. (Postpaid only)These three are pretty self explanatory.
*#21# and tap Call. Setting interrogation for call forwards.Discover the settings for your call forwarding. You'll see whether you have voice, data, fax, sms, sync, async, packet access, and pad access call forwarding enabled or disabled.
*#30# and tap Call. Calling line presentation check.This displays whether you have enabled or disabled the presentation of the calling line, presumably the number of the party placing the call.
*#76# and tap Call. Check whether the connected line presentation is enabled or not.State whether the connected line presentation is enabled or disabled. Presumably similar to the calling line presentation.
*#43# and tap Call. Determine if call waiting is enabled.Displays call waiting status for voice, data, fax, sms, sync data, async data, packet access and pad access. Each item is either enabled or disabled.
*#61# and tap Call. Check the number for unanswered calls.Show the number for voice call forwarding when a call is unanswered. Also show the options for data, fax, sms, sync, async, packet access and pad access.
*#62# and tap Call. Check the number for call forwarding if no service is available.Just like the previous, except for no-service rather than no-answer situations.
*#67# and tap Call. Check the number for call forwarding when the iPhone is busy.And again, but for when the iPhone is busy.
*#33# and tap Call. Check for call control bars.Check all the usual suspects (voice, data, fax, sms, etc) to see whether barring is enabled or disabled for outgoing.

Save ur yahoo conversation online

Top B2B Platform Over 9999+ Manufacturers across China ,40% less than other Wholesalers.

Yahoo introduces new option of auto saving ur chat with ur friends online, instead of in ur hdd..

but u can chat only with friends
check this url
[code]http://webmessenger.yahoo.com/[/code]

Mobile Phones Must Known Codes - Very Usefull

Mobile phone softwares in many categories. Download Now!

Imagine ur cell battery is very low, u r expecting an important call and u don't have a charger.

Nokia instrument comes with a reserve battery. To activate, key is "*3370#"

Ur cell will restart with this reserve and ur instrument will show a 50% incerase in battery.

This reserve will get charged when u charge ur cell next time.

*3370# Activate Enhanced Full Rate Codec(EFR)
-Your phone uses the best sound quality but talk time is reduced by approx 5%

#3370# Deactivate Enhanced Full Rate Codec( EFR)

*#4720# Activate Half Rate Codec - Your phone uses a lower quality sound
but you should gain approx 30% more Talk Time

*#4720# Deactivate Half Rate Codec

2 *#0000# Displays your phones software version,

1st Line : SoftwareVersion,
2nd Line : Software ReleaseDate,
3rd Line : Compression Type

3 *#9999# Phones software v ersion if *#0000# does not work

4 *#06# For checking the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI Number)

5 #pw+1234567890+1# Provider Lock Status.
(use the "*" button to obtain the "p,w" and "+" symbols)

6 #pw+1234567890+2# Network Lock Status.
(use the "*" button to obtain the "p,w" and "+" symbols)

7 #pw+1234567890+3# Country Lock Status.
(use the "*" button to obtain the "p,w" and "+" symbols)

8 #pw+1234567890+4# SIM Card Lock Status.
(use the "*" button to obtain the "p,w" and "+" symbols)

9 *#147# (vodafone) this lets you know who called you last *#1471# Last call (Only vodofone)

10 *#21# Allows you to check the number that "All Calls" are diverted To

11 *#2640# Displays security code in use

12 *#30# Lets you see the private number

13 *#43# Allows you to check the "Call Waiting" status of your phone.

