Vista Ultimate: how big is it? (in bits/bytes)

[raylopez99]

I bought the Vista Ultimate 32 bit version while traveling overseas,
and want to check that it was not doctored with extra stuff, or that
stuff was deleted.

It's a DVD that shows the following stats:

2.83 Gb (3,071,049,728 bits)
2,999,072 kb ISO 9660 (when you burn it)

Anybody have similar numbers?

I couldn't figure out how to do a checksum on the whole DVD, but if
anybody has one of the numbers the same it should be sufficient.

Thanks in advance,

RL

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Do you have the original DVD?
Do you have the original Product Key?
If both are originals and not copies, that is a good indicator.
If either or both are copies, it is probable that it is not
legitimate.

Did you pay a reasonable price?
Or was it to good to be true so you bought it?

This site can help you determine if it is genuine or not:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/windows/

 

[raylopez99]

On Nov 24, 11:07 pm, "Jupiter Jones [MVP]"

Thanks Jupiter Jones and dzomlija. I'm pretty sure the DVD is pirate
but I wanted to make sure the author didn't insert spyware into it.
From dzomlija's post I can see that even legal copies can have extra
stuff. My DVD appears to be a copy of something Dell put out.

In any event, it's passed the anti-virus scan, though nowadays viruses
seem to be harder to detect (encrypted, custom made, etc). I'll take
my chances.

RL

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

Thats the OEM DVD from Dell, it should be a blue color with Windows Vista
SKU name written on it.

 

[raylopez99]

Thats the OEM DVD from Dell, it should be a blue color with Windows Vista
SKU name written on it.
--

Yeah, and I found out that dang thing has only a 30 day activation!
Now I'm locked out unless I pay MSFT for the activation key...I don't
like Vista enough to shell out $500 for it, so I'll pass.

RL

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

A quote from the OP:
"I'm pretty sure the DVD is pirate"

 

[raylopez99]

A quote from the OP:
"I'm pretty sure the DVD is pirate"

What amazes me is how these pirates can generate and crack keys. I
kind of understand the process (it's a math algorithm) but it's pretty
cool. What's interesting about Vista is that it was indeed a Dell OEM
version, and within an hour of getting online (I was offline while
installing it), the program figured out it was not genuine, then only
gave me access to Explorer, with a website to pay for an activation
key. I have no problems with that (my other OS, XP, was also
initially pirated--I bought it on eBay thinking it was OK--but I
eventually paid for the activation key since I wanted the updates),
but with Vista the MSFT people, since they saw my IP address is in
Europe, wanted something like 400 euro, which is 600 bucks. No way.
MSFT is trying to recoup their legal expenses for fighting the EU!
Plus I'm a US citizen (expat). It's unAmerican to pay high European
prices--that's for the natives. So I figured out a way to fool them--
I'll get a anonymous patch for Explorer (MSFT only accepts Explorer
when buying an activation key online) and then log on and get the USA
price, using my US credit card, which is only about $200 for the
upgrade for Vista Ultimate, or $300 for the full version.

Also I figured out, by reinstalling Vista, how to 'restart' the clock
so I'm back to unrestricted use of Vista (until I get back online, but
by then I'll hopefully have enough time to buy an activation key).

Failing all of the above, I'll just install XP or even put Linux on
this box, if I can figure out how to slipstream load SATA drivers onto
a Linux distro (amazing how SATA is not supported any better, but I
figured out how to extract my drivers using the DriverMax programso I
have them on a CD)

RL

 

[Bistey Csaba]

What amazes me is how these pirates can generate and crack keys. I
kind of understand the process (it's a math algorithm) but it's pretty
cool.

Well pirates not crack keys, read somewhere that Vista's Product
Activation and Geniune check defeated by OEM bios emulation (think
system being installed with one manufacturer's OEM key and some software
modify bios information so Vista will think that it is running on
manufacturer's branded computer.

What's interesting about Vista is that it was indeed a Dell OEM
version, and within an hour of getting online (I was offline while
installing it), the program figured out it was not genuine, then only
gave me access to Explorer, with a website to pay for an activation
key. I have no problems with that (my other OS, XP, was also
initially pirated--I bought it on eBay thinking it was OK--but I
eventually paid for the activation key since I wanted the updates),
but with Vista the MSFT people, since they saw my IP address is in
Europe, wanted something like 400 euro, which is 600 bucks.

Also from Europe so know the feeling, that is why i ordered both my XP
Pro (FPP) and the upgrade to Vista Ultimate from US (with
shipping+TAX+VAT added still was 30% cheaper then to buy from local
shop) . As looks like they converting USD to EUR on 1:1 rate. But never
had in mind would buy OEM OS from ebay (especially not recovery discs ).

No way.
MSFT is trying to recoup their legal expenses for fighting the EU!
Plus I'm a US citizen (expat). It's unAmerican to pay high European
prices--that's for the natives. So I figured out a way to fool them--
I'll get a anonymous patch for Explorer (MSFT only accepts Explorer
when buying an activation key online) and then log on and get the USA
price, using my US credit card, which is only about $200 for the
upgrade for Vista Ultimate, or $300 for the full version.

Using anonymous US proxies involving Credit Card numbers not always a
good idea.

Csaba

 

[raylopez99]

Using anonymous US proxies involving Credit Card numbers not always a
good idea.

Csaba

Seems like you know more than me Csaba about this subject, and I'm
curious why an anonymous proxy is not a good idea for credit cards,
but perhaps it's because anybody can steal the credit card number (the
proxy server owner?) If so, then I see your point. So maybe I'll get
a friend in the US to ship me a copy.

RL

 

[Bistey Csaba]

Seems like you know more than me Csaba about this subject, and I'm
curious why an anonymous proxy is not a good idea for credit cards,
but perhaps it's because anybody can steal the credit card number (the
proxy server owner?) If so, then I see your point. So maybe I'll get
a friend in the US to ship me a copy.

RL

That is exacly a case, and most of anonymous proxies not left out open
to public use intentional (misconfigured or worse case compromised) both
case the owner of the system may not even know he is proxying for the
world, and if system was compromised then it is not the owner the only
one to fear you data from. On the other hand anonymizer system is not
designed to be safe they design to remain "anonymous" and that is not
the same, well kinda like the opposite you cant make ourself anonymous
without giving up security (as traffic has to go through other computers
to reach that). So that is why i do not really prefer anonymisers for
transactions involving credit card data, if you have VPN access to your
companies/home network in US that would be a safe solution.

Csaba

 

[Charlie Tame]

Also I figured out, by reinstalling Vista, how to 'restart' the clock
so I'm back to unrestricted use of Vista (until I get back online, but
by then I'll hopefully have enough time to buy an activation key).

Failing all of the above, I'll just install XP or even put Linux on
this box, if I can figure out how to slipstream load SATA drivers onto
a Linux distro (amazing how SATA is not supported any better, but I
figured out how to extract my drivers using the DriverMax programso I
have them on a CD)

RL

Hehe, well if you download the Ubuntu live CD you may be just fine for
SATA drivers, not sure how this is if you have an add in SATA card but
it has worked fine on all my SATA motherboards.