http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 2:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
And this makes Vista different from any other MS product how?]]>Oct 4th 2006 2:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 2:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
It will be cracked , it will be hacked , it will be pirated , all Microsoft products are hackable , Windows hacked , XBox Hacked , XBox360 Hacked.]]>Oct 4th 2006 2:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 2:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
"I can't let you do that, Dave."
"Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over."]]>Oct 4th 2006 2:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 2:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 5th 2006 5:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 3:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 3:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
If this is what paying customers are subjected to, then I'd rather be a pirate.]]>Oct 4th 2006 3:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
So Paul, can I come over and search your house for drugs, illegal guns, illegal cable or any illegal thing I can think of. I mean, honestly, if you are following the law, you have nothing to worry about, right?

Please come over and fix my Dell A620 Laptop and my parents HP which both, every few months start failing the dam WGA check and I have to go thru hoops to fix it. Furthermore, I would say 1 or 2 out of every 20 machines at work -- using the same corporate image -- will start failing WGA checks.

But hey -- *we* have nothing to worry about, right?]]>Oct 4th 2006 3:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
Our only saving grace is it will be years before we decide to look at upgrading to Vista. And at home, there is no feature of Vista that makes me want to upgrade, only to be hassled by UAC everytime a delete a shortcut, or put an Explorer icon back in the start menu. The only compelling thing might be the new DirectX, but even then, I haven't bought a new game since CS:S, so that's probably a mute point.]]>Oct 5th 2006 12:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 3:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
Sure, Vista will claim "This isn't a legal copy" but most trojans show similar messages anyway...]]>Oct 4th 2006 3:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
Not that I am condoning it, but if you have one valid key you can pretty much install with it as many times as you want... Just call them up and have them revalidate it, just remember... you just reformatted your computer and it is the *wink* only computer its installed on *wink*]]>Oct 4th 2006 3:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
Actually this had worked about 4 times for me in the past. I have re-re-reactivated a MSDN copy of WinXP that was past its limit over the phone just by filibustering with the clerk. They get tired of listening to my story and just give me the key. The last clerk even gave me a key that he said should work for another 10 times.

More of socio-engineering hack but it works.

Developers, developers, developers...what are you going to do with them?]]>Oct 4th 2006 9:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 6th 2006 4:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
...wait... they can tell it's a pirated copy how exactly?
That's right... they can't if it's properly cracked.]]>Oct 4th 2006 3:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/"You can't shit in the middle of this street!"
...shortly after you'll have to get a shit truck to clean once good smellin suburbia street out, that's way it is...]]>Oct 4th 2006 3:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 3:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
Nah, I bet M$ will just completely disable the OS if you swap hardware. Toss in a new motherboard? Woops - automatic blue screen informing you to call M$ and confess that you are a pirate, seeing as how changing out hardware is a sure sign of piracy... *shakes fist at Win XP*]]>Oct 4th 2006 3:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
To solve this issue, simply 'Repair' the install after you do your hardware upgrade. put your windows CD in, and do a 'automatic repair' NOT A REPAIR CONSOLE! It will delete a bunch of files (All your updates, actually) and you will have to put your key back in... But all your programs should still work.

And on another note... I just recently upgraded my motherboard in my Fedora machine. The upgrade process in it went like this:

# root@spanky / >yum -y upgrade

And then I walked away for about 45 minutes, and then I came back and rebooted. Bada-bing, bada-boom. I went from a Athlon XP2500+ to a 4400+ with a brand new videocard/motherboard and ram all in about 5 hours.

*gives Microsoft the finger* SWIVEL ON IT, PUNK!]]>Oct 4th 2006 3:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
Wouldn't it be fun if someone made a hack/virus/trojan that TOOK AWAY whatever digital key M$ saves on your computer during a 'valid' install. Or even accessed whatever backdoor/protocol M$ uses for this remote control. That would simplify the lifes of so many script kiddies... ]]>Oct 4th 2006 3:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
Tinfoil hat time eh?]]>Oct 5th 2006 5:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 3:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 3:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
And as you noticed, the "notify if someone replies" was checked by default.

The upside is in your case, you only get notified if someone replies to your exact post (like me) instead of every darn comment on the article, right? *(:=

]]>Oct 4th 2006 4:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 6:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/If I'm forced to buy Vista(I mean really forced(no crack available)) I will just get a apple because it will be cheaper.
All windows is worth is $50 for "home" and $80 for "super home." If it was priced that way everyone would just buy it. They keep the price high so they can charge business's that amount. My large company is still on 2000 because of the expense of a upgrade.
Now all the hackers will forget about XP and move onto Vista, thus making XP more secure. Of-course if you spend the $300 you should be good for another 6 or 7 years. Good luck MS.
]]>Oct 4th 2006 3:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
If you buy an Apple you are FORCED to buy their OS too..as well as being forced to having it preinstalled and buying your hardware from one source. This is an improvement in your eyes.

Why don't you just go linux or something if you have an aversion to paying for an OS?]]>Oct 4th 2006 4:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
Use one of them.

I'm not going to cry for microsoft when people steal their shit. but i'm not going to cry for you when you can't steal their shit.]]>Oct 4th 2006 8:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 8th 2006 2:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/This is just adding more cmoplexity to a system and MORE checks that need to be performed. That opens up MORE bugs and leaves other bugs UNFIXED because they put developers onto this ridiculous task instead.

Just cut the crap, guys. If you detect Windows is pirated, make it unbootable. If there's a problem, let people call tech support and acquire a new license key if MS was to blame. If it WAS pirated and the PC is no longer usable... So what? They don't owe them anything.

This perverse hybrid of getting wide use of their brand while still protecting it from IP theft has become an utter mess. If pirates can't run their copied Vista, they'll probably suck it up and install Linux. If pirates can run their copied Vista but it becomes nigh unusable, they might do any number of things, but I can almost guarantee that going out and purchasing it isn't one of them.]]>Oct 4th 2006 3:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
As an IT professional and former small business tech consultant, I have had to authorize many copies of XP (and even Windows Server 2003) over the phone. The process is completely automated and computerized, you can say it or punch it in, and it takes about 5 minutes tops.]]>Oct 4th 2006 3:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
Any bets on how fast Vista Ultimate gets cracked?]]>Oct 4th 2006 3:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 3:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
I didn't think so. This will be a pain in the butt for pirates, no matter how good their "original" crack is.

It'll be cracked for a little while, and then MS will update their software on the server side to recognize the crack. Then all the cracked OS's plus a bunch of non-cracked legit OS's stop working, and legit people get pissed.

Its the legit people who are going to end up boned the most, same with any DRM/copy protection scheme.]]>Oct 4th 2006 3:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Owner of Pirated Vista: "..... Nooooooooooooo!" ]]>Oct 4th 2006 4:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
sounds to me like a pirated version of vista will be better than the full thing then]]>Oct 4th 2006 4:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 4:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 4:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 4:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 4:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
Sincerely, a Mac and Linux user.]]>Oct 4th 2006 4:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
ubuntu pwns vista]]>Oct 4th 2006 4:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 4:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/
The only issue I would have is if somehow my product registration got screwed up and it started doing this shit to me. That would not be cool.

In any case, who the fuck in their right mind would want to pirate vista in the first place??? ]]>Oct 4th 2006 4:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Oct 4th 2006 5:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/04/microsoft-will-cripple-pcs-running-pirated-copies-of-vista/Jul 9th 2007 8:14PM