14 *#61# Allows you to check the number that "On No Reply" calls are diverted to

15 *#62# Allows you to check the number that "Divert If Unrea chable(no service)" calls are diverted to

16 *#67# Allows you to check the number that "On Busy Calls" are diverted to

17 *#67705646# Removes operator logo on 3310 & 3330

18 *#73# Reset phone timers and game scores

19 *#746025625# Displays the SIM Clock status, if your phone supports this power saving feature
"SIM Clock Stop Allowed",it means you will get the best standby time possible

20 *#7760# Manufactures code

21 *#7780# Restorefa ctory settings

22 *#8110# Software version for the nokia 8110

23 *#92702689# (to rember *#WAR0ANTY#)

Displays -

1.Serial Number,
2.Date Made
3.Purchase Date,
4.Date of lastrepair (0000 for no repairs),
5.Transfer UserData.

To exit this mode-you need to switch your phone off then on again

24 *#94870345123456789# Deactivate the PWM-Mem

25 **21*number# Turn on "All Calls" diverting to the phone number entered

26 **61*number# Turn on "No Reply" diverting to the phone number entered

27 **67*number# Turn on "On Busy" diverting to the phone number entered

28 12345 This is the default security code press and hold # Lets you switch between lines



Mobile Phone Secrets & Tricks


NOKIA
Nokia Universal Codes
Code Description :
These Nokia codes will work on most Nokia Mobile Phones

(1) *3370# Activate Enhanced Full Rate Codec (EFR) - Your phone uses the best sound quality but talk time is

reduced my approx. 5%

(2) #3370# Deactivate Enhanced Full Rate Codec (EFR) OR *3370#

(3) *#4720# Activate Half Rate Codec - Your phone uses a lower quality sound but you should gain approx 30%

more Talk Time.

(4) *#4720# Deactivate Half Rate Codec.

(5) *#0000# Displays your phones software version, 1st Line : Software Version, 2nd Line : Software Release

Date, 3rd Line : Compression Type.

(6) *#9999# Phones software version if *#0000# does not work.

(7) *#06# For checking the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI Number).

(8) #pw+1234567890+1# Provider Lock Status. (use the "*" button to obtain the "p,w"
and "+" symbols).

(9) #pw+1234567890+2# Network Lock Status. (use the "*" button to obtain the "p,w"
and "+" symbols).

(10) #pw+1234567890+3# Country Lock Status. (use the "*" button to obtain the "p,w"
and "+" symbols).

(11) #pw+1234567890+4# SIM Card Lock Status. (use the "*" button to obtain the "p,w" Go to Top
and "+" symbols).

(12) *#147# (vodafone) this lets you know who called you last.

(13) *#1471# Last call (Only vodofone).

(14) *#21# Allows you to check the number that "All Calls" are diverted to

(15) *#2640# Displays security code in use.

(16) *#30# Lets you see the private number.

(17) *#43# Allows you to check the "Call Waiting" status of your phone.

(18) *#61# Allows you to check the number that "On No Reply" calls are diverted to.

(19) *#62# Allows you to check the number that "Divert If Unreachable (no service)" calls
are diverted to.

(20) *#67# Allows you to check the number that "On Busy Calls" are diverted to.

(21) *#67705646# Removes operator logo on 3310 & 3330.

(22) *#73# Reset phone timers and game scores.

(23) *#746025625# Displays the SIM Clock status, if your phone supports this power saving feature "SIM Clock Stop

Allowed", it means you will get the best standby time possible.

(24) *#7760# Manufactures code.

(25) *#7780# Restore factory settings.

(26) *#8110# Software version for the nokia 8110.

Go to Top

(27) *#92702689# Displays - 1.Serial Number, 2.Date Made, 3.Purchase Date, 4.Date of last repair (0000 for no

repairs), 5.Transfer User Data. To exit this mode you need to switch your phone off then on again. ( Favourite )

(28) *#94870345123456789# Deactivate the PWM-Mem.

(29) **21*number# Turn on "All Calls" diverting to the phone number entered.

(30) **61*number# Turn on "No Reply" diverting to the phone number entered.

(31) **67*number# Turn on "On Busy" diverting to the phone number entered.

