Windows XP query

I doubt Bill would send in the lawyers, I'm not sure they care about individual home users.

As for whether it would work, maybe. Windows Product Activation pretty much works by making some sort of hash from all the hardware IDs in the PC.

The idea is that if you install it on your PC and then change video cards and re-install Windows, the code should be within a certain tolerance of the original so it should authorize alright.

If you were to try and install it on a totally different system it might work, it might think things had changed so much that this isn't your PC and at that point I belive it will ask you to call Microsoft.

I believe there are also checks in place to allow X changes over X amount of time.

It won't cancel anything as the whole point of WPA is that Microsoft say no personally identifiable information is sent during the process.

I have a legitimate XP Home licence that I transferred to a new, and totally different PC and it authorized with no problem.

I would ask why this chap felt the need to upgrade - for the average user there's no benefit in Pro over Home?

cheers,
Paul

quote:

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My chum is not looking for moral opinions, btw, just what would happen.

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You mean he's not interested if we agree or not, he just wants to know if he can safely steal this bit of software?

Yeah, right.

You have answered your own question.

Please feel free to start your own thread asking if simply copying software is theft, when it would not have been bought by my chum in the first place: Bill G has not been deprived of a sale, therefore no income is lost.

In the meantime, like it says above, he is not interested in the moral issue.

If thats all you have to say, start your own thread. You should first confirm that you have never ever ever copied a CD, made a tape of an album, photocopied an article, etc etc otherwise people might view you as an hypocritical bluffer.

No further discussion need be made on *this* thread.

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

quote:

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Originally posted by Paul Hutchings:

I would ask why this chap felt the need to upgrade - for the average user there's no benefit in Pro over Home?

cheers,
Paul

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XP Pro has a backup facility and, apparantly, superior virus protection compared to XP Home.

Regards

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

quote:

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Originally posted by mike lacey:

XP Pro has a backup facility and, apparantly, superior virus protection compared to XP Home.

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Nope.. NT Backup isn't installed by default on XP Home, but it is on the CD, just look for ntbackup.msi (might be .exe, don't remember).

As for virus protection, they both have none, though with SP2 a lot of things that let viruses into your machine have been shored up a bit.

I'm not going to get into morals, but if your friend does have a licence for XP Home, there's little to no reason to go to a hooky copy of Pro that might stop working at some future point.

cheers,
Paul

From what you have said it is a crying shame that your friend does not seem to be able to qualify for this offer from MS.

If you pop the code into google with the help of a few well placed '*'s I reckon you will soon be able to tell if the code is for real or one of those that will be shat upon by some of the super new security measures included with xpsp2.

quote:

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Nope.. NT Backup isn't installed by default on XP Home, but it is on the CD, just look for ntbackup.msi (might be .exe, don't remember).

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That's quite interesting Paul. I've got to admit I was astounded to discover no Backup facility on my version of Xp (especially as it is in ME), unfortunately my OEM XP did not come with a Windows disk so I have had to resort to 3 party software.

quote:

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Originally posted by Patrick Dixon:
I guess when it's your forum you call the shots - wait a minute though, it's not actually your forum; is it?

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Indeed it is not my forum, Sherlock.

However, this is my thread.

Is it OK with you if I try to filter out white noise/crap?

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

Patrick

Please stop the white noise. You are adding nothing to my thread. As you have nothing to add, please don't.

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

quote:

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Originally posted by greeny:

That's quite interesting Paul. I've got to admit I was astounded to discover no Backup facility on my version of Xp (especially as it is in ME), unfortunately my OEM XP did not come with a Windows disk so I have had to resort to 3 party software.

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I have a feeling that this is the same for my chum - bought a bundled computer from Tescos with software installed, and can see no sign of a disk. I'll check with him tonight.

Thanks

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

My PC went down earlier this year, and after having to change the motherboard I was told by Windoze XP Pro that I wasn't allowed in anymore until I had called Microsoft for an authorisation code. It had picked up that the machine had been changed. I had a hard drive go down in the summer too (different PC) and had much the same again when I tried to open up a backup drive on another PC to get to my work. I took it to the local repair shop and they could only phone up again. It seems pretty secure to me.

