FYI on SP-1 for Windows XP

[LS_Dragons]

Just an FYI for those out there they may be using a *cough* copy of XP *cough* with the FCKGW..... product id key. This is from a newletter of a reviewer/beta tester I read:

The downloadable SP-1 update will not install over the top of most pirated copies of Windows XP. Around these parts, there are lots and lots (and lots and lots) of bootleg copies of Windows XP with a key that starts FCKGW-... Attempting to install SP-1 over a pirate copy of WinXP will not disable WinXP – you’ll still be able to use it – but the installer will hit you with the rather curt message.

Lates

LS_Dragon

EDIT -- product key example shortened...

[rstryker]

there are ways around everything *cough* lol

[mike13]

If a friend of mine had one of those corp. XP Pro. copies,

and he was planning to install it on a new computer, would the following be good advice:

1- Never run WINDOWS UPDATE from the popup menu

from the START button.

2- Never download that SP-1

3- Other patches, fixes, and security fixes could be safely

downloaded, or do you think that MS will have something in ALL downloads to check for pirated copies ?

Thanks, Mike

[rstryker]

win update works fine with my corp sp1

[Aaron]

If a friend of mine had one of those corp. XP Pro. copies,

and he was planning to install it on a new computer, would the following be good advice:

1- Never run WINDOWS UPDATE from the popup menu

   from the START button.

2- Never download that SP-1

3- Other patches, fixes, and security fixes could be safely

downloaded, or do you think that MS will have something in ALL downloads to check for pirated copies ?

Thanks, Mike

1 - Its OK to run Windows Update for the time being, but its been accused of being Big Brother:

Windows Update Becomes Big Brother:

The following information can be found in Windows Update, and then click on About Windows Update in the left side bar, and then scroll down to Windows Update Privacy Statement. The points that I stress, and believed have been updated since recently are in bold:

Windows Update Privacy Statement

Windows Update is committed to protecting your privacy. To provide you with the appropriate list of updates, Windows Update must collect a certain amount of configuration information from your computer. This information includes:

Operating-system version number and Product Identification number

Internet Explorer version number

Version numbers of other software

Plug and Play ID numbers of hardware devices

The Product Identification number is collected to confirm that you are running a validly licensed copy of Windows. A validly licensed copy of Windows ensures that you will receive on-going updates from Windows Update. Windows Update does not collect your name, address, e-mail address, or any other form of personally identifiable information. The configuration information collected is used only for the period of time that you are visiting the site, and is not saved.

To provide you with the best possible service, Windows Update also tracks and records how many unique machines visit its site and whether the download and installation of specific updates succeeded or failed. In order to do this, Windows generates a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) that is stored on your computer to uniquely identify it. Windows Update records the GUID of the computer that attempted the download, the ID of the item that you attempted to download and install, and information about your operating system version and Internet Explorer version.

Because Windows Update does not collect personally identifiable information, the configuration information and GUID cannot be used to identify you.

Probably nothing to worry about, everyone with a corp copy is still using Windows Update.

2 - I would wait off installing the final SP1 when it becomes RTM on July 15th. Let the crackers test it first, and they will come out with the best solution on how it should be installed.

3 - Yes its safe to grab patches from Windows Update for the time being. All could change if you tried to access Windows Update if the final SP1 is installed.