Windows Xp Update Really surprising

[yordan 10]

I was really surprised this evening.As usual, I performed a "windows update" on my XP home edition. And I was very surprised when a saw a nice warning, saying something like "Microsft will check the validity of your Windows version", then "click here to start", explaining that this was in order to verify that I had a legitimate copy of Windows. Of course, after that check, everything continued like usual.But I really don't like the principle of looking that I own a legitimate copy of windows.By the way, how do they know that my copy was a legitimate one ? And what should I do if this check is false ? Go back to the shop and say "the copy I bought from you was not a legitimate one" ?

[abhiram 0]

And what should I do if this check is false ? Go back to the shop and say "the copy I bought from you was not a legitimate one" ?

IMO, that's exactly what they want you to do... go back to the store and demand an original CD because that's what you paid for. That also helps them trace the sources of pirated software.

It's not just Microsoft... many of the software companies and even Playstation, XBox, Music CD companies are planning on enforcing online validation of the stuff you use in their hardware. Like, I read recently (on slashdot I think) that a music player is coming out which will shut itself up if you play pirated music in it . These companies lose Billions of dollars for piracy, which is quite a bit. This could cause problems to many people... if someone else plays does something illegitimate with your box, you could suffer. I just hope it doesn't get really out of hand.

[hatim 0]

Windows Genuine Advantage was cracked within hours of being launched. It was a simple java script trick.Any ways ..MS can do what ever they want with their licence ..but if they should stick more efforts to innovation in their products and moeny will be made automatically..

[Sarah81 0]

Yeah - when I booted up my notebook for the first time a few weeks ago, Windows XP had to validate itself. Not that Fry's would sell pirated software, but Microsoft just wanted to double-check.It seems like a pain in the butt, mainly because most of the people who have to go through this stuff aren't doing anything illegal. At the same time, I have no qualms about doing it - just as I don't have any problem verifying my copy of Office '03 over the Internet or by phone if necessary.Fortunately, it isn't a huge inconvenience. The process only takes a few minutes, and I don't have to do much of anything for it. I just run the update and let it do whatever it needs to do. It's not like Microsoft is asking me to call an overseas, toll-charging number during peak hours. (If they started doing something like that, I'd definitely have some rotten things to say about the company.)And if it came up as a pirated copy, I'd be on the phone with the CEO of Fry's demanding all sorts of compensation for my trouble - including, but not limited to, a really big refund. And of course an original copy of the program.Unfortunately, there will always be people who will do everything in their power to NOT pay for software/music/whatever. Whether it's a personal challenge or a flat-out refusal to pay for products, it's still costing the rest of us. As far as I can see, the best that Microsoft (and any other company) can hope for is to weed out the REALLY retarded thieves (read: junior-high kids who don't even know what hex editors are) ... which, from what little I've seen, makes up a pretty good number of software pirates.