Can Microsoft track down Illegal copy of XP ? A friend of mine downloaded the coporate version from the net. He can install it without calling MS for the password.
Can Microsoft track down Illegal copy of XP ?
- Thread starter Nickyct
- Start date
<< Can Microsoft track down Illegal copy of XP ? A friend of mine downloaded the coporate version from the net. He can install it without calling MS for the password. >>
I assume you're referring to activation which is not required with coporate versions of XP!
<< Can Microsoft track down Illegal copy of XP ? A friend of mine downloaded the coporate version from the net. He can install it without calling MS for the password. >>
Is it worth it?
Since most of the ''illegal" copies people have were installed using the same product key, it would be quite easy for Microsoft to detect them. Would they? Who knows.
> Since most of the ''illegal" copies people have were installed using the same product key, it would be quite easy for Microsoft to detect them
Yes, don't be suprised to see future Windows updates that disable these systems (this has been discussed). Also, a number of the 'corporate versions' floating around where nicely updated to include trojans, so buyer be ware.
Bill
Yes, don't be suprised to see future Windows updates that disable these systems (this has been discussed). Also, a number of the 'corporate versions' floating around where nicely updated to include trojans, so buyer be ware.
Bill
i could see MS making systems not work anymore but i cant see them pressing charges or anything like that. MS doesnt have the time to hunt everyone down. just break their stuff and leave...
Im sure they are very happy with the amount of pirated copies that they cut down on this time around! Plus there will always be corporate windows updates to go around that disabling problem!
Well, I format my hard drive quite often. I would hate to call them up everytime I reinstall windows if I purchase the Home version. The corporate version is definately out of my price range.
I'll stick with Windows 98 for now.
May I'll try Lindows when it comes out. It's probably suit my price range.
I'll stick with Windows 98 for now.
May I'll try Lindows when it comes out. It's probably suit my price range.
cleverhandle
Diamond Member
- Dec 17, 2001
- 3,566
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<< Well, I format my hard drive quite often. I would hate to call them up everytime I reinstall windows if I purchase the Home version. >>
That's not necessary unless you change a significant number of hardware components in your system (3 I think?). If you just need to reinstall XP on the same system (like the good, legal boy you proclaim to be) reactivation doesn't require phone calls, etc.
<< That's not necessary unless you change a significant number of hardware components in your system (3 I think?). >>
All I did was take out a harddrive add a video card and decided to reinstall. Then wamo I had to call MS to get it reactivated.
They asked me why I was reinstalling the OS..I paid for it, is it really any of their business??
I have Corp maybe next time I'll just install that...
Uhm...cleverhandle, if you format your harddrive, it's kinda hard to reinstall without having to reactivate XP. 
And I'm pretty sure "reinstalling" no matter what will require reactivation. The thing that does NOT require reactivation is if you just CHANGE hardware without reinstalling. So swapping a hard drive and video card probably shouldn't cause reactivation, but reinstalling XP after you do that would require it.
Nickyct: the "corporate" version they're referring to isn't expensive. It's warezed (and I'm surprised this thread is still open). It's not technically a corporate version, it's a full version of XP pro with particular files replaced with files from a version that doesn't need activation (which I think was a corporate version) however the entire copy is not a corporate copy.
And I'm pretty sure "reinstalling" no matter what will require reactivation. The thing that does NOT require reactivation is if you just CHANGE hardware without reinstalling. So swapping a hard drive and video card probably shouldn't cause reactivation, but reinstalling XP after you do that would require it.Nickyct: the "corporate" version they're referring to isn't expensive. It's warezed (and I'm surprised this thread is still open). It's not technically a corporate version, it's a full version of XP pro with particular files replaced with files from a version that doesn't need activation (which I think was a corporate version) however the entire copy is not a corporate copy.
bsobel - yeah right.
1) trojans - doubt it.
2) deactivation of windows via windows update? - doubt it...and even if so, who's going to update knowing that it disables your computer?...they'll catch how many people?...how many people will just reinstall the OS and not update?...big deal, let them deactivate via update...reality - they won't.
1) trojans - doubt it.
2) deactivation of windows via windows update? - doubt it...and even if so, who's going to update knowing that it disables your computer?...they'll catch how many people?...how many people will just reinstall the OS and not update?...big deal, let them deactivate via update...reality - they won't.
Nothinman
Elite Member
- Sep 14, 2001
- 30,672
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Well, I format my hard drive quite often.
Maybe you should figure out what the real fixes to your problems are instead of just reinstalling the OS. There's very few reaons to resort to a complete reinstall.
