Microsoft To Begin Checking For Piracy 810
Curious Yellow 82 writes "Microsoft will begin checking for pirated copies of its Windows software when users attempt to update. Security updates are supposed to be exempt from the check. Upon detection of pirated software the user will be given the oppportunity to purchase a legitimate copy of the software for a discounted price, upon providing proof of purchase etc."
Yawn (Score:2, Interesting)
Since when? I recall using an unauthorized version of Windows for a 2nd box of mine and when I attempted to update at windows.com it wouldn't allow me to download anything (including SP1 and SP2.) The only difference I see with this press release is now they will ask you if you want to squeal on your pirated source (Bambino's don't do this) or purchase a legitimate copy. Is this what it has come to for MS? A sub-standard online satellite progr
Re:Yawn (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Yawn (Score:2)
Reference or proof, please?
Re:Yawn (Score:3, Informative)
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2005-01-26-micr
I did this myself until I got a proper version.
Re:Yawn (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Yawn (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Yawn (Score:5, Funny)
Reference or proof, please?
I submit that Microsoft always tries their best to make things better, but overlooks some Monday detail that ends up shooting them in the foot. Yes, I'm aware that's just hearsay and conjecture, but those are kinds of evidence, your Majesty.
Re:Yawn (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Yawn (Score:5, Funny)
Whaddya mean... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Whaddya mean... (Score:5, Funny)
Hey, lay off! For all intensive purposes he was right!
Re:Yawn (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Yawn (Score:3, Insightful)
Pirated (Score:5, Interesting)
*sigh* as well
Luke
----
Tired of answering tons of basic computer questions for friends and family? Send them to ChristianNerds.com [christiannerds.com] instead!
Re:Pirated (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Pirated (Score:5, Informative)
Please (Score:5, Informative)
And this is surprising?
"As the majority of hobbyists must be aware, most of you steal your software. [...] One thing you do do is prevent good software from being written. Who can afford to do professional work for nothing? What hobbyist can put 3-man years into programming, finding all bugs, documenting his product and distribute for free? The fact is, no one besides us has invested a lot of money in hobby software. [...] Most directly, the thing you do is theft." (William Henry Gates III -- February 3, 1976 -- An Open Letter to Hobbyists)
Re:Yawn (Score:5, Informative)
Service Pack 2 is a breeze. I have the first copy of XP. All you have to do is Download this [solosoft.org] and copy it to the root of your C drive. Open up the "Command Prompt" and goto your root of the drive. Type in "cdkey xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx" as in x's are your SP2 compatable CD key. Once you press enter you should see nothing come up. (if somthing does then find a working key). Once your CD key is changed then Goto this site and click "Download and Deploy Service Pack 2 for multiple Computers" [microsoft.com]. Once you are done that install SP2 and your done.
Hopefully this is some help.
Re:MSDN Universal??? Certified Training Partners?? (Score:5, Informative)
One key works for everyone. Remember the key FCKGW-yada yada
Wikipedia Article [wikipedia.org]
But if you use the CD key thing as I mentioned above it changes the Windows XP to another key such as the one the anonymous user above gave, service pack 2 will install and there is no annoying blocking of Windows Updates.
Microsoft only wanted to stop the "casual pirater" considering every version of windows is already cracked. Not to sound like a mad pirate but to disable the activation is sadly VERY easy.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\C
That's frickin it
Hope ive been some help
Solosoft
Re:Yawn (Score:5, Insightful)
Sorry, but if I buy a computer that comes with a pirated copy of the OS (from a white box OEM) I will go after them tooth and nail should I find out.
I write software for a living. So long as I expect to get paid for my work it would be very hypocritical of me to support the illegal software trade.
Re:Yawn (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Two-Pronged Approach is Best (Score:4, Funny)
But legal M$ users have been suffering these problems for years, and they haven't cleaned-up their act. Even after you announced what you had done, no one could tell if their copy had been deliberately boobytrapped, or was just a normal copy of Windows.
Re:Two-Pronged Approach is Best (Score:4, Informative)
If you could keep total secrecy about the operation and then just claim some malicious hackers have released compromised versions of Windows, then you could probably get away with it. (I think Microsoft already claims that this happens, and cites it as one of the reasons you should not pirate their software).
