Did you ever pay for a windows OS?

Scioch

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

You assume wrong, Vista or Windows 7 can be cracked in two minutes with an OEM manufacturers licence key & certificate, after that the OS doesn't know it's not genuine so you can download all the updates you like.

Yeah that "This is not genuine copy of windows" really misleads people. Its the licence to use it on a particular machine that you're actually paying for and which makes it "genuine". Its all the same thing you just have to prove you're allowed to run it.

mongdesade

Built PC from scratch...Windows 7 Ultimate purchased

mongdesade

who the fug wrote: »

up until a couple of years ago had some of them big floppies

Viagra ?

johndoe99

last version i actually walked into a shop and bought was 'Windows Millennium Edition', still have the disc and boot floppy that came with it.

All others after that came with the PCs i bought.

I bought Windows 3.11 a few years back a a car boot sale, got the manual as well.

Duggy747

I guess I have paid for it by pre-installs with laptops I bought, but I instantly format those and put on the version of Windows I use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayO1wtXbh_Q

starlit

I bought Windows 7 for my laptop to upgrade it from Windows Vista.
Other times Windows XP/Vista usually came with the pc/laptop I got.

CodyJarrett

doovdela wrote: »

I bought Windows 7 for my laptop to upgrade it from Windows Vista.
Other times Windows XP/Vista usually came with the pc/laptop I got.

I did the same.

Even the mentioning of Vista brings me out in a cold sweat.

Farmers in the New Zealand outback make better use of available Ram than Vista.

starlit

whiplashed wrote: »

I did the same.

Even the mentioning of Vista brings me out in a cold sweat.

Farmers in the New Zealand outback make better use of available Ram than Vista.

Vista was a pain in the behind. Nothing ran well on it if you installed a usb might not be compatible or software/applications might not work even to run the net on it was a nightmare and dreadfully slow.

Even after I took off the slow mcafee antivirus software vista was still just as slow. I put it back on again still slow but not as slow as it was even with the windows 7 its not too bad. I kept it on my laptop due to having renewed the license recently. Took it off the main computer and changed to another antivirus software.

Though with my laptop might been down to the processor might have a lot to do with it being slow but even at that Vista would not have been compatible with a lot of hardware and software. Was a nuisance. So updated to the Windows 7 and it has worked more affectively despite it being a dell laptop. Toshiba and samsung models work more affectively I find.

The RAM in Windows 7 runs more affectively than Vista.

Amalgam

AIB have something that 'looks' like Windows 95 running on the branch terminals.

If you work with haulage\freight\warehousing, quite a few places still run their business on Windows 3.xx

First family PC had Windows 95.

For myself, retail, boxed, Windows 98 SE.

OEM copies, Windows 2000, XP, Windows 7 (I've never purchased a retail or prebuilt PC)

I think one store 'gave' me hardware alongside it, in the form of some screws. He was just pulling my leg, casually took a screw from the counter top and placed it with the OEM packaging.

starlit

Windows 95 is ok but by far the most user friendly Windows OS has been Windows XP and Windows 7. Windows XP by a mile! Compatible with a lot more hardware and software and runs affectively. Pity they couldn't just stick with that OS and just update XP itself. Windows 7 is the next best thing!

Tried downloading Linux/Unix and had trouble with it didn't run on my laptop at all. So got rid of it.

paconnors

i'm on microsoft's mailing list for IT Personel and every time a new OS is launched we get invited a free fully functional copy of the product as well

Kurz

I've been using a copy of Windows that I haven't got a key for so it constantly pops boxes up to remind me that I'm unregistered. It's been like this for two years because it got hot/worn on the bottom and the sticker with the number wore away. So I've paid for windows and just haven't got a key. It's a pain in the arse. I'm dual booting with Ubuntu now and will probably switch over completely in time.

Redshift

Amalgam wrote: »

AIB have something that 'looks' like Windows 95 running on the branch terminals.

