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Pirated Vista may be useless, Microsoft says

Steven Parker   on 16 November 2006 - 13:14 · 103 comments & 56187 views

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Microsoft said supposedly pirated copies of its new Vista computer operating system "will be of limited value" to those who use them. Microsoft responded Tuesday to reports that some Web sites have been circulating pirated copies of Vista and the Office 2007 applications suite.

The pirated Vista comes with a product key that users can enter to activate a version of the products on their computers without paying for them, according to a report on the Web site of The Sydney (Australia) Morning Herald newspaper. A product key is a unique serial number tied to each package of a software product.

A second download, called an "activation crack," can then be applied that bypasses the activation process intended to guarantee that the Vista OS being downloaded is legitimate, the Herald reported. Pirated copies of Office 2007 can be downloaded just with the product key with no second activation code required. But Microsoft said in a prepared statement that those pirated copies of the OS won't work for long.

View: Full Article @ InfoWorld

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#1 webskater1 on 16 Nov 2006 - 13:16
ouch..
#2 werejag on 16 Nov 2006 - 13:24
again they promise

again they will find disapointment
#3 Xerxes on 16 Nov 2006 - 13:24
While I support legally buying Windows, I think MS is been arrogant in thinking they have defeated the pirates (or at least set the back abit) If something can be done by a person, it can be undone by a person, don't ever underestimate the pirate community. Many of them live for the challenge and while MS's attempts to thwart them will slow them down, it will never stop them..soon as MS breaks the current method of bypassing Vista's/Office 2k7 activation, someone will be figure out how to bypass that...and so it goes on...
(10 replies) #4 newrui on 16 Nov 2006 - 13:25
Duh, b/c user can't use windows update. We all know how windows are if not patched.

On another note, Office 2007 bypasses online activation, and is reportedly to work with office update.
#4.1 +guylaroche on 16 Nov 2006 - 14:16
Indeed. I hope the unpatched (and illegal users) get royally screwed by some critical flaw. They richly deserve it for breaking the law.
#4.2 StarSabers on 16 Nov 2006 - 14:30
Quote - guylaroche said @ #4.1
Indeed. I hope the unpatched (and illegal users) get royally screwed by some critical flaw. They richly deserve it for breaking the law.


I agree too.
#4.3 Rogue` on 16 Nov 2006 - 14:47
Windows Update works fine for me (updated Windows Defender and got a Driver update), and I aint even entered a cdkey for Ultimate lol....

Couldn't believe they would allow you to install a OS without a cdkey tbh....
#4.4 kronix2 on 16 Nov 2006 - 14:49
Quote - guylaroche said @ #4.1
Indeed. I hope the unpatched (and illegal users) get royally screwed by some critical flaw. They richly deserve it for breaking the law.


Meh. If Microsoft succeeds in locking out pirates (which is extremely unlikely) then they'll migrate to an alternative OS and office suite. Who loses then? The pirates still get their product for free and Microsoft loses market share and the thus leverage which it uses to bend and break antitrust laws. Why do people use Microsoft Office over OpenOffice, but for the compatibility with existing and new documents?

I wouldn't mind being forced to switch to a Linux variant and OpenOffice. It might force game developers to release more titles for Linux.
#4.5 huwnet on 16 Nov 2006 - 16:12
Quote - Rogue` said @ #4.3
Windows Update works fine for me (updated Windows Defender and got a Driver update), and I aint even entered a cdkey for Ultimate lol....

Couldn't believe they would allow you to install a OS without a cdkey tbh....


It believe it is a trial period for 30days.
#4.6 McG on 16 Nov 2006 - 18:28
Quote - huwnet said @ #4.5
Quote - Rogue` said @ #4.3
Windows Update works fine for me (updated Windows Defender and got a Driver update), and I aint even entered a cdkey for Ultimate lol....

Couldn't believe they would allow you to install a OS without a cdkey tbh....


It believe it is a trial period for 30days.