For example Banks "boobytrap" money with an dye bomb to mark robbers. But the law protects the banks because the dye is not intended to harm the robber. If your trojan-ized "pirate's version" of Windows intentionally damaged data, made long distance phone calls or damaged the reputation of an individual then you'd have serious problems in courts. If the pirate's version just signaled home and disabled further activity on the system (without damaging data, or preventing access to it, such as encrypting the drive), then that would be allowable.
Microsoft doesn't own the data on your drive, the creator of the data does. And it is likely that you've at least created a tiny bit of your own data. So at least a small part of your computer content belongs to you and you alone.
Re:Two-Pronged Approach is Best (Score:5, Interesting)
Why is this unfortunate? I have no interest in living in a society with what amounts to a privatized judicial and law enforcement system.
I suspect that most of you don't either.
For example, suppose a car manufacturer produced cars that exploded when consistently driven above the speed limit. Well, that may well be justifiably smacking a criminal, but I don't really have any interest in letting private companies dispense whatever "justice" they feel like taking part in.
What if spyware had an EULA saying that you couldn't remove it, and it took malicious action if you tried to do so?
Re:Two-Pronged Approach is Best (Score:4, Interesting)
IIRC Microsoft had distributed a warez version of Visual Basic 6.0 with a warez group nfo file due to the wrong cd going to the presses.
I'm just saying . . .
Uhh (Score:5, Insightful)
That will be an interesting feat.
And, jokes aside, "proof of purchase" of what? If they mean a possible purchase of a machine with, or a standalone copy of, a counterfeit version of Windows, assuming the user purchased it legitimately in good faith, how in the hell is this the user's responsibility or fault? I'm not talking about someone who got Windows from a guy in an overcoat for $10 on a street corner (not to mention you probably wouldn't have a "proof of purchase" for that kind of sale); I'm talking about purchases reasonably believed to be legitimate. No, this doesn't mean that a software company has to honor pirated or illegal copies even if the user believed it to be legal for whatever reason, but it seems like this really sticks it to the user (not to mention the internet community as a whole by not providing OS updates, the fact they claim to be providing security updates aside[1]) as opposed to working to target the entities they believe to be illegally selling Windows...especially if the customer has a "proof of purchase" of an illegitimate copy of Windows in the first place, which presumably contains some element of contact information for the source if it can reasonably considered to constitute any semblance of "proof of purchase". They should be offering amnesty and/or discounts to people who are running straight-up pirated versions of Windows with no "proof of purchase" at all, if this is any attempt to reach out to people running unlicensed copies!
(Make no mistake: I'm not saying Microsoft is obligated to honor illegally purchased copies of Windows, whether they're pirated, or even ones purchased innocently and in good faith. But they'd be a hell of a lot better citizen of the internet community if they didn't withhold updates in either instance.)
[1] Windows Service Pack 2 would apparently not be included in this, for example, because it's not a "security update"; but it can be strongly argued that SP2 did more for general Windows XP security than any "security update" ever has. In other words, not updating the multitude of for-whatever-reason non-legal copies of Windows out there does everyone involved a major disservice, not the least of which is the rest of the world surrounding them.
Re:Uhh (Score:3, Interesting)
"Customers who discover that their copy of Windows is pirated have two options.
They can get a free version of Windows if they fill out a counterfeit report identifying the source of the software, providing proof of purchase and returning the counterfeit CD.
If they are unable to provide all the information, filling out a report will entitle them to receive
Re:Uhh (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Uhh (Score:5, Insightful)
Also, the copy of Windows in question isn't likely to be a knock-off, it most likely is the same OS that you can buy off the shelf. A better analogy would be if you bought a genuine DeWalt drill from someone who wasn't an authorized DeWalt dealer, and the (genuine OEM DeWalt) batteries had a habit of exploding and hurting people around the user. More than likely DeWalt would issue a recall on *all* batteries, and more than likely they'd be pretty lenient about making sure the drill was purchased through authorized channels. In essence, the safety of the community would take precedence over the other factors involved. (Also, the effort to check where the drills came from would cause serious headaches, logistically. It would be more expedient to just replace the battery when it's sent in and not worry about the legitimacy.)
