 roady1
join:2003-11-13
Cleveland, OH | Only Genuine collaboration will be allowed.... Like Dell...or individually purchased copies of eks-pee | |
|  | Major_A
join:2001-11-10
Union, MO
| 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. | |
| | | 
Obliteration
Premium
join:2005-09-18
Somewhere | Re: Windows Genuine Advantage Nightmares 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.  | |
| | | | 
kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY
 ·T-Mobile US
| 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. | |
| | | | | 
N3OGH
Bear patrol must be working like a charm
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs | Re: Windows Genuine Advantage Nightmares I've had a Mac Book Pro since April of this year without 1 crash or 1 "shutdown". | |
| | | | | | rgillis70
Premium
join:2002-12-30
Herndon, VA
| Re: Windows Genuine Advantage Nightmares And I have my Dell XP Pro laptop since 2003 with no crashes or "shutdowns" (unplanned).
But of course, our graphic designer has a Mac and it has not crashed, nor has his XP desktop.
It is all in what you do with the system and what you load on it. | |
| | | | | | |
N3OGH
Bear patrol must be working like a charm
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: Windows Genuine Advantage Nightmares I don't doubt it....
I was simply responding to Kamm's post, and not making a comparison to XP and OS X, so please, don't infer that.
I've had XP pro on my box at work for about a year now with no hiccups.
I think people get a little caught up in this whole OS thing. On my home machines, I've had a much better experience with OS X than I have with Windows XP, but that's just me.
It's like when me and my friends were gear heads in high school, and we would argue Ford Vs. Chevy. Both have their advantages over the other, but in the end, it really boils down to personal preference. And of course, what fits your needs.
You could run BeOs or CP/M for all I care, I'm not tasked with supporting your machine.
Do I prefer my Mac to my Windows machine? After about 5 months I honestly have to say I do.
Some people like Coke, some like Pepsi, some don't give a shit...... | |
| | | | |
Obliteration
Premium
join:2005-09-18
Somewhere
2 edits | said by kamm :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. I believe what I see. Thus why I don't believe in "God" to begin with.
I would download and store a video file. Next day I click on that folder and the computer freezes and says unknown error occurred. I create a NEW Folder and put the same file in the new one and no problems. Note that this procedure as simple as it sounds should not happen in the first place and wasn't easy because the folder seemed to crash instantly upon opening and I needed to boot in safe mode just to do this.
WTF is the problem there?
Yeah....
That is just one of the stupidest errors I see on Windows.
A second one is the damn computer freezing for 2 mins-indefinitely when I try to force quit let's say FireFox because it stopped responding.
WTF does it freeze? I had 2GB of rams in my computer over 3yrs ago at least. I had a fast CPU and everything.
Windows is sucky. I'm not arguing viruses or spyware because those can easily be solved for the most part on Windows. Random errors happening on the other hand are def. not an easy fix.
This Windows key genuine advantage is awesome as well as those random errors. 
--
"Satire is a sort of glass, wherein beholders do generally discover everybody's face but their own"--Johathan Swift
"Remember kids stay in drugs, don't do school, and always always listen to your grandparents"-Best advice | |
| | | | | jmelson3
join:2001-08-01
Saint Louis, MO | Aw, not again... somebody still believes these silly urban legends, spread by Jobs' PR machine? Umm, well, I just looked Friday and my desktop Linux machine at work had been up 375 days!
Jon | |
| | | | 
pb5k
more cowbell
Premium
join:2005-11-16
Glendale, AZ
 ·Cox HSI
| Admittedly, I have only a small amount of experience using macs but as much as I have enjoyed using them, I can't get past some of the quirks - like the MS Office suite for mac. I always heard how much better it was than the Win32 version, but all the floating windows frightened and confused my Windows-based mind (seriously though, I do have a preference for apps that are in one piece).
Also, it seems OSX doesn't like to Maximize windows. Small thing but disconcerting when moving back and forth between XP and OSX environments like I frequently had to at work.
Yes, for all its foibles, I still likes my Win-duhs. I am a primitive creature, after all...etc etc.
--
"When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not guilty.'" --
Theodore Roosevelt | |
| | | | Major_A
join:2001-11-10
Union, MO | I'd choose linux over a mac. | |
| | | 
snipper_cr
join:2002-01-22
Wheaton, IL
clubs:
| Neither do I but there is somethings that we can do about it.