No. There is no "trial" of Vista. (in this sense)
#4.7 Barzoom on 17 Nov 2006 - 00:27
Quote - kronix2 said @ #4.4
Quote - guylaroche said @ #4.1
Indeed. I hope the unpatched (and illegal users) get royally screwed by some critical flaw. They richly deserve it for breaking the law.


Meh. If Microsoft succeeds in locking out pirates (which is extremely unlikely) then they'll migrate to an alternative OS and office suite. Who loses then? The pirates still get their product for free and Microsoft loses market share and the thus leverage which it uses to bend and break antitrust laws. Why do people use Microsoft Office over OpenOffice, but for the compatibility with existing and new documents?

I wouldn't mind being forced to switch to a Linux variant and OpenOffice. It might force game developers to release more titles for Linux.
#4.8 Barzoom on 17 Nov 2006 - 00:35
more
titles for Linux.[/quote][/quote]



So youre saying Microsoft values pirates because it increases their market share?
#4.9 danj205 on 17 Nov 2006 - 04:39
Quote - kronix2 said @ #4.4
Quote - guylaroche said @ #4.1
Indeed. I hope the unpatched (and illegal users) get royally screwed by some critical flaw. They richly deserve it for breaking the law.


Meh. If Microsoft succeeds in locking out pirates (which is extremely unlikely) then they'll migrate to an alternative OS and office suite. Who loses then? The pirates still get their product for free and Microsoft loses market share and the thus leverage which it uses to bend and break antitrust laws. Why do people use Microsoft Office over OpenOffice, but for the compatibility with existing and new documents?

I wouldn't mind being forced to switch to a Linux variant and OpenOffice. It might force game developers to release more titles for Linux.


But they didn't have the pirates as customers originally, so they lose out on nothing.
#4.10 iOsiris on 17 Nov 2006 - 06:02
Quote - Barzoom said @ #4.8
So youre saying Microsoft values pirates because it increases their market share?

Actually, up until XP this was their strategy.
#5 Gasoau on 16 Nov 2006 - 13:26
Ouch indeed but sum will hack it like allways microsoft stuff seems very hackable
#6 stgeorge on 16 Nov 2006 - 13:28
For those in journalism, this can be easily and legally paraphrased as:

Microsoft said ... copies of its new Vista computer operating system "will be of limited value" to those who use them. Microsoft responded to ... some ... [that] have ... copies of Vista and the Office 2007 applications suite [that they are poo-poo heads].

Bill Gates could not be reached for comment.
(6 replies) #7 Gasoau on 16 Nov 2006 - 13:31
didnt bill gates retire from microsoft
#7.1 +M2Ys4U on 16 Nov 2006 - 13:36
he resigned as CEO but he's still Chief Architect AFAIK.
#7.2 +guylaroche on 16 Nov 2006 - 14:17
Quote - M2Ys4U said @ #7.1
he resigned as CEO but he's still Chief Architect AFAIK.
That's correct.
#7.3 Enigma776 on 16 Nov 2006 - 14:18
wrong way round he is still CEO and owner of MS he has just given up his Chief Architect position so he can work on his foundation.
#7.4 XerXis on 16 Nov 2006 - 14:22
no, he resigned as ceo a few years ago, the ceo is now steve "monkey" balmer. He still is Chief Architect and chairman. He will remain Chief Architect untill mid 2008, after that he will devote his time to the Bill & Melinda gates foundation. He will however remain chairmain if the board of directors elect him
#7.5 kronix2 on 16 Nov 2006 - 14:52
Yeah, but he still had time to leak Vista to the masses.

Microsoft.Windows.Vista.Final-BillGates

:|
#7.6 Leo Natan on 16 Nov 2006 - 21:00
Quote - kronix2 said @ #7.5
Yeah, but he still had time to leak Vista to the masses.

Microsoft.Windows.Vista.Final-BillGates

:|

That is the funniest thing I've read all day!
(2 replies) #8 Raven on 16 Nov 2006 - 13:34
It's not just the pirated version of Vista that's useless...

