roady1
join:2003-11-13
Cleveland, OH | Only Genuine collaboration will be allowed....
Like Dell...or individually purchased copies of eks-pee |
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linicx
Caveat Emptor
Premium
join:2002-12-03
United State | Too bad
I had higher hopes. |
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Raptor
Not a Dumptruck
join:2001-10-21
London, ON
 ·Rogers Hi-Speed
 ·Bell Sympatico
| Only Going to Turn More Legit Users to OSX/Linux/Etc
I reformatted my gf's computer, and windows wouldn't activate again, so I called in to the activation centre.
After manually speaking my super long key into the phone, each segment was successfully verified with the clever little windows sound. However at the end, a big windows 3.1 'Dun!' sound, telling me I was some sort of pirate I guess.
I was forwarded to India, where the person did the same thing that the phone system used, except they asked what kind of computer I had and where I bought it. I just said both of which are not really Microsoft's business. And she verified my key.
Funny thing is, all I could hear in the background were other 'Indian-accented' voices repeating strings of letters and numbers. I could've got a whole bunch of other keys had i listened closely!
Hey, if Microsoft wants to build in inferior software validation and have to hire insane amounts of CSR's to do tech support, I guess. Seems like a pretty crappy business model, as it really doesn't stop pirating, IMO.
--
....where's my fiber? |
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Major_A
join:2001-11-10
Union, MO
| reply to roady1
Windows Genuine Advantage Nightmares
Looks like the report isn't fully true, because if they have asked me if I cared about WGA they would have found out that I am not happy about it, and I have a legal copy of XP. I don't like information about me / my systems being set to MS.
It's BS that they are getting away with it. Though I have put measures into place that WPA only works when I want it to. |
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MysticGogeta
The Robot Devil
Premium
join:2005-03-14
League City, TX
clubs: | reply to linicx
Re: Too bad
I really dident I figured there would be problems this was a good idea with bad programing in my opinion. |
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Jeffrey
too dark too early
Premium
join:2002-12-24
Dix Hills,NY
clubs:
·Optimum Online
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Vonage
·magicjack.com
| reply to Raptor
Re: Only Going to Turn More Legit Users to OSX/Linux/Etc
It might sound extreme, but all of Microsoft's BS has turned me off to them. I have approached the point where upon my next purchase - most likely in late 2007, I will be purchasing Apple's, replacing a few Windows XP-based Dell machines.
I'll still keep 1 or 2 Windows machines here, but for people like my mom's PC (where she uses email and browses the web) and my dad's business (where he uses the PC for very limited purposes; Quickbooks, email, etc.), a switch to Mac will be nice. Oh boy, and when I finally get the cash to 'develop' my photography hobby, I'll be drooling at the Macs. 
It's just one of those things that I've gotten tired of. I'm just tired of proving my legit copy of Windows every 3rd or 4th Tuesday. We shouldn't have to do that.
--
"When you get lost in your imaginatory vagueness, your forsight becomes a nimble vagrant."
[Ramblings] [Gallery] |
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inteller
Sociopaths always win.
join:2003-12-08
Tulsa, OK
| reply to Raptor
said by Raptor  :Funny thing is, all I could hear in the background were other 'Indian-accented' voices repeating strings of letters and numbers. I could've got a whole bunch of other keys had i listened closely! Now THAT is hilarious! I bet those guys go home every night to their wife and kids and speak in windows keys...
Wife: Welcome home Patel!
Microsoft worker: K3CKV-94Fvx-WE39O-Xcvtx-CUFUX-MC3S8Q !
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"WHEN THE LAUGH TRACK STARTS THEN THE FUN STARTS!" |
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rmdir
join:2003-03-13
Chicago, IL
| reply to Jeffrey
I haven't had any problems with it on the computers I have, but all my machines are dual boot Linux/XP machines. In all cases, the default OS to boot is Linux. I can boot XP if I want to...but I don't really want to.
Too bad MS can't spend less time on WGA and spend more on fixing their OS instead. |
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Wireless Major
@199.72.x.x | The system......
The system is flawed. I have witnessed it flag systems with legitimate keys as being pirated. It once even told me that my OS was not genuine, although I have a valid license key provided to me by my laptops manufacturer. |
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tsu9
join:2001-08-17
Wheeling, IL
| reply to Raptor
Re: Only Going to Turn More Legit Users to OSX/Linux/Etc
And then there's the problem with purchasing a computer loaded with a pirated copy of XP. The User shouldn't be penalized for the seller's unscrupulous business practices.
I'm sure that happens all 'the time, and the techno-ignorant buyers get the shaft in the process.
--
"You do not secure the liberty of our country and value of our democracy by undermining them, that's the road to hell." - Lord Phillips of Sudbury. |
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Rickez
Goinginsane
join:2000-09-02
Three Rivers, MA
·Vonage
·Comcast
·Verizon Online DSL
| Windows Genuine Advantage Nightmares
I have found that most of the false positives are on bulk systems, such as dell and gateway. Most of these false positives can be fixed with out a call to the call center, if the system is connected to the internet. I have seen about 5 of these over the past few months, all were fixed via internet in just a few minutes. These systems were in my shop for new hdd or Windows re-install. I had one with a replacement motherboard also, I was relieved that one went ok. I believe i read somewhere the MS considers a new motherboard as another computer.....
