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Microsoft Delays Windows XP Service Pack 2

Rinisari writes "DesignTechnica, among some others , explains that Microsoft has once again delayed its release of Service Pack 2 for Windows XP, though only until August. Microsoft has declined to comment on the reason for the delay. Windows Update v5, however, is online and operational (and works with Service Pack 1!), although not officially so. I know many smaller education institutions are chomping at the bit with the looming release, as they are worried about compatibility with some of the new features in Service Pack 2."

251 of 399 comments (clear)

  1. invalid product keys... by garcia · · Score: 4, Informative

    Speculation that warez'd copies would still be allowed to update via Windows update were at least partly wrong. You may still be able to manually update Windows with an "invalid" product key but you cannot do it via the v5 Windows Update interface.

    [Error number: 0x80244028]
    Cannot validate the product key
    The product key used to install Microsoft Windows may not be valid. For more information about why you have received this error message, and steps you can take to resolve this issue, please visit How to Tell.

    1. Re:invalid product keys... by OverlordQ · · Score: 4, Informative

      There's a bit more info with the first few links. Some speculation is that they're blacklisting all non-registered Corp keys, which is pretty much what all warez copies are of.

      --
      Your hair look like poop, Bob! - Wanker.
    2. Re:invalid product keys... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Don't you mean:

      [Error number: 0xdeadbeef]
      Cannot validate the product key
      The product key used to install Microsoft Windows may not be valid. For more information about why you have received this error message, and steps you can take to resolve this issue, please visit Go To Hell
      .
      Bill

    3. Re:invalid product keys... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative
      Actually, as of the latest SP2 build, all you need is a corporate key with a PID of 640. New key generators can give you perfect PID 640 keys instantly and several people now have SP2 running, including WindowsUpdate v5, on "warezed" copies of XP using these keys.

      Though it should be simple enough for Microsoft to implement a blacklist of non-sold keys, all that would effect is WindowsUpdate. There are ways to disable product activation / authentication on the client side without ever touching a network connection.

      What to do without WindowsUpdate? Why AutoPatcher of course.

    4. Re:invalid product keys... by superpulpsicle · · Score: 3, Insightful

      In 2002 - product activation was the biggest punishment I have ever seen for a paid customer

      In 2003 - security and hotfix galore

      In 2004 - SP2 compatibility problems and more browser disaster.

      In 2005 - ???

    5. Re:invalid product keys... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      In 2006 - Profit !!!

    6. Re:invalid product keys... by Ravadill · · Score: 1

      Nope, they still just have a blacklist... there's no registered corp key checking. As long as your corp key has a PID of 640- its perfectly safe. Check your favourite "demo" software sources for the SP2 keygen, for educational purposes only of course!

    7. Re:invalid product keys... by delus10n0 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Does anyone know why AutoPatcher wants to install like 30-40 "hotfixes", even though WindowsUpdate says I'm completely up to date?

      Doesn't make much sense to me.. and makes me reluctant to use AutoPatcher.

      --
      Not All Who Wander Are Lost
    8. Re:invalid product keys... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1
    9. Re:invalid product keys... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      What to do without WindowsUpdate? Why AutoPatcher of course.

      I have a small network at home consisting of 5 workstations (XP and 2000) and 2 servers (2003 Enterprise). Although I know this doesn't necessarily give me reason to pirate my copies (I have never paid anything to Microsoft for any of them), I don't make any kind of money on this setup. I primarily just use it to learn new stuff and store my files - music, movies, etc..

      I have always been paranoid about using Windows Update because of the fact that they might log the IP address you are updating from with the CD key you are using (and since I use corporate keys, I am even more hesitant). But one program I have found that atleast minimizes the chances of this is Software Update Services. I believe it is somewhat limited on what software it updates, such as only primary Windows components, and I believe it requires one of Microsoft's server operating systems. After looking at the link to the service pack news, I found that they are soon going to be coming out with a beta for their Windows Update Services, which looks to be an upgrade to Software Update Services. The only difference I can see is that WUS supports patches for applications such as Office and SQL (I don't believe SUS supported SQL, but I am not sure of this since I have no experience with SQL).

      WUS looks like it will also have some other nice features which SUS seems to be lacking. But whether you end choosing SUS or WUS, they are great applications that are easy to install and can decrease support costs greatly.

    10. Re:invalid product keys... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      My product key was not working with v5, a quick search on eMule and this KB article http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=328874 yields a once-again working windows update. :)

    11. Re:invalid product keys... by Nugget · · Score: 4, Interesting
      In 2002 - product activation was the biggest punishment I have ever seen for a paid customer

      I don't see how you can come to this conclusion. Product Activation is a total non-event for the vast majority of customers. It's way less invasive than some of the other copy protection schemes the industry has seen over the years.

      I sure prefer it to the fragile, tenuous daisy chain of serial port dongles I had in the 80s and it's way better than copy-protected media that was impossible to back up.

      In the years I've been running XP, the product activation has caused me _zero_ difficulty, and that's on home-built hardware that's been upgraded and changed quite a bit over the years.

    12. Re:invalid product keys... by Dun+Malg · · Score: 1
      Speculation that warez'd copies would still be allowed to update via Windows update were at least partly wrong. You may still be able to manually update Windows with an "invalid" product key but you cannot do it via the v5 Windows Update interface.

      Running a warez'd copy of XP using product keys is the problem. There's a perfectly good program called RESET5 that runs as a service under XP and, every time you boot up, it magically resets the initial installation grace period timer to 30 days. I installed SP2 RC2 yesterday via the v5 Windows Update site and there was nary a hiccup. I've had 30 days left to register my XP install for, oh, 120 days or so...

