XP SP1 lockout??

[Farabomb]

I've seen all over about XP SP1 locking out further updates on certain CD keys. Then again I've heard lots of things before XP released that were not true.Lee, I figure you might have a nugget of info - the spin that might help.

I've had no complaints about XP (or2k) and anythings better than 98. Just curious to see if mickeysoft is going to risk hitting leigit boxes to try to stop people that will get around it if they want to.

[MrP]

i have heard that too.

to be honest, it dosent surprise me, but it also seems a rather risky thing to do by locking pout people who have bought legitimate copies that happen to have the same key :(

mind you, from what i hear, some copies are becomming so good that even microsoft cant tell the difference. th last time i heard, they had to get someone to check the glue under a microscope!

toodles :xsofa:

[lechumbl]

Hi Fara,

Bad news....MS has a little ditty in there that looks for a LEGAL copy of XP Pro or HE.
If it doesn't find it, it will not install, and if you try, make sure you have a current image/backup, as it will certainly lock you out.

If you have a legal installation of XP, it works very well.

Sorry guys.........

[Farabomb]

No biggie. XP's the first microsoft OS I wouldn't mind pickng up. Not that I don't have a good copy <cough> and I feel better that maybe $.002 makes it into your paycheck.

I want to see what happens if it hits some good copys and MS gets bad press on something that's an upgrade.

[lechumbl]

Hi Fara,

Actually, my sole mission in life is to make sure that ANY system out there, (all brands, all model, and all OS's) work correctly with an upgrade from XP to SP1 or a full blown Win9X to XP upgrade, with SP1 included.

This late in the testing cycle, it is very difficult to find bugs that effect the upgrade.

The major time is spent fixing the existing bugs found and insuring they are not regressed.

There should not be an issue with activated XP.

Take care.............

[MrP]

Originally posted by lechumbl
Bad news....MS has a little ditty in there that looks for a LEGAL copy of XP Pro or HE.
If it doesn't find it, it will not install, and if you try, make sure you have a current image/backup, as it will certainly lock you out.


question :

how does microsoft define a legal copy.

i can see some people buying a perfectly legal copy, and being caught out because other people have used that code.

how is microsoft going to get around that??

toodles:xsofa:

[lechumbl]

Hi MrP,

A legal copy is one that is purchased and is activated by the owner, or at least activated on ONE system ONLY.

If someone buys or "gets" a version of XP, and they give out the number to someone else, the FIRST person that activates the OS is allowed. Anybody AFTER that is considered using an illegal copy. The license is for one system at a time. Now, you can delete it from one system, and move it to another, as long as it is on only one system at a time.

There is an individual code for each copy of XP. No one else has that code. It is unique to the copy only.

So, as I said, if you give it out, then you may be dead in the water.

Take care........

[NorthernYankee]

Ok Lee heres one for Ya, what about the people that have Corporate editions, are they cracking down on those codes too?

--NY

[lechumbl]

Hi Rob,

Actually, I was at a meeting today, concerning that very issue.
The latest build (1049) has code to not work on "cracks".
Since I am restricted as to code content, I can not say much more.
There is no such thing as a coporate version of XP, according to MS. All it is is Pro that has been "altered" to not need activation.
As soon as the Beta 1 comes out, someone will figure out a way to get it to work, but it may take a couple of minutes.

Take care..........

PS.........I responded to you inquiry in Trading Post about the SCSI card on the 28th. Don't ya have auto mail sent checked in the user info???????????

[NorthernYankee]

Ahh I see, hopefully it will not have any effect on those "People";) with said copies of XP

--NY

[Snowman]

Originally posted by NorthernYankee
Ahh I see, hopefully it will not have any effect on those "People";) with said copies of XP

--NY

Hay NY it does lock out the coporate version, check it out.

http://www.windowsxp.nu/

[NorthernYankee]

Christ thats the Key I have, GD it. I need to figure out some way around this.

--NY

[lechumbl]

Hi Rob,

Hang in there..........:D :D

[Snowman]

Workaround to install SP1 on corp XP!!
Requirements:

IF you installed WinXP corp edition

and by accident used the Volume License Key: FCK....

and some stranger emailed you XP sp1 Beta

and you want to install the XP sp1 beta

and you have your own correct VLK

Follow these instructions:

0. Run a system resore to create a new checkpoint in case you need it.
1. Run regedit and go to: HKey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Cu rrent Version\WPAEvents, on the right double click on "oobetimer" and change at least one digit of this value to deactivate windows.
2. Choose run from start menu and type in this command: %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a to get the activation screen and go to the second option which is activate by phone.
3. In the new screen choose the option to change product key, and type in the new product key (your Corporate one only).
3a. If it brings you back to the prior screen after entering the new key click remind me later and then reboot.
4. Close that window, reboot your system and enter the command in step 2 for the second time to verify your activation , you should see "windows is already activated".
4.1 Now install SP1
5. If you have done this wrong or without a valid key you will not be able to boot. hit F8 and select last known good configuration

[Player0]

Great information. Bummer that I am using the FCK... reg key. Hrm. I wonder...are there other safer keys to use for new installs?

[lechumbl]

Hi all,

Unfortunately, that is the only key that will work with corporate.

Take care.........

[Player0]

Hmm. Lee, you could be right. I can't get my XP Pro key to work with any other. My version doesnt need activiation...so I have to assume this is the 'corporate' edition. Whatever that is supposed to mean. Did MS create it or is it just a hacked version of Pro?

I was under the impression that all versions of XP Pro didnt need activation? Is that not true?

I was going to go buy Pro but if I have to activate it, forget it. Ill either use XP as is, or go back to Me or 2k. No real advantage to using XP anyway. Its less stable than 2k for sure, for now at least.

[Farabomb]

I was thinking, MS was getting all this bad press about XP's activation before release. Maybe they leaked a version with a code just to lock it out later after they manage to impress users with a :eek: not too bad OS :eek: and maybe make "some" people accualy go out and buy a legal copy.

Not a bad thought if you're losing a fair amount of money to poeple that, If it's eaisly obtained rather not spend the money. Personally, If someone wants it enough they WILL get around whatever MS does but, it will scare most people off.

Nothing like an overacitve imagnaition. ;)

[Player0]

The instructions for changing the product key in XP work good.

But, I still cant find any other keys that work with my version of XP Pro besides FCK. Bummer.

[Player0]

Aha! Got one! Take that you MS b*tards mwahaha ;)

[Player0]

Lee excluded of course ;)

[lechumbl]

Hi all,

To answer your questions:

Tom:
(1) According to Microsoft, there are only two versions of XP, Home Edition and Pro. The "corporate" version is not a MS release. It is a version that does not need activation (hacked).
(2) Both Home Edition and Pro DO NEED activation or they will expire after 30 days, and you will be locked out of OS.
(3) MS will not make a no activation version of XP.

Fara:
(1) The reason of the activation is because so many people are using illegal software. The thought behind it is if you don't buy a legal version, with a legal key, you can not activate, therefore not use the software. Hence, the "corporate" version. Now with SP1, if you have the "corporate" version, you will be locked out. But the workaround does work. The problem is after 180 days the SP1 Beta 1 will expire and you are stuck. In the past on Beta's, after 180 days, you could not reinstall the next version (Beta 2 or RTM) . It would not allow it.
So word to the wise, if you install the workaround, you may be stuck with it expiring and losing all of your data.

As far as other key numbers, I will send you PM, Tom.

Take care........

[Farabomb]

I said berfore Lee, I don't mind buying a legal copy. I will I just have to find the cash.