Patrick

If you change the subject in somebody elses conversation, they are entitled to ask you to toddle off. If you persist they will likely tell you again, but in stronger terms. I started this conversation, you are trying to change the subject.

Will you please toddle off.


You have expressed your opinion, not told me the way things are. You are entitled to an opinion, of course: just stop squatting on *my* thread - the one I started, the one that is being addressed.

Please moralise on your own thread - you are getting in the way of other, helpful, answers.

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

Patrick

I got the Get Shorty reference. I think this is where Mike says "Lacey don't need dick".

Mike
Isn't this where we put aside our prejudice of non-naca5 and ask about the system? Is your "friend" running business on his PC? Or anything they don't care to lose? in that case, simply buying XP Pro (if indeed it really was a requirement) would be the most efficient course.

putting aside all the obvious software piracy issues. And suggestions that if your friend wanted a non-kosher version, why not find one without the registration thingy and save himself the hassle. Oh right, that loops into why not buy the XP Pro upgrade...

What about the "stop picking on Patrick" subroutine?

quote:

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And I said I knew just the place to ask.

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if this *were* your forum, wouldn't you be disappointed to see it portrayed as a location for sharing secrets and opinions on ripping off other's product? Just a thought.

cheers

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

quote:

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Originally posted by Rico:

What about the "stop picking on Patrick" subroutine?

cheers

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

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Rico - not enough time fo a full answer, but my orignal question did quite clearly say that my mate is not interested in the moral issue - Patrick chose to ignore this, added nothing of value to the enquiry, and failed to take the hint ( repeatedly. )

Picking on Patrick? Hardly. Patrick being a pontificating hair shirt wearer? You decide.

I've even started a thread for people who want to be holier than mere mortals. You have seen it, thanks for your considered opinion. BTW, as you are so anti-piracy, can you confirm that yoy have never burned a CD, taped an album, photocopied an article? Failure to do so and the word "hypocrite" will apply.

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

Mike, you can sum me up as "so anti-piracy" after just one post? I did in fact provide a balanced response - the suggestion of buying "the real thing", or getting a more effective "hacked" installer.

Careful Mike, you'll be calling me a chicken-kicken pickup-drivin' rootin' tootin' shiner bock-drinking cowboy after I mention I've spent time in Texas!

A totally "clean" approach to software licensing, piracy, hacking, intellectual property is not a pre-requisite to enter a discussion on the subject. If one had to be a pope before discussing catholocism, there wouldn't be much talk, would there.

quick number two, run that sensayuma failure subroutine... and can someone else find a way to lower the sensitivity in this room, and "Patrick's room"?

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

quote:

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Originally posted by Patrick Dixon:
Mike,

sometimes I wonder if you can actually read?

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A quick cruise of the forum will confirm that this is the case. Or at least not whilst thinking and typing (and probably chewing gum). A sad affliction which is non the less very entertaining. Don't take it personally (even if it is) and remember, this is all that his sad life ammounts to. Makes you feel blessed and gifted doesn't it?

Cheers

Harry

Mike,
Maybe the real question here is how much does your mate really need an apparently 'hooky' and by your own admission 'not working properly' XP Pro installation when he already had XP Home.

If you look at what XP Pro gives you, many of its main features are clearly aimed at, and only of use to, corporate users with large networks. The only features of much interest to the ordinary SOHO user might be -

1. Better data security with NTFS file system (but no compatibility with FAT32).
2. Remote access facility.
3. Stronger access controls.

On the downside, XP Pro is much more complex to manage, reflecting its more 'corporate' nature. If any of the above 3 features are vital to him, maybe it's worth persevering, otherwise he may be better off sticking with XP Home.

quote:

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Originally posted by David Stewart:
Mike,
Maybe the real question here is how much does your mate really need an apparently 'hooky' and by your own admission 'not working properly' XP Pro installation when he already had XP Home.

