Microsoft has announced an update available to consumers next week which will detect two cracks commonly used to activate pirated copies of the operating system. One of the cracks refered to as Grace Timer, extended Vista's activation grace period, upto 2099. The other called as OEM BIOS, modified system files and the PC's BIOS to mimic the product activation done by computer-makers at the factory. If the sniffer detects an activation hack, it will pop up a warning that includes a link to the removal tool. Although SP1 will block these two cracks, "it's important to note that this update does not disable the exploits it finds," says Alex Kochis. "It simply alerts customers that exploits exist." However, MS will release a separate crack-removal tool at the same time that it rolls out the detection update.
View: Full Story at Computerworld
View: Full Story at Computerworld
No it doesn't... not on Dell systems at least
Now I am sure.... everyone's gonna jump on the MS bandwagon, hoot and holler about how it's a driver this, or 3rd party app that that's causing the issue... I've had service calls where it happens from the get go.
I can vouch for myself, and about 400 other technicians I work with on a daily basis that this happens.... on a daily basis. Vista's activation protocols are just too sensitive in this case.
Cure the piracy... but get to fixing real customer's issues with as much haste.
Now I am sure.... everyone's gonna jump on the MS bandwagon, hoot and holler about how it's a driver this, or 3rd party app that that's causing the issue... I've had service calls where it happens from the get go.
I can vouch for myself, and about 400 other technicians I work with on a daily basis that this happens.... on a daily basis. Vista's activation protocols are just too sensitive in this case.
Cure the piracy... but get to fixing real customer's issues with as much haste.
Hm never happened to me, and I deal with this stuff a lot...you sure you talked to all those 400 people....
The only problem I've had with activation is installing motherboard drivers caused a reactivation.
The fact is.. it does happen (hence the KB article direct from MS). I have that link printed out, and tacked to the wall next to my screen at work, just for that reason Intelman. Because it happens on a daily basis. Talked to all 400? Don't have to, when I am the one helping pass that document around the building to all the other techs.. hearing it when we're on our breaks.
So.... once again, it's nice to know that it isn't happening to everyone, really it is, because you get a free pass from the headache involved with it.
Imagine.. you turn your system on, knowing you've got tons of work to do, or important emails to catch up on.. whatever it is, then get hit with a black screen after logging on:
"Windows has detected that your installation key is not valid".
Then you get a choice... to either turn the machine off, or run with limited capability. Believe me, it's enough to p*ss ya off real quick.
Intelman, it's going to take years before the masses catch up to the few that understand what that means.. but when you're a customer that just bought the machine, and it's already causing problems.. "why" isn't on their minds.
Well if even YOU, such an expert, has had a problem, what do you think the clueless noobs that had Vista pre-installed are experiencing? They don't understand why this and numerous other Vista problems are happening. To them it looks like Vista is a giant POS (and I don't mean Point of Sale) and that Microsoft treats them like a herd of cattle.
Good. Very good. Keep it up, MS, so that Vista is even more of a failure.
Let me put it another way. Being deactivated because of bugs in Vista is UNACCEPTABLE. Not even once.
LOL - I guess I have to use one of my legit copies..
Sigh, looks like i have to get a VLC key from school now.
I actually dont know whats done to my vista...
Sigh, looks like i have to get a VLC key from school now.
I actually dont know whats done to my vista...
VLC?
You must mean MAK or KMS....
Sigh, looks like i have to get a VLC key from school now.
I actually dont know whats done to my vista...
VLC?
You must mean MAK or KMS....
No dude, Mplayer all the way.
I'd actually like to see an investigative reporter play with that: Blow away a Vista install once a day and see how long before they refuse to reactivate it; then let lawsuits commence.
Last edited by Tikitiki on 23 Feb 2008 - 07:46
And if you're wondering, no, i'm on a genuine copy which came with my laptop.
Har, har. That was so funny I forgot to laugh.
