timebomb

[Guest]

it's been mentioned in these forums that MSAS Beta 1 had a "timebomb". what
exactly is a timebomb:
what does it do
how does it work
and does Defender Beta 2 have such?

thanks

 

[Guest]

MSAS Beta 1 ceased to function on July 31st 2006. That's about the extent of
the "timebomb". I believe WD Beta 2 is set to expire on December 31 2006.

?:-\
Tim Clark
Geek w/o Portfolio

 

[Guest]

In the loosest of terms, it is the date at which a product becomes
ineffective (in this instance). I suspect that Defender may "go dark" some
time after Feb. 1, 2007, if the Vista betas are any indication. This assumes
that Defender will become a stand-alone retail release some time before then.

Of course, someone who actually WORKS for Microsoft could provide a far
better answer.

 

[Guest]

ok,thanks. but "ceased to function". . .meaning "ceased to function
*correctly*", or it just won't startup, etc?

 

[Ron Hinds]

It just won't start anymore. It gives (gave) an error message advising you
to download the latest.

 

[Bill Sanderson MVP]

Microsoft has confirmed that the current beta2 Windows Defender code
contains a timebomb--a coded expiration date after which the product will no
longer provide protection.

I don't know the precise date involved--but both thoughts within this thread
seem reasonable to me.

All Microsoft beta products of recent vintage contains such code--a beta
license typically states that it will expire when the final product is
available, and Windows Defender is no different.

(and yes, the final product will be available without additional cost for
licensed users of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows
Vista.) And media center, tablets, and I don't know whate else I might have
missed!

--

 

[Guest]

I favor the latter becasue of the "future extinction" of Vista beta (which
contains Defender), although I too had been told the earlier date.

Reasonable ... well that's another matter entirely. ;-)

 

[Guest]

thanks Ron Hinds. *that's* what i wanted to know.

 

[Guest]

In reading through a thread containing a copy of portions of the Defender
license agreement, it noticed that the document clearly states the earlier
date.

Nevertheless, I would expect the Vista version of Defender will expire
concurrent to the death of Vista beta. Wouldn't you? (Vista Defender does
carry a different UI version, after all.)