Windows Genuine Advantage

[Alias]

| On Mon, 31 Jan 2005 01:15:12 +0100, Alias wrote:
|
| > I am a legitimate user and it's obviously an issue with me and many
people I
| > know.
|
| We service many hundreds of systems, none of their owners are concerned,
| and neither am I. I own more than 60 licenses of XP myself and it doesn't
| even concern me - and I make a living with this stuff. Maybe you're just
| reading more into it than you need to.

Considering that the process hasn't begun yet, perhaps you would need 30 of
those licences to be turned down to know what I am talking about.

| > It's a total non issue to MS apologists only. I know a little about
| > computers and it bothers me. Imagine when this trip hits the average
| > computer user. They will be confused, angry, and many will not update
for
| > fear that the legal XP they bought might not pass the test due to some
| > technical error
|
| Actually, most users won't be confused or angry and will just merrily
| click their way through it without a concern at all. It's the ones that
| wear the tin-foil hats and the pirates that get all concerned and angry.

Um, they will become concerned if they don't pass the Thief test, now won't
they?

| Since you obviously don't like the way that MS is taking THEIR product,
| suck it up and choose to go the non-MS route, or don't you like a totally
| free OS and apps?

We are testing Linux right now, although I really didn't want to go through
that learning curve but I will if MS insists on this kind of crap.

 

[Leythos]

| On Mon, 31 Jan 2005 01:15:12 +0100, Alias wrote:
|
| > I am a legitimate user and it's obviously an issue with me and many
people I
| > know.
|
| We service many hundreds of systems, none of their owners are concerned,
| and neither am I. I own more than 60 licenses of XP myself and it doesn't
| even concern me - and I make a living with this stuff. Maybe you're just
| reading more into it than you need to.

Considering that the process hasn't begun yet, perhaps you would need 30 of
those licences to be turned down to know what I am talking about.

Actually, we've had MS invalidate our license keys, and they issued us new
keys, which work fine.

| > It's a total non issue to MS apologists only. I know a little about
| > computers and it bothers me. Imagine when this trip hits the average
| > computer user. They will be confused, angry, and many will not update
for
| > fear that the legal XP they bought might not pass the test due to some
| > technical error
|
| Actually, most users won't be confused or angry and will just merrily
| click their way through it without a concern at all. It's the ones that
| wear the tin-foil hats and the pirates that get all concerned and angry.

Um, they will become concerned if they don't pass the Thief test, now won't
they?

How do you know they won't pass? Do you have a crystal ball? So, it
appears since you don't have a clue that you're here only to stir up some
$hit?

| Since you obviously don't like the way that MS is taking THEIR product,
| suck it up and choose to go the non-MS route, or don't you like a totally
| free OS and apps?

We are testing Linux right now, although I really didn't want to go through
that learning curve but I will if MS insists on this kind of crap.

There is little learning curve from the user side, maintenance is another
story, but, any competent tech can handle it. I'm using FC3 on this
workstation and have not used my XP system today at all.

 

[Greg R]

Sorry, I not trying to be rude. I just trying to get the fact
correct.

What number ?? You do not have to enter any numbers to download if you
system is legitimate. If not you need to go buy a full copy of Windows.

For example if I go to this site from any browsers

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...19-9a5b-44c3-b1de-9b2a9aa6cff6&displaylang=en

and download an update the requires Windows Genuine Advantage.

Will I have to enter the key each and every time to prove my system is
legal? Especially if I clean out the cache of my browsers.

Are you saying the only reason I am asked to validate my key is
because they system think my machine is pirated? I bought it at
wal-mart and I have the receipt. It is legal

Just a side note another software (forgot the name) it said my system
appears legal.

Here is what I think is going to cause a problem with Windows Genuine
Advantage. Manufactures who use volume license to pre-install xp
systems.*

The Windows Genuine Advantage software is detecting the volume license
key so it thinks it not legal and ask you for proof.

