Microsoft updates WGA Notifications in XP to match experience in Vista

I like the headline at Mary Jo Foley's site: >>Microsoft to target Windows XP Pro users with Genuine ‘nagware’ notifications<< Also note: >>Microsoft officials noted that WGA for XP never did default to “reduced functionality mode,” a k a, the kill switch, which was part of Windows Vista when it first shipped. “Windows XP did not contain the reduced functionality mode commonly referred to as the ‘kill switch,’ and it still doesn’t,” a spokeswoman said. “The update simply reconfigures the notifications experience to mirror notifications in Windows Vista SP1.”<<

I'm sorry...60 minutes...one hour. http://arstechnica.com/journals/microsoft.ars/2008/08/26/microsoft-begin...

"While MS has every right to do this, the above statement is clearly a LIE. Sure, we customers want this!" I don't get that statement of yours. (sarcasm?) Anyway, I've dealt with a number of customers with computers bought from disreputable computer stores around me and were actually duped into believing that their preinstalled "Corp" copy of Windows was in fact genuine. It only takes a quick look to find that their home system with XP Pro and a xxxxx-64x-xxxxxxx-xxxxx Product ID is a pirated volume license key version. Nowadays, it's almost not even worth upgrading a 3+ year old desktop system to a genuine copy of Windows XP, since new systems with Windows Vista are a more worthwhile investment. Microsoft has a "Get Genuine" Windows XP Kit to upgrade to a legitimate license of XP Pro, but the user is faced with the hard decision of paying more for it over an OEM copy of Windows Vista, or just paying more for a new computer with Vista included. The "Get Genuine" kit is the only licensed way to legitimize a previously-pirated install of Windows, and OEM copies can only be sold on new computers....Most customers I've dealt with use this exact scenario as a sort-of excuse to just bite the bullet and buy a new computer. The couple of times where I haven't made a sale on a new computer because of this issue, the customers refused to pick up their machines within a respectable amount of time (30 days, which is the cutoff time in my service policy which they agree to), and they refuse to show up and pay for the diagnostic service fee too, so their machines end up being repossessed, stripped, and/or scrapped.

"Their "computer guy" that they hire to fix their PC makes "a little extra" by upgrading people's PCs without actually buying the software he's charging them for and installing." I've run into that exact scenario on more than one occasion! Sometimes it's just "the computer guy down the street" or whatever, but it's basically the same thing. Often it's something like "I had a virus so he reinstalled Windows for me" and they end up with a VLK copy. Of course, these are the same kinds of people that would recommend Limewire over Kazaa because Limewire is somehow "more secure" because it doesn't contain any known spyware or adware. Of course we all know that the Gnutella network that Limewire uses is flooded with viruses to the amount of somewhere in the neighbourhood of 90%. Ok, that's somewhat of a guess too, but it's at least more accurate than saying that Limewire is secure. Just the other day I was cleaning up a customer's system in which they "only used Limewire to download MP3 music". Turns out, their entire download folder was infected with one of those nasty ID3 tag trojans that infects....oh, yes....MP3's! ....the cleanup consisted of a backup (of documents and pictures only - no music whatsoever), a wipe and reinstall of Windows, and a good stern lesson over the legality and practicality of file-sharing systems to download illegal music. As a side note: Limewire actually used to include known spyware. Since version 3.something, they took it out, but can you honestly trust a company like that? Likewise, can you honestly trust the credentials of a supposed "computer guy" that recommends a company like that?

Waethorn, The real question is whether WGA is driving the worst of the unscrupulous white box OEMs and "consultants" out of the industry.

OK, now Wae is involved, but I can still add a story without the source. I recommended a company that I have used once, as well as another friend. The guy configures a $4,000 PC, but driver problems with Vista prevented dual monitor setup with the Samsung brand but not NEC, which he bought later and works fine]. He sought help from the company and MS, although he is very savvy, and got a recommendation to just reinstall Vista Ultimate and try different drivers with the Samsungs, but the install failed [error popped up]. The company [which has ads in ALL major PC mags. I know as I get a bunch] could not be reached that weekend, so he bought Vista Home Premium, which installed fine. The company finally got back to him much later claiming that a relocation prevented the promoted response, but it was too late as he purchased Vista home and now wanted reimbursed, which they refused. Why would the reinstall disc not work? Could it be pirated or or just a bad DVD burn? I will PM the name to Wae and Mike.

