Changes to "Windows Genuine Advantage"

[SuperSparks]

People with pirated copies are going to gat nag screens, it looks like:

http://news.com.com/Microsoft+piracy...ht&tag=nl.e703

[ProfessorU]

I saw the event log for an improperly obtained copy of server 2003 and it dropped a notice once every 24 hours in the log... something about authenticity and verification. It certainly lets the computer tech know something about what's going on when the company won't pay for their server OS.

certain operating system features will only work as long as it is a properly licensed copy.

why not just disable it altogether? This is what seems odd to me. All other anti-piracy moves have been fully disabling. What is the advantage in allowing limited functionality? Legal reasons? PR reasons?

[SuperSparks]

Here are some more details:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905474/en-us

[Syzich]

I just installed the update and apparantly it(wgatray.exe) tries to connect to
genuine.microsoft.com. My firewall caught this while I was getting that along with another update for XP today.

[buf]

This "attention getter" has been in my download notification box for 2 days but I have not allowed the download/install. I have read and read and then read a bit more and I still can't decide if I wanna d/i it. I know that I have a valid copy of XP Pro and have succumbed to the MS inquiry before. And, of course, am validated by MS. Why this additional nuisance?
Here is a c/p of someone's note about this:
I have Windows XP Pro 64 at home with automatic updates turned off. When I manually visited the Windows Update site and Selected the "Custom" option I saw a list of available updates, including the new WGA tool. I simply unselected it and proceeded to download/install the remaining updates.
I wonder if there is any truth in what this person says!!
Wish I knew how to enter this subject as a poll but I don't know how to do that. You know; install or not install.

[SuperSparks]

If you are legit, then install it. Many MS downloads are only available after you have validated, and after you've done it once it's done for good - you don't have to keep on validating. It really isn't a lot of hassle at all, I've found the whole thing painless anyway.

[buf]

Thanks for your response Nick. I don't really mind installing and playing their game. I could not be legal if MS had not validated my XP Pro. I think I have had to prove that fact 2-3 times already before I was allowed some downloads and, of course, at validation time. MS has the know how, it would seem, to be able to extract from their files that I am validated. I am not blaming them for protecting their interest and livelihood. I suppose, more than anything, I feel offended by MS for questioning my honesty. Their action in this regard is, I feel, an affront to all honest people.
BTW, you began your response with these words: If you are legit, then install it.
Let me say that I will install it but before doing so, I thought I would just raise a simple question seeking dialog from others on our board. I'll wait to see if more thoughts and input are forthcoming.

[x71s8zTN]

I personally understand and approve all the Microsoft's anti-piracy efforts. That is no different than a company enforcing it's patentnt rights. I also had no problems with validation - had to do it twice because I had to return the system to factory condition between validations (problems not associated with validation). No problems either time.

Having said all this I understand buff's annoyance at being assumed dishonest. MS should have preceded the excercise with better PR, making it more a voluntary excercise, perhaps with some rewards thrown in - prizes, discounts, etc. Many years ago I refused to use Lotus 1-2-3 Spreadsheet, industry leader at the time, because they insisted that after you installed a licenced, registered copy on your HD you still had to boot up from the floppy. Next came Quattro at one third the price, followed by Excel, and the rest is history. How many of our forum's members even heard of Lotus or Lotus 1-2-3?.

[SpywareDr]

How many of our forum's members even heard of Lotus or Lotus 1-2-3?.

Cut my teeth on Lotus 1-2-3 with my first IBM/PC back in the early 80's.

[Tuttle]

Having said all this I understand buff's annoyance at being assumed dishonest. MS should have preceded the excercise with better PR, making it more a voluntary excercise, perhaps with some rewards thrown in - prizes, discounts, etc.

In fairness to MS, they kind of did -- things like what's currently on http://catalog.microsoft.com/genuine...s/default.aspx. The problem is that most people don't care about any of that sort of stuff unless they're forced to.

Similar example: We recently deployed WSUS at work to patch PCs, and left it so the patches were downloaded automatically but the user could choose when to install them. The UI is much the same as Automatic Updates -- a yellow shield on the taskbar nags you every so often, and you click to install.

I've been reminding people about it periodically with emails, and calling those who get slack. Just for fun we didn't do that after the last patch release -- over 2/3 of our machines are still unpatched a month later.

The end result is simple -- real soon now, the patches will install themselves automatically. Then people will notice it, and complain about their machines rebooting automatically.

[buf]

Had to convince myself that I wanted to and should install the WGA that MS is forcing us to do to help them and perhaps the users in the long run. Knew what the answer would be on both our home machines. Another positive however, we never know what might happen with MS downloads and installs I believe this makes the third time that I have given MS an answer. Maybe 3 is the magical number.
Read somewhere tonight that the "targeted" computers were 'probably' those that have the AU feature setup.
Also, the "carrot" for us behaving as MS dictates is to have the ability to download IE7 and the MS virus software (still beta??). Neither of these are a plus for me; at this point. Maybe in time to come.

[ProfessorU]

Attention: Admins
You may wish to clarify the VirtualDr. policies on product authentication. For example, we are evidently allowed to discuss not installing the 'update', but if there is a different workaround later, are we able to discuss it? If someone posts here with the message about piracy should we assume that it is a pirated copy or can we assume that MS might be having a problem with the authentication program? Are we going to be forced to tell everyone to 'visit whatever.microsoft.com for the solution' or what?
Honestly, since it's likely to be the hot topic in the XP forums for the next six months, it might make sense to put a sticky up just about authentication problems. Would be a good way to get google to send us some more patients.

[Steve R Jones]

Q: What are the details of the genuine Windows offer?

To help customers who unknowingly purchased a counterfeit version of Windows XP, Microsoft has created two genuine Windows offers for those who qualify:

Complimentary offer: Microsoft will make a complimentary copy of Windows XP available to customers who have been sold counterfeit Windows. Customers will be required to submit a proof of purchase, the counterfeit CD, and a counterfeit report with details of their purchase. Only high-quality counterfeit Windows will qualify for the complimentary offer.

Electronic License Key Offer: Microsoft will offer an alternative for customers who find out via the WGA validation process that they are not running genuine Windows, but do not qualify for, or choose not to take advantage of, the complimentary offer. These customers will be able to license a Windows Genuine Advantage Kit for Windows XP online for a price of $99 for Windows XP Home edition or $149 for Windows XP Professional. The Windows Genuine Advantage Kit for Windows XP will include a new 25-character Product Key and a Windows Product Key Update tool that will allow customers to convert their counterfeit copy to genuine Windows XP electronically.



Get genuine: How can I take advantage of the Microsoft genuine Windows offer?
[http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow...Question5Label

[ProfessorU]

Wow, complimentary! That's awesome. Still doesn't help most of the dudes that get suckered on eBay, but it's a very nice gesture.

[kenn jolemore]

The sad thing about all this is the reality that Microsqish sells a misfunctioning product, changes it every few years and keeps the cost disporportionatly high for it's product.
I was personaly content with 98se but most of the new editing software I run needs XP. And no doubt it will soon need the new version to keep up. If a copy of XP was set at 50 $ american( a much more realistic price for what you get) they would not have the problem they have with bad copies all over the place.
That said , some real competition might help alieveate the "giant" syndrom Micro slush exhibits .
Just my opinion (of course)
KennJ