If you look at what XP Pro gives you, many of its main features are clearly aimed at, and only of use to, corporate users with large networks. The only features of much interest to the ordinary SOHO user might be -

1. Better data security with NTFS file system (but no compatibility with FAT32).
2. Remote access facility.
3. Stronger access controls.

On the downside, XP Pro is much more complex to manage, reflecting its more 'corporate' nature. If any of the above 3 features are vital to him, maybe it's worth persevering, otherwise he may be better off sticking with XP Home.

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Indeed, fundamentally they are the same thing. There was a rumour that you could turn the home version into the pro version by twiddling a bit. It's just a licensing scam, some software won't install on XP home.

quote:

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Originally posted by HTK:
Don't take it personally (even if it is) and remember, this is all that his sad life ammounts to. Makes you feel blessed and gifted doesn't it?

Cheers

Harry

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hey Harry

Looks like your trouncing at my hands during our last battle of "wits" has really got to you.

It could be worse, you could be an IT consultant.

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

[This message was edited by Adam Meredith on Mon 06 December 2004 at 9:50.]

quote:

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Originally posted by Patrick Dixon:
I would have to bow to the superior knowledge of someone who has criticised ripped-off customers from making 'bogus' mis-selling claims against FAs,

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Patricia

So, you think its OK for people to make bogus claims against FAs ( I assume you means IFAs.)
I would disagree, perhaps you would care to carry on the polemic in your own thread - its all ready for you.

Wil you please stop droning on: if you dont like what I say here, dont look at the thread. Easy.

Mike

quote:

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Originally posted by David Stewart:
Mike,
Maybe the real question here is how much does your mate really need an apparently 'hooky' and by your own admission 'not working properly' XP Pro installation when he already had XP Home.

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Thnaks David.

His ( actually her ) problems started with a plague of pop-ups on XP Home: plus the log on use Hotmail and eBay had been hijacked. Wanted to get stronger virus protection, bought Service Pack 2: to install this required a backup: XP Home does not give this facility, and the "bundled" version that came with the PC does NOT have the disk - per licensing agreement. XP Pro has this facility, which is why the attempt was made to load it - to enable a backup prior to loading SP2.

The Pro copy was ( obviously ) borrowed and when loading, gives 30 days to register. The query is, would registering with MS entail problems with the lender of the disk: that person is an IT guru who has millions of MS disks of various things, but is not available to troubleshoot. ( gone overseas. )

Sorry about the white noise, tahnks for the reply.

Regards

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

quote:

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Originally posted by mike lacey:

quote:

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Originally posted by HTK:
Don't take it personally (even if it is) and remember, this is all that his sad life ammounts to. Makes you feel blessed and gifted doesn't it?

Cheers

Harry

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hey Harry

Looks like your trouncing at my hands during our last battle of "wits" has really got to you.

It could be worse, you could be an IT consultant.

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

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Hey Mike, the bigoted misogynist. It's your thread. Wank all you want.

Looks like the humiliation of getting your last offensive thread pulled has got to you.


Harry

[This message was edited by HTK on Fri 03 December 2004 at 17:55.]

[This message was edited by Adam Meredith on Mon 06 December 2004 at 9:52.]

quote:

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Originally posted by HTK:

It's your thread Mike. Wank all you want.

Harry

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Harry the K

Who are you quoting?

Oscar Wilde?
Descartes?
The Wurzels?

Patrick. Some people just don't have the judgement to realise where taunting stops and defamation/slander begins. It's nice to have a bench mark at the lower end of sanity/intelligence spectrum. Irritating though it can be.

Like I said - we are blesed. Poor Mike. What an awful place it must be in that bloodshot little brian. I would feel pity if I could be bothered.

Cheers

Harry

quote:

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Originally posted by Patrick Dixon:
Why assume you know what I mean when you can't even read what I write properly?)

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Do you mean, "Read properly what I have written?" , "Read properly that which I have written? ", or some other bizarre construct?

This is too easy. Gimme your best shot.