lawrence171
Evilly Yours - Evilness
join:2001-12-24
Canada
|  Microsoft begins forced product validation?
I tried accessing Windows/Microsoft Updates just now, and the website asks me to download the validation tool before letting me download/view updates.
It seems the option to skip Windows Validation when downloading Microsoft products have also disappeared.
How long has this been? I'm surprise that I haven't read about it with all my news subscriptions.
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What I used to be I no longer am... God, why can't you freeze time for my sake? |
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jakoe420
join:2003-09-05
Knoxville, TN
clubs:
1 edit | yeah I had a big discussion about this today with some buddies of mine...
»www.itworldcanada.com//Pages/Doc···5d60e833
"The Redmond, Washington-based company has been testing the program since September and has validated more than 48 million systems so far, Lazar said. Until Tuesday the program has been voluntary.
Customers who discover they have a counterfeit copy of Windows through the program either will be given a free version of the OS or can purchase it for a discounted price, he said. "
If MS starts giving people a free OS, what is the world coming to? Maybe banks will start giving away some of their money. hahaha |
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TK421
Premium
join:2004-12-19
Canada
| reply to lawrence171
Yes it's true:
Windows Piracy Check Now Mandatory
»www.betanews.com/article/Windows···22394903
»www.techworld.com/applications/n···sID=4102 |
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jbob
Reach Out and Touch Someone
Premium
join:2004-04-26
Little Rock, AR | reply to lawrence171
Just started today. I updated my XP Pro machine and had no issues. I downloaded the update, installed and all is well. |
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MS is piracy
@verizon.net
| reply to lawrence171
The writing has been on the wall for some time, that MS would eventually close off the entire Windows' platform, a-la the XBox and the XBox Live service.
»www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1840634,00.asp
»www.microsoft-watch.com/article2···4,00.asp
I think now is a good time to switch to some other OS option, one that gives end-users the right to inspect and change the actual source code, if need be. Interestingly, I'm in the process of cleaning off one of my HDs, and was thinking about installing a recent Linux distro to play with, when I found this thread.
I've been a (legitimate) MS customer for quite some time. However, I like to think that personal privacy is an important right, and up until this time, I still had the option to choose not to allow MS to invasively inspect the entire contents of my computer, before being allowed access to download and install their security updates, etc. No longer. So therefore, likewise, I am no longer an MS customer. I hope that more people wake up, and realize that MS is no longer on the side of the customer - they want to "control" your personal PC and its contents, just as much as some sleazoid spyware distributor does. Their DRM / TCPA patents point out exactly just such a plan.
I've been holding off on doing the switch, for a few years, actually, but ... now is indeed the time. Time to dump MS for good! |
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redxii
too big to fail
Premium,Mod
join:2001-02-26
Texas
Host:
/dev/null
Broadband Tweaks
Suddenlink
ISDN
Fiber Optic
3 edits | reply to lawrence171
I'm required to have admin privileges in order to validate at microsoft.com... that's just wrong. The alternate method doesn't work, under non-admin.
I'm gonna b*tch all the way to Redmond about this
Ok, so as admin:
"Why did it not validate?
It appears that our activation servers are not functioning properly. Please return to complete the validation process at a later time.
We hope that you'll return later to retry the validation process so that you may enjoy the full benefits of genuine Microsoft software"
Ok so it finally worked... and I think the above anon poster is paranoid. |
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TK421
Premium
join:2004-12-19
Canada
| If I'm reading this right, validation only applies to Windows XP and Windows 2000:
»www.microsoft.com/genuine/downlo···ylang=en
quote:
Microsoft Genuine Windows FAQ
Q. Do all Windows users need to validate, or is validation limited to particular versions of Windows?
A. Validation is required for all genuine Windows downloads on Microsoft Download Center and the Windows Update service for users of Windows XP and Windows 2000 (client, not server). Security updates are accessible to all users via Automatic Updates. Genuine Windows downloads are available, without validation, to customers running Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows Server 2003, and Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 3. Genuine Windows downloads are not available for older versions of Windows (Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 2 and earlier), and non-Microsoft operating systems.
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jakoe420
join:2003-09-05
Knoxville, TN
clubs:
| reply to lawrence171
One of my buddies said that MS is going to "scan your entire hard drive" when doing this validation. I told him that it would simply not happen that way. I mean, it seems like that would take WAY too much time and be completely inefficient. Does anybody know what parts of the disc will be scanned? Surely it's not the entire drive... |
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TK421
Premium
join:2004-12-19
Canada | Validation finished in less than a minute for me. And I think it only needs to be done once. |
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Shriyash
Sungazer
Premium
join:2005-02-23
PuNe, InDiA
2 edits | reply to lawrence171
yeah , i read an article on this today, here's a link:
»www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,a···4,00.asp
{but as i recall , i already did a "Genuine Advantage" check on my pc a couple of months or so ago, and all went smoothly, it didnt mess up my pc or anything}
dadkins i think had an quite an issue with this validation business as i recall  |
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redxii
too big to fail
Premium,Mod
join:2001-02-26
Texas
Host:
/dev/null
Broadband Tweaks
Suddenlink
ISDN
Fiber Optic
| reply to jakoe420
said by jakoe420  :One of my buddies said that MS is going to "scan your entire hard drive" when doing this validation. I can set up a packet logger, file system monitor and registry monitor and compile the results if it will help ease the fear of the paranoid masses. I'll be back with that..