      --
      If a job's not worth doing, it's not worth doing right.
    13. Re:invalid product keys... by Dun+Malg · · Score: 1, Insightful
      In the years I've been running XP, the product activation has caused me _zero_ difficulty, and that's on home-built hardware that's been upgraded and changed quite a bit over the years.

      I've had nothing but trouble with mine, but I change my hardware configuration the way some people change their underpants.After my second activation was invalidated by changing my network card and video card, I decided I'd had enough. I've been running RESET5 to keep my install perpetually in it's 30 day grace period.

      --
      If a job's not worth doing, it's not worth doing right.
    14. Re:invalid product keys... by AstroDrabb · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Ah, nothing like stealing more then $10,000 worth of software and then trying to justify it. It is pretty pathetic. This is why I have ONE copy of Win XP Pro at home and all my other boxes run Fedora. I get the same or better fetures without trying to have to justify stealing.
      Current prices according to MS:

      XP Pro - $279.99 x 5 = $1,399.95
      Server 2003 Ent - $3,999 x 2 = $7,998.00
      --------------------
      $9,397.95

      --
      If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land,
      it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. -James Madison
    15. Re:invalid product keys... by duffhuff · · Score: 4, Informative

      They are non-critical fixes for problems, or sometimes just addition programs / functionality.

    16. Re:invalid product keys... by JVert · · Score: 1

      I thought sp2 broke reset5?

    17. Re:invalid product keys... by alexo · · Score: 1

      > What to do without WindowsUpdate? Why AutoPatcher of course.

      Or BigFix.

    18. Re:invalid product keys... by ostiguy · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Yeah, i have not had any trouble with it at home or work.

      home: xp pro license obtained thru a ms marketing package that cost my 39.99. i had it installed on a via based athlon mobo, i just having decommissioned that box, installed it on a sis based p4 mobo. activated cleanly.

      work: no issues with machines that have been reimaged. we run the oem xp pro license, cuz software assurance for the client pcs was going to kick our brains in.

      all in all, it is not as bad as i had feared.

      ostiguy

    19. Re:invalid product keys... by Dun+Malg · · Score: 1
      I thought sp2 broke reset5?

      Hmmmmm. Dunno. A day and a half later it still shows "30 days left" under System Information.

      --
      If a job's not worth doing, it's not worth doing right.
    20. Re:invalid product keys... by blisspix · · Score: 2, Interesting

      For some unknown reason, my XP box recently asked me to reactivate the product key when I booted. The machine would not recognise the DSL modem so I had to, god forbid, call the MS telephone support line.

      It was a fairly lengthy process but it worked just fine. Certainly less painful than other methods. One of the software products we run at work still uses a dongle, it's a complete PITA.

    21. Re:invalid product keys... by dtfinch · · Score: 1

      I've had to call Microsoft on multiple occasions because Windows or Office XP wanted me to reactivate them after a hardware upgrade. Although it's only amounted to several hours of annoyance, it really is a pain in the ass. When they introduced the feature they claimed it'd take several hardware upgrades at once to set it off, but it's always only taken one when it's affected me. I'm still running within the limits of my licenses.

      My only Windows PC is starting to collect dust now, though product activation is probably among my lesser reasons for switching. I could have gotten Windows preinstalled on my new PC for no extra charge.

    22. Re:invalid product keys... by PW2 · · Score: 1

      My copy of Office XP would sometimes require reactivation after I temporarily turn off ethernet so that I can safely check email (prevents some email from "calling home"/validating an email address)

    23. Re:invalid product keys... by Tenareth · · Score: 2, Insightful

      At any point I have to use a phone to make a product I paid for work, it's completely broken.

      --
      This sig is the express property of someone.
    24. Re:invalid product keys... by mnewton32 · · Score: 1

      In 2005, I'll still be happily running my legal copy of Windows 2000.

    25. Re:invalid product keys... by goatan · · Score: 1

      Just changing just one thing hardware wise and reinstalling has resulted in me having to ring there customer support and spend time and money trying to get XP to register. It's a pain in the arse if you change hardware alot.

      --
      Saying Apple is better than MS is like saying Botulism is better than rabies.

    26. Re:invalid product keys... by e6003 · · Score: 1

      Hang on... If you're using XP Pro, that doesn't have Product Activation (as in, ring up MS to get a code based on a hash of your CD key and major computer components). Only XP Home does this - XP Pro is just authenticated via a CD key, as "normal" for MS products.

    27. Re:invalid product keys... by andy+landy · · Score: 1

      This isn't entirely correct. There are two versions of Windows XP Pro, there is the ordinary version "WXP_PRO" and there is the volume license edition "WXP_VOL" - VOL doesn't require activation, ordinary Pro does. The volume license version is commonly referred to as the "Corporate edition".

      --
      perl -e 'print "Just another Perl newbie\n";'
    28. Re:invalid product keys... by juglugs · · Score: 2, Funny

      $9,397.95 is "more then $10,000"?

      weird...

      --
      This sig is in Spanish when you're not looking....
    29. Re:invalid product keys... by Phisbut · · Score: 1

      That is pretty weird though, cause I've reinstalled my copy of WinXP Home on a totally different computer, that is no single piece of hardware was the same, and I could activate it on installation without any problems.

      I even reinstalled WinXP on the original machine yesterday and it activated just fine, so now I have two totally different computers (most parts aren't even the same brand) which both activate their legit copy of WinXP Home, with the same CD and serial number, without any problem.

      --
      After 3 days without programming, life becomes meaningless
      - The Tao of Programming
    30. Re:invalid product keys... by goatan · · Score: 1

      Having you say that jogged a memory it did install and work fine on a friends very diffrent machine but i fiddle a bit with mine and it needs re avtivating. Xp seems to install fine a very different machines but subtle changes upset it!

      --
      Saying Apple is better than MS is like saying Botulism is better than rabies.

