Well, it came as no surprise. You may be a victim of software counterfeiting.
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I have never known a subject to bring out the "I'm more holy than you" attitudes than the pirated software debate. Most people know that it's not legal and most people who do it couldn't give a toss, trotting out the old clichés does not move them in the least.
An interesting occurrence during the release of photoshop CS2 where, if you downloaded it from Adobe, prayed for a key and installed it it woudn't install and aslo trashed the previous version. The easy work around people came up with on the forums was to download a warex copy and install it which worked perfectly and activate it with the payed for key.
An interesting occurrence during the release of photoshop CS2 where, if you downloaded it from Adobe, prayed for a key and installed it it woudn't install and aslo trashed the previous version. The easy work around people came up with on the forums was to download a warex copy and install it which worked perfectly and activate it with the payed for key.
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Key genuflection?
I think a section of the market will always resist putting their hands in their pockets no matter what the software industry does. They range from the skint to the terminally corrupt to the teenage geek on a mission to show their skills(z).
Interestingly, a piece on the news today saying that the movie industry is leaving behind the hard hitting messages about knockoff dvd's, replacing it with a far subtler campaign thanking the viewer for contributing via their cinema ticket to the maintenance of the British film industry.
I think a section of the market will always resist putting their hands in their pockets no matter what the software industry does. They range from the skint to the terminally corrupt to the teenage geek on a mission to show their skills(z).
Interestingly, a piece on the news today saying that the movie industry is leaving behind the hard hitting messages about knockoff dvd's, replacing it with a far subtler campaign thanking the viewer for contributing via their cinema ticket to the maintenance of the British film industry.
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Interestingly, a piece on the news today saying that the movie industry is leaving behind the hard hitting messages about knockoff dvd's, replacing it with a far subtler campaign thanking the viewer for contributing via their cinema ticket to the maintenance of the British film industry.
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Yeah, I think it takes us back to this:
People aren't dumb. They may be corrupt, but not stupid. If you see this going on, you may well think why not? I have experience of the music biz & for years, it was from an artist's point of view, the most indentured form of contract working in existence, that would never have survived in any other industry and yet, the advent of pc's, downloads, p2p networks etc. sees them screaming like stuck pigs, claiming the artist's are being denied their due.
What they actually mean is the record co's take. In the case of the big music companies, I have very little sympathy. They ripped everyone off for years & failed to anticipate a turning of the tables.
section of the market will always resist putting their hands in their pockets no matter what the software industry does
What they actually mean is the record co's take. In the case of the big music companies, I have very little sympathy. They ripped everyone off for years & failed to anticipate a turning of the tables.
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I have never known a subject to bring out the "I'm more holy than you" attitudes than the pirated software debate.
I think the problem is that people who are only too happy to use pirated software fail to comprehend just how expensive software development is.
A lot of effort goes into the whole software lifecycle .... designing it, coding it, distributing it, updating it and providing technical support. Not to mention the additional overheads of renting office space, running the accounts department etc.
Unfortunatley although Microsoft do benefit from economies of scale, they can only bring their prices down so much due to the fact that they have global operations and a large, complex product portfolio to develop and support.
It's a bit like the difference between BA's pricing and Ryanair's pricing. Yes BA benefit from economies of scale, but then Ryanair doesn't do longhaul (amongst one of many other differentiators)
Sprogget's comparison with the music industry is not really correct. Because in software development it's each for their own..... whilst the music industry is heavily based on centralised collection of royalties which are then distributed.
You can't give with one hand and take with the other. It's just not right to go out there and rave about how the latest beta build of Windows 3000 is the greatest thing since sliced bread, and yet refuse to legally license your copies of XP or Vista, which is what is funding the future development costs.
Just look at the difference between what comes out of the FOSS world and what comes out of the commercial software development world. Compare Open Office to Microsoft Office. MS Office isn't perfect, but it's a lot more polished and developed than Open Office.
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mixture I neither condemn or condone it, I merely point out that it exists and if you want to go that route it's easy enough to find. Pointing out that it's illegal, riddled with viruses etc is totally irrelevant as people who move in such circles are well aware of those facts and are perfectly capable of dealing with them. As for costs the argument that every pirated copy is a lost sale is also a red herring because most people who use a pirated copy wouldn't have brought the program anyway (i'm thinking in terms of high value stuff such as photoshop etc)
To say nothing of the costs of running a team of lawyers and fighting lawsuits etc. 
Unfortunatley although Microsoft do benefit from economies of scale, they can only bring their prices down so much due to the fact that they have global operations and a large, complex product portfolio to develop and support.
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Loose Rivets - I do a bit of freelance PC maintenance and I came across something very similar about a year ago. This person had a PC they had bought with a license, and at some point had suffered some failure or problem that had rquired them to seek the help of a knowledgeable friend. This 'friend' had done a complete system reinstall using his own media, and entered some sort of VLK to activate the XP installation.
It had been no problem for a while until an update occurred for the Microsoft Genuine Advantage program. This promptly locked out all further online updates and had this annoying pop-up declaring that the installation was not genuine and to contact MS.
The user ignored the pop-up for a while, until further functionality was degraded, I can't remember precisely what, but the machine became virtually useless. I think it would start up applications other than Internet Explorer, or something like that.
They brought the machine to me, and I had a delve around inside the machine using an Ultimate Boot CD for Windows (Do a Google for it.). This allowed me to locate the license keys used. The stupid thing was the 'helpful friend' had neglected to use the license key on the MS Windows sticker on the PC case.
So back out, reboot into Windows, at the pop-up in the system tray that complains about the installation there is a link to contact Microsoft to re-register, or something like that. Clicked on it, which opened up IE to a page at MS. There you are able to contact them to buy a new key or enter a new one. I simply entered the one from the label on the case and every thing was fixed. No reinstallation was necessary.
It had been no problem for a while until an update occurred for the Microsoft Genuine Advantage program. This promptly locked out all further online updates and had this annoying pop-up declaring that the installation was not genuine and to contact MS.
The user ignored the pop-up for a while, until further functionality was degraded, I can't remember precisely what, but the machine became virtually useless. I think it would start up applications other than Internet Explorer, or something like that.
They brought the machine to me, and I had a delve around inside the machine using an Ultimate Boot CD for Windows (Do a Google for it.). This allowed me to locate the license keys used. The stupid thing was the 'helpful friend' had neglected to use the license key on the MS Windows sticker on the PC case.
So back out, reboot into Windows, at the pop-up in the system tray that complains about the installation there is a link to contact Microsoft to re-register, or something like that. Clicked on it, which opened up IE to a page at MS. There you are able to contact them to buy a new key or enter a new one. I simply entered the one from the label on the case and every thing was fixed. No reinstallation was necessary.
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As for costs the argument that every pirated copy is a lost sale is also a red herring because most people who use a pirated copy wouldn't have brought the program anyway (i'm thinking in terms of high value stuff such as photoshop etc)
The problem is that even if those people "wouldn't have bought the progam", now that they have got a pirated copy, those same people start complaining that the software anti-piracy measures are kicking in to prevent them obtaining software updates or somesuch. Hence they are expecting paid-up benefits without paying for them.
Anyhow, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.
p.S. I was not and am not targetting you or anyone else here ..... just making the case against software pirates in general.
Spoon PPRuNerist & Mad Inistrator
There you are able to contact them to buy a new key or enter a new one. I simply entered the one from the label on the case and every thing was fixed. No reinstallation was necessary.
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To say nothing of the costs of running a team of lawyers and fighting lawsuits etc
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A while back I was trying to source a XP Pro disc in the Emirates so I popped down to the local computer area in town picked the most 'professional' looking shop and asked if they could sell me an XP Pro OS disc. 'Yes sure we can' one quick phone call to one of the other shops just around the corner and within minutes a young Indian 'runner' appeared with the disc. Quite clearly stamped across the disc was 'only to be distributed with a new PC' it was cheap but I decided not worth the hassle should anything go wrong. Enterprising chaps those Indian PC traders!