So some people who have preinstalled systems may need to change to the
key on the back of the machine unless they want to enter a the product
key each time. Then they will also need to activate.


Greg R
*This info was from reading these newsgroups plus I confirmed it with
some test I did.

 

[Tom]

Sorry, I not trying to be rude. I just trying to get the fact
correct.



For example if I go to this site from any browsers

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...19-9a5b-44c3-b1de-9b2a9aa6cff6&displaylang=en

and download an update the requires Windows Genuine Advantage.

Will I have to enter the key each and every time to prove my system is
legal? Especially if I clean out the cache of my browsers.

Are you saying the only reason I am asked to validate my key is
because they system think my machine is pirated? I bought it at
wal-mart and I have the receipt. It is legal

Just a side note another software (forgot the name) it said my system
appears legal.

Here is what I think is going to cause a problem with Windows Genuine
Advantage. Manufactures who use volume license to pre-install xp
systems.*

The Windows Genuine Advantage software is detecting the volume license
key so it thinks it not legal and ask you for proof.

So some people who have preinstalled systems may need to change to the
key on the back of the machine unless they want to enter a the product
key each time. Then they will also need to activate.

Well, activation can still happen as many times as one likes, as long as there hasn't been any substantial hardware changes that may make a call necessary. But this WGA thing may have more to it than meets the eye (considering the next MS OS is probably no more than two years from going "GOLD").

Note that the FAQs (http://tinyurl.com/5cvun) regarding WGA tend to hint that every time one needs to update anything with MS software (i.e., the WMP10 example, though for now, that is allowed to be bypassed) or security patches, it checks the sum of the PC for XP (or any Windows activation) validation.

Now, we (for the most part) all know that if more than a 120 day period goes by between XP activations, that it will install without MS representative help. I think (and it is a legitimate thought), that the WGA process will reset the activation timestamp every time a new update, or MS software, is installed during validation. This can further help eliminate (possible) multiple installs of the OS as the 120 day grace period will not be of any help to that, by forcing a phone call, which can be a hindrance to the unwilling.

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Sorry, I not trying to be rude. I just trying to get the fact
correct.



For example if I go to this site from any browsers

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...19-9a5b-44c3-b1de-9b2a9aa6cff6&displaylang=en

and download an update the requires Windows Genuine Advantage.

Will I have to enter the key each and every time to prove my system is
legal? Especially if I clean out the cache of my browsers.

If you do not install the active x control then you will be required to
enter the key.

Are you saying the only reason I am asked to validate my key is
because they system think my machine is pirated? I bought it at
wal-mart and I have the receipt. It is legal

No the system does not know if your system is pirate or not - we are simply
confirming that you are a genuine user.

Just a side note another software (forgot the name) it said my system
appears legal.

Here is what I think is going to cause a problem with Windows Genuine
Advantage. Manufactures who use volume license to pre-install xp
systems.*

That will not be a problem as that is a valid and genuine install. The vast
majority of PCs are actually OEM installed this way and have no problems
with WGA

The Windows Genuine Advantage software is detecting the volume license
key so it thinks it not legal and ask you for proof.

No the OEM key is valid and genuine so no problem.

So some people who have preinstalled systems may need to change to the
key on the back of the machine unless they want to enter a the product
key each time. Then they will also need to activate.

No.


Greg R
*This info was from

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Greg R., thanks for drawing attention back to my original post.

Mike Brannigan MSFT, can you respond to the original post? Once the
initiative takes effect can we download updates to a safe machine and
distribute executable files (off-line) to client computers? What if
the client computers were certified by the Windows Genuine Advantage
tool (whatever you call it) previously?

You are only required to prove WGA for a machine that is accessing a site
secured by it. The content is not WGA protected.

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Greg R]

Thank you Mike for clearing that up.



