While Vista SP1 is still on the horizon for most users, Microsoft is planning a few things for it that weren’t previously known.  There are several hacks that allow pirates to run Vista without an activation code, with the release of SP1 that will be coming to an end.

Eweek reports on the types of hacks that allow bypassing of the standard activation system.  The two primary hacks are the OEM BIOS exploit and the Grace Timer.

The OEM BIOS hack works either by directly editing system files and the BIOS of the motherboard to trick the system into thinking Windows was installed at an OEM’s factory or by intercepting calls to the BIOS and returning the result it expects from a factory-based installation.

All the Grace Timer does is to continually reset the 30-day grace time limit between installation and when activation is required.

Those who choose not to install Vista SP1 will not be affected by these changes so if you have or know someone who has a hacked version of Vista and want to install SP1, you will have to go straight.

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Related:

Vista updates look for illegally licensed copies

Microsoft to remove "reduced functionality mode" from Vista

Know which Vista activation crack Microsoft wants to resolve

Vista SP1 fails to stop software pirates

Microsoft won’t attend to all Vista activation cracks

Entry was posted on Tuesday, December 4th, 2007 at 10:11 am under Microsoft, Vista.  Print This Post

Read more entries by Jonathan Schlaffer.