    31. Re:invalid product keys... by Phisbut · · Score: 1

      depending on where you live, you gotta add some taxes to that price...

      --
      After 3 days without programming, life becomes meaningless
      - The Tao of Programming
    32. Re:invalid product keys... by Maggot75 · · Score: 1

      ... the way some people change their underpants... (emphasis mine).
      Do you change your hardware configuration by first inserting one leg, and then the second, then pulling it up until it covers your genitalia and anus? Sounds kind of weird to me.
      Also, 'some' people? I take it you are referring to the non /. crowd?

    33. Re:invalid product keys... by AstroDrabb · · Score: 1

      Do you think that is the only software that this AC stole from MS? You can bet that guy has stolen copies of MS Office, Visual Studio, SQL Server and tons of other MS apps. So yes, it is most likely well over $10,000 of MS software this one punk stole. I am no fan of MS, but that doesn't mean I want to see trash like this AC steal from them. If he wants most of the MS software, let him pay for MSDN and get access to most MS software for development like me and and many others do.

      --
      If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land,
      it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. -James Madison
    34. Re:invalid product keys... by FuzzyPat · · Score: 1

      "and reinstalling" Right. If you'd not reinstalled the OS, no re-activation needed. Unless you changed the NIC.

    35. Re:invalid product keys... by Dun+Malg · · Score: 1
      Do you change your hardware configuration by first inserting one leg, and then the second, then pulling it up until it covers your genitalia and anus? Sounds kind of weird to me.

      Yeah, that'd be kinda weird. I guess I meant "as frequently as", which leads to:

      Also, 'some' people? I take it you are referring to the non /. crowd?

      I was drawing a very veiled comparsion to the /. crowd, actually. I change my hardware as often as every two weeks! Whether it needs it or not! heh.

      --
      If a job's not worth doing, it's not worth doing right.
    36. Re:invalid product keys... by Dun+Malg · · Score: 1
      I thought sp2 broke reset5?

      And, as I check today, I have 29 days left. You are, apparently, quite correct: SP2 does break RESET 5.02. Hopefully they'll come up with 5.03 in the next 29 days. Otherwise, I'm going to have to jump through all those stupid Product Activation hoops again.

      --
      If a job's not worth doing, it's not worth doing right.
  2. Windows Update v5? by dejamatt · · Score: 5, Funny

    Doesn't seem to work too well with Firefox, but I could just be an idiot. Can anyone cornfirm that it's still IE-Only?

    1. Re:Windows Update v5? by bamf · · Score: 2, Informative

      It's always been IE only.

    2. Re:Windows Update v5? by stinkyfingers · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Uh, why would it work with Firefox?

    3. Re:Windows Update v5? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      It won't work at all with anything other than IE, since it uses ActiveX apps to do all the checking of your machine.
      It's the only thing I now need IE for.

    4. Re:Windows Update v5? by dejamatt · · Score: 1

      Dunno why I got modded troll up above... I was actually curious. Not that I actually expected them to add Firefox support, but unlike before it actually loads for me when i go to it in firefox... it just doesn't work, so I thought, maybe, just maybe, it was a new feature...

    5. Re:Windows Update v5? by Ankle · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Does it work with the activex plugin for mozilla?
      http://www.iol.ie/~locka/mozilla/plugin.htm

      I'm curious but not enough so to put a hole like activex in firefox.

    6. Re:Windows Update v5? by NanoGator · · Score: 4, Funny

      "Doesn't seem to work too well with Firefox, but I could just be an idiot."

      Somehow I doubt CowboyNeal would be a popular option in this poll.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    7. Re:Windows Update v5? by phasedshadow · · Score: 3, Informative

      This really isn't a troll/funny question, IMO, as I briefly wondered this myself. Version 4 of Windows Update explicitly locks out non-IE browsers with a message stating that IE is requried. Version 5, however, seems to load fine (albeit ugly), except for the fact it just displays a "Checking for the latest version of the Windows Update Software..." message and nothing else. It does not seem to actually say that ActiveX or IE is required. That being said, the answer is yes, it is still IE-only, since the software uses ActiveX.

    8. Re:Windows Update v5? by cyberformer · · Score: 2, Informative

      There is a project to add ActiveX support to Firefox. Trouble is, ActiveX is the main reason for IE's security holes. (There are other reasons, like general MS sloppiness and the large installed base, but A-X is the really big one.)

      I've been using RC2 for a few weeks on two separate PCs with no problems except a slightly longer boot time. (Well, fewer than with SP1.) The biggest improvement is the firewall.

    9. Re:Windows Update v5? by dmaxwell · · Score: 1

      I understand that it will allow whitelisting sites on an individual basis. That isn't a panacea but at least we'll have for those few retarded sites that employ it and our bosses force us to use.

    10. Re:Windows Update v5? by Kadmos · · Score: 2, Funny

      Only IE will work? But in Firefox it says it will only take a minute...

      "Depending on your connection speed, this might take a minute..."

      I'll wait all day if I have to!

    11. Re:Windows Update v5? by darth_linux · · Score: 1

      what is this windows update you speak of? :-) You mean I can use my computer to automatically install new windows when the neighbor kids put baseballs through them? coool!

      --
      Power to the Penguin!
    12. Re:Windows Update v5? by PeterPumpkin · · Score: 1

      Nope, tried it on Mozilla 1.7.1. Still the blank cold shoulder. Actually, the document has no body tag, there is browser unsupported text buried in there.

    13. Re:Windows Update v5? by entrager · · Score: 1

      Doesn't work in IE either, it just crashed my machine.

    14. Re:Windows Update v5? by mikex8456 · · Score: 1

      Since a lot of XP users (like myself) have recently changed to Firefox, Thunderbird and Open Office, if SP2 is going to disable these software packages, I'll stay with XP SP1. It might be time to consider a different OS like Linux (Linspire or FreeBSD or ...).

  3. Good on them by Sean80 · · Score: 4, Insightful
    I, at least, say good on them for delaying the release if it means they can better deliver on some of the promises which they've made about this pack.

    If nothing else, at least Microsoft is trying much, much harder at security nowadays.

    1. Re:Good on them by Eberlin · · Score: 5, Insightful

      To paraphrase Lewis Black (referring to airport security) -- slower doesn't necessarily mean safer. Promises that don't get delivered don't mean much. Maybe they're perfecting it, or maybe they're sneaking features in...we don't really know.

      How hard Microsoft is trying when it comes to security is strictly implied. Unfortunately, most should have EXPECTED it of them to begin with. "Trustworthy Computing" is primarily a marketing response...with technical consequences.

    2. Re:Good on them by ROOK*CA · · Score: 1

      Actually I don't think the state governors could do this ... Article II, Section 1, Clause 4 of the U.S. Constitution specifically states (in reference to the Presidential Electorate) that :

      The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

      I'm no lawyer but it appears that in order to change the election day it would take an act of (the U.S.) Congress.

    3. Re:Good on them by Mold · · Score: 1

      No, if it was a Democrat, I'd be saying the same damned thing.

      If the people lose their voice, they'll get pissed, no matter who does it.

    4. Re:Good on them by lseltzer · · Score: 1

      >>The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

      The day referred to here is the day the electors vote in their respective state capitals, which is not election day. It's usually in mid-December I believe.

    5. Re:Good on them by EnderWiggnz · · Score: 1

      yes, obviously we would elect a leader who has failed to protect the country TWICE.

      yupe, makes perfect sense...

      --
      ... hi bingo ...
    6. Re:Good on them by ROOK*CA · · Score: 1

      Good point and from my reading of this clause & the 12th amendment you are correct.
      I would think though that the popular elections were placed in November to supply lead-time to the formal selection of electors to the electoral college for the states. Logically this would mean that whichever state required the most "lead-time" would dictate the latest date of the popular election (assuming an election delay, unless the Congress changed the day nation wide for Elector selection).
      In any case the President couldn't remain in office (without being re-elected) past January 20th since that day is specified by the 20th Amendment.
      IMHO the very idea of a delay in the popular election is scary on a couple of levels --
      1.) The losing side would shout to the rafters that the election was unfair due to the delay
      2.) If the delay was driven by a terrorist attack the attackers would gain HUGE credibility by the very fact that they were able to interrupt our democratic process (not to mention marking every election day therafter as prime attack timing).
      3.) The shake up in public perception that our electoral process is a "sacred Democratic institution" (as if the 2000 Presidential Election didn't already cast enough doubt on that).

    7. Re:Good on them by EzInKy · · Score: 1

      yes, obviously we would elect a leader who has failed to protect the country TWICE.

      yupe, makes perfect sense...


      Frightened people don't act sensibly, they either run and hide or they lash out. Bush's policy has been a combination of both. Another successful attack will have the majority of Americans begging for ID checks on every corner and demanding carpet bombing of Middle East.

      --
      Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once.
    8. Re:Good on them by EnderWiggnz · · Score: 1

      they may demand the id checks and carpet bombing, but i also suspect that they'll demand the idiot in chief be run out of town on a rail.

      --
      ... hi bingo ...
    9. Re:Good on them by EzInKy · · Score: 1

      they may demand the id checks and carpet bombing, but i also suspect that they'll demand the idiot in chief be run out of town on a rail.

      I wish I could share your optimism, but I'll stick with my original prediction. If no attack then Kerry wins a close race and the country can work on becomming sane again, otherwise it's Bush by a landslide.

      --
      Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once.
    10. Re:Good on them by alchemistkevin · · Score: 1

      maybe it's just trying to instill a sense of security - delaying it; yes - but will the changes be good enuf? i wont bet my money on it, will you?

    11. Re:Good on them by factusnonverbus · · Score: 1
      I agree. I was one of about 200 corporate IT administrators they (MS) paid to fly to Seattle and attend a 2 day seminar on SP2. It was a significant expense for a product that they will offer for free.

      It was all technical people on the MS side, giving candid responses, and the real impression I got was that this is a company taking the security issue very seriously.

      I was dubious of a 325MB SP that included a firewall, but I'm sold.

  4. Cannot validate the product key by OverlordQ · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Hmmm, I guess MS has decided to take a little (read: tiny) more aggressive stance towards piracy, no more automagic updates for you. Although we do have an Action Pack subscription (XP Pro), so we do have more then enough licenses, we use XP Corp CD/Keys to ignore that stupid activation, but it looks like it came back to bite us in the ass.

    --
    Your hair look like poop, Bob! - Wanker.
    1. Re:Cannot validate the product key by Sheetrock · · Score: 1
      Somebody will no doubt eventually come up with another technique to thwart Microsoft's plans of content control that will work for you, given the widespread distribution of pirated Corp. XP. But maybe this is a good opportunity for your organization to get legal anyway?

      I thought I heard of a way (during the similar problem created by the SP1 release) to force a new CD key into your installation -- is this possible to do with your Action Pack keys, or is the CD-key algorithm different in the Corp? It'd be a shame if you had to reinstall everything.

      --

      Try not. Do or do not, there is no try.
      -- Dr. Spock, stardate 2822-3.




    2. Re:Cannot validate the product key by OverlordQ · · Score: 1

      the XP Pro Corp Installer wont take XP Pro keys and vice-versa. And it's only a few comps anyways, nowhere close to anything serious :)

      --
      Your hair look like poop, Bob! - Wanker.
    3. Re:Cannot validate the product key by klui · · Score: 2, Informative

      By the way, Action Packs' licenses are only good for a year from the point of subscription. You need to renew after it expires.