Greg R

 

[Pat Walters [MSFT]]

"Mike Brannigan [MSFT]",

This is a brilliant post, and I would like to add to it, just a little bit.
Mike mentions that we offer licensing terms to various classes of user, such
as a student, charities, etc. What is amazing about some of these programs
is the access to our software! For example:

An adult decides to take a night-class in basic programming in either C# or
VB.NET at their local community college, and that college is enrolled in the
Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance program. Under this license,
all programming students have access to *all* *current* Microsoft software.
That's right. For the cost of attending a community college class, and with
permission of the particular college department chair, the "student" may
install unlimited single user licensed copies of Windows XP Professional,
Visual Studio .NET 2003 Academic Edition, Microsoft Office System 2003, etc,
and every other program "necessary" to be productive in a learning
environment for NO additional cost--when if that same individual were to
order those first few products from a leading computer products website, it
would cost $1837.84 before taxes. Here is how that figure breaks out:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional with SP2: $ 299.00
Microsoft Visual Studio .NET Professional Edition: 1138.85 (Academic is
identical, and has a bit more)
Microsoft Office Standard Edition 2003: 399.99 (Office
Standard is identical to Academic)

There are many job and worker retraining programs, wherein the government
provides funding to let workers attend class and improve their job skills.
Whatever the price is per credit at a local community college, Microsoft is
offering an outstanding and unbelievable bargain to students everywhere. We
will see that the real problem is the deliberate pirate, and the genuine
pain will be very low.

Sincerely,

Pat Walters [MSFT]

 

[Greg R]

On Thu, 3 Feb 2005 16:48:14 -0800, "Pat Walters [MSFT]"


I think that if a student can afford to go to college. They can
afford the software. You say what about people on scholarships. That
should be included in the price. You say what about people that get
financial aid. That also show be included in the price.

Pat you forgot to mention one thing. Some software installation
require you to bring the computer in to install the software. A
laptop that easy. A desktop is not that easy.

I on low income and I have a disability and there is no discount for
me. The computer was cheap and so is my internet service. The
software is not. This is why some people are looking into Linux
and open office.


Greg R

 

[David Kelsey]

As a former company director I am well aware of the need to make profit and
all that. However, I am also aware that in almost every case I can think
of, once a product has amortised its development cost, its price to the
consumer is reduced, often very considerably. For example, the first
2-speed CD player I bought for my 50MHz 486 machine cost £250. Today, if
you can find one, you can buy it at 52-speed for about £9. Hard drives
which once cost in the thousands are now less than £100. Remember when the
Apple II 5MB hard drive came on sale at £500? And Apple's first laser
printer was £7600? And the Mac SCSI 400k external floppy drive was £800?
Our first family television cost the equivalent of £4000 in 1937; now the
same size set (12" screen black and white) would cost around £20 if you
could find one. The same sort of comparisons apply to pretty well every
product in the free world, even those sold by monopolies.

Now Microsoft, almost alone in the great wide world, sees no need to reduce
the retail price of its operating systems, even though they will have
recovered their costs over and over, while at the same time, constantly
bleating about piracy. Talk about pots calling kettles black! If they used
the same common sense that operates in every other commercial venture, they
would sell XP now for around £10, and the pirates would all go bust
overnight. By all means charge the earth for Longhorn when it arrives, and
those habitual early adopters will pay the price. But once the development
costs are recovered, say after the first 40 million sales, reduce the price
in stages to encourage the impecunious amongst us to stay with MS and think
what wonderful chaps those Microsoft people are!

MS will still be making a huge profit even if they give the OS away after a
couple of years. But even if they did have a reduced profit percentage,
they won't go broke, and they will feel all warm inside having given
something back to the people who gave them their millions and billions in
the first place. Isn't that better than the presumably beleaguered feeling
they must have now, with governments everywhere attacking them, and
customers attacking them, and rivals jumping on every bandwagon they can
find? I think MS may be in danger of running out of goodwill. As they say
in the TV adverts for financial investments, 'Don't forget investments can
go down as well as up'.