That's nice, you can go back to your microsoft fan club hole now.
I really like Vista Ultimate, but paying €500 for it is ludicrous. You are almost forced to buy a new PC to go with it since that will be cheaper. Talking about forced product demand...
If it is made 'uncrackable' I'll switch to Linux for sure.
those who need ultimat eknow they do and know it's worth the price they pay, you're not that target.
Home Premium is perfect for the majority of the users.
Home Premium is perfect for the majority of the users.
OEM officially means you need to buy a PC to get it. Although a lot of shops offer it only with RAM or other HW that is still 'illegal' when you check the EULA....
those who need ultimat eknow they do and know it's worth the price they pay, you're not that target.
There should only be two versions of Windows, Regular and Business. This whole multiple version bs is just another reason for them to jack up the prices. Ultimate is extremely overpriced for the couple extra features it has.
See my test: http://www.sbytes.info/wp/?p=153
Why is so difficult to crack vista? Why the needed to use oem bios emulation and not simply change the file who checks the keys or activation?
For many people in the world piracy is not a choice, they simple dont have the money to pay for windows or softwares, and have to sacrifice many things in their lives to just be able to purchase a small budget computer.
Then those people should use free alternatives like Linux. Just because they don't make much money, doesn't mean that Microsoft deserves to make none. If they feel that Windows is worth the hundred dollars, then they should buy it, otherwise, they shouldn't use it.
If you really want a 300$ digital camera, but you can only afford one that costs 100$, why should you be entitled to the 200$ upgrade for free?
That may have been true a few years ago but now things have changed. What with Microsoft's major stumble with Vista and the maturation of other OSes people now have other real options over Microsoft's near monopoly.
That may have been true a few years ago but now things have changed. What with Microsoft's major stumble with Vista and the maturation of other OSes people now have other real options over Microsoft's near monopoly.
The problem is that windows have the monopoly of the market and many programs will only run on windows machines.
Microsoft is not a saint, look at the history of the company and how they sabotage other companies, windows itself was created from ideas stolen from others. So...
Then those people should use free alternatives like Linux. Just because they don't make much money, doesn't mean that Microsoft deserves to make none. If they feel that Windows is worth the hundred dollars, then they should buy it, otherwise, they shouldn't use it.
If you really want a 300$ digital camera, but you can only afford one that costs 100$, why should you be entitled to the 200$ upgrade for free?
its not the same thing.
Then those people should use free alternatives like Linux. Just because they don't make much money, doesn't mean that Microsoft deserves to make none. If they feel that Windows is worth the hundred dollars, then they should buy it, otherwise, they shouldn't use it.
If you really want a 300$ digital camera, but you can only afford one that costs 100$, why should you be entitled to the 200$ upgrade for free?
Same old tired and flawed logic. You don't seem capable of understanding the difference between software and hardware.
The argument might hold a little more water if it weren't the exact same bits on the disc wether you buy Home Basic or Ultimate.
Frankly, Microsoft and indeed the entire content industry needs to get off their high horse of "we deserve to make money off this" realize their business model survives almost completely on a giveaway by the people in accepting a copyright law. This goes beyond piracy, right into the state-houses. There's nothing stopping countries from saying "We're not getting enough out of it to justify the extra expenses, both in terms of higher prices for content, and for enforcing the laws." I'd love to see what happened if a nation like China-- one which the net-content-exporters can't just ignore or sanction-- said it.
Since when does Karbonkopy = Neowin?
Since when does Karbonkopy = Neowin?
Exactly....I was responding to this form the article
<< Although SP1 will block these two cracks >>
Plain and simple, I tried it and it worked just fine even though it was 'suppose' not to. Post worthy IMO. I'm not promoting warez, and like ANova said....I'm not Neowin.
If it should happen to not get cracked, then Microsoft will lose many Vista owners. Most won't go buy it, they will just use something else. Vista will then have even less people supporting/running it.
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