How is this possible? I guess maybe I don't know anything (Windows 7 on Craigslist)

[Matt_Stevens]

Okay, so, I thought Windows 7 was going to make installing the OS on multiple computers impossible, yet right there on Craigslist are people offering it for $25 (upgrade) or $35 (full). Say what?

I paid for my Windows 98. And my XP. Hate Vista so I never upgraded and frankly, I think my system is not really ripe for Windows 7, so I stay with XP.

But won't the people buying these CD's from random people end up being hit with the Authentication thing? What happens when they update or install the latest version of Office?

Please note, I am not advocating piracy. I am against it. Hence my question. It's just surprising to see it being done so blatantly. Heck, one guy was offering Windows 7, Office, Photoshop and for Macs, Final Cut Pro 7. Flagged his post, of course.

 

[DesiPower]

There also bootlegged games on HDD for PS and Xbox

 

[Invisible Evil]

this thread has legs.. I feel really good about it for some reason

 

[Nebor]

I bought Windows 7 Keys on ebay more than a year ago. Just last week it came up saying my keys had been blocked by Microsoft. Fortunately they were nice enough to let me buy their "upgrade to authentic" packages for $110 each.

 

[dainthomas]

With XP and Vista, I've always told them my computer fried so I had to rebuild it and do a reinstall. Are they being total asses about that now?

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

they have "loader"? programs that makes your copy of win7 authenticated. then you remove the nag screen or something? also there's a specific update that you have to avoid because it's an update for detecting unauthorized copies of win7 or copies that used a loader or something.

 

[Nik]

First, Windows Update checks your installation key against a list of keys that Microsoft has decided to block for whatever reason. You usually get on that list when a shitload of computers go for their weekly Windows Update (the weekly thing is a subtle check-authenticity-thing in case you didn't know even though you can turn the auto off) and Microsoft notices all of them and goes hey wait a minute...

Remember the dell website laptop/windows key fiasco? Dell had a 3D image of one of their laptop models on their site so potential customers can check it out or something. Well, the image was so clear that the bottom of the laptop, where you'd find Dell's sticker, was basically advertising a free windows installation key. TONS of people went to the site, hit the 3D tool, turned the laptop over, zoomed in, and bam they had a free install key. It didn't take long for that key to spread all over the world lol. Microsoft noticed and has since blocked the key for windows updates and activation.

Anyhow, until Microsoft NOTICES that you're using a key that was just used somewhere else, they're not going to do jack crap. Even 10 computers doesn't raise a big enough blip on the MS radar for them to bother doing anything with.

When you call to activate, they'll ask you if it's installed on other machines. Regardless of the truth, they will always accept "no" and, for the life of me, I don't know why they bother asking. Who the F is gonna say yes? Good lord, stupid people.

Anyhow, the crux of the matter is that, if a legitimate customer can activate his copy of Windows, a hacker will be able to as well. There's just no two ways about it and there never will be.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

First, Windows Update checks your installation key against a list of keys that Microsoft has decided to block for whatever reason. You usually get on that list when a shitload of computers go for their weekly Windows Update (the weekly thing is a subtle check-authenticity-thing in case you didn't know even though you can turn the auto off) and Microsoft notices all of them and goes hey wait a minute...

Remember the dell website laptop/windows key fiasco? Dell had a 3D image of one of their laptop models on their site so potential customers can check it out or something. Well, the image was so clear that the bottom of the laptop, where you'd find Dell's sticker, was basically advertising a free windows installation key. TONS of people went to the site, hit the 3D tool, turned the laptop over, zoomed in, and bam they had a free install key. It didn't take long for that key to spread all over the world lol. Microsoft noticed and has since blocked the key for windows updates and activation.

Anyhow, until Microsoft NOTICES that you're using a key that was just used somewhere else, they're not going to do jack crap. Even 10 computers doesn't raise a big enough blip on the MS radar for them to bother doing anything with.

When you call to activate, they'll ask you if it's installed on other machines. Regardless of the truth, they will always accept "no" and, for the life of me, I don't know why they bother asking. Who the F is gonna say yes? Good lord, stupid people.