(32) 12345 This is the default security code.

press and hold # Lets you switch between lines

NOKIA5110/5120/5130/5190

Go to Top
IMEI number: * # 0 6 #
Software version: * # 0 0 0 0 #
Simlock info: * # 9 2 7 0 2 6 8 9 #
Enhanced Full Rate: * 3 3 7 0 # [ # 3 3 7 0 # off]
Half Rate: * 4 7 2 0 #
Provider lock status: #pw+1234567890+1
Network lock status #pw+1234567890+2
Provider lock status: #pw+1234567890+3
SimCard lock status: #pw+1234567890+4
NOKIA 6110/6120/6130/6150/6190
IMEI number: * # 0 6 #
Software version: * # 0 0 0 0 #
Simlock info: * # 9 2 7 0 2 6 8 9 #
Enhanced Full Rate: * 3 3 7 0 # [ # 3 3 7 0 # off]
Half Rate: * 4 7 2 0 #

NOKIA3110

Go to Top
IMEI number: * # 0 6 #
Software version: * # 0 0 0 0 # or * # 9 9 9 9 # or * # 3 1 1 0 #
Simlock info: * # 9 2 7 0 2 6 8 9 #
NOKIA 3330
*#06#
This will show your warranty details *#92702689#
*3370#
Basically increases the quality of calling sound, but decreases battery length.
#3370#
Deactivates the above
*#0000#
Shows your software version
*#746025625#This shows if your phone will allow sim clock stoppage
*4370#
Half Rate Codec activation. It will automatically restart
#4370#
Half Rate Codec deactivation. It will automatically restart
Restore Factory Settings
To do this simply use this code *#7780#
Manufacturer Info
Date of Manufacturing *#3283#
*3001#12345# (TDMA phones only)

This will put your phone into programming mode, and you'll be presented with the programming menu.
2) Select "NAM1"
3) Select "PSID/RSID"
4) Select "P/RSID 1"
Note: Any of the P/RSIDs will work
5) Select "System Type" and set it to Private
6) Select "PSID/RSID" and set it to 1
7) Select "Connected System ID"
Note: Enter your System ID for Cantel, which is 16401 or 16423. If you don't know yours,
ask your local dealer for it.
8) Select "Alpha Tag"
9) Enter a new tag, then press OK
10) Select "Operator Code (SOC)" and set it to 2050
11) Select "Country Code" and set it to 302 for Canada, and 310 for the US.
12) Power down the phone and power it back on again
ISDN Code
To check the ISDN number on your Nokia use this code *#92772689#

Ericsson Go to Top
Ericson T65

*#05# Fake Insert puk screen Press no to exit

Ericsson T20
MENU tecnichal Info
[type] >*<<*<*

Displays :
1] Info service
1] Info SW
2] Info hardware
3] SIMlock
4]setup


2] Service setup
1] Contrast

3]Service Test
1] Display
2]Leds
3]Keyboard
4] ringer
5] Vibration
6]Headset
7] Microphone
8]Clock
4] Names List

MENU info
[Type] >*<<**<
Network and Subnetwork : NCK and NSCK

Ericsson T28

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>*<<*<* menu Tecnichal info
SW vers. and name list
>*<<**< menu Personal Info
Network and Subnetwork : NCK and NSCK
<> are the right and left menu's keys
Ericsson T18s/T10/A1018s
>*<<*<* software
CXC125065 Internal product code
PRG
970715 1515 Software version and SW rev.
<* CLR <><**
>*<<*<*> Displays texts and messages in the phone
It will be displayed " TEXT " then push YES
<> are the right and left menu's keys
!!!><**
Control /Enable SIM Lock!!!
Ericsson R310

Go to Top

Technical Info : >*<<*<*
Options :
1) service Info
info Software
Simlock
Configuration

2) Service Test
Display
Led/Illumination
Keyboard
ringer
Vibration
Headset
Microphone
Clock