    4. Re:Cannot validate the product key by vsprintf · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Hmmm, I guess MS has decided to take a little (read: tiny) more aggressive stance towards piracy, no more automagic updates for you.

      When you think about it though, what good does it do MS? These days malware doesn't format your drive and pop up a box saying, "Ha ha. Yer a victem of DorkLord Seth." It uses the box to attack other Windows boxes (and generally cause grief for the rest of the computing world).

      If they think denying patches to pirates is anything except self-defeating, they are mistaken. While what remains of their reputation is taking a beating, Microsoft's best policy would be to keep every Windows box as secure as possible - no matter what its legal status. If they want the BSA to go take some names later, well that's their business.

    5. Re:Cannot validate the product key by OverlordQ · · Score: 1

      I know that, not due till September :)

      --
      Your hair look like poop, Bob! - Wanker.
  5. In all fairness.... by SecretSauce · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's probably better that they delay it, rather than come out with something that's not 100%. We are talking Microsoft though...by the time they got it to 100% we'd all be playing duke nukem forever =)

    1. Re:In all fairness.... by linzeal · · Score: 2, Funny

      Well at this rate we will be playing it on a Linux desktop sold out of the back of a used Honda by Bill Gates and his merry band of share holders.

  6. Does Windoze XP SP2 break spyware? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    After all, Kazaa Lite is hard to find these days...

    1. Re:Does Windoze XP SP2 break spyware? by Hockney+Twang · · Score: 1

      It's really not too hard at all. All you need to do is look.

    2. Re:Does Windoze XP SP2 break spyware? by rainman_bc · · Score: 1

      Look for "Kazaa Lite Resurrection"

      --
      09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
    3. Re:Does Windoze XP SP2 break spyware? by JAD+lifter · · Score: 1


      I don't know, maybe I'm doing something wrong. I followed your link but when I tryed to download Kazaa Lite this is what I got:

      Old Versions Available
      This program is currently unavailable for legal reasons.

    4. Re:Does Windoze XP SP2 break spyware? by zoloto · · Score: 2, Informative

      I have it if anyone needs a copy. email me and I'll hook you guys up =)

    5. Re:Does Windoze XP SP2 break spyware? by Yer+Mom · · Score: 1

      Meh. Just use Shareaza instead...

      --
      Never mind Spamassassin. When's Spammerassassin coming out?
  7. rolling delays by to_kallon · · Score: 1, Insightful

    though only until August

    correct me if i'm wrong, but i believe the original release was scheduled for june. when june came it got delayed until only july. now that we're in july it's been delayed just one more month....riiiight.
    i for one will not be surprised to see it delayed until september next month. and who knows? maybe october after that....?

    --


    The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.
    -Oscar Wilde
    1. Re:rolling delays by kabocox · · Score: 1


      correct me if i'm wrong, but i believe the original release was scheduled for june. when june came it got delayed until only july. now that we're in july it's been delayed just one more month....riiiight.
      i for one will not be surprised to see it delayed until september next month. and who knows? maybe october after that....?


      This is Microsoft we are talking about. I'm glad it just isn't named something like Windows XP Service Pack 2004. If it were named that, it would be "released" Decemeber, 31, 2004.

    2. Re:rolling delays by afidel · · Score: 2, Informative

      There were enough problems with SP2 RC2 that they are going for another test release. Whether that will be called RC3 or just RC2 with a different build number was unknown as of late last week. I personally am of two minds, one the one hand I want to see them do it right since there won't be another SP for quite some time if at all, on the other hand it would be REALLY nice if this were out in time for the college rush so that it could be made a requirement of getting on the network.

      --
      There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
    3. Re:rolling delays by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      This just in -- WinXP SP2, currently known by its codename "Longhorn" will be released in 2008. However, Microsoft is firing up anticipation for the product by incrementally sliding the release date from Summer 2004 over to its actual 2008 release.

    4. Re:rolling delays by LO0G · · Score: 1

      Do you have references to this? Or are you just guessing?

      Somewhere I thought that Microsoft had announced that they WEREN'T going to be doing an RC3 for SP2.

  8. V5 Windows update by Man+in+Spandex · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Just an opinion on the V5 Windows Update. Yes it does detect invalid products (my friends = owned). Does this mean Microsoft are getting more serious since they haven't done this before? I mean, if they could of stopped more users from using a product illegally, why not do it before cause from what I heard, rumors say crackers found a way to bypass this.

    they cannot be stopped.

    1. Re:V5 Windows update by Sexy+Bern · · Score: 1
      Rule of thumb: take away the "would/could/should" and see if it still sounds right.

      "I have left the building." sounds OK, "I of left the building" sounds daft.

    2. Re:V5 Windows update by Compholio · · Score: 1

      Yes it does detect invalid products (my friends = owned).

      Just download a program that searches for a good key, there are plenty of them out there.

    3. Re:V5 Windows update by hawkeyeMI · · Score: 4, Funny

      "your friends" eh? And I have this 'friend' who downloads MP3s sometimes...

      --
      Error 404 - Sig Not Found
    4. Re:V5 Windows update by DarkOx · · Score: 1

      What I don't understand is for all the effort I see many windows users put into ripping off the their OS then ripping off and warezing all the other little utilities they need to do anything beyond what Aunt Tillie does, why don't the realize that:
      IT WOULD BE EASIER TO DOWNLOAD ANY Linux distro (Slackware is clearly the best though :-) ) and learn to use it.

      --
      Repeal the 17th Amendment TODAY! Also Please Read http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html
  9. Windows Update uses ActiveX by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    ActiveX is only supported by Microsoft Internet Explorer.

    Hope this helps.

    1. Re:Windows Update uses ActiveX by dejamatt · · Score: 1

      That makes sense... didn't know the technical reasons behind it. Thanks!