Glad M$ is finally admitting it.
#8.1 warr on 16 Nov 2006 - 15:12
Quote - Raven said @ #8
It's not just the pirated version of Vista that's useless...

Glad M$ is finally admitting it.


LOL. Best comment ever.
#8.2 David3k on 17 Nov 2006 - 04:39
Troll alert
#9 Sirius on 16 Nov 2006 - 13:34
It's like if George W. Bush would promise that since tomorrow there would NOT be any violence in the world
Maybe a limited amount of suicide acts but it wouldn't last long
(1 reply) #10 ambiance on 16 Nov 2006 - 13:45
Microsoft never said publicly that they defeated pirates, but they are doing a very good job making it harder for them. Beggars can't be choosers.
#10.1 jwjw1 on 16 Nov 2006 - 13:57
actually I find MS makes it more inconvenient on Legal Users and when the Activation Servers 2.0 go berserk..the nightmares will start for adminstrators...beside how hard is it for a pirate to click 'search' or 'download now' 'autopatch now'
#11 Ivo Silva on 16 Nov 2006 - 13:53
This is just a statement to calm down investors probably, they know better than anyone how things "roll" in the pirate world.
(8 replies) #12 diabulos on 16 Nov 2006 - 13:59
Maybe if a 'decent' version of VISTA was placed at an affordable (I mean truly, honest to the market, fair) price then the desire to pirate would not be there.....
#12.1 ksalter on 16 Nov 2006 - 14:03
I doubt it. Microsoft could sell it for $0.05 and it would still be stolen (though I would admit that the stealing rate would probably be reduced.)
#12.2 g0wg on 16 Nov 2006 - 14:12
Here the students will be getting Windows Vista Upgrade and Office 2007 Professional for about $150. I don't know to what will the Vista Upgrade lead to tho (whether its Home, Home Premium or Business).
#12.3 StarSabers on 16 Nov 2006 - 14:32
Quote - diabulos said @ #12
Maybe if a 'decent' version of VISTA was placed at an affordable (I mean truly, honest to the market, fair) price then the desire to pirate would not be there.....


This is an excuse. There's software out there for less than $25 and people still get it illegaly. It's really how criminals work.
#12.4 yakumo on 16 Nov 2006 - 14:44
Quote - StarSabers said @ #12.3
Quote - diabulos said @ #12
Maybe if a 'decent' version of VISTA was placed at an affordable (I mean truly, honest to the market, fair) price then the desire to pirate would not be there.....


This is an excuse. There's software out there for less than $25 and people still get it illegaly. It's really how criminals work.


sure plenty would, but there's a TON of people that wouldn't/couldn't dream of paying £400, or even £100 for such things that would definitely think about less.
#12.5 +Berserk on 16 Nov 2006 - 18:59
Quote - StarSabers said @ #12.3
Quote - diabulos said @ #12
Maybe if a 'decent' version of VISTA was placed at an affordable (I mean truly, honest to the market, fair) price then the desire to pirate would not be there.....


This is an excuse. There's software out there for less than $25 and people still get it illegaly. It's really how criminals work.


then they obviously dont think that software is worth $25.
#12.6 hapbt on 16 Nov 2006 - 19:54
Quote - Berserk said @ #12.5
This is an excuse. There's software out there for less than $25 and people still get it illegaly. It's really how criminals work.


Yes everyone who has ever copied software without paying for it is a CRIMINAL, they should be branded for life as thieves and their hands lopped off!! How dare they steal from the poor put upon billionaires who can barely afford to buy another $97 million dollar house.

http://www.goehner.com/gates.htm


LOOK at where he lives, just LOOK, and call some Pakistani who makes $500 a year a CRIMINAL.
#12.7 +Vlad on 17 Nov 2006 - 01:43
Quote -
Yes everyone who has ever copied software without paying for it is a CRIMINAL

Yes, pretty much.
Quote -
they should be branded for life as thieves and their hands lopped off!!