I have Norton Internet Security on my computer and I have it prompt me each time a new program tries to access the internet or DNS server.
For instance, after WGA was installed I got a pop up saying "wga.exe is attempting to access the internet, what do you want to do? Block once? Block Always? Allow Once? Allow Always?"
Chose "Block Always" and never had a problem with it since. It just sits quitely not being able to do anything.
--
Serenity Day - June 23rd 2006. You Can't Stop the Signal | |
| | chemaupr
join:2005-06-06
Alexandria, VA | Re: Only Genuine collaboration will be allowed.... 2 pcs 2 laptops not problem here yet... | |
| | Joseph327
join:2006-02-03
Jacksonville, FL | If you all think XP is bad, just wait until Vista comes out!
Bru Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha !!!!!!!!!!! | |
| | 
Fluker
join:2005-04-07
West Lafayette, IN | yeah I just recently had to replace the winlogon.exe of an office machine that had a xp corp license sticker on the cabinet.
Micosoft has taken this too far. | |
| 
linicx
Caveat Emptor
Premium
join:2002-12-03
United State | Too bad I had higher hopes. | |
| | 
MysticGogeta
The Robot Devil
Premium
join:2005-03-14
League City, TX
clubs: | Re: Too bad I really dident I figured there would be problems this was a good idea with bad programing in my opinion. | |
| 
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? | |
| | 
Jeffrey
too dark too early
Premium
join:2002-12-24
Dix Hills,NY
clubs:
·Optimum Online
·Verizon FIOS
 ·Vonage
·magicjack.com
| 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] | |
| | | rmdir
join:2003-03-13
Chicago, IL
| Re: Only Going to Turn More Legit Users to OSX/Linux/Etc 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. | |
| | | | | | |
Jeffrey
too dark too early
Premium
join:2002-12-24
Dix Hills,NY
clubs:
·Optimum Online
·Verizon FIOS
·Vonage
·magicjack.com
| Re: Only Going to Turn More Legit Users to OSX/Linux/Etc said by NY Tel :said by Jeffrey :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. Jeff, You took the words right out of my mouth. I am now a "lurker" at the MAC stores at the local malls. I absolutely refuse to pay for Vista and will continue with my mix of paid for, licensed Windows 2000 and XP until I need to upgrade and then it is to a MAC. Ballmer needs to be knocked down and out.... Exactly. My desktop machine is fine, and probably won't need replacing until late 2008 should I feel like it. My Mom's PC (P3 1Ghz) is running way too slow for me, and I do 't even use the freaking thing. So, the next computer I get will be an Apple, and it will be for my Mom. I lurke a little in the Apple store in the Walt Whitman mall, and the only thing stopping me right now is the lack of need for a new computer.
I won't pay for Vista either. I think the time is right for a switch, and hey, it's fun to try something new.
And maybe, just maybe, if I can get all my relatives off Windows-based PCs and onto Apple machines, I won't have to stay on the phone for 4 hours every couple of months with my aunt in Rhode Island, remotely removing all the crap and losing my voice in the process.
--
"When you get lost in your imaginatory vagueness, your forsight becomes a nimble vagrant."
[Ramblings] [Gallery] | |
| | 
inteller
Sociopaths always win.
join:2003-12-08
Tulsa, OK
| 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 !
--
"WHEN THE LAUGH TRACK STARTS THEN THE FUN STARTS!" | |
| | | dentman42
join:2001-10-02
Columbus, OH
·AT&T Midwest
1 edit | Re: Only Going to Turn More Legit Users to OSX/Linux/Etc said by inteller :Wife: Welcome home Patel!
Microsoft worker: K3CKV-94Fvx-WE39O-Xcvtx-CUFUX-MC3S8Q !