Granted, we're talking about risk of physical injury vs. network security, but IMHO the obligation is the same: if you put out a broken product, you have an obligation (IMHO) to put out a fix. Anything less is corporate irresponsibility that could subsequently expose the company to liability, should a loss occur.
Of course, MS doesn't care about that, since they have better lawyers than just about anyone else.
Re:Uhh (Score:4, Insightful)
I personally think that Microsoft is shooting itself in the foot. They're losing money to piracy to be sure, but not nearly as much as they'll lose from making piracy more difficult. The reason is that there are alternatives to Windows out there. The vast majority of this piracy takes place in the 3rd world. By making things difficult for people in Bombay and Shanghai, Microsoft is simply encouraging the adoption and use of Linux, and the economic effects of this are far more severe for the company than losing some $$$ from a licensing fee.
This is an example of being penny-wise and pound foolish.
They should of course take steps to deter piracy, but this is not a valid means of doing so.
Lee
Re:Uhh (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Uhh (Score:5, Funny)
Or, better yet, shut down all networking capabilities on any on any infringing copy.
Or non-infringing copy, if you wanted a +1 Funny.
c.
Re:Uhh (Score:3, Funny)
They should also be given a click-to-install-Linux-instead option.
Re:Uhh (Score:5, Insightful)
You have to be proven to have known that the goods were stolen, otherwise there is no crime.
What the GP is talking about isn't someone buying the PC out of the back of a truck. It is someone who buys the computer from a retailer, in **good faith**, and the retailer, unknown to the purchaser, is using pirated copies of Windows. This is a common occurance with white box PCs and isn't limited to EBay sales.
The people affected by this aren't the ones buying and installing XP themselves. They are the ones that bought "no-name" PCs with XP pre-installed where the retailer is not a valid OEM licensee.
Re:Uhh (Score:4, Informative)
In most states, KNOWINGLY receiving stolen goods is a crime, but not just receiving them. The usual standard is the old standby: "You knew or should have known" or "a reasonable person would have known".
For instance: You could have bought a computer at a flea market, from a long time dealer, and had good reason to think it was not using pirated software, and not be guilty of crime, even though you received the goods.
Nice... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Nice... (Score:2)
"Those are available to all Windows users with or without validation," Lazar said. "We think of it like public health. We want to make sure no one
Wait a minute... (Score:2, Insightful)
Didn't they say otherwise just a few months ago?
Got to find that link...
What? (Score:3, Insightful)
So if you're found to have a pirated copy, you need to show proof of purchase? If I have proof of purchase then it's not pirated, and therefore, I wouldn't need to buy it again at a discounted price.
Re:What? (Score:2, Informative)
Not true. You could've bought a pirated copy (see all those "bi S0ftw4ar3 4 cheep" emails?). And at least in the US, it's not legal to have stolen property, even if you didn't know that it was stolen. They're being very generous. Technically, they could sick the cops on each and every person using a pirate
Re:What? (Score:3, Informative)
Technically, they could sick the cops on each and every person using a pirated copy.
I call bullshit. The only way they could do that is if I bought a stolen copy off the back of a truck somewhere and said stolen copy had literally been stolen, i.e: shoplifted, taken from a warehouse, taken from my house.
In that scenario I would be in possession of stolen property. In the scenario of burning a copy for a friend and letting him use your key or downloading from the Internet you are in violation of the li
You had it right up until you... (Score:3, Informative)
Please, please, please don't be propagating the falsehoods that the RIAA, MPAA, and similar organizations ha
one question (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:one question (Score:4, Insightful)
300 people using the same single user registration key/serial number is a pretty damn good indication.
Still doesn't quite answer the question (Score:3, Insightful)
I am running a copy of Windows 2000 at home--it is a LEGITIMATE copy IMHO but I'm not sure how MS would treat it. The install CD in question is from a former employer which closed up shop and let us all go. My boss was a pretty good guy and made sure we all got our final paycheque but couldn't pay out our remaining vacation time (in my case it was four figures in range) so he compensated us with company assets that weren't due to creditors. So my "vacation pay" consisted of hardware
Re:one question (Score:3, Interesting)
Corporate keys are different to consumer keys. There's a system to tell what a key is for, just by looking at it.
