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XP CD-Key system finally cracked



<< Most people have avoided Ms's new policy on XP registration by using the Corporate Version of Windows XP, now, evidently, someone has cracked the actual algorithm.

Article here >>



Damn, beat me to it by a couple of days 🙁 But here's another link talking about here. Today's date in middle column and giving a link to here.. Go to Downloads and in middle column talks about a crack for XP.
 


<< Ahh, isn't this going to be locked? >>



Why? No one is promoting illegal activities here, just telling the news. If the mods decide they dont like a link I hope they just remove it instead of locking the whole thread.
 
Hopefully WPA will backfire to the extent of convincing MS and any other big software company that locking an important software license to hardware isn't worth it. This looks like it may help make that happen.
 


<< Hopefully WPA will backfire to the extent of convincing MS and any other big software company that locking an important software license to hardware isn't worth it. This looks like it may help make that happen. >>



I hope Microsoft comes up with an method of stopping piracy that is fool-proof 🙂
 
FBI/MICROSOFT cute!!! oh well more censorship, just asking it would be nice to be able to upgrade my computer without calling m$$soft, but then again im only borrowing their software for $100, till they decide its time for me to upgrade!!!
 


<< I hope Microsoft comes up with an method of stopping piracy that is fool-proof >>

The only thing I can think of is to make all of their products open source. Do you think that might happen anytime soon?
 


<< FBI/MICROSOFT cute!!! oh well more censorship, just asking it would be nice to be able to upgrade my computer without calling m$$soft, but then again im only borrowing their software for $100, till they decide its time for me to upgrade!!! >>



Not censorship. Its protecting Anandtech. There is no need for them to get involved in any piracy shenanegans. Think about it. Where do you normally steal your software? Go there. If you dont like what Microsoft is doing, stop using their products.



<< The only thing I can think of is to make all of their products open source. Do you think that might happen anytime soon? >>



A thin client type of system would go a long way in preventing piracy.
 


<< A thin client type of system would go a long way in preventing piracy. >>

Folks like to think they own software and can make copies as they wish, at least for personal use. I don't see this changing anytime soon.

Piracy seems always to always be a problem. Codewheels didn't work. Requiring floppies to be in the drive didn't work. Copy protecting floppies didn't work (back in the Apple days there used to be software that would allow you to bypass floppy protection by changing the RPM rate of the floppy drive itself, sector by sector, not that I ever did anything like that 😉 ). Registration codes didn't work. Dongles worked...yet didn't. They tried to sneak a hardware ID on the CPU in order to facilitate hardware locking. Didn't work.

In the future personal IDing might be attempted (something biometric like fingerprint IDs). But if the first finger print IDs an be fooled by a green booger what use will they be?

Seems the cycle continues: new approach, broken, new approach, broken.....
 


<<

<< A thin client type of system would go a long way in preventing piracy. >>

Folks like to think they own software and can make copies as they wish, at least for personal use. I don't see this changing anytime soon.

Piracy seems always to always be a problem. Codewheels didn't work. Requiring floppies to be in the drive didn't work. Copy protecting floppies didn't work (back in the Apple days there used to be software that would allow you to bypass floppy protection by changing the RPM rate of the floppy drive itself, sector by sector, not that I ever did anything like that 😉 ). Registration codes didn't work. Dongles worked...yet didn't. They tried to sneak a hardware ID on the CPU in order to facilitate hardware locking. Didn't work.

In the future personal IDing might be attempted (something biometric like fingerprint IDs). But if the first finger print IDs an be fooled by a green booger what use will they be?

Seems the cycle continues: new approach, broken, new approach, broken..... >>



And this one was essentially broken before it came out. I dont agree with the way some of these copy protection schemes work, and I dont necessarily like the licenses that accompanies some software, but I think these companies have a legitimate reason to work on copy protection. Untill people actually take the time to think about it there will always be this crap.

They say there are no alternatives. If they chose something, like linux, and demanded software for it from id, or ea, or whoever, the software would be made. But only if people did this in large groups, not one at a time. There would be no need to pirate the OS, and the game companies could possibly spend less money since they dont have to license as many technologies to make these games.
 
Hopefully WPA will backfire to the extent of convincing MS and any other big software company that locking an important software license to hardware isn't worth it. This looks like it may help make that happen.

Actually MS is one of the last big companies to implement something like this, companies like whoever made 3DStudio Max, various CAD programs, unixes, etc have been doing this for years and it works pretty well. The only difference is MS has to deal with Joe Luser changing his video card every 5 months, it'll take a few tries but they'll get it working fairly well. They can never stop everyone, but they'll make it a big enough PITA that to a lot it won't seem worth the hassle and they'll either get smart and switch platforms or pay the MS toll.
 