Response 1: Wow! That key actually worked! Thanks!  Response 2: Hey! That's my key! | |
| | 
tsu9
join:2001-08-17
Wheeling, IL
| 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. | |
| | | 
Midak
Doctors suck
Premium
join:2002-02-26
Yonkers, NY
1 edit | 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. | |
| |
kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY
·T-Mobile US
| 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... | |
| | spartus4
join:2005-01-04
Fort Lauderdale, FL | Get an Admin copy of Windows XP Pro. You never have to activate it. | |
| | | 
tim_k
Buttons, Bows, Beamer, Shadow, Kasey
Premium
join:2002-02-02
Stewartstown, PA
·Millenicom
 ·WildBlue
2 edits | Re: Only Going to Turn More Legit Users to OSX/Linux/Etc said by spartus4 :Get an Admin copy of Windows XP Pro. You never have to activate it. If you mean buy one, that's hard to do for the average person. I'm not even sure how much it would cost for a basic corp license. If you mean use a key generator, it will activate, but unless you're lucky, WGA will still flag it and won't allow certain updates. Also it will keep bugging you about an illegal key. | |
| 
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. | |
| | | Kearnstd
Elf Wizard
Premium
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ | 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.
--
[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports | |
| 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! | |
| | temporalwar
join:2003-11-26
Huntsville, AL
| 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! | |
| | | 
cableties
Premium
join:2005-01-27
·Verizon FIOS
| Re: Windows Genuine DIS-Advantage I had that happen to me too! I had to re-install XP Pro on a new Dell and had to call their "robot". After speaking gibberish, I got a human (international support staff), and I was writing it down rather than entering it. When I read it back, she thought she heard me scribbling and i (oops) told her I was copying it down, she got upset. She didn't scold me but she was very adament that "I should not do dat".
ok.
Well, why should I call M$ everytime I have to wipe my hiney?
And then yes, download 52+ files after an install!!!
(I found a new WinXPProSP2 version "b" disk and even though the machine is serialed for XP Pro, it fails with the new disks! M$ has more variation of OS installers than there are M&M colors!!!)
 | |
| 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? | |
| inurenegade
join:2006-06-11
Wilmington, DE | why deal with windows? if u dont like it and you dont like mac why not go Ubuntu? or some other linux distro there are tons out there plus u can use Wine or something to execute windows applications :P | |
| amungus
Premium
join:2004-11-26
America
clubs:
| stupid... Ok, 1st, they need to start selling home licenses for people w/more than 1 computer... like OSX does, 5 copies are ok for a few more bucks...
Anyway, I did a repair install of XP on my dad's machine last weekend due to new Mobo/Processor (old ones had been fried by a bad power supply).
Repair goes fine. Activate before able to login, fine. Had to call, and go through a million numbers with the machine, everything was cool, it said activation was good.
As soon as it boots, "your copy may not be genuine!" WTF?
.......the date and time were wrong!!! ...funny thing was I swore I set that in the bios first thing, and then to boot to cd of course!
Totally annoying. Perfectly legal OEM XP. It fracking activated (after the stupid phone call) fine.
Fortunately, it went away after setting the date/time correctly in windows... but how is one to change that if you can't login before activation, and then it just nags you???
If this stupidness continues, I would really bet it does more harm than good. Besides, THEY (MS) could easily alleviate the whole "casual" bootlegging by offering people a reasonable deal like Steve Jobs does.
31 flavors of Vista, NONE of which seem to offer the most obvious choice... a full featured meadia deal with 5 licenses. I do not understand. | |
| | averagedude
join:2002-01-30
Mesa, AZ
·Cox HSI
| Re: stupid... said by amungus :Ok, 1st, they need to start selling home licenses for people w/more than 1 computer... like OSX does, 5 copies are ok for a few more bucks... Agree!!!
said by amungus :31 flavors of Vista, NONE of which seem to offer the most obvious choice... a full featured meadia deal with 5 licenses. I do not understand. Agree!!!
IMO the best way to stop piracy is to lower the price on the HOME OS's so that there is no reason not to be legit.
It seems the Home users are the hardest hit because companies using XP-pro have some kind of IT staff. So the most vulnerable are the hardest hit - great marketing. | |
| | | 
captokita
Premium
join:2005-02-22
Calabash, NC
| Re: stupid... said by averagedude :IMO the best way to stop piracy is to lower the price on the HOME OS's so that there is no reason not to be legit. It seems the Home users are the hardest hit because companies using XP-pro have some kind of IT staff. So the most vulnerable are the hardest hit - great marketing. This is said all the time, but it's true. It wouldn't matter if they charged $5 for Windows, people would still pirate it.