K, where did hands getting lopped off come into this?
Quote -
How dare they steal from the poor put upon billionaires who can barely afford to buy another $97 million dollar house.

Well...yeah. It's not like you need the latest version of Vista to keep on living. Step off the crazy horse and back into reality.
Quote -
LOOK at where he lives, just LOOK, and call some Pakistani who makes $500 a year a CRIMINAL.

Ok. They're a criminal. You don't need Vista to live. It's neither shelter nor food nor safety. Because you can't afford something doesn't make its creator evil or racist or whatever your pakistani reference was trying to infer, nor does it make it acceptable to obtain it illegally. People need to learn to differentiate needs and wants. If you make a living on your computer and can't afford it then you need to either a) budget better, b) find a new career, or c) Use linux.

#12.8 Matt Zander on 17 Nov 2006 - 04:13
They would reduce an awful lot of casual piracy if it was realistically priced.
#13 CaKeY on 16 Nov 2006 - 14:00
We welcome you to the forum thread already in progress.
#14 QwertyManiac on 16 Nov 2006 - 15:12
of course, they filled it with backdoors
#15 xxdesmus on 16 Nov 2006 - 15:20
I smell some BS ... they are simply bluffing.
#16 ThaCrip on 16 Nov 2006 - 15:29
vista blows anyways this is probably the first time i aint gonna p*rate windows ... cause vista is bloated as crap... xp already offers nice and stable pc's with pretty much everything u need... why bother with an overprice windows?

besides im sure vista will for sure suck atleast until SP1 comes out for it.
#17 +Shadrack on 16 Nov 2006 - 15:45
Best way to fight windows vista software piracy:

* Set the price to something people can afford!
* Don't make directx 10 a windows vista only thing.

I think a lot of people will be pirating vista just because they want to play the next directx 10 game.
#18 Meacham on 16 Nov 2006 - 16:05
I'm not one for agreeing with pirated software and I have been stung in the past myself, and only recently my brother game me a game which I thought was lagit, it turned out to be a very darn good copy which I did not spot. But the truth of the matter is...

Quote -
if the software in the first place was not so darn expensive then people would rush out and buy these products. This quote actuall came from my IT Manager, and I tend to agree with him.


Activation confirmation activation does it matter because at the end of the day some smart 15 year old will crack this and bypass the activation of the product.
#19 KevinRGood on 16 Nov 2006 - 16:10
Most people claim that dropping the price on software would reduce piracy. Remember, nothing is cheaper the FREE!
#20 jamesyfx on 16 Nov 2006 - 16:12
Windows is quite expensive, but you can get it cheaper, depending where you go. I mean, I can get Windows XP Home SP2 for £44 in the UK. If you pop into PC World for the same thing (Well, in a nice cardboard box anyway...), you'll be asked to shell out £199.99.

Quite a difference. I hope its the same with Vista.
#21 abbeh on 16 Nov 2006 - 16:24
I find it funny listening to people 'slagging' off Microsoft. Vista is a worthy software, and looking at some people's comments they give an arrogant impression of themselves. Yes it will be cracked, it may be more of hard work than usual, but it is something Microsoft should be doing. If you owned a shop, would you leave the door unlocked each night? These measures will stop quiet a few people, but there will always be the minority seeking pirated versions.

So stop having a go at Microsoft for trying to make money. Vista is expensive on the selves, but who actually buys it from the selves? It often will come bundled for many with their new computer. Plus for such a big software, it is not that much money. How many times do you see a simple program charging around $15 for you do download? Vista is huge, 20 years ago it would be selling for $10,000's with the technology it has.
#22 AMDMEFX-55 on 16 Nov 2006 - 17:03
Wow look at all the know it all's
#23 powerlifter450 on 16 Nov 2006 - 17:05
Pirated Vista has value. It's like saying a free ps3 has no value. The cracks/patches available are just an interim solution. I'm sure many groups are hard at work on a real crack so as to be the first to get the recognition of being first to hack vista.

