WGA vs AutoPatcher.

[SyntaxError]

if MS wants you to include some WGA code in your app, then ask them to send you the code and you can include it in your installer.

586356450[/snapback]

This still wouldn't do any good from a legal standpoint unless the hotfixes and other updates in AP were encrypted somehow to prevent people from manually applying them without going through the AP interface. However, knowing MS, it might make them happy.

[PsiMoon314]

@JRosenfeld

So what is your point? :)

I saw the article posted elsewhere and wanted to comment on it to nw_raptor in particular.

You don't quote references when you discuss something? :huh:

[VLR]

#4 is for peeps wishing to look politicaly correct on Neowin.

I voted #3 and I say it loud and clear.

Don't pay attention to MS.

No where it is said that hotfiex must absolutely be downloaded from ms.com passing trough wga.

[WeakWindows]

I think the best approach is to offer 2 solutions......

The first is for users that desire WGA "add on" updates that include security patches.

The second is "Security Patches and Non WGA updates"

Microsoft has made a point that it will continue to offer to "all", security patches. They have to pirated or not. They offered such a weak operating sytem and they know that if they eliminated all security patches, regardless of legit versions or not, they could make the internet a very dagerous place with their junk software.

WGA (Windows Garbage Again)........

Keep up the good work and keep it open for all..... Choice is what I say.... the choice to choose WGA or not.

[bugmenot666]

i voted 3, if u go towards the option 4 route AP will be missing some update and i dont want that. i like to install all updates teh first time around.

[Digital Punk]

There's no need to drop Autopatcher completely.

At the very worst you can provide a program with just security updates and tweaks and its will be perfectly legal.

I'm not too bothered if it doesn't include media player 10 etc.

[soldier1st]

this whole WGA stuff is utterly full of garbage and nonsense,it's all about money(many years ago it was never about money but about quality,i wish those days were still here),it would be sad if ap were to go the wrong way(the WGA way)if ms windows was alot cheaper then alot of ppl could buy it but not everyone has billions of bucks just for an os,they have to spend it on other things like food and there rent/etc...,if nobody was alive to buy windows then ms would go broke,ppl have to live to be able to buy windows.

[ajschwab2004]

you know I wouldn't mind the WGA if MS gave ppl who got or who pirated Windows XP a free version of Windows XP Professional CD.

[JiveMasterT]

you know I wouldn't mind the WGA if MS gave ppl who got or who pirated Windows XP a free version of Windows XP Professional CD.

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they would be giving out a whole lot of windows cds.

[ajschwab2004]

That would be good.

[jimbo11883]

**** M$. I've been hex editing the LegitCheckControl.dll to get rid of the stupid WGA $hit. I voted #3, even though I don't use AP. Keep doing your thing guys, remember that people can do automatic updates without using WGA... so people should also be able to use AP without WGA.

many years ago it was never about money but about quality

What quality? 1.01/2.0/3.0/3.11/95/98/Me? They all sucked. NT4 was an ok start, and NT5 brought us into the millenium properly (after a few SP's lol), but I would say quality years ago wasn't good, compared to XP.

[JRosenfeld]

you know I wouldn't mind the WGA if MS gave ppl who got or who pirated Windows XP a free version of Windows XP Professional CD.

They do in certain circumstances, but not to all. See

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads...?displaylang=en

under Genuine Windows offer

Q: What is the genuine Windows offer?

A: The Microsoft genuine Windows offer is designed to help customers who unknowingly purchased counterfeit versions of Windows XP, by offering those who qualify a complimentary copy or electronic license key for a genuine copy of Windows XP.

Q: Who can participate in the genuine Windows offer?

A: The offer is open to any person who purchased Microsoft Windows XP (Professional or Home Edition), or Windows XP Operating System pre-installed on a new computer before May 1, 2005, and who is 18 years of age or older at the time of application. Windows XP upgrade purchases and purchases made under volume license agreements are not eligible.

Q: What are the details of the genuine Windows offer?

A: To help customers who unknowingly purchased a counterfeit version of Windows XP, Microsoft has created two genuine Windows offers for those who qualify.

Complimentary offer: Microsoft will make a complimentary copy of Windows XP available to customers that have been sold counterfeit Windows. Customers will be required to submit a proof of purchase, their counterfeit CD, and complete a counterfeit report with details of their purchase. Only high-quality counterfeit Windows will qualify for the complimentary offer.

Electronic Key Offer: Microsoft will offer an alternative for customers who find out via the WGA validation process that they are not running genuine Windows, but do not qualify for, or choose not to take the complimentary offer. These customers will be able to license a Windows Genuine Advantage Kit for Windows XP online for a price of $99 for Windows XP Home edition or $149 for Windows XP Professional. The Windows Genuine Advantage Kit for Windows XP will include a new 25-character Product Key and a Windows Product Key Update tool which will enable customers to convert their counterfeit copy to genuine Windows XP electronically. To qualify, customers will be required to submit an on-line counterfeit report.

[daveza]

Life as a computer techie going from site to site is not worth living without AP.

What solution does MSoft offer to those without internet access ?

What about releasing the updates from somewhere beyond the jurisdiction of the MSoft legals....( or have we reached a point where that somewhere no longer exists ?)

A tough one for MSoft - how to shoot the bad guys without harming innocent civilians .....

