KB 905474; irreversable or not ?

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Guest

Well, because I didn't pay attention to the specifics of this particular
update (considered essential by Microsoft!), I just installed it. Only later
I realized what I had done.

I've done some research, but that didn't go very well. If it was just a
registry issue, I could have fixed it (but no longer, the registry points
before KB 905474 are gone !), but this particular update also changes/creates
files. So it looks like I'm screwed.

I really don't want to give Microsoft my IP, or information about the
hardware of my PC according to Microsoft's whim. That's basically what this
new update does.

Can I reverse it in a SAFE way ?

Or, more likely, can I control outbound traffic to Microsoft to prevent
transmission of this information ? I do have a McAfee firewall, but I need to
give several windows "programs" (or whatever they are called) access to the
internet. Any tricks/ways , short of formatting the harddrive and
reinstalling ?

I do have a windows xp installation disk, but it has service pack 1 ...
rather old.
 
If you have a genuine version of Windows then you have nothing to worry
about. It just authenticates your version of Windows. Plus, if you don't
authenticate then many security updates aren't available

See here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905474

According to the Genuine Privacy statement your IP isn't collected. See
here:

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/PrivacyInfo.aspx?displaylang=en

I actually have the WGA application & it says on it: Microsodt Confidential.
Do not distribute :)). This is what it collects (exact copy/paste):

WGA Diagnostic Data (1.5.0514.0):
--------------------
Genuine Validation Status: Unsupported OS
Windows Product Key:
Windows Product Key Hash:
Windows Product ID:
Windows Product ID Type: 0
Windows License Type: Unknown
Windows OS version: 5.0.2195.2.00010000.4.0.pro
Download Center code:
ID:
Is Admin: Yes
AutoDial: No
Registry: 0x0
Validation Diagnostic:

Scan: Complete
Cryptography: Complete

Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed
 
unstablemicrosoft said:
Well, because I didn't pay attention to the specifics of this particular
update (considered essential by Microsoft!), I just installed it. Only
later
I realized what I had done.

I've done some research, but that didn't go very well. If it was just a
registry issue, I could have fixed it (but no longer, the registry points
before KB 905474 are gone !), but this particular update also
changes/creates
files. So it looks like I'm screwed.

I really don't want to give Microsoft my IP, or information about the
hardware of my PC according to Microsoft's whim. That's basically what
this
new update does.

Can I reverse it in a SAFE way ?

Or, more likely, can I control outbound traffic to Microsoft to prevent
transmission of this information ? I do have a McAfee firewall, but I need
to
give several windows "programs" (or whatever they are called) access to
the
internet. Any tricks/ways , short of formatting the harddrive and
reinstalling ?

I do have a windows xp installation disk, but it has service pack 1 ...
rather old.
Click to expand...

Do a system restore to the restore point created before this update was
installed.
 
Hi. Actually, your IP number is collected (see the link(s) you provided me),
but they claim it's temporary, and that that data will periodically (when ??)
be deleted.

What I also don't like is that I'm given some global serial/unique
identifier number.

Too much Big Brother for me.

According to that WGA stuff my Windows XP (Home Edition) is legit, that's
not the problem.

What bothers me is that it will contact Microsoft WITHOUT my explicit
permission. And when contacting a WGA website my personal data could be
distrubuted. What the hell is a WGA website ?

Is there any way to stop Windows XP to "phone home" ? I have a broadband
connection, with a router between my cable modem and my PC. (only 1 PC though)

Help will be appreciated.
 
Well, I have tried to get rid of that unwanted KB905474 windows xp update.

I'm not sure if I' ve succeeded. I don't have pirated software, but I really
don't want to give Microsoft that information that KB905474 could.
I don't fully understand this Windows Genuine Advantage thing. If it's
necessary to keep my Windows XP working properly or being allowed to download
Microsoft software, fine. But I don't want my computer to "phone home" to
Microsoft, whenever Microsoft feels like doing that.

I've done a few things.
I've replaced LegitCheckControl.dll with an older version. (but not for
other files) Tried one or two patches. Did some things to the registry. I've
consulted a number of sources. And now, when I use Windows Update, Windows
update starts screaming that I've kept hidden one or more essential updates.
Also, "KB905474" is no longer, according to regedit, present in the registry.
When I boot up my computer, one WGA service/program gets loaded. (hijackthis
check)
What I'd like to know is, will my computer attempt to connect to Microsoft
and provide it with the information it would get from KB905474 ? I don't know
to what extent changes have been made, and if KB905474 is truly "dead" Is
there anything else I need to do ? I haven't touched some of the files
associated with WGA.

Is there any way I can find out ? I have a Mcafee firewall, home version,
version 7.x
help will be appreciated.
 
Newbie said:
If you have a genuine version of Windows then you have nothing to worry
about.
Click to expand...

Actually, this program results in some false positives so you DO have
something to worry about.
It just authenticates your version of Windows. Plus, if you don't
authenticate then many security updates aren't available
Click to expand...

Security updates or things like IE7 and Defender? I thought that WPA
authenticated Windows. Now you're saying it has to be authenticated
first with WPA, then with WGA and now with WGA/N? When does it stop?

For some crazy reason I think I authenticated my Windows when I forked
over my hard earned cash but I guess I'm weird and not tuned into the
Windows World in the right way.

Alias
 
i a would like to know why MS sends so many of these wga updates, i got my
4th one already.
each time it tells me i am good to go. but, why so often.
once isn't enought , i guess.
 
jaz said:
i a would like to know why MS sends so many of these wga updates, i got my
4th one already.
each time it tells me i am good to go. but, why so often.
once isn't enought , i guess.
Click to expand...


Good question, I don't know. I think maybe they change the detection
mechanism or it could be to correct problems with the previous version?
 
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