How many people use an illegal copy of Windows?

Sleipnir

[MOD EDIT: Go on then. But this isn't an invitation to discuss your hax0ring skills, post product keys or link to appz sites!]

Just out of curiosity, I wonder how many people use illegal copies of Windows OS's? G'wan, It's all just in the interests of research.
I used to I have to say, I think the last illegal copy I had was Win98.

Dr. Loon

You should have made this a poll.

deckie27

Kananga

Poll

Jokah

Problem with illegal software nowadays is that you cannot get service packs say for Operating Systems. I have not used illegal software b4.

Two ways to get cheap legal software. Get a student to buy it for you at the knockdown price or get to know someone in Microsoft.

dahamsta

Originally posted by XPThink
Problem with illegal software nowadays is that you cannot get service packs say for Operating Systems.

Is this new in XP? It certainly isn't true of <= W2K.

adam

Sleipnir

course you can get service packs. Logon to the download section of Microsoft and you download a full copy of them all.

maxheadroom

XPThink - that's not entirely true, you just need to be a bit more creative.

maxheadroom

Originally posted by dahamsta
Has this been added in XP then?

SP1 won't install on XP if it recognises a dodgy licence key.

dahamsta

Errr, I think we'll drop that line of discussion now.

adam

Jokah

I have seen someone use Illegal software, windows XP for example. They have tried to download all the relevant updates for the machine only to be told that they cannot do so.

The quote (not actual quote) from the website is "if you think you are using an illegal copy of X please contact the relevant authorities.

If you use illegal XP you cannot get service packs.

I condone the use of illegal software.

Sleipnir

yeah I heard that too. Microsoft came across a load of license keys that people were using illegally and blocked them from using SP1. But I'm sure somebody found a way around it.
Nobody's polling, guilty conscience?!?

Jokah

Im sure someone has found a way around it.

Oh yes and one other note. I bought XP professional and i was wondering, now I own the actual CD and license Key, can i install it all my computers. I have 3 computers on site.

Anyone know anything about this. The sales assistant didn't.

Sleipnir

No, you can only install it on one PC. You get a sticker with a license key which you afix to the machine.
Had a problem with this last week; got a new laptop for a guy in the office and installed XP Pro on it, attached the license sticker to the machine. The bloody Laptop was nicked over the weekend so now i have an XP Pro CD, but no license key!

deckie27

Should make with current dodgy OS

zAbbo

If you have XP, you can change the product key to be service pack one complient.

start > run > oobe/msobe /a

Then select the activate via phone option, then change the product key. way2ez

Jokah

"Laptop was nicked over the weekend. So now i have an XP Pro CD, but no license key."

Thats rough dude, very rough. I keep my key locked in a safe just in case. Cos ya never know.......surely you can buy a multiple site license for the copy? or can you not contact microsoft or the vendor you bought the copy from and show them receipt of payment etc and get a key for the CD? Surely there has to be something in place for this kind of thing.?

Sleipnir

ah here BazH, that's hacking I do believe, come on, I just think it would be interesting to see how many people use illegal OS's.
This is not a place for you to post how to get around licensing as Dahmasta has said!

zAbbo

its not hacking, its just a mehod to activate windows xp, if you have misplaced your key, or have a dodgy os, but bought a proper key. Instead of renistalling you can just input the correct one there. Nothing slighlty hax0r about that.

You can read more on it in the windows help , search for "activate"

DiscoStu

1 legit xp home, one legit 98se, one "borrowed" 2k and one "borrowed" corp xp.

rabbitinlights

Legit 98se

Not so legit Corp XP PRO

Using Illegal windows is fine, I dont agree with paying for illegal copys though, if that makes sense?

Rabbit

Dr. Loon

Originally posted by maxheadroom
you just need to be a bit more creative.

I think you need to be a bit creative and get another avatar!
I don't think I've ever bought an OS! No.... actually I have, bundled with the PC's I've bought.

dahamsta

Originally posted by XPThink
I have seen someone use Illegal software, windows XP for example. They have tried to download all the relevant updates for the machine only to be told that they cannot do so.

Ah. This would have been through Windows Update, right?

If you use illegal XP you cannot get service packs.

I think you might need to rethink using absolute statements.

I condone the use of illegal software.

Sure you don't mean "condemn"? Or are you being ironic?

adam

Lemming

All of my windows software is legit

95, 98se, win2k Pro, office 2k developer, Vis.Dev Enterprise version 6.0, .Net Developer Enterprise, etc.

The joys of having contacts in certain *ahem* companies

jimhenson

Microsoft have a blacklist of serials i.e. those available from warez sites etc. that will not allow you to install any service packs.

However there are some keygens and activation progs available to bypass this. The blacklist isnt very extensive.

Jokah

I agree. If you have contacts with certain users in certain companies the sky is the limit.

I was being Ironic.

Are there other ways of getting service packs without going through update? I have looked hard and not found any.

Lemming

Originally posted by XPThink

Are there other ways of getting service packs without going through update? I have looked hard and not found any.

the microsoft website

Jokah

How through the website?

Woden

legit win 95 and the copy of win ME which came with my computer

legit XP pro

copied win 98, corporate (i think) win 2k, corporate (i think) win 2k server, corporate XP pro and office XP

i run the legit XP pro and 98 on the old box

Jokah

I ritually burned my copy of Windows ME.

Probably the worst software in the world.

jimhenson

http://www.labmice.net/WindowsXP/articles/changeID.htm

Woden

its not even a proper copy of ME it only runs in a fujitsu computer