David Kelsey

On Thu, 3 Feb 2005 16:48:14 -0800, "Pat Walters [MSFT]"


I think that if a student can afford to go to college. They can
afford the software. You say what about people on scholarships. That
should be included in the price. You say what about people that get
financial aid. That also show be included in the price.

Pat you forgot to mention one thing. Some software installation
require you to bring the computer in to install the software. A
laptop that easy. A desktop is not that easy.

I on low income and I have a disability and there is no discount for
me. The computer was cheap and so is my internet service. The
software is not. This is why some people are looking into Linux
and open office.


Greg R

 

[Guest]

Tom, i am having a problem connecting to my office server using remote
desktop, it worked successfully for quite a while. now i receive the
following message

Remote Desktop Disconnected
The remote session was disconnected because the local computer's client
access license could not be updated or renewed. Please contact the server
administroator.

can you help with this

 

[Tom Penharston]

Tom, i am having a problem connecting to my office server using remote

Please start a new thread and cross-post to only the relevant
newsgroups.
-Tom

 

[Guest]

How many times do I need to "prove" to Microsoft that my copy of Windows is
legitimate? I am VERY tired of having to constantly install Windows
Validation tools with my other updates AND give firewall permission to allow
the Windows Genuine Advantage tool to access the internet? Why should this
tool have to access the internet EVERY day? Somthing funny is going on here
.. . .

Frank

 

[antioch]

It would appear that you do it as many times as MS say jump - then you jump
I thought this thread was dead - things have moved on to others more
recent???

 

[ANONYMOUS]

It would appear that you do it as many times as MS say jump - then you jump
I thought this thread was dead - things have moved on to others more
recent???

And you have added some more fuel to this fire!!

 

[antioch]

I was prepared to leave it at that - but you have done your bit as well????
Yet it does not beat a previous Kurt/Alias/Leythos saga - which is a
surprise - I had thought this one still had some mileage. Perhaps it might
have, had there not been all the other WGA threads.
Antioch

 

[ANONYMOUS]

The trio (Kurt/Alias/Leythos) are capable of starting a riot in an empty
room even when they are the only ones in that room!!

As to my bit, I don't preach to move on as some old messages can be very
useful to hold some selected people responsible for their acts!

hth

 

[antioch]

Whoops, I had better make a note of that - in case my past catches up with
me, via your saved files
Rgds & bye for now
Antioch

 

[Guest]

I have legal Windows software. I have not yet accepted the WGA agreement,
because so far I don't know what will happen in the future. If I agree to WGA
at the present time, Microsoft will link my present software to my present
computer. Let's say that I buy a new computer tomorrow because what was my
present computer has a hardware problem. I still have the Windows XP original
software. It won't be used anymore in my old computer and I want to install
it in my new computer. My fear is that Microsoft will think that the
computer-software legal link has been broken and will deny service to my new
computer with the old software. Please tell me if my concern is right or
wrong.

 

[Rock]

I have legal Windows software. I have not yet accepted the WGA agreement,
because so far I don't know what will happen in the future. If I agree to
WGA
at the present time, Microsoft will link my present software to my present
computer. Let's say that I buy a new computer tomorrow because what was my
present computer has a hardware problem. I still have the Windows XP
original
software. It won't be used anymore in my old computer and I want to
install
it in my new computer. My fear is that Microsoft will think that the
computer-software legal link has been broken and will deny service to my
new
computer with the old software. Please tell me if my concern is right or
wrong.

The issue is not whether your copy is legal, the issue is whether the XP is
OEM or retail. A copy of XP can be moved from one computer to another if it
is a retail copy (as long as it's first uninstalled from the computer it's
on). If the copy on the first computer is OEM, by it's license it's tied to
that first computer and cannot be moved to another one. This is not a WGA
issue.