How to check for pirates? (Score:4, Insightful)
Just off hand I guess they they might check the license keys (obviously) if 10.000 plus people are using the same license key something is obviously wrong. In this case you probably woudl get som sort of nag screen stating: "Your license key has been compromised please contact your local Microsoft representative to get a new one... bla... bla... bla..." Secondly they could simply check for the digital signatures of various cracks and hacks available like a virus or spyware program does before any patch is installed. In that case you would get the "Purchase offer". It's not as if these Cracks are terribly hard to come by and I would be disappointed if Microsoft does not have a whole team of engineers and coders collecting Windows cracks off the internet and analyzing them. Whatever else they do I don't expect it to be terribly bullet proof but it will be scary enough and work well enough to persuade alot of pirate consumers to buy a Windows OS "Academic Edition" CD/DVD. In future versions of Windows one should expect them to use some far more formidable DRM technology.
There's more going on here... (Score:4, Insightful)
They'll likely employ the same tactic that online games use.
Every copy that's printed gets a code, same with OEM. Those codes are all recorded and shoved into a database. When you connect, you MUST have one of those codes, and ONLY ONE of those codes can be active at a time.
If this is implemented properly, there's really no way around it. The only thing you can do is buy a legit copy.
Having said that, this method is prone to all sorts of problems. For instance, many companies Ghost all of their machines, and deploy a standard image. They use the same key on all the machines, but have a stockpile of keys (usually larger than the number of actual deployed machines).
Obviously this would break that system. But, workarounds will be found. It would be easy to add (maybe it's already there?) functionality so that when a newly ghosted machine boots up on the network the server sees it has the "newly ghosted key" and assigns it one from its pool or something.
Who knows, but the point is, if Microsoft gets smart about this, there's no way you'll be able to pirate Windows anymore.
The funny thing about all of this is, I think it's actually against their best interests to do this. One of the biggest reasons Windows is so widespread is due to piracy. Many many people are simply not willing to pay for Windows. If they succeed in doing something like this, I think we'll see interest in alternative operating systems rise yet again.
Hmmm (Score:2, Interesting)
Some thoughts. (Score:5, Insightful)
I am not sure how MS expects to keep pushing this down people's throats.
Most people don't want to be treated as thieves, and I can see some general backlash coming to MS from this.
I really don't see how this will, in the long run, benefit MS. Most people in the 1st world buy a computer from a major distributer, and use the (usually) legit copy of Windows from that. I'm guessing that that one-third number includes nations like India and China, where people can't afford the 1st world pricing scheme of Windows.
Oh, wait, silly me, why don't these poor people just use XP Starter Edition? Right. That's the ticket.
Do they seriously think this will decrease piracy in the 3rd world? All they've really done is cripple their product. They now have several issues to deal with.
This "Genuine Advantage" program is tantamount to legitimizing "pirated" XP. To many, I suspect it sends the message: "Ok, use pirated XP if you want, we'll just give special benefits to those who pay us." It's almost like a "shareware" model of distribution. Seeing how they are trying to push "XP Starter Edition", I seriously doubt this is their intent -- but it looks like they've emasculated that product entirely.
Simply, Pirated XP Home/Pro is still less crippled than XP SE. So for the 3rd world market, it's a choice between paying for a highly crippled OS, or getting a slightly crippled OS for free. I don't see many people paying for the privilege of less features.
This is also a potential gold mine for alternative OS's, such as the newer GNU/Linux systems pushing ease-of-install; Ubuntu [ubuntulinux.org], Mepis [mepis.org], Mandravia [mandriva.com], Fedora [redhat.com] spring to mind immediately, and there are many others.
Given the choice of a super-crippled SE, a somewhat-crippled XP Home/Pro, or a fully-functional GNU/Linux, GNU/Linux becomes an increasingly "no-brainer" solution.
Re:Some thoughts. (Score:3, Insightful)
Considering that they'll give people the option of buying XP Pro for $150? Are you kidding? $150 isn't nearly enough to make people even consider switching platforms, and going through all the related headaches. If anything, they'll sell a hell of a lot more copies of XP. But, I think you're right. People who consider switching platforms ov
Evil worm (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Evil worm (Score:3)
Somewhat interesting user behavior (Score:4, Insightful)
Is there a way to "check" individual workstations? (Score:2)
On my workstations with auto-update, I'd prefer my first notification that something might be a problem in the field to not be an end user with a mystery dialog box on their screen.