The reason I don't like Windows Genuine Advantage is that I can not use my XP Pro on all my systems and have to get a copy for each one. So I guess it works as planned for Microsoft. All my low end/Junk systems are win98.
--
Got a one way ticket, going the wrong way.... |
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Obliteration
Premium
join:2005-09-18
Somewhere | reply to Major_A
If you don't like it do what I did. Use a Mac instead.
Everything works almost identically and you have less freezing and random errors. |
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MASantangelo
Premium
join:2004-07-19
Pittstown, NJ
| False Positives
Yeah.... Was helping a friend out just yesterday in fact. His girlfriend had bought a HP/Compaq laptop about two months ago and as they tried to run Windows Updates, WGA claimed that their XP was pirated.
They called up HP per my recommendation and things got sorted out (though they didn't tell me exactly how o_o).
I also had it happen with the first version of XP Home that my dad had purchased.
Go figure.
--
Don't Let Them Take Your Rights! |
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Kearnstd
Elf Wizard
Premium
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ | reply to Rickez
Re: Windows Genuine Advantage Nightmares
yea that was nice, Win98 had no system limit if you had 4 PCs you could put it on 4 PCs. same with win2k.
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[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports |
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Midak
Doctors suck
Premium
join:2002-02-26
Yonkers, NY
1 edit | reply to tsu9
Re: Only Going to Turn More Legit Users to OSX/Linux/Etc
I have had several customers come to me with that issue. When asked about an XP CD or a COA sticker. Funniest one was this guy that built two systems, itemized everything on an invoice with individual prices and everything was overcharged or false. Charge $199 for each stolen copy of XP, told them they had more memory than they had, told them they had faster HDD than they had. I know have them as life long customers who are walking billboards for me. |
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kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY
 ·T-Mobile US
| reply to Obliteration
Re: Windows Genuine Advantage Nightmares
said by Obliteration :If you don't like it do what I did. Use a Mac instead. Everything works almost identically and you have less freezing and random errors. Aw, not again... somebody still believes these silly urban legends, spread by Jobs' PR machine?
I have zero freezes or errors on my PC but Tiger was a totally lame bugfest for 4-5 months after its release on my dual G5 last year, let alone the current widespread problems - overheating, random shutdowns etc - of MacBooks and MacBook Pros. |
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chemaupr
join:2005-06-06
Alexandria, VA | reply to roady1
Re: Only Genuine collaboration will be allowed....
2 pcs 2 laptops not problem here yet... |
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kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY
·T-Mobile US
| reply to Raptor
Re: Only Going to Turn More Legit Users to OSX/Linux/Etc
said by Raptor :I reformatted my gf's computer, and windows wouldn't activate again, so I called in to the activation centre. After manually speaking my super long key into the phone, each segment was successfully verified with the clever little windows sound. However at the end, a big windows 3.1 'Dun!' sound, telling me I was some sort of pirate I guess. I was forwarded to India, where the person did the same thing that the phone system used, except they asked what kind of computer I had and where I bought it. I just said both of which are not really Microsoft's business. And she verified my key. Funny thing is, all I could hear in the background were other 'Indian-accented' voices repeating strings of letters and numbers. I could've got a whole bunch of other keys had i listened closely! Hey, if Microsoft wants to build in inferior software validation and have to hire insane amounts of CSR's to do tech support, I guess. Seems like a pretty crappy business model, as it really doesn't stop pirating, IMO. Disclaimer: I deal with a company's full network on daily basis, I know MS and their support very well, I'm more of a Windows/RHEL4 guy than a Mac fan - yet this story really pissed me off enough I'm considering a MacBook replacement for my dying Dell laptop...
Few months ago I went through even worst adventure: my key refused to be activated, so I called in. They tried but they couldn't do it over the phone - it was a MS Partner Program Kit license but that's a retail version licenses in essence.
I have been transferred to the Partner Program's support who flatout stated they do not activate products at all and anyway they are dropping XP Pro from the package which in fact wasn't true at all and he transferred me back...
This game went on at least 4 times over the course of almost to 2 hours and my only helper was a technical support engineer who, after confirming my key is a valid retail key, remained in the line all the time, he 'held my hand' and 'walked with me' and after several refusal he simply advised me - I swear to God! - to tell the Activation Support it's a retail product, don't mention the Partner Program at all. When I mentioned I have several retail package here as well, he was actually happy to hear I have a real retail CD to read for the Activation Support - and indeed, I have read it after another transfer and got a new retail key and voila', that's it, it's been reactivated.
It almost took 2 hours on the phone and my only luck was a very kind technical support engineer who obviously saw the ridiculous state of MS' support for a valid retail key - after the resolution I asked for his boss and expressed my feelings about his professional attitude, praised his persistence and willingness to help.
Moral of the story: be ready to lie by default because it's not guaranteed that you'll get a similarly helpful engineer guy like I did... |
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temporalwar
join:2003-11-26
Huntsville, AL
| reply to MASantangelo
Re: False Positives
I repair windows for a living, and have had Microsoft give me new CD KEYS to try to fix this problem on several 'Royalty' Microsoft OEM machines
they dont like it when you write down the new key and try it on other computers with the same problem - but they can kiss my tail! |
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Capharnaum
join:2006-06-19
Montreal, QC | WGA removed?
I was just checking updates on Windows XP and it doesn't show in the list of updates anymore. Am I late or it's a new thing since this story? |
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