Will Windows XP know if you have..........

[Blayze]

Ok this might get locked but anyway. I was wondering will Windows XP know if you have "illegal" software on your machine? Say your buddy brings over a copy of visual studio over so you can do your C++ work, or brings over a game so you can play it on a LAN.

I know I am going to get flamed for posting this, but I am just wondering if Windows XP will do stuff like this. I know there is some activation built in that requires you activate Windows, etc...

 

[SmackFu]

I'm no expert on this, but I rather doubt it would happen. I don't think the Microsoft would like to bother with the millions of people with illegal software on their computer. Microsoft is only trying to slow the spread of illegal windows XP's.

 

[Blayze]

thats what I thought.

I am thinking about signing up to download the RC's even though it will be hell on my 56k

 

[SmackFu]

I signed up back in March.. I'm guessing it'll be a nice 3 day download for me..

 

[Blayze]

your on 56k as well?
I wished the cable company would hurry up and get cable internet setup

hey do you know if there will be a resume download option when you download RC1/RC2?
I dont mind the 2 day download, but I know my internet is going to disconnect at least once during the download. Always happens


anyway bump... anyone know a answer for this?

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< Ok this might get locked but anyway. I was wondering will Windows XP know if you have &quot;illegal&quot; software on your machine? Say your buddy brings over a copy of visual studio over so you can do your C++ work, or brings over a game so you can play it on a LAN.

I know I am going to get flamed for posting this, but I am just wondering if Windows XP will do stuff like this. I know there is some activation built in that requires you activate Windows, etc... >>



Why do you care? Worried they will send the FBI to your door because you STOLE thousands of dollars worth of software? MAn that would just be messed up. Go get a free compiler and you wont have to worry

 

[Psychoholic]

<< Ok this might get locked but anyway. I was wondering will Windows XP know if you have &quot;illegal&quot; software on your machine? Say your buddy brings over a copy of visual studio over so you can do your C++ work, or brings over a game so you can play it on a LAN. >>


No.

 

[Blayze]

<< No >>



so Windows XP will not do this?

thats what I thought, because it would be to hard for Microsoft to do this.
Plus they would probably break some laws if they could know that much information on your machine.

 

[SmackFu]

from what I have heard, microsoft has a special download manager for modem people like us that lets us resume.

 

[Blayze]

that sounds good as well.
I dont mind the large download, but if I got halfway though and had to start over, well that would sux

 

[Psychoholic]

<< thats what I thought, because it would be to hard for Microsoft to do this.
Plus they would probably break some laws if they could know that much information on your machine. >>


I never said that. It wouldn't be against the law for them to see if you're running illegal copies of their software.

I just said they're not doing it now.

 

[Blayze]

<< I never said that. It wouldn't be against the law for them to see if you're running illegal copies of their software. >>



oh...

but really other than activating Windows XP it is no different than 2000 as far as Microsoft know what is on your machine, etc...?

 

[Noriaki]

Activation of Windows XP is like this.

Windows selects some pieces of hardware in your computer and takes the serial numbers (I think it's about 5 pieces, but I don't know which, nor will MS tell us).

It then hashes these Serial numbers into some unique key that matches your computer. This is a one way hash.
[*]If you have the original serial numbers (only your PC does) you can see if it matches the Hash Key.
[*]If you have only the Hash Key (Microsoft) you can determine absolutely nothing about the configuration of the computer.

Ok so now you have your Hash Key and your Windows Product ID (PID), you send these two keys to MS and based on those MS will produce an Activation key that goes with that Hash Key and PID.

Then back on your computer it checks that the Hash Key MS authed for is right, the PID matches, and then activates.

Microsoft can determine absolutely nothing about your PC from this.

You can Authorize over the phone if you want, then you can write down your Auth code and use it like a Win98 CD Key, and never have to contact MS for Authing again (until your hardware changes).

The only difference between Activated WinXP and typing in your CD Key in Win98 is that it has to be quickly verified by MS first, that way if dozens and dozens of people use the same PID for different Hash Codes that PID gets disabled.

It ensures that your average joe doesn't share his XP CD with the whole neighbourhood. Ending casual piracy.

How much of a difference will that make to overall piracy? I don't know...but that's all it does.

There is no Spyware of in WinXP. It will not alert the FBI that you have MP3s or Stolen Software.

Activation is very simple and quite anonymous, it just ensures that dozens of computers don't use the same PID.

 

[HansXP]

Noriaki is right on. MS will not be spying on you with XP.

 

[Blayze]

sounds good, thanks

 

[konichiwa]

I'll just crack it. Or more likely, I won't even install WinXP at all. (Please don't lecture me on the DMCA)

 

[Blayze]

I dont know if I will be upgrading from 2000, but for $10 bucks I can try out RC1 and RC2.
So I figure why not.

 

[JellyBaby]

<< How much of a difference will that make to overall piracy? I don't know...but that's all it does. >>

Therein lies a problem. Either way MS will surely claim it has helped if you can pull the information from them at all. And that's assuming they can even measure it.

MS can't lose face after all and consumers aren't gonna wanna be told they've been inconvenienced at no gain to MS. Think of the outrage. But the suits will be happy. &quot;At least we did something.&quot; Nevermind their stranglehold licensing agreements and high price schemes.

 

[HansXP]

<< MS can't lose face after all and consumers aren't gonna wanna be told they've been inconvenienced at no gain to MS. Think of the outrage. But the suits will be happy. &quot;At least we did something.&quot; Nevermind their stranglehold licensing agreements and high price schemes. >>



If you don't agree with their policies, don't buy their products. It's as simple as that. Now stop whining.

 

[Noriaki]

True and maybe we should all get IBM &quot;Peace, Love and Linux&quot; flags and stop using MS products.

Wouldn't that be grand. But my comments were just a side note, his question is &quot;Does XP spy on you&quot;. The answer is no.

Is it's activation useful? I think that is also a no.
Is it perhaps opening the way for worse schemes? Perhaps.
But for now at least, there is nothing in XP that is harmful.

Hopefully by the time MS has advanced their stupid strageties, Linux will be user-friendly enough that your average person can use it.

I'm quite sure XP will be my last version of Windows.

I'll be getting a PS2 and maybe GameCube/Xbox also. After I get rid of gaming on my PC I really have no reason to stay with Windows.
That's the only reason I've held off moving to Linux.

I think Linux will be just fine for Starcraft and Baldur's gate type games I play.
Racing Games and RPGs are better on Console anyways.