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mixture as you say best leave us to disagree on some points, I do tend to play devils advocate at times. 
Further to the piracy debate:
Full story at : BBC NEWS | Technology | Piracy law cuts internet traffic
Further to the piracy debate:
Piracy law cuts internet traffic
Internet traffic in Sweden fell by 33% as the country's new anti-piracy law came into effect, reports suggest.
Sweden's new policy - the Local IPRED law - allows copyright holders to force internet service providers (ISP) to reveal details of users sharing files.
According to figures released by the government statistics agency - Statistics Sweden - 8% of the entire population use peer-to-peer sharing.
Popular BitTorrent sharing site, The Pirate Bay, is also based in Sweden.
The new law, which is based on the European Union's Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Directive (IPRED), allows copyright holders to obtain a court order forcing ISPs to provide the IP addresses identifying which computers have been sharing copyrighted material.
Figures from Netnod, a Swedish firm that measures internet traffic in and out of the country, suggest traffic fell from an average of 120Gbps to 80Gbps on the day the new law came into effect.
Internet traffic in Sweden fell by 33% as the country's new anti-piracy law came into effect, reports suggest.
Sweden's new policy - the Local IPRED law - allows copyright holders to force internet service providers (ISP) to reveal details of users sharing files.
According to figures released by the government statistics agency - Statistics Sweden - 8% of the entire population use peer-to-peer sharing.
Popular BitTorrent sharing site, The Pirate Bay, is also based in Sweden.
The new law, which is based on the European Union's Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Directive (IPRED), allows copyright holders to obtain a court order forcing ISPs to provide the IP addresses identifying which computers have been sharing copyrighted material.
Figures from Netnod, a Swedish firm that measures internet traffic in and out of the country, suggest traffic fell from an average of 120Gbps to 80Gbps on the day the new law came into effect.
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O.K. chaps, with reference to the reaction to my post on page 1, I always understood that when you bought a legitimate copy of XP you were licenced to use it on one computer. Microsoft did not want it to be on more than one machine and if it was transferred to another machine, then the original one must be taken out of use. I have managed to do this, obtaining validaion from the microsoft site on several occasions. However if this would appear to be illegal, I will take the necessary action and post no more on the topic!
P.P.
P.P.
Psychophysiological entity
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Morally, it seems very high handed of MS to say that you can't change your mother board. Whatever the rules, I wouldn't feel any burden of guilt about it...if I could make it work.
Thanks Mac. Well, the problem was that it was effectively an upgrade. I said to the MS guy that I didn't need Pro, but when my number was put into the boxes, he said that it was specifically Home. I gathered, but was not sure, that I might have been able to use it if they'd been the same.
This machine has the original disc and OS. The Pro was just a curiosity thing to be played with. The young man gave a huge spiel about how they'd taken over the rights. Odd how some people almost believe what they're selling you after they've done it a few times.
The thing is that it was installed with a Skin and other goodies built in. It had me fooled about its difference. Furthermore, it was installed onto a much faster drive and the performance difference was astonishing. Again, I thought Pro was something special. Saab put me right on that one, saying that the core of the OS was just the same (Sic) Stripping away the toys, it was just XP...but, several mentions of Vista popped up here and there, again leading me to think that there might have been some Vista development going on by this stage of Sp3 Some sort of hybrid.
Anyway, it's a 'dirty' piece of software, and time to liberate the faster disc for W7 when I can find time.
Thanks Mac. Well, the problem was that it was effectively an upgrade. I said to the MS guy that I didn't need Pro, but when my number was put into the boxes, he said that it was specifically Home. I gathered, but was not sure, that I might have been able to use it if they'd been the same.
This machine has the original disc and OS. The Pro was just a curiosity thing to be played with. The young man gave a huge spiel about how they'd taken over the rights. Odd how some people almost believe what they're selling you after they've done it a few times.