3)Text's name List
Info personal : >*<<**<

SIM Locking ( 8 digits' code ) ( it could harm your phone )
1) Network
2) Subnetwork
3) SP
4) Corporate

Siemens

Siemens C25

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IMEI number: * # 0 6 #
Software version: put off sim card and enter: : * # 0 6 # and press LONG KEY
Bonus screen: in phone booke: + 1 2 0 2 2 2 4 3 1 2 1

Bosch

IMEI Number: * # 0 6 #
Dafault Language: * # 0 0 0 0 #
Net Monitor: * # 3 2 6 2 2 5 5 * 8 3 7 8 #

Alcatel

IMEI number: * # 0 6 #
Software version: * # 0 6 #
Net Monitor: 0 0 0 0 0 0 *

Samsung

Samsung SGH600/2100DB

Go to Top
IMEI number: * # 0 6 #
Software version: * # 9 9 9 9 # albo * # 0 8 3 7 #
Net Monitor: * # 0 3 2 4 #
Chaning LCD contrast: * # 0 5 2 3 #
Memory info: * # 0 3 7 7 # albo * # 0 2 4 6 #
Reset pamieci (SIMLOCK`a removing!!!): *2767*3855#
Reset pamieci CUSTOM: *2767*2878#
Battery state: * # 9 9 9 8 * 2 2 8 #
Alarm beeper: *#9998*289#
Vibra test: *#9998*842#
.:: Dancall ::.
IMEI number: * # 0 6 #
Software version: * # 9 9 9 9 #

Philips

*#3333*# Displays the blocking list.
*#7489*# Displays the security code.
*#06# Displays the IMEI number.
*#8377*# Displays the SW info.

Panasonic

Panasonic gd90 gd93

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*#9999# SW - Type the code on switch on , during network seek
-Vers. SW and production code
Enable ringing and vibration contemporarily
Enable vibration with # then increase volume with "tone menu "
Panasonic gd70
*#9999# SW - Type the code on switch on , during network seek
-Vers. SW and production code
Enable ringing and vibration contemporarily
Enable vibration with # then increase volume with "tone menu "

Acer

Acer V 750

*#400# Display Adc/ Set Cal-Value -
*#402# Set LCD Contrast
*#403# Display Errors Info
*#300# Display Info Hw & Sw
*#301# Menu Test
*#302# Menu Acoustics
*#303# (Settings saved) Set English language?
*#307# Menu Engineering
*#311# Reset Phone Code - [ Also reset Security Codes ! ]
*#330# (Execute not success) [ unknown ]
*#331# (Service deactivated) [ unknown ]
*#332# (Service unavailable)[ unknown ]
*#333# (Execute not success)[ unknown ]
*#351# (Service unavailable) [ unknown ]
*#360# (Invalid input)[ unknown ]
*#361# (Invalid input) [ unknown ]
*#362# (Invalid input) [ unknown ]
*#363# (Invalid input) [ unknown ]

Genie
Genie DB

Go to Top

*#06# IMEI.
*#2254*# Near Cell Mode.

For every received BTS will be displayed :
Current channel and 2 channel levels

*#06# IMEI
*#2558# time of network connection ( D/H/M )
*#2562# Fores reconnection to network
!!!*#7489# Dispalys and modify phones' security code!!!
!!!*#3377# SIM lock information !!!
*#7378# SIM card Informations : supported phase name and tipe
*#7693# Enable/disable "Sleep Mode"
*#8463# State of "Sleep Mode"
*#2255# Debug Call Mode enable/disable
*#3333*# Displays the blocking list.
*#7489*# Displays the security code
*#06# Displays the IMEI number
*#8377*# Displays the SW info.