It's some sort of linux, heavily customised, i've seen enough of them booting up. the desktop before it loads the banking platform is not windows it looks a bit like KDE and it has an X cursor.

Biggins

Paid a number of times, got a few (inc Win7) free from Microsoft.

N64

Overheal wrote: »

That I can understand.

But we had a thread in Comp&Tech a couple months ago about a guy who was trying to get online with a Windows 95 machine that was being used to administrate a power plant. A ****ing power plant. Cyberterrorist wet dream

Granted if you store customer data on there I wouldnt connect it online. Good way to get it stolen or wiped.

Link?

Mickey H

mikemac1 wrote: »

Worked in a well known hotel in Galway that used Windows 3.1 for their reception system and that wasn't long ago

Why?

Because it works

No need to upgrade

I think AIB use a very old system and ATM's use something ancient called OS/2

I don't know what Ulster Bank use :pac:

They use Vista.

Overheal

N64 wrote: »

Link?

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=75447791

Son Of A Vidic

fasttalkerchat wrote: »

Did you ever pay for a windows OS?

Yes, I have always built my own home PC's so OS disks are a requirement.

Biggins

doovdela wrote: »

Windows 95 is ok but by far the most user friendly Windows OS has been Windows XP and Windows 7. Windows XP by a mile! Compatible with a lot more hardware and software and runs affectively. Pity they couldn't just stick with that OS and just update XP itself. Windows 7 is the next best thing!

Tried downloading Linux/Unix and had trouble with it didn't run on my laptop at all. So got rid of it.

OpenSUSE would do the job for techies - nice, clear and great supply of drivers.
Linux Mint for the more desirers of a better GUI
And standard Ubuntu (Gnome 3) for the ordinary Linux users (though I have retro-tweaked my copy back to Gnome 2)

Good site: http://distrowatch.com/

One of my computers has a Vista/Win7/Ubuntu boot system.

paconnors wrote: »

i'm on microsoft's mailing list for IT Personel and every time a new OS is launched we get invited a free fully functional copy of the product as well

Win7 - via a Dublin Microsoft day held in a college in the capital?

RUCKING FETARD

Biggins wrote: »

OpenSUSE would do the job for techies - nice, clear and great supply of drivers.
Linux Mint for the more desirers of a better GUI
And standard Ubuntu (Gnome 3) for the ordinary Linux users (though I have retro-tweaked my copy back to Gnome 2)

Good site: http://distrowatch.com/

One of my computers has a Vista/Win7/Ubuntu boot system.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/download-test-run-linux-os-virtualboxes/
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/virtual-machine-makeuseof-explains/

Biggins

RUCKING FETARD wrote: »

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/download-test-run-linux-os-virtualboxes/
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/virtual-machine-makeuseof-explains/

Running Linux through Windows means your still using system resources for Windows while taking some for Linux.

See step three here: Install Ubuntu using the Wubi installer
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-ways-to-install-linux-on-windows-or-mac/

Works like a charm and is NO bother to uninstall if needed.

I use the virtual machines for running the like of Win 3.0 up to (but not including) XP.

humbert

Biggins wrote: »

One of my computers has a Vista/Win7/Ubuntu boot system.

Vista and Windows 7? That's and odd combo!

Never bought an OS disk but did upgrade to Windows 7 through the work MSDN account.

Triple boot OSX, Windows 7 and Gentoo Linux. Having to boot to OSX makes humbert and baby jesus sad.

Biggins

humbert wrote: »

Vista and Windows 7? That's and odd combo!

Kept the Vista installed for tech' reasons.

Snowbat

Redshift wrote: »

Amalgam wrote: »

AIB have something that 'looks' like Windows 95 running on the branch terminals.

It's some sort of linux, heavily customised, i've seen enough of them booting up. the desktop before it loads the banking platform is not windows it looks a bit like KDE and it has an X cursor.

