Vista Question

[capteric35]

Hi All,
I was wondering if Windows Vista
ACTUALLY needs to contact Microsoft
occasionally to continue running?

Or is this just another web rumor
without any truth to it?
Thanks.

 

[Canterwood]

Originally posted by: capteric35
Hi All,
I was wondering if Windows Vista
ACTUALLY needs to contact Microsoft
occasionally to continue running?

I would certainly hope NOT.

That would be like Microsoft saying everyone is guilty of stealing the software until they can prove otherwise.

My Vista test box is currently standalone without any internet access.
If I found it had gone into some sort of limited mode because it hadn't validated for a while I'd be royally p1ssed off.


Hopefully someone here from Microsoft can ease our fears and expose this rumour as BS.

 

[corkyg]

No, it does not. It sometimes wants to, usually to report an error, but it always asks. I always say "No!"

 

[imported_djnes]

While I couldn't imagine using a computer in this day and age without an internet connection, you aren't going to have any issues with it, save for missing out on updates. That rumor sounds like another example of the paranoid masses trying to make Microsoft look bad, even at the expense of logic.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: djnes
While I couldn't imagine using a computer in this day and age without an internet connection, ...

Evidently you are not considering travel with a laptop, especially overseas. There are many places where Internet connections just do not exist. I'll venture to say that there are towns and locations in the USA that can only be linked via satellite or dialup. And with dialup, you simply do not stay connected except to transmit or receive specific messages or files.

Otherwise, we are in full agreement.

 

[imported_djnes]

I can understand not having a full time, always connected computer. My work laptop is often used with no connection.

I made my comments though, because one suggestion was a computer with no internet access. That's what I am suprised about. You'd have to sneaker-net everything over to it.

 

[nerp]

"Calling home" concerns are unwarranted and borderline paranoia. Read the EULAs if you want to know what's going on with your computer.

Besides, there are shady things like this going on with 3rd party apps, trialware and other bloated "suites" of crapware that many people insist on installing and never think twice about. Before you start looking at MS suspiciously, you might want to take stock of all your installed apps, too.

Remember the RealJukebox fiasco?

 

[capteric35]

Well there is one application where it is imnportant.
A lot of people on other lists I have joined
("Live-Aboard" and "Trawlers and Trawlering" )
use their comoputers for navigation purposes. These PCs have all the charts of the USA on them (mine does too, they are now FREE from NOAA) and you can plan out several days of travel, set the waypoints, monitor your position, operate the autopilot etc., etc.
There is the worry that needing to "validate" everything might be a problem.
Some on those lists have suggested that the EU agreement DOES imply that the computer must be in contact with Microsoft on occasion or it will not continue to operate normally.
Od course even the initial "validation" that IS required cvan be a problem for these computers in some cases.

Just wanted to know...

 

[Canterwood]

Well, none of our resident MS employees have come in to refute the claim. Which is a bit worrying.