NEC

NEC db2000

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*#2820# software vers.
IMEI *#06#
Reset *73738# (send?)
SP Lock info:
* # 3210 # (send?)
Network barring info : *#8140# (send?)
( it could harm your phone )
SIM lock it could harm your phone )
*#4960 # (send?) -Inquiry * 4960 * password * password # (send?) lock
#4960* password # (send?) unlock
[password] [8 digits]
Net Lock
*#7320# (send?) -Inquiry * 7320 * password * password # (send?) lock
#7320* password # (send?) unlock
[password] [ 8 digits]
Net Lock 2:
*#2220# (invio) - Inquiry * 2220 * password * password # (send?) lock
#2220* password # (invio?)unlock
[password] [8 digits]
Unlock subnetwork
*#1110# (send?) - inquiry * 1110 * password * password # (send?) lock
#1110* password # (send?) unlock
[password] [n� 8 cifre]
( it could harm your phone )
.:: Trium ::.

Trium Geo/Geo @ - Astral - Cosmo -Aria

Enter the menu and type *
A new menu will be displayed :
Application : SW version and battery's voltage


Trium Galaxy
Push * and type 5806: Production date and SW version

Telit
Telit GM 810

Go to Top
MONITOR - technical menu - : type ++++ and push OK.
Adiacent cells list : # and *
Now if you push OK the phone displays battery ' s voltage and temperature
.:: Sagem ::.
Sagem MC959/940
Select commands' menu and push *
Displays a new menu' :
Appli : software vers. and battery's voltage
Eprom
Sim Lock
Test LCD: display test , green/red and vibration
Sagem MC920

Select commands' menu and push *
Displays 5 new menus :

1 APPLI
VERSION ( SW)
BATTERY (voltage )
2 PROM (IMEI)
3!!! SIM LOCK (10 digits code requested ) !!!
4- NETWORK (returns : OPTION NOT AVAILABLE)
5- TEST LCD
SYMBOL 1 (LCD)
SYMBOL 2 (test2 LCD)
BLACK (all icons and carachters displayed )
FOR PHOTO (welcome message and time )
VIBRATOR (vibration test )

Sony

Sony CMD Z5/J5

Go to Top
Vers. SW :
Without SIM , switch on phone and type l *#7353273#

Eprom

!!! Sim Lock [10 digits code ] ( it could harm your phone )
NETWORK : OPTION NOT AVAILABLE
Test LCD: display test of the green/red leds and vibration
Push * and type 4329 :enables/disables network monitor 1 (the same of MT35)
Push * and type 621342 :enables/disables network monitor 2
Push * and type 5807 : Serial Number Software Vers.
Push * and type 936505: IMEI -- Software Vers.
TPush * and type 547 : Test serial Data Cable DISPLAYS :"Testmode"
Push * and type 362628: ISMI BLOCK (UNKNOWN)
Push * and type 476989: NS BLOCK (UNKNOWN)
Push * and type 482896:CP BLOCK (UNKNOWN)
Push * and type 787090: ? BLOCK (UNKNOWN)
Push * and type 787292 : block current network
!!! Push * and type 967678: SP LOCK!!!
Push * and type 850696:Warm Start ( ENABLE/DISABLE)
Push * and type 3926 : Swicth off phone
Push * and type 5806: Production date and SW version

Motorola

Motorola V3688

Go to Top
IMEI *#06#
Enhanced Full Rate Codec EFR
Enable EFR : [][][] 119 [] 1 [] OK.
disable EFR : [][][] 119 [] 0 [] OK
.:: Tips and Tricks ::.
Send an E-mail from your GSM

From your telephone you can send an email to whichever E-mail customer of the Internet network.

The e-mail will be sent to the maximum of within an hour from the reception.

The sended message will contain in luminosity the telephone number of the sender.

In order for sending e-mail, send an SMS with this syntax (always separated by spaces):

EMA name@domain text-of-your-email

Example: in order to send an email to john@doe.com, do the following:

EMA john@doe.com text-of-your-email

if your phone cant print @ replace it with a !

