Vista updates look for illegally licensed copies
By Jonathan Schlaffer
Microsoft is going to be playing the role of “big brother” even if users choose not to install SP1. The service pack is due for release in mid-March but another update will be seeking out illegal copies of the software.
The two most common hacks for illegally activating Vista are the “grace timer” which lengthens the Vista trial period and the OEM BIOS hack which tricks Vista into thinking it was activated with a mass license.
Vista SP1 can see through those hacks and deactivate them. Neither the OEM BIOS hack or the Grace Timer will work with Vista SP1.
A separate update from Vista SP1 to be released for all copies of Vista will be scanning systems for the presence of activation hacks. After scanning the system it will alert the user that it located “software that circumvents Windows activation and interferes with normal operation.”
The company says that the update will not disable any of the exploits but will provide links to legally activate the copy of Vista. A future update to the software will be able to remove activation hacks but will not do so unless the user gives it permission.
Vista SP1 includes updates to the activation grace period. It will no longer have the reduced functionality mode. Instead, there will be a 15 second wait where the user has the option to “activate now” before being able to login. The desktop background will be black, which can be changed but will reset every hour until Vista is activated.
With those little annoyances, does it really pay to pirate the software? In my opinion, it does not. Of course, it’s also illegal but those little annoyances would drive some to madness.
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February 28th, 2008
Some computer consultants working with companies don’t necessarily make software license compliance a priority, particularly if they start a relationship with a client by working on a series of IT emergencies and find themselves putting out fires most of the time with little time for long-term planning or an analysis of systems and software. It’s good that Microsoft is taking a proactive stance on software pirating, but it is definitely the responsibility of any good computer consultant to be very clear with clients that illegal software is not okay and working with them to develop a plan that will help them phase into legal use without missing a step.
February 28th, 2008
Everyone should rock Linux. Microsoft is so 1990s. Why pay huge licensing fees when shit be free my niggas?
May 4th, 2008
Shit be freeeeee my niggggasssss!
May 20th, 2008
Niggas all use LINUXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX!