Cracked Windows support ends - bit-tech.net Forums

Tim S · 27th Jul 2005, 18:01

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2005/07/27/wga_lockdown/

Cheap Mod Wannabe · 27th Jul 2005, 18:05

I guess this just means more traffic for p2p, torrent, and other download services. Cause thats where third of the software world will be getting updates from.

Leeum · 27th Jul 2005, 18:08

I've just checked the site and it says automatic updates don't require genuine windows validation. Doesn't that just persuade people to use that instead?

hitman012 · 27th Jul 2005, 18:12

The Automatic Update service only downloads critical security patches, as far as I recall. Access to other content is disallowed.

Tim S · 27th Jul 2005, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitman012

The Automatic Update service only downloads critical security patches, as far as I recall. Access to other content is disallowed.

Yes, this is for things like Windows Media Player, DirectX, etc

Reaper_Unreal · 27th Jul 2005, 18:14

But can't you just get around this by running the application on a computer that has a legitimate install of windows and the copying the code it gives you?

Tim S · 27th Jul 2005, 18:20

I'm sure you can download the software to a computer that is WGA authenticated and then copy the installation files on to the pirated operating system. It doesn't completely eradicate the problem that Microsoft have, but it does reduce it considerably IMHO.

I guess that it is possible for someone to torrent the installation files - it'll be interesting to see how Microsoft can combat that - they'd have to have the ActiveX control built in to every installation program that they release to their download centre, unless they've already done that.

I wonder how long this will last before it is bypassed in the same way that product activation was when Windows XP was launched all that time ago.

27th Jul 2005, 18:48

As long as there's a protection, they'll always be someone to break that protection. That's nearly always true

Cheap Mod Wannabe · 27th Jul 2005, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper_Unreal

But can't you just get around this by running the application on a computer that has a legitimate install of windows and the copying the code it gives you?

Ha ha why haven't I though of that... I will try that.. hmm where do I find legimate windows though....

*goes to email a friend*

hitman012 · 27th Jul 2005, 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigz

...they'd have to have the ActiveX control built in to every installation program that they release to their download centre...

I was talking about this with a friend earlier. They can either let people with genuine Windows installations download it, but also allow it to be copied across to illegal installations. This will mean they've wasted their time with WGA, as some hackers with legitimate copies will just torrent the installation files, as you said.

So they have to integrate the same ActiveX checking mechanism into the software itself. As with the current one, it simply sends the product key to Microsoft, and their server-side scripting does the rest. The problem with this mechanism is that people without connections to the Internet will not be able to simply take a copy of the protected software from another friend with a legitimate installation, as they can't validate Windows online. It's not acceptable for them to cut off a significant number of users like this.

This means that Microsoft now has to incorporate the validation algorithm into the program, instead of it being server-side. It's then possible for someone determined (plenty of those, I should think) to reverse-engineer the validation code in the program and probably bypass it.

Da Dego · 27th Jul 2005, 19:45

Hahaha...the install files will be immediately available for the corporate network installs on bit-torrent.

They did this with DX9.0c, too...checks the validity of your win install.

FIBRE+ · 27th Jul 2005, 20:01

This is probably a stupid how longs a piece o' string type of question... Whens Longhorn out (i prefer that to Vista so il stick with it), as im sure most people who have a "funny" copies of XP wouldnt like the idea of forking out money when theres a new OS commin out within a year or so.

Its pretty shocking to think how many people are running dodgy copies of XP, I really cant think of anyone I know who has an authentic copy unless it came with an off the shelf pc.

Im pretty sure the updates are stuck in a temp folder normally (or you can download em indivdually), had to burn some to a cd for someone on dial up or summin before.

like most have said, theyl find a way round it, anything is possible and microsoft stuff is hardly renowned for being bullet proof... Id give it a week after its in full effect.

koola · 27th Jul 2005, 20:07

Validation Failure: Invalid Product Key[0x80080220]

Why did it not validate?

Windows has been installed on your machine with an invalid product key. The type of key found on your system is typically licensed by organizations who want to use multiple copies of windows. If you do not have a Volume License Agreement with Microsoft, then you may be a victim of software piracy.

LOL

Leeum · 27th Jul 2005, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by koola

Validation Failure: Invalid Product Key[0x80080220]

Why did it not validate?

Windows has been installed on your machine with an invalid product key. The type of key found on your system is typically licensed by organizations who want to use multiple copies of windows. If you do not have a Volume License Agreement with Microsoft, then you may be a victim of software piracy.

LOL

Sounds familiar

atanum141 · 27th Jul 2005, 20:18

i havent downloaded this yet.....im wondering if i should do it.

Quote:

Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130)
443 KB , less than 1 minute
The Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool enables you to verify that your copy of Microsoft Windows is genuine. The tool validates your Windows installation by checking Windows Product Identification and Product Activation status. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer. Once you have installed this item, it cannot be removed.

Total: 443 KB , less than 1 minute

Da Dego · 27th Jul 2005, 20:43

Hmmm...fibre+ brings up a good point...I wonder if the "low low price for saying you stole it" of windowsXP has anything to do with the next os being due out within a year, meaning sales of this one will decline markedly anyways until the price substantially drops...

DougEdey · 27th Jul 2005, 20:47

File Mirrors is great for getting round this.

www.filemirrors.com

Links you to the actual download file off microsoft.

And if people are uni students you should sign up to MSDNAA

sui_winbolo · 27th Jul 2005, 20:49

Whoa, people still download things from Microsoft? Hmm, wierd....