Does it look something like this: http://www.google.com/search?q=java+desktop+system&tbm=isch
They migrated to Sun's Java Desktop System (JDS) in 2004 http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=170496

mikemac1 wrote: »

and ATM's use something ancient called OS/2

OS/2 was popular with ATM manufacturers (NCR, Diebold, Wincor Nixdorf) until IBM dropped support in 2006 http://www.atmmarketplace.com/article/132941/IBM-bids-OS-2-farewell

Amalgam wrote: »

I think one store 'gave' me hardware alongside it, in the form of some screws. He was just pulling my leg, casually took a screw from the counter top and placed it with the OEM packaging.

OEM license requirement - it could only be legally sold with hardware but the type of hardware was not specified.

I bought DOS 5.0 and Windows 3.1 with my first PC (a self-built 386SX33). I was naughty with 95 and 98SE and then transitioned to Linux around 2003 with Mandrake 9.1. I'd previously dabbled with Red Hat Linux 4.1 (Vanderbilt).

Wibbs

I've usually had more than one OS running on whatever mac I have at the time. My first mac was a hardware dual boot Mac/Win job(had a PC daughter card on the main board).

More recently had MacOS, Vista then Win 7 on another partition and tried all sorts of linux flavours on another partition. The macOS came with the machine, bought the MS OSs and well the linux was free.

Vista wasn't that bad IMHO, certainly not as bad as the hypememe* would have made it out. Win 7 defo better though. I'd reckon Win 7 and XP are the best OSs MS has come up with.

Never really bought into Linux TBH. Yes it's amazing for a free project and it has some nice parts to it and kudos to the army of people who build the various types, but naw. A bit too "nerdy" for me. What I mean by that is people who are more of a brain set that digs engineering and fiddling rather than end user experience. I find Linux slows me down. Before said engineery types chime in with "how to make linux faster", I don't mean in the benchmarks sense, I mean in the GUI sense. I find more things "get in my way".** I've yet to find a linux GUI that matches Win7 or MacOS on that score. For me. Even on some older Macs the actual speed isn't much cop either IME. On a 2000 Powerbook G3 a couple of Linux builds/distros that were specifically geeked within an inch of their lives to run on it, run noticeably slower in average tasks and are feature poorer than a 2006 release of MacOS(10.4 Great OS)

Of the Mac OSs I reckon 10.4(tiger) and 10.6(Snow Leopard) were their high points. Though the fanboys and girls seem to be gung ho for their latest Lion and Mountain Lion I don't like em. Currently I'm running a couple of partitions, one Snow Leopard, one Lion. The former runs faster, cooler and the battery lasts longer and is without the "my mac's an iPad y'know" and other inelegant GUI crapola of the latter. To be fair Lion is cheap at under 30 quid though.









*New word. Mine. Copyright(c) of the wibbulator(c)

** Command line type need not reply :D

Capt'n Midnight

Ghandee wrote: »

No, it wouldn't work on my Mac.

Mac's don't exist anymore.

It's just a PC without a user accessible BIOS

Capt'n Midnight

It's also possible to use the free 240 day trial versions of windows server as a workstation with a bit of configuring.

I've paid for it twice directly and another couple of times indirectly (via buying laptops, XP MCE 2005 and Vista Home Premium). I bought XP Pro and Windows 7 Pro. Can't see myself getting Windows 8 though.

Biggins

Karsini wrote: »

I've paid for it twice directly and another couple of times indirectly (via buying laptops, XP MCE 2005 and Vista Home Premium). I bought XP Pro and Windows 7 Pro. Can't see myself getting Windows 8 though.

Gonna totally keep Win8 off my systems.
Don't like it's front end.
The underlying coding and set-up might be better but as a PC system, win7 so far is the peak for that.

Hand-helds will obviously suit Win8 for obvious reason but as regards my laptops and PC's - I'm going to pass.

eth0

Linux since 2005, pirated windows before that

fasttalkerchat

eth0 wrote: »

Linux since 2005, pirated windows before that

Is it too awkward to apply a working crack now or do you have the money to spend?

