Windows XP Updates!

[SinTex]

I just went to do a Windows Update to find you have to download an updated version of "Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool" the difference is this updated version cannot be disabled from the Manage Add-ons.

So i guess all the peeps with dodgy copies is up the creek without a padle, till someone finds away around it.

[Ex-Cyber]

IIRC the WINE guys got the original WGA to think that WINE was "Genuine Windows" after a handful of fixes.

[Vchat20]

Its not difficult to get around if you know where to look. The egotistical MS employees arent very bright on these things.

[BlackAura]

So i guess all the peeps with dodgy copies is up the creek without a padle, till someone finds away around it.

Apparently not.

Microsoft have stated that validation isn't (yet) required for automatic updates, just the manual updates and the download centre, so I would assume that automatic updates still work on pirated copies. I've only used automatic updates on the Windows machines I have around here, and I've not had to install any validation tools or anything.

I just wish Microsoft would provide some way for third-party developers to use their update system - it's stupid having to manually update programs, or having a separate auto-update system for every app on the system. Especially when those auto-update mechanisms can not possibly work if you're running as a non-admin user. I don't know how an OS released this century can possibly get away with that, nor why they don't seem to be making any plans to fix it.

The download centre is easy to get around - I've downloaded a few bits from my main system (running Linux) without problems, by using Wine to run Microsoft's stand-alone WGA tool and entering the code. I certainly remember downloading the WMF patch, sticking it on a USB stick, and manually updating my family's machines a couple of days before the update went into automatic updates.

When SP3 gets released (not 'till late next year, I would think), users of pirated copies aren't going to be able to install that easily.

IIRC the WINE guys got the original WGA to think that WINE was "Genuine Windows" after a handful of fixes.

Yep. Still works, in fact. It even works if you set Wine's Windows version to WinXP. Certainly works well enough to get you into the download centre, but it obviously won't help get you into Windows Update.

[|darc|]

Really, I have considered buying XP in the past, but have always decided against it because the Corporate/Volume License Edition is so much easier and less hassle than the version you have to activate.

[Roofus]

Really, I have considered buying XP in the past, but have always decided against it because the Corporate/Volume License Edition is so much easier and less hassle than the version you have to activate.

Yeah, clicking the nouse a few times is a real bitch.

[|darc|]

Really, I have considered buying XP in the past, but have always decided against it because the Corporate/Volume License Edition is so much easier and less hassle than the version you have to activate.

Yeah, clicking the nouse a few times is a real bitch.

No, I do a lot of things with my computer, and I reinstall often. I don't want to worry about them wanting me to only do x amount of installs, or having them deny my install because I tossed this box and built a new one.

[404NotFound]

Really, I have considered buying XP in the past, but have always decided against it because the Corporate/Volume License Edition is so much easier and less hassle than the version you have to activate.

Yeah, clicking the nouse a few times is a real bitch.

No, I do a lot of things with my computer, and I reinstall often. I don't want to worry about them wanting me to only do x amount of installs, or having them deny my install because I tossed this box and built a new one.

I'm not positive, but I think that a retail copy (not OEM) is transferable across computers.

Or you could jsut get win2k. I bought win2k and it didn't activate.

[BlackAura]

I'm not positive, but I think that a retail copy (not OEM) is transferable across computers.

Yes, but Windows does require reactivation if you change the hardware too much, and if you reactivate too often, you have to phone Microsoft up and explain yourself.

[melancholy]

Although I understand why Microsoft has the whole limited install thing, it annoys me because I have a legit Windows disc, but after my third format, I couldn't use the disc anymore. I was forced to find another way to make my disc install simply because I formatted my comptuer three times.

[|darc|]

Yes, but Windows does require reactivation if you change the hardware too much, and if you reactivate too often, you have to phone Microsoft up and explain yourself.

Exactly. It's easier to pirate the Corporate/Volume License Edition than to deal with all that crap.

[Roofus]

There's already a fix out.

[|darc|]

There's already a fix out.

If I were to go through the problem of that, I would rather just pirate it.

[Vchat20]

And NOW you see why all my systems run pirated VL copies of xp and I keep the legit retail copies stored away somewhere safe. I just wish they would go back to the way <win98 did it and just have a simple cd key you had to enter and that was it. no activation or any of that BS.

[Disheveled DrFreeze]

you all assume i care about windows updates.....

i run two systems with xp pro, one sp1, one sp2, and both are spyware/virus free, why would i need updates?

[Nyarlathotep]

My penis works fine, why would I need a condom?

[Disheveled DrFreeze]

My penis works fine, why would I need a condom?

because i only fuck bitches who have a certified STD test taken and have been sterilised......