All I did was take out a harddrive add a video card and decided to reinstall. Then wamo I had to call MS to get it reactivated.
They asked me why I was reinstalling the OS..I paid for it, is it really any of their business??
You paid for the right to use MS' software and you agreed to their rules. You own nothing, and if they want to ask you why you want to reinstall or why you reboot every 3 days they can, because you agreed to it.
I have Corp maybe next time I'll just install that...
I can't wait until MS patches/Windows Update start disabling these systems, it'll be a real eye opener for a lot of people.
1) trojans - doubt it.
Why? It's warez, do you really trust those guys?
2) deactivation of windows via windows update? - doubt it...and even if so, who's going to update knowing that it disables your computer?...they'll catch how many people?...how many people will just reinstall the OS and not update?...big deal, let them deactivate via update...reality - they won't.
So the choices are run without any fixes or new MS software, or save some cash and "stick it to MS". With bugs like the UPnP ones out there, and surely more to be discovered, I think anyone with half a brain would just pay for the software.
Maybe you should figure out what the real fixes to your problems are instead of just reinstalling the OS. There's very few reaons to resort to a complete reinstall.
All I did was take out a harddrive add a video card and decided to reinstall. Then wamo I had to call MS to get it reactivated.
They asked me why I was reinstalling the OS..I paid for it, is it really any of their business??
You paid for the right to use MS' software and you agreed to their rules. You own nothing, and if they want to ask you why you want to reinstall or why you reboot every 3 days they can, because you agreed to it.
I have Corp maybe next time I'll just install that...
I can't wait until MS patches/Windows Update start disabling these systems, it'll be a real eye opener for a lot of people.
1) trojans - doubt it.
Why? It's warez, do you really trust those guys?
2) deactivation of windows via windows update? - doubt it...and even if so, who's going to update knowing that it disables your computer?...they'll catch how many people?...how many people will just reinstall the OS and not update?...big deal, let them deactivate via update...reality - they won't.
So the choices are run without any fixes or new MS software, or save some cash and "stick it to MS". With bugs like the UPnP ones out there, and surely more to be discovered, I think anyone with half a brain would just pay for the software.
nortexoid: no WindowsUpdate means no security patches (you think they'll continue to let you just download an EXE to install those if they start disabling via WU?) or compatibility patches or bug patches. I'd certainly be put out if in order to keep using the OS I had to stop updating it.
While I think legally MS has ever right to do these things, my personal opinion is that they shouldn't, but, I know they're just trying to protect what makes them money. I'd be more than happy to start paying a little more money for Windows if I was allowed to install it on any machine that I personally used (and not that like 10 dollar discount for each additional copy of XP you buy and all you get is the right to install on one machine per additional license, and you don't get disks or manuals). I know that MS is most concerned about the major pirates that are making huge money on copies of Windows and Office and stuff; I think if it was just people giving it to friends they'd be less concerned (not totally unconcerned) and they wouldn't resort to quite such drastic measures. All the people that are out buying the pirated copies of MS software would probably be largely put out by the simple serial number needed; most wouldn't go looking for people that have an ISO version for them to download, and tracking down serial numbers, things like that; most are just buying it thinking it IS a legal copy and they need Windows, or they aren't able to warez it themselves for whatever reason.
While I think legally MS has ever right to do these things, my personal opinion is that they shouldn't, but, I know they're just trying to protect what makes them money. I'd be more than happy to start paying a little more money for Windows if I was allowed to install it on any machine that I personally used (and not that like 10 dollar discount for each additional copy of XP you buy and all you get is the right to install on one machine per additional license, and you don't get disks or manuals). I know that MS is most concerned about the major pirates that are making huge money on copies of Windows and Office and stuff; I think if it was just people giving it to friends they'd be less concerned (not totally unconcerned) and they wouldn't resort to quite such drastic measures. All the people that are out buying the pirated copies of MS software would probably be largely put out by the simple serial number needed; most wouldn't go looking for people that have an ISO version for them to download, and tracking down serial numbers, things like that; most are just buying it thinking it IS a legal copy and they need Windows, or they aren't able to warez it themselves for whatever reason.
At any rate when I formated and reinstalled my OS it wouldn't activate with just online activation I had to call MS to reactivate.
Nope, there is no way they can track it down. Even if they do, they can't really do anything about it...
Personally I think that downloading free software it wrong. The companies should get credit for their work.
Personally I think that downloading free software it wrong. The companies should get credit for their work.
Nothinman
Elite Member
- Sep 14, 2001
- 30,672
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Nope, there is no way they can track it down.