As for being online and having on-line checks? I've worked in graphic design shops for many years and I must underscore the point that most machines are never put on-line for anything ever. Critical flaws don't mean anything without an internet connection. You could easily dual or triple boot vista and only go online under the other operating systems.
#24 zixyon on 16 Nov 2006 - 17:06
ohh plz not again ... anyone remember M$ saying that Xbox 360 is not hackable lol its games cds was hacked and copied in the secend day or was it in the first day ? blablablabalba M$, besides people found a way around before its even officialy available... so what now ? they will release some ptach that will not alow u to start windows at all ? i dont think they can do that and even if they do someone will find a way around
(1 reply) #25 usman767 on 16 Nov 2006 - 17:21
I am from Pakistan. In my part of the word vista ultimate will cost me 400*60=24000Rs. I can buy a brand new PC in this price. There are no regional offices of Microsoft anywhere. Although they have some 'representatives' whose sole purpose is to attack the hardware markets for any trace of pirated windows. They don't even care about selling a license. I am 21 and in my whole life i have never seen any advertisement any where from Microsoft that tells me to buy a legit license of windows. That's why we have piracy rate of 82%. I guess Microsoft don't care about us. So in return we will keep using pirated windows as long as we don't get affordable choice. Don't even mention Linux as it's used by 0.0001% people here. I have seen licenses of windows 98 and 2000 on pasted on used PCs that came from so called devolved countries. So one can easily make their windows 'original'. I am writing this from windows xp that is made original from the key i found from a website. And i can download any thing from MS website including automatic updates. LOL .And it treats me as Genuine User. What a Joke!. Vista will not be diffilcult to crack believe me. Long live the internet!
#25.1 vetmarkjensen on 16 Nov 2006 - 18:01
Yeah... Something to be joyful about.
#26 Gabe3 on 16 Nov 2006 - 17:30
I'm ready to laugh at microsoft, common MS, un-activate my windows, someone will find a way around it in 2 hours. Maybe if vista wasn't so expensive the pirating rate would go down.
#27 TRC on 16 Nov 2006 - 17:46
The question is will anyone even want Vista for free? Personally I think it pales in comparison to XP.
(1 reply) #28 dl0711 on 16 Nov 2006 - 17:58
Microsoft should just STFU and deal with it.. Damn if it was not for the Pirates, Hackers, Beta testers Microsoft would not have a good OS in the first place.. the way I see it is Microsoft should pay everyone who was Involved in the Vista Creation since it was mostley US the Beta testers, Hackers, Pirates who made Vista what it is today...

so Microsoft I want $50.00 US for every copy of Vista you sell since I helped out in the beta testing and reported bugs.. If i did not report bugs you guys would still have a evan more buggy OS.. and this should go with EVERY BETA TESTER, HACKER, Pirate who gave there input on vista and reported bugs to Microsoft.. if it was not for all of us doing so then Vista would not be here. and Microsoft would not be making the money they will be makeing once Vista ships....
#28.1 spex04 on 16 Nov 2006 - 18:34
Are you joking?

Mostly the beta testers, hackers and pirates that made Vista what it is today..? Sure.. so what about the years of development that went into creating Vista?
You aren't owed anything.

----------

Oh, and they'll never stop pirating.
(1 reply) #29 TC17 on 16 Nov 2006 - 17:59
I really am sick and tired of the Microsoft fanboys who post on the boards. As if Microsoft is so honest and clean themselves.

They run other businesses out of business. Bully other companies into doing whatever Microsoft wants them to do or sell. They have been convicted MANY times now by many different judges in different states of STEALING from customers.

Now please stop being a hypocrite.

And like others have said, Vista is WORSE than XP.

I own a legal copy of XP, but am using a pirated version just for the hassles I went through of the activation crap. And Vista will be even far worse than XP for allowing you to upgrade your computer. This is nothing but pure greed from Microsoft/Bill Gates.
#29.1 AnarKhy on 16 Nov 2006 - 22:52
Quote - TC17 said @ #29
I really am sick and tired of the Microsoft fanboys who post on the boards. As if Microsoft is so honest and clean themselves.