I've not had an issue with WGA on systems I've worked on, the ones that popped messages were hacked/pirated versions, and to me, they deserve to be shut down. Does the system have bugs in it? Sure, but if you're running legit software, you will have all the numbers needed to give Microsoft the call to get back up and running. Annoying? Sure, but in the end, it's still Microsoft's software. | |
| | | | 
Pirate515
Premium
join:2001-01-22
Brooklyn, NY
|  Re: stupid...
said by captokita :This is said all the time, but it's true. It wouldn't matter if they charged $5 for Windows, people would still pirate it. There is a category of people out there who just will not pay for anything regardless of how low the price is. However, there are not too many people in this category. I don't think that Microsoft should be focusing on this category of people as they are very determined to get their warez for free, and no matter how tight you lock it up and secure it, they will find a way around it. The majority of people, however, will buy it rather than pirate it if it was reasonably priced. High price tags (such as $500 for upcoming Windows Vista) usually justify time and efforts spent trying to get it for free and to bypass activation/WGA. However, had it costed $30 - $50, quite a few people out there would stop wasting their time and just buy it.
said by captokita :...but if you're running legit software, you will have all the numbers needed to give Microsoft a call to get back up and running. Sure, you'll have all the numbers, but are you aware of the fact that Microsoft will bill you for support? I believe that if you buy a retail copy of Windows XP, you get one free support call, once you use that up, you'll have to pay them to answer your questions or help you with your problems. Also, OEM versions do not get any support from Microsoft at all, you have to call the computer manufacturer for both hardware and software problems.
Also, if you do discover a specific bug in Microsoft's code, their initial reaction will be to brush you off and pretend like this issue doesn't exist. They do, however, document complaints, and if they get a lot about the same issue, they will try to correct it. If and only if they manage to correct it will they admit to it and post a fix. Otherwise, your complaint will fall on deaf ears.
--
Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies...
A MESSAGE to the RIAA and the MPAA: You shouldn't wound what you can't kill... | |
| StaticMan
join:2006-06-21
23534
1 edit | UMMMM anyone else here realize that the WGA is an optional download? granted if you dont download it the only way to get updates is through automatic update(can't use the website) it still is optional. | |
| | Joe12345678
join:2003-07-22
Des Plaines, IL
| Re: UMMMM said by StaticMan :anyone else here realize that the WGA is an optional download? granted if you dont download it the only way to get updates is through automatic update(can use the website) it still is optional. optional but m$ trys to force it on you in many ways. | |
| | | StaticMan
join:2006-06-21
23534 | Re: UMMMM very true | |
| |
tsu9
join:2001-08-17
Wheeling, IL | It's optional. That is, if you don't mind an exploited system. | |
| | | StaticMan
join:2006-06-21
23534
1 edit | Re: UMMMM as i said you can still get the updates you need from automatic updates even though its a little slower becasue the automatic updater does not require validation. but without WGA you cant go to the windows update website to get your updates. | |
| | 
richk_1957
If ..Then..Else
Premium
join:2001-04-11
Minas Tirith
| said by StaticMan :anyone else here realize that the WGA is an optional download? granted if you dont download it the only way to get updates is through automatic update(can't use the website) it still is optional. If you're talking about the WGA notification tool, you are correct, although Microsoft will try many ways to sneak it in. The actual Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program is another matter entirely. When you go to windows update, the first thing that happens is that you will get a screen saying that a check is being performed to see if you have the latest version of windows update. Occasionally, it will come up saying that downloads must be installed before windows update can continue. One of these is the WGA tool. If you uncheck that update, basically you can't go any farther, it keeps coming back saying you must upgrade windows update to the latest version before continuing.
Of course, if Microsoft has decided that you are running a illegal copy of windows, you can download critical security updates, but that's all. | |
| ffink20001
join:2002-12-18
Norwich, CT
| Pirated Windows is better My pc right now has two gigs of ram and an AMD 64 processor and a legal copy of XP pro.. My old Pc is an athlon 1800 with only 512 megs of ram and a pirated copy of windows.. The pirated copy run alot faster then my legal copy and never had any freezup errors and shit. In fact the only reason I use my legal copy is because I don't want to take the time to uninstall it. | |
| |
See 11 replies to this post | |
| wareagletsf
Premium
join:2006-05-17
Hartford, CT
·Millenicom
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
| activation of XP for me I am at the point with XP Pro a legal copy to hwere I have to call every time I upgrade my computer, this can take around 2 hours of playing who made the computer , where the key came from and why am I calling it should activate over the internet. some times I think a hacked copy might be a better answer | |
| | | | | 
Doctor Four
My other vehicle is a TARDIS
Premium
join:2000-09-05
Dallas, TX
·AT&T U-Verse
| Re: activation of XP I'd second that. Some time ago, I had some system
problems where I had to reload Windows, and the
online Activation wanted me to call to get a new key.
It was the first and last time I went to a warez
newsgroup looking for something that would make
Windows think that Activation had already been done. It
was something called AntiWPA, I think.
--
"Kayura or Badamon, whichever you are, you should know that I will never give up this battle. By the will of the Ancient, I shall succeed!" - Shuten (Anubis) from the Ronin Warriors. Taking the 'L' out of Play: the Big Music/Hollywood Mantra | |
| 
StudioTech
S2409W plus SA4250HD
join:2001-10-10
Edison, NJ | Full speed ahead for WGA into Vista I'm guessing that's since WGA has been such a 'huge success' in Microsoft's eyes that' it will be fully incorporated into Vista? | |
| 
Fatal Vector
join:2005-11-26
| Now you all see
The wages of your sins. You should have known better than to let them put this crap on your compyters and you deserve what you got. Like you really thought Microsoft would be honest and not try to rake a large proportion for more money?
Why is it, do you think, that they are coming out with vista when they have a perfectly good OS in XP (IF that is, they could finally patch all the holes in it after what? 4 YEARS?)?
It's because XP is mature and the revenue stream is falling off. I'm sure they got used to raking in that 1 BILLION a MONTH, year after year.
Just think: You lemmings will run right out and buy Vista and will be the first to experience the wonderfull world of the next generation of swiss cheese OS's.
I can hear the teeth gnashing and whining now. Sometimes I get the idea many "IT pros" aren't as smart as they think they are. Big surprise from what I see here a lot of times. | |
| | 
piper_
join:2001-04-19
Buffalo, NY
| Re: Now you all see said by Fatal Vector :The wages of your sins. You should have known better than to let them put this crap on your compyters and you deserve what you got. Like you really thought Microsoft would be honest and not try to rake a large proportion for more money? Why is it, do you think, that they are coming out with vista when they have a perfectly good OS in XP (IF that is, they could finally patch all the holes in it after what? 4 YEARS?)? It's because XP is mature and the revenue stream is falling off. I'm sure they got used to raking in that 1 BILLION a MONTH, year after year. Just think: You lemmings will run right out and buy Vista and will be the first to experience the wonderfull world of the next generation of swiss cheese OS's. I can hear the teeth gnashing and whining now. Sometimes I get the idea many "IT pros" aren't as smart as they think they are. Big surprise from what I see here a lot of times. Smartest post posted, also the truth. I hate rootkits (all flavors of windows)
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proudly anti-micro$oft | |
| jdir
join:2001-05-04
Santa Clara, CA | what happens What happens if I install an original XP onto a hard drive
activate that. Then use Ghost or one of the many image backup and burn a CD - then use that CD to create boot for my network of machine ? | |
| | StaticMan
join:2006-06-21
23534
| Re: what happens good question, i know that the validation is done remotely at the windows servers, but once validation is complete i believe it saves taht info on your local disk so taht it does not need to validate multiple times. if you did a mirror backup of the drive it may be possible to bypass it. never tried it myself but it sounds decent in theory. let me know how that turns out. your only killing point is that if you have a drastically differnet hardware setup on differnet machines, its going to have a hard time adapting. | |
| | | 
Transmaster
Don't Blame Me I Voted For Bill and Opus
join:2001-06-20
Cheyenne, WY
·Qwest.net
2 edits | A possible fix I have not used this myself but as you can it is straight from micro bucks.
"How to disable or uninstall the pilot version of Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications."
»support.microsoft.com/kb/921914
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The older I get the more I prefer the company of my dogs over that of man kind. | |
| | | | jdir
join:2001-05-04
Santa Clara, CA
| Re: A possible fix The reason I asked, is all the companies I have worked for do this scheme. They would ghost image on a convention clean machine with all the default setting and softwares, then as new people come on board, they just clone from the DVD image - then change the IP address and name of machine.
Then as people machine got corrupted or crash or quit - they just take out the DVD and re-install that. Sure beat going around and look for x program, y program, z program | |
| |
DeeplyShrouded
@comcast.net
| CD Key system outdated? Well, I think the whole CD Key thing is stupid anyway.