Anyone know how this might work with SUS?
I really hope that this is a pain in everyones ass (Score:5, Interesting)
So here I had a legitimate paid licensed Windows XP Professional computer which will not pass the windows licensing scheme. I'll have to dig out a SP1 cd sometime and reinstall with the actual key so it will pass.
I'm not saying its Microsoft's fault that the business didn't keep track of the original cd's. I'm just saying that I seriously hope this scenario is played out millions of times across the globe.
I'm off to ssh into my home computer and emerge sync && emerge world -uD right now.
Re:I really hope that this is a pain in everyones (Score:5, Informative)
Re:I really hope that this is a pain in everyones (Score:3, Informative)
Now requiring admin rights for authenthication just to download additional software is bit more so-so, but even then you probably need admin rights to install them, so the problem is not that big.
Windows is broken in this regard that you pretty much need to run on admin rights to do anything with it
Re:I really hope that this is a pain in everyones (Score:3, Funny)
According to Microsoft, running Windows with any kind of security is NOT an authentic authorized use of their software.
Therefore you are in violation.
Re:I really hope that this is a pain in everyones (Score:5, Interesting)
The Fujitsu Lifebook comes with a system image installed on the hard disk, with instructions buried in an appendix in the manual saying that it might be a good idea to make a backup. If you don't make a backup, and if you're unlucky enough to score a hard disk crash, then Fujitsu's official standing is that you're fucked. Totally fucked. They say you have to go out and buy another copy of Windows, and never mind the completely valid license key on the hologram sticker on the underside of the system.
The best answer I got was completely unofficial, from a Fujitsu engineer attached to my work - he said, just borrow a copy of Windows and install it with the valid license key. By that time I'd already made my own arrangements that, coindicentally, corresponded fairly closely to that recommendation...
So, dear daughter is now running an illicit copy, but with the original license key.
For anyone that missed it the first time, Fujitsu doesn't give a shit about you losing your one and only system install disk. They don't include a CD because: "it's installed from an image CD in the factory", and they don't care enough about their customers to include a CD of that image. What's the cost of an image CD these days?? About $0.50?? That's too much for Fujitsu to spend...
Any Fujitsu employee wanting to dispute these facts should supply an email address, so that I can forward the emails I exchanged with Fujitsu "you're screwed, fuck off" Support.
Re:I really hope that this is a pain in everyones (Score:3, Informative)
So, dear daughter is now running an illicit copy, but with the original license key.
No, your daughter is running a perfectly legal copy. There's no difference between a borrowed CD or a backup you burn from
Re:I really hope that this is a pain in everyones (Score:3, Funny)
So I assume you've already paid your $699 to SCO for that machine?
Checked it this morning.... (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Checked it this morning.... (Score:3, Informative)
For those not yet in the know (c'mon guys, it's been out for years)... Corporate XP Pro is identical to XP Pro except for its lack of any sort of activation or anti-piracy checks.
It was supposed to only be released to Microsoft's large corporate customers, but of course it was leaked long ago.
*scanning your copy of windows* (Score:5, Funny)
The local FBI office is located 65 miles away...is this where you would like to go today?
What does it apply to? (Score:2)
Trustworthy Computing? (Score:5, Insightful)
If Windows were to become secure and relatively bug free, this would cause their "pirate detection" system to become very inefficient, as there wouldn't be a great need for using Windows Update.
I may be completely off base, but it does seem plausible. Perhaps we need Mythbusters
That's all fine and good... (Score:2, Interesting)
More reason not to use Microsoft (Score:2)
Guess the CD Key Generator Program will be popular (Score:5, Interesting)
Really, how are they going to enforce this? Just for the top 5 pirated cd keys or something? Why should JoeWhoever have to buy their software twice because they were ripped off? Dunno.