<< I think these companies have a legitimate reason to work on copy protection >>

Absolutely. The problem is the inconvenience factor of some of the approaches. But we generally live with it and accept it so long as it's not too restrictive.

I feel MS broke the horse's back with WPA. IMO an operating system should not be locked to hardware at all. Strike one. IMO an operating system license should allow multiple installations for family/home/personal use (or at least the option to buy something like that on the cheap). One PC and one laptop with additional licenses at 10% off? Hmpf. Strike two. And finally if you implement WPA why offer the OS in corporate form with essentially no protection at all? IMO that certainly tells home consumers just how much MS trusts and cares about them. Strike three.

Still, WPA as a solution to stop casual copying might have worked after all. Only MS's bean counters know for sure.
 


<<

<< I think these companies have a legitimate reason to work on copy protection >>

Absolutely. The problem is the inconvenience factor of some of the approaches. But we generally live with it and accept it so long as it's not too restrictive. >>



Switch to a more consumer friendly platform.



<< I feel MS broke the horse's back with WPA. IMO an operating system should not be locked to hardware at all. Strike one. >>



There are plenty of OSes that are not "locked" to hardware. Use one of them.



<< IMO an operating system license should allow multiple installations for family/home/personal use (or at least the option to buy something like that on the cheap). One PC and one laptop with additional licenses at 10% off? Hmpf. Strike two. >>



How is free? I agree that Microsoft giving multiple licenses for cheap (50% off maybe? Dunno, never thought about how much 😉) would be a nice thing to do, but not necessary.



<< And finally if you implement WPA why offer the OS in corporate form with essentially no protection at all? IMO that certainly tells home consumers just how much MS trusts and cares about them. Strike three. >>



I doubt most home users even thought about it.



<< Still, WPA as a solution to stop casual copying might have worked after all. Only MS's bean counters know for sure. >>



I doubt even they know.
 
IMO an operating system should not be locked to hardware at all

Since MS owns the software it's their opinion that counts though.

IMO an operating system license should allow multiple installations for family/home/personal use (or at least the option to buy something like that on the cheap).

MS has volume licensing for as few as 5 PCs, and I think they have a discount for home users wanting more than one license too. Again it's MS' software so your opinion doesn't mean anything, complain to them and see what they say.

And finally if you implement WPA why offer the OS in corporate form with essentially no protection at all? IMO that certainly tells home consumers just how much MS trusts and cares about them. Strike three.

If you've ever worked in a corporation you'd realize how essential those keyless systems are, MS trusts nooen, but they can actively sue a large company for licensing violations but suing individuals is a waste of money.

If it's that big a deal get a different OS, vote with your cash, stop whining.

Old news...but kewl. Microsoft is an illegal monopoly and should be broken up.

Monopolies are legal.
 


<< Switch to a more consumer friendly platform. >>

If you only knew the power of Windows. I must obey (and keep using it). Seriously, a lot of us are still compelled by necessity to remain in the Wintel camp. Not to mention the best gaming is still found on Wintel platforms.

Every day it seems anti-MS sentiment grows, right or wrong. Open source options are discussed more and more. And MS continued to get into legal trouble. I think in the not too distant future the OS landscape will different. Not quite there yet for me, anyway.
 


<<

<< Switch to a more consumer friendly platform. >>

If you only knew the power of Windows. I must obey (and keep using it). Seriously, a lot of us are still compelled by necessity to remain in the Wintel camp. Not to mention the best gaming is still found on Wintel platforms. >>



Make it change. $$ is the only thing that can make that change, and if people stop supporting what they do not like it will definitely change. There is no (yes, as in absolutely no) reason you cannot switch to linux. There may be reasons which would make it less feasible, but it would still be possible. Necessity does not exist 😛



<< Every day it seems anti-MS sentiment grows, right or wrong. Open source options are discussed more and more. And MS continued to get into legal trouble. I think in the not too distant future the OS landscape will different. Not quite there yet for me, anyway. >>



Im there at home. No Windows or Gates on my network, just a not so happy blowfish keeping a little penguin out of trouble 🙂
 
Heh, no promises but I just installed Opera 6.0 today and it's quite good. It may, in fact, allow me to unleash from IE. As Dr. Evil would say, "that's a start'.
 


<<
I wasn't whining, simply discussing. If you don't like it I suggest you visit another thread.
>>



I have to agree here, NMan, I am certainly interested in more opinions than just yours. (which seem a little whiny too)
 
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