[WeakWindows]

Funny thing is you don't need a hex editor... I have done some research and here is a way to reverse the effect that WGA (windows garbage again) has done to not only non-legit versions but it is also effecting legit versions.

If you install this update by mistake, it could easily be uninstalled.

First you should unregister LegitCheckControl

(start -> run -> type cmd -> enter ) black box will appear

type

regsvr32 /u LegitCheckControl (this will unregister the junk)

After unregistering LCC.........delete LegitCheckControl.dll and GWFSPIDGen.dll

from windows\system32 folder and you all done. (you can easily find these using your windows search (files and folders)

Download and install "Firefox" web browser. (if you don't have it)

After installing...... go to this page and download this extension -

h**p://windowsupdate.62nds.com/

Firefox will probably block it.... but approve the extension and install it.....

This will allow you to get all the Microsoft updates without Microjunk Explorer and its damn activex plugin.

Finally....... DELETE the windows update from your programs - list.... you will not want to nor have to use it again.

If you do, it will reload the activex you uninstalled and you will be back to the same problem. :woot:

[WeakWindows]

Here's the procedure for disabling ActiveX controls on a standalone computer:

1.

On a standalone Windows XP computer, go to Start, Run, and type MMC.

2.

In the console window, click File and then select Add/Remove Snap-in.

3.

Click Add and select Group Policy in the Add Standalone Snap-in box.

4.

Click Add, Finish, Close. Then click OK.

5.

Go to Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Internet Explorer.

6.

In the right pane, double-click the option Disable Automatic Install of Internet Explorer Components.

7.

Click Enable and then click OK.

8.

Double-click the option Disable Period Check for Internet Explorer Software Updates.

9.

Click Enable and then click OK.

[soldier1st]

jimbo11883 you missed the whole point of what i said,if we were still in the win9x days you would not have said what you did,i meant at the time they were good but were replaced by what you said and now win9x do suck but at one time they did not cuzz thats all we had to use for windows versions.

[DaFlapDrol]

There's no need to drop Autopatcher completely.

At the very worst you can provide a program with just security updates and tweaks and its will be perfectly legal.

I'm not too bothered if it doesn't include media player 10 etc.

586367156[/snapback]

This is the safest way that *we* could follow. So far I?ll agree with you. On the other hand, we also have customers with no internet connection or a simple dial-up connection. *we* would like to continue with AutoPatcher as it is. Should users with a legal installation of MS XP or MS W2K be the victim?

If *we* would decide to go on with security updates only, then AutoPatcher looses his power and all other possibility?Personal, I think ??that *we* just have to go as be have done before. Microsoft should think about the WGA (is it all working as they want?) and maybe make a new change. Instead of WGA they should built a PID encryption technique in every patch, update or other downloadload.

Besides all above:

Microsoft is not hunting for illegal installations, they know and they don't care. Through this way they hope to find a way to stop something. That something is the way that OEM sellers are handling the activation and registration, companies that sell their software with key (that's illegal) or let IT employees make copies for ?worldwide home use?.

Not you as an individual, they need the company. That?s where the money is?..

Edited August 13, 2005 by DaFlapDrol

[DarkCircuit]

**** M$. I've been hex editing the LegitCheckControl.dll to get rid of the stupid WGA $hit. I voted #3, even though I don't use AP. Keep doing your thing guys, remember that people can do automatic updates without using WGA... so people should also be able to use AP without WGA.

What quality? 1.01/2.0/3.0/3.11/95/98/Me? They all sucked. NT4 was an ok start, and NT5 brought us into the millenium properly (after a few SP's lol), but I would say quality years ago wasn't good, compared to XP.

586367893[/snapback]

The hell are you talking about?

Windows 3.1 rocked! :rofl:

[Digital Punk]

This is the safest way that *we* could follow. So far I?ll agree with you. On the other hand, we also have customers with no internet connection or a simple dial-up connection. *we* would like to continue with AutoPatcher as it is. Should users with a legal installation of MS XP or MS W2K be the victim?

No, legal users shouldn't be the victim, but if WGA can't be incorporated into AP, and MS insist on it, then what.....

If *we* would decide to go on with security updates only, then AutoPatcher looses his power and all other possibility?s.

586369945[/snapback]

Yes, it loses some 'power', but I'd rather that than the project being scrapped altogether.

It would still be a very useful tool for a lot of people even with security patches only.

[DaFlapDrol]

No, legal users shouldn't be the victim, but if WGA can't be incorporated into AP, and MS insist on it, then what.....

Yes, it loses some 'power', but I'd rather that than the project being scrapped altogether.

It would still be a very useful tool for a lot of people even with security patches only.

586370233[/snapback]

Don't get me wrong, AutoPatcher will be in the "air"......the question is what we are gonna do and what is MS gonna do when we continue..........

Read more at this topic

[DarkCircuit]

Don't get me wrong, AutoPatcher will be in the "air"......the question is what we are gonna do and what is MS gonna do when we continue..........

Read more at this topic

586370260[/snapback]

You can stay at my house.

I have an extra floor?

[DaFlapDrol]

You can stay at my house.

I have an extra floor?

586370264[/snapback]

You are to kind :D

[+M2Ys4U Subscriber¹]

Raptor, have MS told you they don't want them redistrobuting their patches?

If not, then surely they don't mind :s

[akaladis Veteran]

^ Nope, nothing. Yet.

[ajschwab2004]

Well then keep doing AP until MS saids something to you. btw is there anyone on here who works for MS?