How to stop piracy? MS could do it easily.
Each CD would come with a USB dongle that has to be
used each time it is installed, and it has to remain plugged
in each time you boot up. There are programs that do that
already. If the key on the PC doesn't match the key hard-coded
into the dongle, the system doesn't boot. If the key doesn't
match the install cd, the program doesn't install.
The bottom line is, MS wants to protect its investment, as
does any business. However, biting the hand that feeds you
is not the way to do it. I don't know how the keys in XP and
Vista work, but there has to be a way to protect both MS's
investment and keep their customers happy.
Is the CD key system obsolete? I think so.
I think the ideal solution is an operating system that
works, is reasonably priced, and has good customer support.
I don't like the fact that you call for support and you
get someone that can't speak your language, or even if they
do, their accent is so heavy you can't understand them anyway.
Cutting corners isn't the way to go, and overpricing your
software and blaming it on piracy isn't the way to go
either. You'd think after 30+ years in the software
industry, MS would've realized it by now..... | |
| | iotastorm
join:2006-01-24
Florissant, MO
·AT&T DSL Service
| Re: what happens well if all machines are EXACTLY the same, up to and including serial numbers of the harware (hard drives,processor,etc) you could get away with it, don't think this is a real probability.
otherwise, xp with check against its database and see that the machine is different and you're back to square 1. | |
| 
Pashune
Inhaling at 675 KB per sec.
Premium
join:2006-04-14
Gautier, MS
·CableOne
·AT&T Southeast
2 edits | My retarded rant/plan. Know what I do? If I can't prove to them it IS a legit copy of Windows, I say screw it all and get rid of WGA. I don't have SP2, don't want it (Tried it on my system already and it turned into a hellmachine, a SLOW one). I like my SP1 better. I don't need WMP11 (yet), and as far as I know, Direct X 10 is only going to be available on Vista if I'm correct? I'll worry about my key when I MUST upgrade my software. I know I'm putting my PC under serious risks for backdoors and the like, but I've gone 2 years with NO critical Windows' updates, and my pc runs like Sonic the hedgehog oh, and he hasn't lost any rings either!! If I have to put my pc under serious risks just because I can't get a legit key, so be it. *slams gavel* | |
| |
Fatal Vector
join:2005-11-26
| Re: My retarded rant/plan.
It's been my experience that if you lock down the internet zone in IE and dont open E mail attachments, you dont have anything to worry about to begin with. If scripting and the other auto crap is disabled, most sites work anyway and the ones that dont, or, give the nefarious "your security settings prohibit running active X controls..." warning I view with a suspicious eye to begin with.
After the site has been proven to be acceptable and I want to use features it has, I put it in the trusted zone. Simple enough and it works fine. I have yet to have ANY infection of ANY kind.
Proof is in the puddin, pilgrim. | |
| 
statecop
Premium
join:2002-09-16
Beverly Hills, CA
| I have seen some false positives. Our computers at work were taken out of the box with windows on them from the factory and a few weeks ago I noticed some of them are showing as not having legit copies when we KNOW they do. These computers even have the key and on the bottom of the systems with a sticker and it is the same key loaded on the system.
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»www.SRTunderground.us | |
| |
DeeplyShrouded
@comcast.net
| Re: I have seen some false positives. Well, the whole WGA crap is a fiasco anyway.
MS dropped the ball by not checking the keys people were
inputting with a hard-coded and encrypted key on the install
CD. I'm now running Vista 5728 RC1.
It boots a lot faster than XP, and so far I don't see any
problems. | |
| | severach
join:2002-09-12
Jackson, MI
| >These computers even have the key and on the bottom of the systems with a sticker and it is the same key loaded on the system.
Preloaded big name (Royalty) system should never have the key on the case show up in the key finder or they have been improperly installed and will ask for activation. | |
| short09
join:2006-07-21 | wga is easy to defeat theres a simple registry fix u can dl that gets rid of the pesky wga | |
| | 
Dude111
An Awesome Dude
Premium
join:2003-08-04
USA | Re: wga is easy to defeat Ah man!!! | |
|
sdfbsdfsadf
@qwest.net | asdf Microsoft makes enough money as it is; why are they trying to milk us to death!!! WGA is a joke and has effected computers that are legiment! | |
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Windows Genuine Advantage Nightmares