They run other businesses out of business. Bully other companies into doing whatever Microsoft wants them to do or sell. They have been convicted MANY times now by many different judges in different states of STEALING from customers.

Now please stop being a hypocrite.

And like others have said, Vista is WORSE than XP.

I own a legal copy of XP, but am using a pirated version just for the hassles I went through of the activation crap. And Vista will be even far worse than XP for allowing you to upgrade your computer. This is nothing but pure greed from Microsoft/Bill Gates.


Agreed, who is microsoft to talk about piracy???!?!?!?!?!
(1 reply) #30 Gotenks98 on 16 Nov 2006 - 18:04
I have never had to pay for any version of windows so far. Vista is nice but way too costly. If they were to bring the price down to say $50 more people would think to buy it. These outrageous prices are why folks still hold on to the legacy OSes like windows 95.
#30.1 Gabe3 on 16 Nov 2006 - 18:30
Quote - Gotenks98 said @ #30
I have never had to pay for any version of windows so far. Vista is nice but way too costly. If they were to bring the price down to say $50 more people would think to buy it. These outrageous prices are why folks still hold on to the legacy OSes like windows 95.


$50? I think thats a little to low, if it were $100 for ultimate I'd buy it.
#31 obsolete_power on 16 Nov 2006 - 18:35
Come on guys, this is such a sad attempt at a last minute bluff!
(1 reply) #32 excalpius on 16 Nov 2006 - 18:57
^^ Yes, this is OBVIOUS FUD to keep random joe user from downloading the torrent, et al.
#32.1 Tristan on 16 Nov 2006 - 19:13
lol yea i know sad isn't it. what M$ is saying is bs.
(1 reply) #33 soldier1st on 16 Nov 2006 - 19:11
windows is very expensive and not many can afford it even if they have a job,if vista were 25-50 bucks for ultimate i would buy it but 400 bucks cmon cant afford that,pirated xp copies have little or no hassle if you know where to get them(i do)
Gotenks98:your correct on the legacy os thing....and vista is good but it will be better in 1 or 2 years after it matures a bit.all these ppl who are bad ppl get a hammer and whack urselves on ur hole and think...how lame and stupid i am and i dont want to feel that way no more and keep whacking away...lol
#33.1 vetmarkjensen on 16 Nov 2006 - 20:12
Errr.... Then don't buy Ultimate!

Solved!
#34 hapbt on 16 Nov 2006 - 19:49
bla bla bla buy the stupid software from Microsoft or you're a bad person
waa
do you guys get a commission on every piece of software they sell?
i'm not advocating stealing but neither am i advocating record multi-billion dollar profits
ms has enough money, they arent gonna go broke ok
everyone on the vista team even the janitor im willing to bet all make six figures with stock options
unless employees of microsoft are gonna starve, who really cares if people pirate windows or not???
the company has like 50+ billion in the bank, its ceo is the richest man in the world, really, stfu already with your moral BS, you have a problem with stealing but not with greed? what is that???
(1 reply) #35 darkrats on 16 Nov 2006 - 20:11
Just about everyone who buys a brand name computer gets a legal copy of Windows XP. I bought an IBM Netvista that came with XP Pro. Everyone I know, who has a PC, also got Windows XP along with it. All legal copies. Many of those same people immediately wiped their drives and installed a "pirated" copy of XP. Why? They did it because they wanted to avoid going "hat in hand" to microsoft every time they reinstalled their OS. This will likely be the same reason that many will seek out a working "pirated" copy of Vista.

#35.1 MrCobra on 19 Nov 2006 - 05:41
If you buy a PC preinstalled with XP you do not have to activate as long as you use the restore CDs that came with the system. A new PC also have 2 seperate keys. The key on the COA sticker plus the key in the registry that was used to activate XP. If you need to do a clean install without all the bundled crap that comes witht the system all you have to do is get that key from the registry and use it when reinstalling XP. The key skips activation and will always be able to pass WGA and also ties that copy of XP to that machine for life since it's OEM. Perfectly legal to do it that way.