MS isn't doing anything wrong... (Score:5, Insightful)
I mean, we have MS losing money on a pirated copy of windows. Fine. We can argue the merits of software piracy all night. But... when MS releases a patch, they are spending millions of dollars on R&D, advertising, lawyer fees, etc - this is supposed to be for legitimate users only. When you buy any software, you are understanding that this $50/$200/$whatever cost also includes free patches in the purchase price.
It'd be like someone stealing a car from GM - fine, they stole it. But imagine if they later came to GM with their stolen car and asked for the $1000 engine recall upgrade. Nope - that's for legitimate carowners only. The $25,000 GM prices the car takes into account the small chance that they may have to set a recall.
Plus, it's not like the RIAA. Nowhere does it say that MS will be prosecuting every illegal copy it finds. It simply says "hey, if you stole a copy, then that's one thing. But don't try and get free support from us too."
Re:MS isn't doing anything wrong... (Score:3, Insightful)
We do?
Cite?
(I don't disagree with the rest of your post.)
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
wont stop anything (Score:5, Informative)
hell there are torrents available that will give you everything that are updated weekly.
A buddy of mine recently offered me a CD of all XP updates including the lestes ones and his colleague at work was making a script to auto apply them all into a slipstream cd image.
it will only stop the clueless casual non licensed software user. everyone else will not be bothered one bit.
Pirate releases often higher-quality than regular (Score:3, Interesting)
For example, take the standard conventions of putting software description in a standard location in a standard format, the (not completely standardized, but pretty close) practice of placing patches at a standard location on the CD, the practice of distributing software in standardized chunk sizes to provide for more recoverable trans
Their check didn't work when I tried (Score:5, Interesting)
I suspect they have a list of pirated licenses and they just check for that. It has been posited in the past that they don't even know all the genuine keys that are out there and my experience supports that.
I actually do own a copy of Windows XP (came with my machine) but I wanted to see how this works hence installing with a generated key.
Re:Their check didn't work when I tried (Score:4, Interesting)
That's pretty much how they were doing it before, with the "optional" checks you could do whenever you tried to download something off their site. (for various Windows add-ons). They just have a list of the some of the most pirated licenses that they use to check against.
I always wondered though, how many people are using a university copy of XP on their machine when they never actually went to that university? (The version MS distributed through the program requires no authentication ever). Also, some university agreements only allow you to use it while you are enrolled and then you're supposed to go buy it when you are done, but again, if there is no authentication, how would they know? These are the CDs and CD keys that "pirates" should get ahold of.
Want XP? ( Pirate it first for a discount ) (Score:5, Insightful)
Let me get this straight... if you're caught with a pirated version you're offered a discount? (or a free version altogether) Seems like a great way to shop!
Only suckers will pick up a boxed copy from the store from now on...
"they can still fill out a counterfeit report and receive a copy of Windows XP Home Edition for $99 or a copy of Windows XP Professional Edition for $149, Lazar said.
Windows XP Home normally sells for $199 and Windows XP Professional Edition usually costs $299."
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Want XP? ( Pirate it first for a discount ) (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Want XP? ( Pirate it first for a discount ) (Score:3, Informative)
No-Broadband Users Screwed? (Score:5, Insightful)
Do you know how long 266 MB takes to download over dialup!? OVER 11 1/2 HOURS!!
Xesdeeni
Re:No-Broadband Users Screwed? (Score:4, Informative)
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/
No questions asked either. I ordered one of these CD's when I worked as a tech, and it was great to have for fixing machines.
However, I will bet that you can still find images of the update CD around - mind you it won't have ALL the patches anymore. Also, if the copy of windows is pirated and has a well known serial number, it will refuse to install (which only makes sense).
You should see if you can track down a image of one of these CD's, or, perhaps Slipstream a copy once you have the patches. Pain in the ass? Yes. [winsupersite.com]
Note to Microsoft (Score:5, Funny)
This will be grand when employers start having update problems because employess (or even ex-employees) took copies of software home and now the machines in the office can't update.
Not so bad (Score:5, Interesting)
So, we decided to buy our accounts package from another vendor... Not that we had any intention to pirate anything, but any company which could make demands like that over the phone, without any on-site investigation, was not a company we wanted to have dealings with.
So, they *might* have gained $4k from the caller (assuming they didn't spend big on lawyers first), but they lost $4k from us.