EMA johon!doe.com text-of-your-email

And then send this message to the folloving number: +39 338 8641732
Free SMS Center numbers

Go to Top


From your telephone you can send SMS messages of 160 char. max. to another GSM phone

Your message will be sent through an SMS Center (usually the one that gave your provider)

You pay a little fee depending of your provider, BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY something

In order for sending SMS without paying anything, you got to change your SMS Center number with these one

+491722270300 or +358405202999 or +352021100003
Codes (that they dont tell you in the manual)

To check the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) type: *#06#

Information you get from the IMEI:
XXXXXX XX XXXXXX X
TAC FAC SNR SP

TAC = Type Approval Code (first 2 digits = country code).

FAC = Final Assembly Code (For Nokia phones FAC=10).

SNR = Serial Number.

SP = Spare (always SP=0).

To check the phone's software (firmware revision information) type: *#0000# ( or for some phones outher then Nokia 61XX you

can try *#model nummber# ex. for 8110 *#8110#)

Information you can get from the phone's software version:
V 3.14
28-11-97
NSE-3

1st line: Software version.
2nd line: The date of the software release.
3nd line: Phone type, .

Some versions and dates:

V 3.14 28/11/97

V4.33 11/03/98

V 4.73 22/04/98

V 5.24 14/9/98
Pin-Out Diagram for the 6110

Go to Top
1 - VIN CHARGER INPUT VOLTAGE 8.4V 0.8A
2 - CHRG CTRL CHARGER CONTROL PWM 32Khz
3 - XMIC MIC INPUT 60mV - 1V
4 - SGND SIGNAL GROUND
5 - XEAR EAR OUTPUT 80mV - 1V
6 - MBUS 9600 B/S
7 - FBUS_RX 9.6 - 230.4 KB/S
8 - FBUS_TX 9.6 - 230.4 KB/S
9 - L_GND CHARGER / LOGIC GND
Revealing Headphone and Car-Kit Menus

Think about this: If you do these tricks the new menus can not be erased after the procedure. But it's not dangerous or

harmful for your phone

To enable the headset-function, you have to short-circuit the "3" and "4". After a short time there is "Headset" on the

display Now, menu 3-6 is now enabled!

To enable the carkit-function you have to short-circuit the "4" and "5". After a short time, "Car" is shown on the display

and the menu 3-7 is enabled!!
This Trick is for you how want to hear more then your supposed to ! Go to Top
If you short-circuit the left and the right contact with the middle contact ("3", "6" and "9") the Nokia Software hangs! The

profile "Headset" will be activated. Before you do this, just active the "auto call receive" function in the headphone

profile and set the ringing volume to "mute" Now you can use your phone for checking out what people are talking about in a

room. Place the phone somewhere stratidic and call your phone! The phone receives the call without ringing and you can listen

to what people are talking about! .....gr8...
Serial numbers on your 6110

For more info type: *#92702689#
The first screen gives you the serial and IMEI number.
Then there is the Date of Manufacture: ex. Made 1297
Then there is the Purchasing Date: ex. Purchasing Date 0298
Then there is the last Repair Date: ex. Repaired: 0000

Note: you must turn off the phone to exit after this test, because of the last function, "transfer user data" which doesn't

work as "standard"....You can use this mode only to transfer all Calender, Profile and Callers Group Information to another

phone (eg. if you are replacing phone or configuring phones for use within your company or when a particular phone doesn't

works correctly )
Activating and deactivating EFR and HFR, on your 6110

*3370# to activate Enhanced Full Rate - Makes calls sound better, but decreases the battery life by about 5%.

#3370# to deactivate Enhanced Full Rate

*4720# to activate Half Rate Mode - Drops call quality, but increases battery life by about 30%.

#4720# to deactivate Half

How to Disable or Enable Auto run CD in Windows XP?

Mobile phone softwares in many categories. Download Now!

