Windows XP update starts to weed out pirate keys

The Inquirer.Net ^ | 10 November 2004 | The Inquirer Staff

[gorio]

MICROSOFT HAS started implementing features in upgrades to Windows XP which specifically prevent users of pirated keys from upgrading parts of the operating system. We reported on Microsoft's plans at the Dublin System Builder Forum a month ago.

Then, Microsoft said its Genuine Advantage scheme would prevent pirated copies of XP from downloading anything but the most critical downloads.

Owners of pirated keys in Western Europe tell the INQUIRER that scheme has now kicked in. What this means, for example, is that if you upgrade the Media Player to version 10, and you're using a pirated copy of XP, you'll lose functionality on your machine.

Microsoft said in Dublin that it would launch the scheme in China at the end of October, and throughout Europe early next year. But it appears to have implemented it early.

Pirate users are being invited to either validate their copies of the operating system, or to download and pay for a full version of Windows XP.

[gorio]

If you Windows XP suddenly stops working, give this some thought.

[Naspino]

I'm sure a suit has been filed against Microsoft.

[ScottFromSpokane]

Oh, the humanity!

[neb52]

If Microsoft was smart, they would drop their prices on XP to attract more people to register legal copies. But then we are talking about Microsoft. I for see with them implementing this program, they will lose large market share. Their software is just to expensive.

[JoJo Gunn]

bump

[ShadowAce]

Windows Tech Ping

[melbell]

oh crap! You are supposed to pay for Windows??

(just kidding!!)

[Bush2000]

If Microsoft was smart, they would drop their prices on XP to attract more people to register legal copies.

Nah. It's difficult to compete with free.

[stylin_geek]

Shoot, I can buy XP Pro for $170. I'm not sure that is out of line from a pricing standpoint.

[zeugma]

I hope one of the features that is disabled is the virus/worm/spyware catcher. Perhaps then people can actually use the thing.

[BigSkyFreeper]

If Windows Media stops working, go with an alternative. Winamp, for example, will play Windows Media files as well as streaming video that Windows Media Player would normally buffer and play.

[neb52]

For a business, it can be. Especially when you have to pay that price ever two years. It adds up.

[stylin_geek]

Are you perhaps confusing CAL's with the OS? I've had to investigate this, and I believe the OS is a one time purchase, however, if authenticating to a Windows Server, then you need to buy CAL's (Client Access Licenses) and renew them on a regular basis. Renewing CAL's is pretty cheap, nowadays. However, it is a little irritating to have to buy CAL's for Exchange, along with CAL's for the Windows server.

[TechJunkYard]

oh crap! You are supposed to pay for Windows??

Yes, it is crap.

And yes, you are supposed to pay for it.

[neb52]

No I am talking about upgrading to the new OS that Microsoft comes out with every two years. No not all my clients upgrade every two years, but do upgrade within at least four years. For a small business that technology is an expense not a product to sell. It can become very expensive having to upgrade every few years. That is not including any high end stuff like Windows server with Terminal Server/Citrix etc, etc.

[stylin_geek]

Yeah, I understand that problem. However, the expense of upgrading that computer and software compared to the increased productivity (fewer salaries to pay) should more than offset that cost. I know that where I work, computers have done a lot to reduce personnel.

By the way, I did not intend to offend in regards to talking about CAL's. I didn't realize you were employed in the computer industry.

[neb52]

No Problem. You need to think about small businesses like Doctor Offices that have 20 or less employees. No matter how much automation there is. You still have to employee a certain number of employees to be fully functional. Computers(knock on wood) will never replace face to face customer service. At businesses like Doctor Offices personal interaction is important. At the very least WinXP cuts down on monthly maintenance, compared to Win98. So upgrading and monthly cost should go down over the next few years. Especially now that the hardware as surpassed what the software requires for the time being. Which means my customers can validate in hanging onto PCs a little longer other than just being cheap bastards in general :P.

[stylin_geek]

One could say that computers have helped with the tremendous amount of paperwork Doctors have to deal with, but the unfortunate reality is they are being forced, by government regulations, to produce more than their share of paperwork.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I can remember reading an article many years ago that said computers were said to be the solution to a paperless society. So far, paper hasn't become obsolete in the office. Matter of fact, Microsoft believes we can become a paperless society. Go figure.

[neb52]

Naa, paper usage has increased. Faster and smarter technology lead companies to think they could do more with less employees. Quite frankly I don't know how I would survive without paper. I am one of those that has to write things down or work it out on paper. You can give all the organization software, PDAs and those silly Daytimers. I still want my random piece of paper that I jotted something on and thus unable to remember what it pertains to. I drive my boss nuts over me carrying around in my bag hundreds of different pieces of paper of different sizes with mileage/billing hours etc. etc.