How do you know?
Personally I think that downloading free software it wrong. The companies should get credit for their work.
Not to nit-pick but you should probably rephrase that, I downoad free software all the time but it's intended by the author to be free (Open Source, Free Software, whatever you want to call it). Pirating software is what's illegal.
How do you know?
Personally I think that downloading free software it wrong. The companies should get credit for their work.
Not to nit-pick but you should probably rephrase that, I downoad free software all the time but it's intended by the author to be free (Open Source, Free Software, whatever you want to call it). Pirating software is what's illegal.
SpeedTester
Senior member
- Mar 18, 2001
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<< I have no sympathy for thieves.
-------------------------
3DMark2001 score:
9492 #1 in CPU/VC Class!!! (P4 at 2300) >>
It would be pretty funny if AMD and Intel could do the same thing.
cleverhandle
Diamond Member
- Dec 17, 2001
- 3,566
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<< Uhm...cleverhandle, if you format your harddrive, it's kinda hard to reinstall without having to reactivate XP.
And I'm pretty sure "reinstalling" no matter what will require reactivation. >>Perhaps if you reread my post, Lord, you'll notice that I *didn't* say that you wouldn't need to reactivate, I just said you wouldn't have to call. Don66 said he did - I don't know why his install worked out like that. I reinstalled XP last weekend while repartitioning to set up a multi-boot system, and the online activation worked fine - no need to call MS.
And as long as we're at it, I'm in the same boat with Nothinman and Amused on piracy: quit your bitchin'! Don't make half-assed excuses as to why *your* copying of MS software is somehow morally upright. It's their OS, it's their rules. If it's worth the money to you, pay for it. If not, use linux or something else. Linux would probably be in a lot better shape if people didn't accelerate Microsoft's dominance by copying Windows to every machine they can get their hands on.
A) You didn't specify in the post you were only talking about calling. My reading of it interpreted it as not having to reactivate at all.
B) Do you see anywhere in my posts in this thread that say I'm not using a legal copy? It may be read that way, some of the implications may look like it, but I didn't say it. Don't get pissy with me when you have the same problem reading.
Note: I am using the hacked/corporate version, but this is the first time in the thread I've SAID that, in fact I think it's the first time I've said it anywhere on the forums. Could be wrong though. As for the rest, I never said I'm morally better for any reason. I just made a suggestion for what WOULD help Microsoft out with the pirating issues.
B) Do you see anywhere in my posts in this thread that say I'm not using a legal copy? It may be read that way, some of the implications may look like it, but I didn't say it.
Don't get pissy with me when you have the same problem reading.Note: I am using the hacked/corporate version, but this is the first time in the thread I've SAID that, in fact I think it's the first time I've said it anywhere on the forums. Could be wrong though. As for the rest, I never said I'm morally better for any reason. I just made a suggestion for what WOULD help Microsoft out with the pirating issues.
> bsobel - yeah right.
Nortexoid, Yea right what? Do you have any basis for discrediting this?
> 1) trojans - doubt it.
I work for an AV vendor, there are infected versions floating around. Like I said, buyer beware.
> 2) deactivation of windows via windows update? - doubt it...and even if so, who's going to update knowing that it disables your computer?...they'll catch how many people?...how many people will just reinstall the OS and not update?...big deal, let them deactivate via update...reality - they won't.
They've done this in the past with pirated versions of Office. If there is a certain corporate registration that is completely abused, it's simple for them to detect it and disable the os. Who's going to update knowing that it disabled your computer? That's simple, they put stuff like this into service packs. You don't HAVE to upgrade, you just don't get all the fixes/changes moving forward.
I don't mind you disagreeing with me, but try to stick to facts and not opinions.
Bill
Nortexoid, Yea right what? Do you have any basis for discrediting this?
> 1) trojans - doubt it.
I work for an AV vendor, there are infected versions floating around. Like I said, buyer beware.
> 2) deactivation of windows via windows update? - doubt it...and even if so, who's going to update knowing that it disables your computer?...they'll catch how many people?...how many people will just reinstall the OS and not update?...big deal, let them deactivate via update...reality - they won't.
They've done this in the past with pirated versions of Office. If there is a certain corporate registration that is completely abused, it's simple for them to detect it and disable the os. Who's going to update knowing that it disabled your computer? That's simple, they put stuff like this into service packs. You don't HAVE to upgrade, you just don't get all the fixes/changes moving forward.
I don't mind you disagreeing with me, but try to stick to facts and not opinions.
Bill
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