In windows XP you can enjoy a good feature to run CD or DVD automatically when you loaded it into you CD drives on your computer. This is a defaults feature in windows XP but you can disable and enable it according to your nature of work. In user interface mode there is no option to disable or enable this feature, you must edit the registry of windows and be careful to work registry.



Click Start button then type regedit in Run option then press Enter for next.

Here locate the location to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Cdrom

Here you can disable or enable automatically running your CD. Change the value of Autorun to 0 for disable and change the value to 1 for enable. At the end restart your computer for this change

Windows Genuine Advantage Problems and Solutions

Boost your PC! Clean and repair registry, improve performance.

Windows Genuine Advantage Problems and Solutions

What is Windows Genuine Advantage?

Windows Genuine Advantage is Microsoft's not so subtle crackdown on illegal piracy of Windows XP and Microsoft Office products. Microsoft started with an ActiveX component to force owners of Windows XP to validate their version before downloading security updates. Unfortunately this particular scheme was rather easily foiled by groups on the net and workarounds appeared almost instantly including cracked files and javascript fixes.

Now Microsoft is becoming more advanced in their attack on pirated versions of Windows XP or Microsoft Office. They are including a Windows Genuine Advantage security patch in the updates of Windows XP. The newest patch, released the first week of June 2006, actually produces popups on the login screen and on the desktop explaining that this version of Windows XP is not genuine and the owner may be the victim of software counterfeiting.

If your version of Windows XP is not genuine and does not pass the validation schemes, you will not be able to download security patches from Windows Update, or install the latest version of Internet Explorer 7 and other software. For those users that do have a valid version of Windows XP, Microsoft offers some special promotions.




Important Microsoft Pages

Windows Validation Page

Windows Genuine Advantage FAQ

Microsoft Genuine Advantage – Diagnostic Site

Windows Genuine Advantage Diagnostic Tool

What Can I Do If My Version of Windows XP Does Not Validate?

Microsoft is offering a variety of options to customers who unknowingly purchased a counterfeit copy of Windows XP. Customers can submit a proof of purchase, the original counterfeit CD, and fill out a report with the details of the purchase and Microsoft will give the customer a complimentary copy of Windows XP. However only high-quality counterfeit Windows versions will qualify for this copy.

For customers who received a computer from a friend, off the Internet or another way and an illegal version was installed, the only option is to buy a fully licensed version. Microsoft is offering the Windows XP Home Edition license kit for $99.00 to customers, while the XP Pro Edition is $149.00. The Windows Genuine Advantage Kit for Windows XP will include a new 25-character Product Key and a Windows Product Key Update tool that will allow customers to convert their counterfeit copy to genuine Windows XP electronically.

The other option is of course to buy a legal version of Windows XP off the Internet or in a retail store. Generally the prices for these versions will be more than the price Microsoft is offering for their Windows Genuine Advantage Kit. Although there are some internet sites like Newegg.com, greatsoftwaredeals.com or edirectsoftware.com that have great prices.

Remember though, if you purchase an OEM or full edition of Windows XP, you'll have to format and reinstall your operating system. You can however purchase an Upgrade edition and change a pirated version to a fully licensed version. Just be sure you have a previous version of Windows (95,98,ME) in case you need to completely reinstall Windows XP someday. Also one other note, if you currently have XP Pro (pirated), you'll need to purchase the XP Pro Upgrade to upgrade your system. XP Home can only upgrade the Home Edition, where XP Pro can upgrade both the Home and Pro versions. Hopefully, that's clear enough to understand.

The other option of course is to go through Microsoft's site and purchase a software key. They will send you a program to upgrade the counterfeit version to a legit version.

I Have A Legal Copy of Windows XP,
but My Computer Still Fails Validation, What Now?

First of all, your computer may not be properly configured to allow the validation process to complete. For this reason, one of the first things you'll want to do is click on the link below to check your computer's configuration and fix any problems that may exist. After checking for problems, you can click on a link to validate Windows.