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"If you like linux then use it otherwise stop preaching about linux we all already know about it and if we like it we'll use it. If you keep pestering people you look like those annoying Jehovah's witnesses... [..] with nothing better to do." |
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sivran
Long Live The Suite
Premium
join:2003-09-15
Arlington, TX
clubs:
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| I'm glad this doesn't apply to 2000 Server. Still, I wonder when the first "hack" of this validation thing will show up, if it hasn't already.
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Learn about Real ID and why it's so horrible. |
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jakoe420
join:2003-09-05
Knoxville, TN
clubs:
| reply to redxii
said by redxii :said by jakoe420 :One of my buddies said that MS is going to "scan your entire hard drive" when doing this validation. I can set up a packet logger, file system monitor and registry monitor and compile the results if it will help ease the fear of the paranoid masses. I'll be back with that.. I'd actually really like to see those results! I mean, I'm not paranoid about this, but it would be interesting to see what they are actually doing.. |
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Marilla
I Am My Own Arbiter
Premium
join:2002-12-06
Belpre, OH
| reply to lawrence171
I, too, have no concerns about what is being sent, but would be very interested in it!
Of course, what's being sent != what is being 'scanned' on the drive... but it's still interesting!
For the record; I've had no trouble with the validation on a handful of systems, yet.
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I am the sole arbiter of what is important enough to spend my time on - not anyone else here, or anywhere else. You take care of yourself, and leave me to me, got it? |
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redxii
too big to fail
Premium,Mod
join:2001-02-26
Texas
Host:
/dev/null
Broadband Tweaks
Suddenlink
ISDN
Fiber Optic
| reply to jakoe420
The ActiveX control/Windows Update creates these files:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\GWFSPidGen.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LegitCheckControl.dll
There's a LegitCheckControl.INF, that I have yet to find. The ActiveX control item (C:\Windows\Downloaded Program Files) lists it.
It also creates this folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Windows Genuine Advantage, containing data.dat
Uh, so basically it checks to see if your cd-key is valid, then sends a hash (that also the non-ActiveX GenuineCheck.exe outputs) back to MS... I could see the hash in the packets. No different than launching GenuineCheck.exe, copying and pasting the hash and submitting it.
Likewise I didn't see my first name, middle name, last name, computer name, where I live, my interests, phone numbers, e-mails anywhere....
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"If you like linux then use it otherwise stop preaching about linux we all already know about it and if we like it we'll use it. If you keep pestering people you look like those annoying Jehovah's witnesses... [..] with nothing better to do." |
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redwolfe_98
join:2001-06-11
·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to lawrence171
i think it is good.. anything to take a bite our of crime.. i have been "validating" my copy of win xp for some time, now, when asked to do so.. it is funny though.. as hard as ms tried to keep win xp from being pirated, it is probably the most pirated software in history.. |
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dp
Go Steelers
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-08
Greensburg, PA
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to lawrence171
said by lawrence171 :I tried accessing Windows/Microsoft Updates just now, and the website asks me to download the validation tool before letting me download/view updates. It appears WinME is not affected by this (yet) 
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Write your questions down on the back of a $20 dollar bill and send them to me |
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DonnaB
Premium
join:2003-05-07
malaysia
| reply to lawrence171
»www.microsoft.com/presspass/pres···1PR.mspx
Windows Genuine Advantage 1.0 Goes Live
With the release of WGA 1.0, Microsoft has made a number of enhancements:
- Validation via WGA will be required for all customers using Windows Update, Microsoft Update for Windows content, and the Download Center (DC). Security updates remain available to all Windows users - with or without WGA validation - via the DC or Automatic Updates.
- Microsoft has provided ongoing added-value software offerings for genuine users throughout the WGA pilot as a way of providing these customers with richer Windows experiences. Microsoft has augmented its initial offerings with additional offers for a total value of approximately $450 (U.S.).
- Microsoft has enhanced and simplified the validation process by automatically checking participants' PCs to determine whether they are running genuine Windows software. All Windows users will no longer be required to enter their 25-digit product key to validate their software.
- Two offers of genuine software will be available worldwide for Windows XP Professional and Home Edition for customers who unknowingly acquired counterfeit software. Qualifying customers who fill out a piracy report, provide proof of purchase, and send in their counterfeit CDs may receive a genuine copy at no cost. Qualifying customers who submit a piracy report may receive a genuine copy of Windows XP Home Edition for $99 ($U.S.) or Windows XP Professional for $149 ($U.S.). The latter offer will be fulfilled online and via CD through postal mail to help customers get genuine Windows as quickly and conveniently as possible.
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Microsoft MVP-Windows SecurityMember of ASAPCalendar of Updates |
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busdriver4
Premium
join:2002-03-13
Point Reyes Station, CA | reply to lawrence171
Internet Explorer
Tools/Manage Add-ons/disable windows genuine advantage. |
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Tuulilapsi
Kenosis
join:2002-07-29
Finland
|  reply to redxii
Nice work with monitoring the validation process, RedXII1234.
I've tried the earlier WGA versions, and they worked fairly quickly and painlessly, but I have to admit I hate this guilty until proven innocent concept. I'll never forget my attempt to install XP Home on a system with no internet connection and trying to get the OS activated by phone. Awful stuff.
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And lead me not into temptation - for I can find my way there myself easily enough. |
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