    2. Re:Windows Update uses ActiveX by AstroDrabb · · Score: 1

      No, you can get unofficial Active X for Moz.

      --
      If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land,
      it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. -James Madison
  10. Bug time by Metteyya · · Score: 4, Insightful

    As I understood, it means that a bulk of IE users (the ones that don't download small "security updates", but only full SPs) will be vulnerable to well-known bug till (hopefully) August?

    Well, now that just shouldn't even be compared to Mozilla's bugfixes.
    (because who would be able to compare 24 hours with 24 days and not laugh to death?)

    1. Re:Bug time by Loligo · · Score: 4, Insightful

      >a bulk of IE users (the ones that don't download
      >small "security updates", but only full SPs) ...

      >... that just shouldn't even be compared to
      >Mozilla's bugfixes. (because who would be able to
      >compare 24 hours with 24 days and not laugh to
      >death?)

      Lemme make sure I got this right. A "bulk of IE users" don't download small security updates, but you think they'd get small security updates for Mozilla?

      24 hour bugfixes are irrelevant to "a bulk of users" if they can't be bothered to download and install them, as you claim.

      -l

    2. Re:Bug time by powerpuffgirls · · Score: 1

      In your scenario, a bulk of Mozilla users (the ones that don't download small 2Kb patch, but only full major releases) will be vulnerable to well-known bug too.

    3. Re:Bug time by tesmako · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I don't quite follow you at all, you first claim that people don't bother to download the fixes, then you appear to make fun of Microsoft for getting the fixes out later than Mozilla. Would seem that it does not matter one bit how fast you are fixing things if no one downloads the fixes anyway.

    4. Re:Bug time by Frizzle+Fry · · Score: 1

      If people want to, they can download and install sp2 today. I'm running it, and have been happy with it. Every recent exploit that has been announced was blocked on it.

      --
      I'd rather be lucky than good.
    5. Re:Bug time by mibus · · Score: 1

      With such a small download size for some of the Moz-based browsers, it's probably easiest just to pop up a dialog "A new version is available. Upgrade now? [Yes] [No]".

      New versions aren't that hard to sell - especially if they are small and include security patches.

    6. Re:Bug time by Metteyya · · Score: 1

      Brand new big full install of Firefox 0.7.2 shouldn't be considered a "small downloadable fix". So no, you didn't get it right ;-P.

  11. What about Windows 2000 (Service pack 5?) by Zarhan · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Does anybody know whether these new changes/features (in IE and elsewhere) will ever make it into Windows 2000 (which at the moment seems to be the most preferred Windows at least in corporate environments). Win2k SP4 pretty much covered everything in XP SP1, but not much has been mentioned since then.

    1. Re:What about Windows 2000 (Service pack 5?) by hughk · · Score: 4, Interesting
      A lot of corporate types got a little allergic to XP, even if the license came with the hardware and they still run 2K. Microsoft would love to get the desktops onto XP but many don't find the extra features of XP so interesting. It is always embarrassing when you have to compete against your own products.

      Microsoft are sort-of obliged to keep rolling out security fixes for 2K, but is a popup blocker a fix or a feature? They surely would love to have a lever to get us all moved onto XP.

      --
      See my journal, I write things there
    2. Re:What about Windows 2000 (Service pack 5?) by s7uar7 · · Score: 1

      I use XP at work, but so far haven't seen any reason to upgrade my home w2k machine. All the software and hardware I have runs fine and there isn't yet any 'XP only' products (that I know of). It's still being security patched when necessary and is as solid as a rock - I can't remember the last time I had it freeze or a BSD. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

    3. Re:What about Windows 2000 (Service pack 5?) by quantaman · · Score: 3, Insightful

      It is always embarrassing when you have to compete against your own products.

      Microsoft are sort-of obliged to keep rolling out security fixes for 2K, but is a popup blocker a fix or a feature? They surely would love to have a lever to get us all moved onto XP.

      Here we see one of the major disadvantages of monopolies, when your biggest competition is from your previous released it becomes very tempting to hold back on things like popup blocking and all these fixes for IE from current releases to save them for a future release. If it wasn't for mozilla suddenly becoming a threat I'm sure we wouldn't of seen these fixes to IE until Longhorn, no matter how bad it got, in fact the worse it got the better because that's simply a motivation to buy the new product. Now they have to try it earlier than they want and put it in XP because of competition from Mozilla but I'm sure we're not going to see these fixes backported to previous versions of windows, it would take away to incentive to upgrade.

      --
      I stole this Sig
    4. Re:What about Windows 2000 (Service pack 5?) by bobbis.u · · Score: 1

      The latest version of Adobe Premiere (video editing software) is XP only.

    5. Re:What about Windows 2000 (Service pack 5?) by Airw0lf · · Score: 1

      The great thing about Windows 2000 is that it DOESN'T have the junk that Windows Xp is laden with. Windows Xp is basically the stability of Win2K + more junk. For power users and corporates alike, who needs the basic firewall, cd burner, fisher-price visual interface (that only slows the GUI down)? I'm sure I've left a ton of other things out, MSN Messenger for instance...

      If Windows 2000 SP5 contains all the security fixes that Windows 2000 has in common with Xp, I'll be content. When Windows 2000 is EOLed, that will be the opportune moment for me to jump to linux for good.

    6. Re:What about Windows 2000 (Service pack 5?) by hughk · · Score: 1
      I run a Win 2K Server and Professional time-shared on my laptop for myself. I only use them now for supporting some old stuff under Windows. Since these systems aren't so powerful, I would have to disable the XP eye-candy anyway - no point to upgrade, I'm happy just to keep it patched.

      At work we do have XP and its ok, but really not any more stable.

