WinXP vs Win98 antipiracy protection via Windows Update

[OfficeLinebacker]

So my girlfriend has a computer that a "friend" set up for her. It has XP Pro on it. I started running the Windows Updates for her and when it got to SP2, it puked; "the software key may be invalid" or somesuch. I think that means there is another copy of WinXP running around with the same key that MS knows about, and now that this one is trying to get the upgrade, boom MS becomes the Upgrade Nazi "No upgrade for you!"

That's her deal. I didn't set up the computer, I just freshened it up; more RAM, get rid of spyware, etc.

Does MS have a similar mechanism fro Windows 98? If too many computers running the same key ask for Updates from MS, does MS eventually turn off updates for any requests coming from a copy using that key?

 

[imported_Kensai]

Windows 98 was too primitive for that. I believe that only WindowsXP has that problem. No problem whatsoever if you're running the corporate edition.

 

[MrChad]

No, it means your GF's "friend" used a pirated copy of XP with one of the common keys floating around. Microsoft maintains a blacklist of the most commonly pirated keys, and service packs will not install on installations using those keys.

AFAIK, 98 does not have the same blacklist, although 98 does not have service packs either.

My recommendation is to buy a legitimate copy of XP and reinstall with the legit key. You may be able to change the key on the existing install, although I'm not certain about how to do that.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Kensai
Windows 98 was too primitive for that. I believe that only WindowsXP has that problem. No problem whatsoever if you're running the corporate edition.

It IS a problem for the corporate (a.k.a. pirated) edition if you use one of the common CD-KEYs that's included with that distribution.

 

[jackschmittusa]

MS realized that a number of VLA (sometimes called corporate) keys had been leaked and were being used for installing prirated copies. They made a list, and any key on the list is rejected for updates without contacting MS. MS also recently started rejecting keys from major oems without calling them too. If her Winxp cd is just a copy, it may well be a pirated version. There is a file on the xp cd called setupp.ini. There is a line in it starting with PID=. If the last 3 digits in the line are 270, it is the VLA version and not legal for a home system.

 

[OfficeLinebacker]

I've already shipped the machine back to her, but I will ask her to look up that file. I guess it will be firther proof that her "friend" took liberties. Oh and no copy of a CD was provided with the system.

 

[OfficeLinebacker]

Thnks for the responses BTW. MrChad you are 2-2

 

[jackschmittusa]

You can change the key on an installed version, but only to a key from the same version. Since what she will buy will be either oem or retail, that key cannot replace the key on an installed vla version. It will require re-installation with the new key.