The fix works a treat.
1.C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataWindows Genuine Advantagedata
inside you will find a file called Data.dat open that file with notepad and
delete all the stuff in it… now save the file and set it as read only and restart pc but in SAFE mode ** Yes, this step is required ** ** Will NOT immediately solve problem until rest of steps completed **
Now go to c:windows system32 folder: MUST be in safemode
wgalogon.dll ** You CANNOT delete this file. RENAME it to wgalogon.bbb ***
spmgs.dll ** This is a spelling error. File is actually spmsg.dll. RENAME it to spmsg.aaa **
wgatray.exe *** DELETE this file ***
Now go to C:WINDOWSSoftwareDistributionDownload and DELETE the following folder
6c4788c9549d437e76e1773a7639582a
REBOOT & all should be resolved
End the process wgatray.exe in Windows TaskManager and restart Windows XP in safe mode. Now delete the following files:
Delete WgaTray.exe from c:windowssystem32
Delete WgaTray.exe from c:windowssystem32dllcache
Start Windows Registry editor and delete the folder "WGALOGON" located in the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoft Windows NTCurrentVersionWinlogonNotify. Delete all references in your registry to WgaTray.exe
Another alternative suggest that three files are installed Windows XP System Folder:
WINDOWSsystem32WgaLogon.dll
WINDOWSsystem32WgaTray.exe
WINDOWSsystem32LegitCheckControl.dll
The wgatray.exe process makes the check for genuine windows software. You can disable WGA by removing the execute bit on WgaLogon.dll. That way, winlogon can't call it as a notification package at boot, and since WgaLogon is responsible for running and maintaining WgaTray.exe, no more tray popups either.
To change the execute bit of WgaLogon.dll, first turn off Simple File Sharing. Now right click the file in Windows Explorer and open the Security Tab. Hit the Advanced button, uncheck the Inherit box at the bottom, hit the Copy button, then hit OK. Go through each listed user/group and remove the "Read & Execute" permission for that file, leaving the "Read" permission as-is.
Hit OK to apply the permission changes and close the file properties dialog. Restart the machine. You can now turn "Use simple file sharing" back on, if you want.
A third alternative posted on the internet suggest that users clear the content of file data.dat located in the following directory:
C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataWindows Genuine Advantagedata