Reaper_Unreal · 27th Jul 2005, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougEdey

And if people are uni students you should sign up to MSDNAA

Ah yes, the MSDNAA, the only reason that I have a legal copy of WinXP Pro. Heck I've even got Server2003 if I want it.

pman · 27th Jul 2005, 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper_Unreal

Ah yes, the MSDNAA, the only reason that I have a legal copy of WinXP Pro. Heck I've even got Server2003 if I want it.

Any chance of passing on a copy

27th Jul 2005, 18:01	#1
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	Cracked Windows support ends http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2005/07/27/wga_lockdown/ __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

27th Jul 2005, 18:05	#2
Cheap Mod Wannabe Ultramodder Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Glen Cove, NY Posts: 1,215	I guess this just means more traffic for p2p, torrent, and other download services. Cause thats where third of the software world will be getting updates from. Last edited by Cheap Mod Wannabe; 27th Jul 2005 at 19:02.

27th Jul 2005, 18:14	#6
Reaper_Unreal Supermodder Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 380	But can't you just get around this by running the application on a computer that has a legitimate install of windows and the copying the code it gives you? __________________ If you made a Venn diagram, there would be two non-overlapping circles, one of which was labeled, “Times when I am truly happy” and the other of which was labeled, “Times when I am logged in as root, holding a cable, and have the case open.”

27th Jul 2005, 18:20	#7
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	I'm sure you can download the software to a computer that is WGA authenticated and then copy the installation files on to the pirated operating system. It doesn't completely eradicate the problem that Microsoft have, but it does reduce it considerably IMHO. I guess that it is possible for someone to torrent the installation files - it'll be interesting to see how Microsoft can combat that - they'd have to have the ActiveX control built in to every installation program that they release to their download centre, unless they've already done that. I wonder how long this will last before it is bypassed in the same way that product activation was when Windows XP was launched all that time ago. __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

27th Jul 2005, 19:45	#11
Da Dego Brett Thomas Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cleveland, OH USA Posts: 3,906	Hahaha...the install files will be immediately available for the corporate network installs on bit-torrent. They did this with DX9.0c, too...checks the validity of your win install. __________________ "Frankly that seems overkill. iluvtrees2 arguing with spec is the intellectual equivalent of a bunny rabbit taking on a pissed-off lion." - Nexxo

27th Jul 2005, 18:08	#3
Leeum Mod Master Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 2,487	I've just checked the site and it says automatic updates don't require genuine windows validation. Doesn't that just persuade people to use that instead?

27th Jul 2005, 18:12	#4
hitman012 What is a Dremel!? Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bristol / London Posts: 4,811	The Automatic Update service only downloads critical security patches, as far as I recall. Access to other content is disallowed.

27th Jul 2005, 18:48	#8
charl3s_fatal1ty Guest Posts: n/a	As long as there's a protection, they'll always be someone to break that protection. That's nearly always true

27th Jul 2005, 20:01	#12
FIBRE+ Ultramodder Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Oxford Posts: 1,306	This is probably a stupid how longs a piece o' string type of question... Whens Longhorn out (i prefer that to Vista so il stick with it), as im sure most people who have a "funny" copies of XP wouldnt like the idea of forking out money when theres a new OS commin out within a year or so. Its pretty shocking to think how many people are running dodgy copies of XP, I really cant think of anyone I know who has an authentic copy unless it came with an off the shelf pc. Im pretty sure the updates are stuck in a temp folder normally (or you can download em indivdually), had to burn some to a cd for someone on dial up or summin before. like most have said, theyl find a way round it, anything is possible and microsoft stuff is hardly renowned for being bullet proof... Id give it a week after its in full effect. __________________ ++ASUS SLI Premium \| X2 3800 @ 2.6ghz \| XP-120 \| 2GB Mushkin \| 8800 GT \| XFI Music \| Seagate 320GB \ Samsung F1 1TB \| 520W Corsair HX \| 23" Dell S2309W ++ ++Zotac 9300 Mini ITX \| Intel E5200 \| Scythe Shuriken \| 2GB Corsair \| 8600 GTS (Passive) \| WD Black 2.5" 320GB \ Samsung F2 Eco 1TB \| Corsair VX 450W \| 42" Panasonic Viera++ ++Canon 400D \| Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 \| Canon 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 \| Sandisk Extreme III 4GB++My Ebay++

27th Jul 2005, 20:07	#13
koola Eat my... Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,210	Validation Failure: Invalid Product Key[0x80080220] Why did it not validate? Windows has been installed on your machine with an invalid product key. The type of key found on your system is typically licensed by organizations who want to use multiple copies of windows. If you do not have a Volume License Agreement with Microsoft, then you may be a victim of software piracy. LOL __________________ PSN: koola-uk

27th Jul 2005, 20:43	#16
Da Dego Brett Thomas Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cleveland, OH USA Posts: 3,906	Hmmm...fibre+ brings up a good point...I wonder if the "low low price for saying you stole it" of windowsXP has anything to do with the next os being due out within a year, meaning sales of this one will decline markedly anyways until the price substantially drops... __________________ "Frankly that seems overkill. iluvtrees2 arguing with spec is the intellectual equivalent of a bunny rabbit taking on a pissed-off lion." - Nexxo

27th Jul 2005, 20:47	#17
DougEdey I pwn all your storage Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 13,933	File Mirrors is great for getting round this. www.filemirrors.com Links you to the actual download file off microsoft. And if people are uni students you should sign up to MSDNAA

27th Jul 2005, 20:49	#18
sui_winbolo Network Engineer Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bottineau, ND Posts: 1,306	Whoa, people still download things from Microsoft? Hmm, wierd.... __________________ :: XBOX 360 / / SPARTAN sui ::