      --
      See my journal, I write things there
    7. Re:What about Windows 2000 (Service pack 5?) by Just+Some+Guy · · Score: 1
      Here we see one of the major disadvantages of monopolies,

      Because we all know that non-monopoly vendors provide lots of updates for four-year-old packages. Does Apple still support Mac OS 10.1? Does RedHat still support 6.x? What you've described is applicable to pretty much every single industry and every company whether a monopoly or not. Unless you really think that Toyota keeps adding cool new stuff to their cars because it gives them a warm fuzzy feeling and not because they have to have some way to convince people to upgrade their perfectly good five-year-old cars, this shouldn't come as a surprise to you.

      Microsoft does plenty of crummy things on its own. There is no need to invent new ones.

      --
      Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
    8. Re:What about Windows 2000 (Service pack 5?) by goatan · · Score: 1
      Does Apple still support Mac OS 10.1? Does RedHat still support 6.x?

      They support OS 9 as well. Red Hat don't support 6 but they still support there last 5 OS releases does Microsoft?

      Unless you really think that Toyota keeps adding cool new stuff to their cars because it gives them a warm fuzzy feeling and not because they have to have some way to convince people to upgrade their perfectly good five-year-old cars, this shouldn't come as a surprise to you.

      They "upgrade" (I don't consider a new bits of plastic trim an upgrade) them to make people think there getting something new to replace there old car, What they don't do is stop you from getting your repaired by them or anyone else. Why don't they do this? after all it works for Microsoft. Because they are not a monopoly and this action would drive customers away, to there competitors who didn't do this sort of trick.

      --
      Saying Apple is better than MS is like saying Botulism is better than rabies.

    9. Re:What about Windows 2000 (Service pack 5?) by Just+Some+Guy · · Score: 1
      They support OS 9 as well.

      That was not the question. That's an entirely different product line that OS X. To my knowledge, they no longer support 10.1 and I'm reasonably certain that they don't support older versions.

      What they don't do is stop you from getting your repaired by them or anyone else.

      In what way does Microsoft stop you have having third parties provides patches to you Windows system? They may not help those groups but I can't imagine that they could stop them.

      Why don't they do this? after all it works for Microsoft.

      Now you're just being silly.

      Look, I don't approve of Microsoft's business practices either, but screaming about every little move they make doesn't exactly lend credibility to our position. As much as I don't like them, I don't believe that they consult an "evil calculus" before each and every business decision.

      --
      Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
    10. Re:What about Windows 2000 (Service pack 5?) by goatan · · Score: 1
      and I'm reasonably certain that they don't support older versions.

      What like 9 which i linked to the support page.

      In what way does Microsoft stop you have having third parties provides patches to you Windows system? They may not help those groups but I can't imagine that they could stop them

      by there proprietry copyrighted code making it harder than it needs to be and possibly even illegal at times for third parties to write patches, i can only think of very few windows patches released by third parties, coming back to cars Toyota don't and can't (in the UK) seal the engines so you can't service them yourselves.

      Why don't they do this? after all it works for Microsoft.

      Now you're just being silly.

      Why? It is a system that has worked to make money for microsoft. Name calling is a bad way to defend your point come on were adults at least come up with an argument to show that they don't do this.

      Look, I don't approve of Microsoft's business practices either, but screaming about every little move they make doesn't exactly lend credibility to our position. As much as I don't like them, I don't believe that they consult an "evil calculus" before each and every business decision.

      Neither do I in fact i don't think they have an "evil Calculus" at all and what position are you talking about? I don't care what OS others use whatever suits them is fine with me they can use Windows if they like it's a (mostly) free world when it comes to choice.

      --
      Saying Apple is better than MS is like saying Botulism is better than rabies.

    11. Re:What about Windows 2000 (Service pack 5?) by Just+Some+Guy · · Score: 1
      What like 9 which i linked to the support page.

      No, not like 9. Mac OS 9 is not an older version of Mac OS 10. They are completely separate products.

      --
      Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
    12. Re:What about Windows 2000 (Service pack 5?) by factusnonverbus · · Score: 1
      I was in Redmond in June, for a conference thrown my MS on SP2. Someone asked that, and the product manager's response was "Not sure, we'll look at it."

      Optimistically, I think it depends on how well this does in reducing the number and severity of security fires MS has to put out. If it does, they'll do it for W2kSP5 and W2k3 SP1.

  12. Maybe a Sensible Move... by SadPenguin · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It's fairly ridiculous that this SP is delayed.. again... however, IMHO its a good move on their part, because (hopefully) it means that they are including more useful security fixes etc. in it. And its silly that those even need to be release this much after the fact, but they might as well get them all (well, most of them) in there now, so there's not SP2a, SP2b, SP2security patch 229q etc.

    I recall an operating system that was fairly rushed to get out, called Windows 95, that really sucked. Hopefully, though this is only an SP, the delay will prevent rush-to-get-it-out-crappiness.

    sigSEGV - doy!

    --
    sigSEGV - doy!
    1. Re:Maybe a Sensible Move... by chris_mahan · · Score: 4, Insightful

      There is also the possibility that microsoft is having a hard time dealing with fixing all the vulnerabilities.

      I wonder to what extent they find that fixing one vulnerability just break, and I mean mangles horribly, some functionality in Excel or Word that everybody has to have (like VBA or sum'thin).

      It's like the domines are falling at microsoft, and that they are starting to realize that a rewrite from the ground up does not look to bad (at least you can start with a sound concept).

      Of course, I doubt they could pull that off, so the next couple years are going to be really interesting.

      --

      "Piter, too, is dead."

    2. Re:Maybe a Sensible Move... by FuzzyBad-Mofo · · Score: 3, Insightful

      It's a fairly well-known strategy to hype a product well before it's introduction in order to prevent a competitor from gaining ground. I don't think SP2 has been delayed at all, Microsoft's project planners would have to be completely incompetant to have delayed the patch for so long without a good reason. No, they want to string people along with the promise of a miracle cure-all for as long as possible.