They better get this right (Score:5, Insightful)
In any event, if there are any hiccups on the validation process and Joe and Jane Doe Computer User get any bit of hassle from Microsoft when they do a Windows Update, I expect there will be a backlash.
Hopefully, Red Hat and other Linux vendors are positioned properly to catch the fallout. "Windows Validation problems? Switch to Red Hat Linux and never pay for your Windowing Operating System again! Free Games with every download!"
Look I already found a way around (Score:5, Informative)
Simple solution (Score:5, Interesting)
Good! (Score:4, Insightful)
Anything to make piracy of MS products as difficult as possible!
MS always blathers on and on about TCO, but nobody ever mentions the marketshare that MS has gained through piracy.
Home users will be more willing to consider alternatives if the actual cost of Windows is figured into their calculation.
Cable companies used to do this to bust people (Score:3, Funny)
Years ago, cable companies would use a similar tactic to bust people who were actively stealing cable services.
Basically on the "pirated" boxes (blackboxes) or those who were "piggybacking" cable on their neighbor's connection junction, they would broadcast a "contest" for the next 100 people to call in. People who were letitimate customers and subscribers would never even see the "contest" broadcast.
If you called in to win the "t-shirt" or "trip to Jamaica", or whatever, they collected your address and other details. When you went into the cable company location to claim your prize, they gave you a nice shiny pair of bracelets and a trip to the local police department.
Don't fall for the "discount" on any Windows product. Use this as a means to get a "discount" on the whole thing, switch to Mac OSX or Linux.
We won't treat you like a criminal.
Will not detect pirated copies (Score:4, Insightful)
Microsofts Windows Genuine Advantage system is unable to actually identify pirated copies of Windows. Anyone who installed Windows XP using a unique key created by a key generator [wikipedia.org], which is everyone who didn't just download an ISO and use the CD key in the .NFO, skates neatly through the piracy check. Note also that anyone who ISN'T running a unique key can also change it, via instructions that are conveniently placed on the Microsoft website [microsoft.com].
Last I checked, there was also a fallback verification system you could use if you refused to let them install their ActiveX controls that asked you questions about what your CD key looked like. This was easily passable by anyone who had ever even SEEN a Windows XP retail CD.
For those of you still "testing" Windows XP... (Score:3, Informative)
Riiight, like I'm going to let an ActiveX applet from Microsoft scan my system. What do they want next, a retina scan? DNA check? I don't encourage piracy (I *do* own a legit copy of XP), but forcing users to submit to this crap so they can get updates (I know, I know, *not* critical updates, but still) is just wrong. Anyway, use the links above and just say NO! to Microsoft ActiveX scanning.
Check it out everyone! (Score:3, Informative)
Check it out everyone! Forget buying XP at the store, just get a pirated copy, file a counterfeit report, and get Windows XP for 50% off!
They should call it the "Piracy Rewards Program".
So they'll warez service packs and updates (Score:3, Insightful)
Windows.XP.Security.Updates.Nov19.2005.X-Force
HOW-TO BYPASS THIS (Score:5, Informative)
2. Just go for the microsoft.com website and download any security update manually.
Microsoft must always allow this, because many servers do not have internet, thus one must be able to download updates manually and e.g. burn them on a CD.
I'm running pirated because I'm anti-social.. (Score:5, Funny)
My laptop has a Windows XP key on a sticker on the bottom - but first, the key doesn't work with any copy except the Toshiba recovery CD that formats my computer and installs a bunch of Toshiba crap and AOL advertisements. And, then I would have to call Microsoft.
So, I'm being like totally a software pirate because I don't feel like talking on the phone to some douchebag at Microsoft.
The REAL reason for "Locate Me" (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:What about keygens? (Score:5, Funny)
How can they stop you? Well Jim... I suppose they could do a "whois" on 'civilwarflorida.com', and give you a call...
: p
Re:Darnit... (Score:4, Insightful)
Unless you're running some very specialised custom software that's not cross-platform, there's really nothing that you can do with a Windows box that you can't do with an alternative OS.
Re:Stop comparing piracy to real items. (Score:3, Insightful)
Whether you are in favor of piracy or not, it's NOT the same.
Hint: can you duplicate a car with a simple copy & paste?
Didn't think so.