DRWAM Send me email (The address is pretty obvious)

"The real question is whether WGA is driving the worst of the unscrupulous white box OEMs and "consultants" out of the industry." I know at least 3 computer stores in a nearby town that were busted for piracy. One of which, two of my current customers had originally bought their computers from. @DRWAM: The only driver issues I could see are with the actual video card. If the video card drivers weren't installed correctly (or at all), Windows won't see multiple monitors. Likewise, if you use the in-box drivers (the ones that Windows includes on the disc, if it has them for the card), they also likely won't support multiple monitors. Sometimes drivers from Windows Update will, and the drivers from the graphics card manufacturer and/or chipset maker (NVIDIA/ATI) definitely will support multiple monitors. If he tried installing a driver from CD, I would almost bet that by the time he got that system, the CD was out of date. You don't need actual monitor drivers for multiple monitors either - Windows will use a generic or Plug-and-Play monitor driver. The question as to the DVD install is where it actually stopped. Windows DVD's are not allowed to be burned - they can only be replicated in a DVD stamping facility. Let me elaborate a bit on this: What you see on Newegg and other sites that's classified as "OEM Software" is actually "OEM System Builder" software. "OEM System Builders" are companies that buy through Microsoft Authorized Distributors. They don't have a direct contract with Microsoft, and have no purchase minimums. The OEM System Builder software is the generic, unbranded (apart from Microsoft) software. When you buy a PC with OEM System Builder software, it has to be preloaded, and the original, unmodified media, docs, and COA (product key sticker) has to be included. If any of those pieces is missing, Microsoft considers the license invalid. OEM System Builders can also provide a recovery partition on the hard drive, but they are NOT allowed to include any kind of modified DVD or CD for installation, regardless of whether or not the original disc is included. An example of an OEM System Builder is your local computer shop that builds PC's from off-the-shelf parts. Direct OEM's have large minimum purchase agreements with Microsoft, so they have to purchase on a predicted sales schedule. They're usually purchased on a royalty basis. They purchase licenses directly from Microsoft, but have to produce their own media and documentation. Microsoft offers reference materials on how to replicate them (essentially the same as the OEM System Builder stuff), but the OEM also has to have their own company name or logo on everything. Most OEM's design their own docs, and are allowed to produce their own method of reinstallation, from recovery partitions to clean reinstall DVD's. They are not required to provide DVD's though, so long as there is at least one way to reinstall, such as a recovery partition on the hard drive. To note: ALL OEM's (direct or SB) are require to affix a product key sticker (COA) to the computer. OEM System Builder COA's will say "OEM Software" or "OEM Product", whereas Direct OEM's will have their name on it. Any COA without text underneath the OS name is considered counterfeit. It will usually appear like this: Windows Vista Home Premium OEM Software <- if this is missing, it's counterfeit I'm not surprised that a company won't refund his money for a copy if it's already been activated. Most OEM System Builders (myself included) don't offer refunds on software if the EULA has been agreed to. My own EULA says words to the affect of "by agreeing to this EULA, you agree to the terms of no returns on opened software". If it's pirated, I'd be raising sh*t though. He can confirm some things by going here: www.microsoft.com/genuine Hope that helps. I'm gonna check my msgs now.

In parts of Dallas, you'll find guys in the hood who do the same thing. Since the Triads are the big gang out here, they offer a supply of pirated movies and software. They hire guys in the worst parts of town to sell their pirated stuff. I've actually seen some of the pirated stuff from some people who bout the stuff. Some of the movies have near DVD level clarity with full menu and subtitles. Some of it is terrible, like someone just took a camcorder into a movie theatre. Copies of Windows and Hackintosh versions of OS-X I've seen. These are major crime syndicates taking advantage of the poor and using a Robin Hood mentality to make billions. I don't envy the job of breaking this up but it has to be done. The VCD ripoffs were popular down here a few years ago before DVD became common in PC's. Now its all pirated DVD's or badly made ones. Even knowing all this, I still don't like WGA. I hope someone else figures something out.