On a machine that has not been wiped clean check the registry under these keys.

HKLOCAL_MACHINE->SOFTWARE->Microsoft->Windows NT->CurrentVersion. On all version of XP you will see these 2 values listed on the right hand side. ProductId & DigitalProductId. On normal retail copies both of these will be the same. On OEM copies they will be different. The value in DigitalProductId is what you need.

You'll need OEMBIOS.BIN, OEMBIOS.SIG, OEMBIOS.DAT and OEMBIOS.CAT from the original OEM system (these files are what ties XP to the system).

Open a command prompt and type makecab OEMBIOS.BIN and press enter.
makecab OEMBIOS.DAT and press enter.
makecab OEMBIOS.SIG and press enter.
makecab OEMBIOS.CAT and press enter.

Use a program like UltraISO to read a XP disc and save it to an ISO. Open that ISO and add the .CA_, BI_, DA_ and SI_ files to the i386 folder and save the modified image as a new name. Burn it to disc. Use the JellyBean keyfinder to tell you what the key in the DigitalProductId is and use that key when installing. You now have a perfectly legal preactivated OEM copy.

Last edited by MrCobra on 19 Nov 2006 - 06:07
(2 replies) #36 Slayer on 16 Nov 2006 - 20:22
I've already got office 2007 on cd and every single version of vista burned to one dvd as I'm sure most of the awesome pirates out there do, and I have 3 cracks and over 10 keys for different versions, all versions and beta keys. if microsoft does manage to break these methods used for activating windows vista without purchase then the awesome crackers out there will just find another way to break it. that's why I love the internet. who the hell pays for microsoft software?
#36.1 Drestin on 16 Nov 2006 - 22:36
Hmm... ok, so even if you somehow got the RTM version of the builds (which isn't unbelievable), getting some keys off eOpen or MS licensing isn't so hard either. But, tell me something. When it came time for these copies to validate against the MS activation server -- which is currently NOT accepting keys, what did you do? What? You are using what you will call "VLK"s? Really. And you are aware that "VLK"s for Vista a) do not bypass activation and b) require activation against a working MS or proxy to MS server -- and both of those aren't accepting new keys yet... what did you do...

I'm gonna call shennanigans...

I found it funny that you wrote "every single version of vista burned to one DVD" - you are aware, right, that EVERY single Vista DVD that will ever be pressed will contain every version of Vista. That's the only kind of Vista DVD you can have. It's the key that tells Vista what version it is. But, you knew this right? I mean you didn't just try to make it sound like you know more than us ...

Office 2007 on CD is pretty simple and since it just uses old style, version 1.0 VLKs no big deal there. That's not a crack. That's called stealing someone's VLK and using it.
#36.2 Slayer on 17 Nov 2006 - 11:42
who said I've installed it? and it doesn't authenticate against any server, the cracks modify a file without using the internet to trick vista into think it's activated. duh. that's what microsoft is claiming they're going to put an end to.

no, I wasn't aware that every version comes on one dvd. however, the disc I have has every single 32 bit and 64 bit of vista.

I'm already a thief anyway.

Last edited by Slayer on 17 Nov 2006 - 11:50
#37 NutralFaux on 16 Nov 2006 - 20:23
In a round about way M$ are right, with the current file swap crack, in May or June 2007, when these copies expire, then they will be useless. The only way, I guess is for someone to crack/change those or other files, so they no longer expire, or wait untill there are some retail (Jan 07) copies and or keys floating around, where these guys are able to look into the activation in more detail nd find out the inner workings are create something for us all to use. It's not the end of the world just let, lets wait and see.....

(1 reply) #38 Izlude on 16 Nov 2006 - 21:19
I wonder if Microsoft will end up like Tower Records due to the rise in piracy