Microsoft Genuine Advantage – Diagnostic Site

If your computer checks out ok, you may be experiencing one of the following issues.

The Security Update for Windows Genuine Advantage (KB905474) fails to install.

There are two possible solutions here. One is caused by a permissions problem in the registry. To fix this issue, follow the steps below:

1. Click Start, and then click Run

2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK

3. Expand HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT

4. Locate the subkey HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\LegitCheckControl.LegitCheck

5. Right-click the subkey and select Permissions….

6. Ensure that Administrators allowed Full Control permission

7. Repeat steps 3-6 for the subkey
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\LegitCheckControl.LegitCheck.1

If this does not fix the issue with KB905474 update not installing, download the update to your desktop and manually install it.

1. Click on the link below to download the KB905474 update manually

http://www.download.windowsupdate.co...pool/windowsxp
-kb905474-enu-x86_4bafa8793e8cdcaf4ba4ffc494df32d496154544.exe

2. On the File Download Window, click Save and choose to save the file to your desktop.

3. After the file downloads, go to your Windows desktop and double-click on the file named

windowsxp-kb905474-enu-x86_4bafa8793e8cdcaf4ba4ffc494df32d496154544.exe

4. Follow the instructions on the screen to install it

5. Reboot your computer and go to Windows Update to check if the update as installed successfully.

Another reason why the validation may fail occurs when the ActiveX control for the Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool has been disabled. Follow the steps below to make sure the ActiveX is enabled.

1. Open Internet Explorer

2. Click on Tools, Internet Options

3. Click on the Programs tab

4. Click on the Manage Add-ons button

5. Find the Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool and click on it

6. Verify the Add-on is enabled, if it is not. Click Enable and Ok twice to exit back to Internet Explorer.

7. Close Internet Explorer and reopen it. Now try to validate Windows again.

A third error deals with Cryptographic Errors. If you are receiving the following information when running the WGA diagnostic tool, the problem is generally with corruption in the digital signatures of some files and they will have to be reregistered.

Diagnostic Report (1.5.0545.0):
-----------------------------------------
WGA Data-->
Validation Status: Cryptographic Errors Detected

Follow the steps below to resolve these cryptographic errors.

1) Click on Start, click on Run
2) In the Open box, type CMD and then click OK.
3) At the command prompt type the following command and Press Enter

regsvr32 softpub.dll

4) You should receive a message that DllRegisterServer in Softpub.dll succeeded, click OK
5) Repeat Steps 3 and 4 to re-register the following files

* wintrust.dll
* initpki.dll
* dssenh.dll
* rsaenh.dll
* gpkcsp.dll
* sccbase.dll
* slbcsp.dll
* mssip32.dll
* cryptdlg.dll

6) After all the above files have been re-registered, type Exit at the command prompt to close it and return to Windows.
7) Restart Windows and try to authenticate Windows again.

A fourth error message you may receive when trying to validate Windows XP is

"Product Key Inaccessible" and "0x80080212" error

This error message occurs when you do not have appropriate permissions for the DATA folder for Windows Genuine Advantage. Follow the steps below to fix this issue or click on the link above for the Microsoft article concerning this problem.

Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home
1. Click Start, click Run, type the following in the Run dialog box, and then click OK:
%systemdrive%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Windows Genuine Advantage.

2. Right-click the Data folder, and then click Properties.

3. On the Security tab, click Users (username\Users) in the Group or user names section. If the Security tab is absent, you'll need to follow these steps as well.

* Open My Computer
* Click on Tools
* Click on Folder Options
* Click on the View tab
* Uncheck the option for "Use Simple File Sharing"
* Click Ok and go back to Step 2 above and try again.

4. In the Permissions for Users section, make sure that each check box in the Allow column is selected for the following permissions:

• Read & Execute
• List Folder Contents
• Read

5. Click OK, and then restart the validation check process.

If the previous steps fail, start the computer in Safe Mode and try the procedure again.