The thing is that it was installed with a Skin and other goodies built in. It had me fooled about its difference. Furthermore, it was installed onto a much faster drive and the performance difference was astonishing. Again, I thought Pro was something special. Saab put me right on that one, saying that the core of the OS was just the same (Sic) Stripping away the toys, it was just XP...but, several mentions of Vista popped up here and there, again leading me to think that there might have been some Vista development going on by this stage of Sp3 Some sort of hybrid.
Anyway, it's a 'dirty' piece of software, and time to liberate the faster disc for W7 when I can find time.
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P.Pilcher Providing it's a full copy of windows ie not an OEM one, then yes that's fine. OEM ones are limited to the machine it was issued to/with, although how much you can modify it before it's no longer that m/c I'm not sure.
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Off one of the emay ads.
Not the retail version; the software is commercial software Retail users dont use professional software,professional software has no limitations simple as that
used on company computers or home pcs you don’t have to call Microsoft ever to install on more than 5 pcs. If you are looking for the retail version
this is non retail edition This software is for the user who wants the freedoom to install on unlimited amout of pcs for personal use only.
Format your hard drive a100 times you wont have to activate windows its fully activated, integrated product key for quick install
used on company computers or home pcs you don’t have to call Microsoft ever to install on more than 5 pcs. If you are looking for the retail version
this is non retail edition This software is for the user who wants the freedoom to install on unlimited amout of pcs for personal use only.
Format your hard drive a100 times you wont have to activate windows its fully activated, integrated product key for quick install
Spoon PPRuNerist & Mad Inistrator
Not the retail version; the software is commercial software Retail users dont use professional software,professional software has no limitations simple as that
used on company computers or home pcs you don’t have to call Microsoft ever to install on more than 5 pcs. If you are looking for the retail version
this is non retail edition This software is for the user who wants the freedoom to install on unlimited amout of pcs for personal use only.
Format your hard drive a100 times you wont have to activate windows its fully activated, integrated product key for quick install
used on company computers or home pcs you don’t have to call Microsoft ever to install on more than 5 pcs. If you are looking for the retail version
this is non retail edition This software is for the user who wants the freedoom to install on unlimited amout of pcs for personal use only.
Format your hard drive a100 times you wont have to activate windows its fully activated, integrated product key for quick install
No reflection on you, Loose Rivets, solely on the ebay "seller".
SD
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I bought a "retail" copy of XP Pro for my main desktop machine, a few years ago. It came with a COA sticker which I put on the PC case.
Later, I bought a laptop with a preinstalled XP pro and a licence key label stuck to it - but no CD.
The laptop's installation went wacky, so I reinstalled off the CD I bought for the desktop. When it came to validation, it complained and refused to activate. I phoned the number it gave, explained to the MS person on the phone, gave her the licence key details off the laptop, and was told a long stream of numbers to type in. That activated the laptop, which has been fine ever since.
HOWEVER ... to answer the original question - I'm surprised MS are asking for you to pay for a legit copy of XP. Normally, they don't. If you can muddle along with the XP you have, I'd wait for the release of the real Windows 7 and go straight to that. I run the beta on that same desktop and am very impressed with it.
Later, I bought a laptop with a preinstalled XP pro and a licence key label stuck to it - but no CD.
The laptop's installation went wacky, so I reinstalled off the CD I bought for the desktop. When it came to validation, it complained and refused to activate. I phoned the number it gave, explained to the MS person on the phone, gave her the licence key details off the laptop, and was told a long stream of numbers to type in. That activated the laptop, which has been fine ever since.
HOWEVER ... to answer the original question - I'm surprised MS are asking for you to pay for a legit copy of XP. Normally, they don't. If you can muddle along with the XP you have, I'd wait for the release of the real Windows 7 and go straight to that. I run the beta on that same desktop and am very impressed with it.
Psychophysiological entity
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Keef. That's my plan. It was the comments on here and indeed one of your posts, that made me start looking at W7
Saab. Yes, even on a bad day, with avarice running on red-line, I don't think I'd plump for that deal.
Saab. Yes, even on a bad day, with avarice running on red-line, I don't think I'd plump for that deal.