Well, it came as no surprise. You may be a victim of software counterfeiting.
Psychophysiological entity
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Well, it came as no surprise. You may be a victim of software counterfeiting.
But how come it's taken a year.
My PC has a licensed copy of XP, but a while back I installed a copy of XP supplied by a young man who assured me he was licensed to distribute. I didn't believe him. However, I said that I would insist that it was registered, and he didn't seem fazed by this.
All seemed to go well, and indeed updates arrived seamlessly. A couple of nights ago - just too early for April Fools - the above message arrived. I called MS and told them the tale.
I've been offered a legal copy for $149 - With a disc! - I thought this was pretty good, but really, I've got my original XP Home and think perhaps it might be worth putting the money into W7. One of the plus marks is that it would be sooooo nice to have a pure master disc, rather than my backup HP one with SP1 and LOADS of HP junk on it.
Furthermore...and this is a big furthermore, the backup disc scraps all my logical drives.
There are no more Beta W7 copies available, but I'm reticent to pay for one of the early offerings of any new OS. Equally, if I don't get a move on, I'll not get to grips with anything within my lifetime.
I know that W7 has impressed some of you, what's the best course of action and (real)expected wait times etc..
My PC has a licensed copy of XP, but a while back I installed a copy of XP supplied by a young man who assured me he was licensed to distribute. I didn't believe him. However, I said that I would insist that it was registered, and he didn't seem fazed by this.
All seemed to go well, and indeed updates arrived seamlessly. A couple of nights ago - just too early for April Fools - the above message arrived. I called MS and told them the tale.
I've been offered a legal copy for $149 - With a disc! - I thought this was pretty good, but really, I've got my original XP Home and think perhaps it might be worth putting the money into W7. One of the plus marks is that it would be sooooo nice to have a pure master disc, rather than my backup HP one with SP1 and LOADS of HP junk on it.
Furthermore...and this is a big furthermore, the backup disc scraps all my logical drives.
There are no more Beta W7 copies available, but I'm reticent to pay for one of the early offerings of any new OS. Equally, if I don't get a move on, I'll not get to grips with anything within my lifetime.
I know that W7 has impressed some of you, what's the best course of action and (real)expected wait times etc..
Spoon PPRuNerist & Mad Inistrator
Consensus view seems to be a June / July 2009 launch of Windows 7.
Given that it's an evolution of Vista, and the reaction to the betas have been pretty positive, I'd say it'll be pretty much OK from day 1.
Of course, many will always wait for SP1! But I think that a huge number will skip Vista SP1 and go from XP to 7.
MS really cannot afford another lemon like Vista.
SD
Given that it's an evolution of Vista, and the reaction to the betas have been pretty positive, I'd say it'll be pretty much OK from day 1.
Of course, many will always wait for SP1! But I think that a huge number will skip Vista SP1 and go from XP to 7.
MS really cannot afford another lemon like Vista.
SD
More bang for your buck
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It probably came about because the key was a bulk key used by a company, every now and then bulk keys get cancelled and hence your problems.
Check your PMs
Check your PMs
Last edited by green granite; 1st Apr 2009 at 22:05.
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Rivets, you can expecta a release candidate version of 7 in a month or so. I am certain that version will find it's way out if you are comfy with bit torrent downloads. I have run 7 from build 6956 to build 7057 it's good. it's real good.
FWIW I have repeatedly activated the same copy of xp when machines have died, mobo's blown up etc. For the hell of it, I've rebuilt on the original disc & always been allowed to do so by ms. Maybe worth a go?
FWIW I have repeatedly activated the same copy of xp when machines have died, mobo's blown up etc. For the hell of it, I've rebuilt on the original disc & always been allowed to do so by ms. Maybe worth a go?
More bang for your buck
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My point was that there are quite a few warez sites that utilize direct downloads, it doesn't take long using google to find them. 
Saab if you're unhappy with these posts please delete them
Saab if you're unhappy with these posts please delete them
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For all the people who talk about BitTorrent etc. .....
"http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/"
Not only are BitTorrent and other questionable sources illegal, but they are also great sources of virus ridden copies of software !
For the original poster :
I would suggest....
Forget about beta and/or illegal copies of W7.
Forget about Vista.
Take up Microsoft on their generous offer of a legit copy of XP.
"http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/"
Not only are BitTorrent and other questionable sources illegal, but they are also great sources of virus ridden copies of software !
For the original poster :
I know that W7 has impressed some of you, what's the best course of action and (real)expected wait times etc..
I would suggest....
Forget about beta and/or illegal copies of W7.
Forget about Vista.
Take up Microsoft on their generous offer of a legit copy of XP.
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Not only are BitTorrent and other questionable sources illegal
That is like saying a car is illegal because it's used in a robbery. It's all about the purpose.
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Sprogget
With great respect to you, if you bothered to consider the context of my post, you would realise I was referring to BitTorrent in relation to Microsoft software.
BitTorrent is not, as far as I am aware, a legitimate download source for Microsoft software, those can be found on the Microsoft website if you have the appropriate licenses. If you have a more restrictive Microsoft license (e.g. the bundled OEM form commonly found with manufacturerd PCs), then you'll need a legit CD.
I'm not one to fight Microsoft's corner. But if you replace the name Microsoft with X ..... the quite substancial amount of hard work that any software development company has to put into producing and maintaining software deserves to be rewarded through people paying license fees.
With great respect to you, if you bothered to consider the context of my post, you would realise I was referring to BitTorrent in relation to Microsoft software.
BitTorrent is not, as far as I am aware, a legitimate download source for Microsoft software, those can be found on the Microsoft website if you have the appropriate licenses. If you have a more restrictive Microsoft license (e.g. the bundled OEM form commonly found with manufacturerd PCs), then you'll need a legit CD.
I'm not one to fight Microsoft's corner. But if you replace the name Microsoft with X ..... the quite substancial amount of hard work that any software development company has to put into producing and maintaining software deserves to be rewarded through people paying license fees.
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Hang on: if you use "bit torrent" or other file sharing network to download a copy of XP, then install this on a new or re-harddrived machine, then validate ths copy with the original XP serial number from the old, scrapped machine or the serial number on the case of the machine with it's new hard drive, what is illegal in doing this?
It is only illegal if you validate with a "dodgey" serial number.
P.P.
It is only illegal if you validate with a "dodgey" serial number.
P.P.
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Fair enough Mr. M, but please consider that I am speaking specifically within the context of beta builds of windows 7, that Microsoft, although silent on the subject, are definitely complicit and complying within the context of torrent downloads.
I could point you to MS owned chat forums wherein MS staff are discussing the merit of this & that in build 7068 etc. But you knew that right?
SD & anyone reading this, I am not advocating the illegal downloading of copyrighted software, merely reflecting upon the existence of routes to constituency that ms have used to evaluate non saleable beta versions of products for the purposes of tesrting, evaluation & feedback. Hell it says so all over the desktop!
I could point you to MS owned chat forums wherein MS staff are discussing the merit of this & that in build 7068 etc. But you knew that right?
SD & anyone reading this, I am not advocating the illegal downloading of copyrighted software, merely reflecting upon the existence of routes to constituency that ms have used to evaluate non saleable beta versions of products for the purposes of tesrting, evaluation & feedback. Hell it says so all over the desktop!
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P.Pilcher,
(a) If your orignal "scrapped" machine had an OEM license, then that license lives and dies with the machine. You cannot re-use it. Nor can you upgrade the motherboard in the same machine and re-use it.
(b) If you download from a questionable source, how can you be assured of the integrity of your copy ? How do you know there are no back doors, viruses, trojans or other nasties ?
(c) I believe (would need to double check) that Microsoft define a valid license as both the license key itself and the fact that you installed it using a valid bitset. I know this is certainly the case if you downgrade Vista Business ... you can re-use a license key but must use a valid bitset.
(a) If your orignal "scrapped" machine had an OEM license, then that license lives and dies with the machine. You cannot re-use it. Nor can you upgrade the motherboard in the same machine and re-use it.
(b) If you download from a questionable source, how can you be assured of the integrity of your copy ? How do you know there are no back doors, viruses, trojans or other nasties ?
(c) I believe (would need to double check) that Microsoft define a valid license as both the license key itself and the fact that you installed it using a valid bitset. I know this is certainly the case if you downgrade Vista Business ... you can re-use a license key but must use a valid bitset.
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P.Pilcher,
The software agreement that comes with these cds says that you cannot copy or distribute the copyrighted material.
If you use or upload the software you are breaking the law.
The software agreement that comes with these cds says that you cannot copy or distribute the copyrighted material.
If you use or upload the software you are breaking the law.
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Sprog,
Would be most interested to see the forum postings you are referring to. (Don't worry, I don't have any association with Microsoft, so I don't have any power to hunt you down for giving out the link....
)
Don't read too much into silence..... in a corporate environment it may be that stuff like talking about licensing etc. is restricted to certain people who are permitted to commit the company.
Would be most interested to see the forum postings you are referring to. (Don't worry, I don't have any association with Microsoft, so I don't have any power to hunt you down for giving out the link....
)
beta builds of windows 7, that Microsoft, although silent on the subject
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Kay, here's one. MS own this site. Fill yer boots
The Green Button - Windows 7 Public Beta Forum
I don't believe in all honesty, from here & all the other deafening noise out there, that ms are anyting other than quite happy to have this stuff out there. OTOH, I can't prove that. OTOH again, ms aren't exactly running people into court for upping 7...
The Green Button - Windows 7 Public Beta Forum
I don't believe in all honesty, from here & all the other deafening noise out there, that ms are anyting other than quite happy to have this stuff out there. OTOH, I can't prove that. OTOH again, ms aren't exactly running people into court for upping 7...
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"http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/content.aspx?pg=counterfeit&displaylang=en"
"Counterfeit software is the result of unauthorized copying, reproduction, or manufacture of software products. Counterfeit software often looks authentic and is sometimes distributed in packaging that imitates the original manufacturer's packaging."
and
"Microsoft does not authorize any other Web sites to offer downloads of Microsoft software. Some of these counterfeit downloads may include viruses or broken code. The only way to download genuine Microsoft software is through Microsoft.com."
So the reason for the silence is perhaps because they already explicitly state their policy publicly.
"Counterfeit software is the result of unauthorized copying, reproduction, or manufacture of software products. Counterfeit software often looks authentic and is sometimes distributed in packaging that imitates the original manufacturer's packaging."
and
"Microsoft does not authorize any other Web sites to offer downloads of Microsoft software. Some of these counterfeit downloads may include viruses or broken code. The only way to download genuine Microsoft software is through Microsoft.com."
So the reason for the silence is perhaps because they already explicitly state their policy publicly.
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Let's assume that you are not using legitimate copy of microsoft and you received this counterfeiting message and the black screen. Is there any other way to get rid of this message and black screen apart from regestering your windows copy.
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You are of course correct Mixture. However, it remains the case that downloads of Windows 7 builds are a useful method for MS to gain feedback on the progress of the os and thus MS are happy to look the other way. I'm not going to argue the legal position, rather the realpolitik that the geeky community experience every time MS need their products testing widely.
Edit to add, each iteration of 7 thus far is time bombed. 7068 hih has been the latest for example expires in July. This clarifies what MS expect of this software to me. Now if you were to break that expiration, that would be very naughty indeed....
Edit to add, each iteration of 7 thus far is time bombed. 7068 hih has been the latest for example expires in July. This clarifies what MS expect of this software to me. Now if you were to break that expiration, that would be very naughty indeed....
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AvEnthusiast
My guess would be that Microsoft put some time and effort into making sure the answer to that question is negative. Unless you are the Chinese government**, in which case you've got ready access to a copy of the source code.
**= ref press coverage in 2003, Source Code Browsing Lab at the China Testing and Certification Center for Information Security Products
Sprogget
Indeed, although your feedback is probably more likely to be heard if you get yourself onto a beta programme rather than hoping some poor soul will trawl through forum postings.
But licensing issues aside, in principle, yes, I agree with you, Microsoft need their software exposed to as much QA time as possible !
Let's assume that you are not using legitimate copy of microsoft and you received this counterfeiting message and the black screen. Is there any other way to get rid of this message and black screen apart from regestering your windows copy.
**= ref press coverage in 2003, Source Code Browsing Lab at the China Testing and Certification Center for Information Security Products
Sprogget
Indeed, although your feedback is probably more likely to be heard if you get yourself onto a beta programme rather than hoping some poor soul will trawl through forum postings.
But licensing issues aside, in principle, yes, I agree with you, Microsoft need their software exposed to as much QA time as possible !