Anyhow, the crux of the matter is that, if a legitimate customer can activate his copy of Windows, a hacker will be able to as well. There's just no two ways about it and there never will be.

haha I remember going on ebay back in the day looking for used copies of half-life. People would take pictures of the cd and you could jack the cd keys.

 

[Elias824]

why would you pay $35 for a hacked copy of win7 that wont last a month before its blocked, so freaking stupid just shell out the extra money and get your own copy or go free and try to hack it yourself.

 

[ahenkel]

I thought a lot of people bought technet subs and then sold the extra keys.

 

[nboy22]

haha I remember going on ebay back in the day looking for used copies of half-life. People would take pictures of the cd and you could jack the cd keys.

I remember back in the day of the battlefield 1942 and vietnam games, I photoshopped the serial key off of my cases, sent in the pictures to EA games' support, and made up an excuse that my case didn't come with a serial key on it. They would always supply me with another key, so I had like 2 or 3 for each game and would give them to friends.

 

[krylon]

I remember back in the day of the battlefield 1942 and vietnam games, I photoshopped the serial key off of my cases, sent in the pictures to EA games' support, and made up an excuse that my case didn't come with a serial key on it. They would always supply me with another key, so I had like 2 or 3 for each game and would give them to friends.

You're cool

 

[Nik]

You're cool

Exactly what I was thinking

 

[nboy22]

Exactly what I was thinking

Lol.. I was a kid back then, more mature now at least... I just thought it was amusing back then to get free keys although it wasn't the most mature thing to do.

 

[Nik]

It's all good. I used to be a HUGE pirate. I've lost weight since then.

j/k

 

[Leros]

I bought a student copy of Windows 7 from my university. I installed it on two computers. About a month later, one of the computers popped up a thing saying I did not have authentic key and it was going to do some nasty stuff to force me to become legit.

 

[Nik]

I bought a student copy of Windows 7 from my university. I installed it on two computers. About a month later, one of the computers popped up a thing saying I did not have authentic key and it was going to do some nasty stuff to force me to become legit.

Guaranteed you weren't the only one using that key.

 

[Nebor]

I remember back in the day of the battlefield 1942 and vietnam games, I photoshopped the serial key off of my cases, sent in the pictures to EA games' support, and made up an excuse that my case didn't come with a serial key on it. They would always supply me with another key, so I had like 2 or 3 for each game and would give them to friends.

I blame $60 PC games on you, exclusively. Jackwagon.

 

[nboy22]

I blame $60 PC games on you, exclusively. Jackwagon.

And I suppose you've never pirated anything in your life? Let's be real here...

 

[Nik]

And I suppose you've never pirated anything in your life? Let's be real here...

Damn you. Do you have any idea how hard it is NOT to make a pirate joke when Nebor is part of the conversation?



must... not.... post... :sneaky:

 

[Leros]

Guaranteed you weren't the only one using that key.

Well, my other machine has been fine for the past year. I think my university actually gives students unique keys.

 

[Nik]

Well, my other machine has been fine for the past year. I think my university actually gives students unique keys.

Um, no two copies of windows will share a key outside of the corporate world. Your University doesn't control any of that, it comes from Microsoft that way

 

[Kev]

I remember back in the day of the battlefield 1942 and vietnam games, I photoshopped the serial key off of my cases, sent in the pictures to EA games' support, and made up an excuse that my case didn't come with a serial key on it. They would always supply me with another key, so I had like 2 or 3 for each game and would give them to friends.

That's actually pretty funny

 

[Leros]

Um, no two copies of windows will share a key outside of the corporate world. Your University doesn't control any of that, it comes from Microsoft that way

A lot of universities have corporate keys. Every student has the same key. That might have changed with recent versions of Windows, but my university has had unique keys for at least as long as XP.

 

[dabuddha]

It's all good. I used to be a HUGE pirate. I've lost weight since then.

j/k

j/k about being a pirate or j/k about losing the weight?