Our man in Havana

It has become very difficult to run cracked versions of windows due to their online validation procedures.

Biggins

Our man in Havana wrote: »

It has become very difficult to run cracked versions of windows due to their online validation procedures.

...But not impossible still.
Microsoft Office 2012 actually has a better validation system than their operating system.
I didn't and still don't understand why they didn't incorporate that into Win7!

fasttalkerchat

Our man in Havana wrote: »

It has become very difficult to run cracked versions of windows due to their online validation procedures.

I hear that it involves your bios. Then you can validate as normal. Not sure how much can be said on boards but its a 20 minute job.
You can update as normal, use Windows Defender and Office with no hassle or pop-ups.

Biggins

It would be best not to post or hint at ways, how to hack, crack systems.
Its an illegal act in itself to do such hacking/cracking and the rules of boards.ie condone posters even alluding to how it might be done.
There are issues of liability.

Doylers

Our man in Havana wrote: »

It has become very difficult to run cracked versions of windows due to their online validation procedures.

What planet are you on, I havent had any issues at all and have been doing years. Its never been easier for me and I do a fresh install twice yearly

frozenfrozen

Just buy an educational license. for 40 quid it's worth it

Biggins

Microsoft has announced that Windows 8 will launch on 26 October.

http://www.computeractive.co.uk/ca/news/2192775/windows-8-launch-date-finally-confirmed

The Windows Team Blog has announced that a download upgrade for Windows 8 will be available for US$40. That's £27 at a direct conversion but we've seen companies use US$1 = £1 before now.

http://www.computeractive.co.uk/ca/computeractive-blog/2188706/windows-blog-reveals-ususd40-upgrade-price-windows

eth0

fasttalkerchat wrote: »

Is it too awkward to apply a working crack now or do you have the money to spend?

I wouldn't use it if it was free. maybe in a VM to run some obscure software if i had to but that'd be it

Setun

Defiler Of The Coffin wrote: »

There's no way that was real... was it?

I installed Windows 95 on a virtual machine a few months ago for nostalgia's sake. Ah to hear the old startup sound again... t'was bliss...

Heh, you've got good taste - I think Brian Eno composed that start-up sound. :cool:

Capt'n Midnight

omgitsthelazor wrote: »

It's far more secure to use legacy systems, they've been around longer with their vulnerabilities long established and shielded against. The real risk is modern systems with unfound exploits.

LOL

windows 9x has NO file system security so any app or apple that is allowed to save files can overwrite system files on next boot by appending autoexec.bat


another vector is win.bat

do nasty stuff
win.com

or you could overwrite the default screen saver with your own executable , 15 minutes later you own the machine - - same for NT / 2000 running on a FAT filesystem


Win 9x has NO security features.
Press Esc to bypass logon password etc.
Use a different font to reveal stored passwords


NT 3x has fare more security features

BUT some windows exploits were found in 15 year old holes in legacy code and patches were only released for older systems so the holes are presumably still there.


NT4 was touted as meeting C2 security, not out of the box, but only after tweaking lots of settings, applying patches , and uninstalling a load of stuff http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc750148
http://www.symantec.com/connect/articles/dod-certified-trusted-systems-and-you-part-two

There are four general divisions of security criteria, A, B, C, and D, with A being the most rigorous standard. divisions B and C are further broken into classes C1, C2, B1, B2, and B3, and there is an unnamed category "beyond A1." It is readily apparent that C2 is a relatively low security criteria class.
...
Please bear in mind that a Trusted Systems designation means only that the system is approved, as an off-the-shelf purchase, to handle data classified at the level assigned. This is not to say that the product in question is "secure," but only that it is "trusted." This may seem like a spurious distinction, but it is quite relevant.

Point is NT4 was recognised as not being very secure even before exploits.