      Having trouble with popups? SP2 is coming soon! Need more security? SP2!! Want your computer to wash the dishes and feed the dog too? Good news, SP2!!

    3. Re:Maybe a Sensible Move... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      No... Win 95 did not really suck compared to Win ME. At least Win 95 went through several revisions. A lot of Win Me users are still waiting for that.

  13. Delays by k4_pacific · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Hey, this means that Longhorn would likely get pushed back as well (if it ships at all). This gives us an extra month to make Linux a mainstream desktop OS before the NGSCB DRM (the RIAA's wet dream) ensures Microsoft forevermore. Hurry people!!

    --
    Unknown host pong.
    1. Re:Delays by KZigurs · · Score: 1

      Then finally do it for god's sake.

      My advice - start with the GUI. Replace that sick X11 stuff with something small, lean and simple and preferrably in kernelspace, remove all those useless UberApps and concetrate on finishing those that are promising and please stop hiding your inability to do anything behind claims that microsoft is killing you.

      Otherwise the only winner here is MacOS X. And frankly, that suits me well.

  14. Last minute changes... by inkdesign · · Score: 5, Funny

    to BobXP forced the delay...

  15. Comping at the bit about the wrong thing... by ProppaT · · Score: 5, Interesting

    "chomping at the bit with the looming release, as they are worried about compatibility with some of the new features in Service Pack 2."

    I'm sure they're all worried about compatibility issues. Everyone is. But with school starting in August...and the release date in August...there's going to be zero time to work out the kinks before students start hitting the labs full force.

    --
    Wise men say, "Forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza."
    1. Re:Comping at the bit about the wrong thing... by steve.m · · Score: 1

      IT staff who are have a clue will have been testing with the RC1 and RC2 releases of SP2 that have been publicly downloadable from MS for a few months.

    2. Re:Comping at the bit about the wrong thing... by Cyberop5 · · Score: 1

      We've already finished the loads we are using for our labs this fall. We won't be implimenting Service Pack 2 until the Spring semester at the earliest. That gives plenty of time for our vendors to patch their software.

      The biggest problems will be students and stray faculty who decide to upgrade laptops and home machines and encounter the problems before they can be fixed.

      We've tried it out on a machine and it really messes with XP's settings and features.

      --
      Urgo: "I want to live. I want to experience the universe and I want to eat pie!"
      Jack: "Who doesn't??"
    3. Re:Comping at the bit about the wrong thing... by Luscious868 · · Score: 1
      those who wrote promiscuous code

      Did I miss something? When did Clinton start coding for Microsoft?

  16. Caught red-handed! by Thud457 · · Score: 1

    A-HA! See, that proves it! They're once again illegeally leveraging their monopoly!!

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  17. Umm Duyoyoyoy by stratjakt · · Score: 2, Insightful

    "I'm afraid now, I have somehow missed this message," says a Windows developer who asked not to be named. "Was it buried in too many marketing messages? Was it dependent on me searching it out?"

    Was it SO OBVIOUS that you even had to be specifically told to test your apps on a new version of their target platform?

    No news here. Next hot tip, some stuff may not work with the latest kernel image from linus and the gang.

    --
    I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
  18. New Windows Update: Way different by jayhawk88 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Heads up to you admins out there, the update to WindowsUpdate is more than trivial. Ability to (more easily) view patch install history, Admin options for downloading patches for multiple OS's, not-so-obvious new method of showing you exactly what you're installing...If you've taught techs/users to do this, they're going to have to be re-taught when it goes live.

    1. Re:New Windows Update: Way different by VvScythevV · · Score: 1

      Very different, it used to work (kind of). Using Internet Explorer Now: [Error number: 0xC8000711] Windows Update has encountered an error and cannot display the requested page. You may find the following resources helpful in resolving the problem: (Generic help pages that force you to wade through dozens of pages before realizing they don't know any better than you do)

      --
      -- Reality is for people who lack imagination.
    2. Re:New Windows Update: Way different by jayhawk88 · · Score: 1

      I assume you're talking about SUS 2.0? Any word on whether this is in open beta yet?

    3. Re:New Windows Update: Way different by jayhawk88 · · Score: 1

      I get this a lot with the current version. Usually has something to do with screwed up registry entries or ActiveX controls needing reinstalled.

      Follow the help nd lookup the error number though (or just go to support.microsoft.com and search). It takes some doing, but there is some good help to be had there that can usually resolve this problem.

    4. Re:New Windows Update: Way different by NaDrew · · Score: 1
      Ability to (more easily) view patch install history, Admin options for downloading patches for multiple OS's, not-so-obvious new method of showing you exactly what you're installing
      Ability to remember that I don't fucking want Windows Messenger even though I hit "Personalize Windows Update" and deselect it every goddamned time?

      Now that would be a useful upgrade.
      --
      Vista:XPSP2::ME:98SE
  19. NT4 Service Packs by Webmoth · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Personally, since Microsoft doesn't seem to be releasing any more updates for NT4, I'd sure like to see them put out a Service Pack 7 so I don't have to go thru the steps SP6a - Post 6a SRP - Windows Updates every time I have to install a new component on an old NT4 system.

    --
    Give me my freedom, and I'll take care of my own security, thank you.
    1. Re:NT4 Service Packs by Webmoth · · Score: 4, Informative

      As to why they haven't released a SP7, read this.

      --
      Give me my freedom, and I'll take care of my own security, thank you.
    2. Re:NT4 Service Packs by Malc · · Score: 1

      That's from 3 years ago. There's been a few patches for NT4 since then. This what the OP is referring to.

    3. Re:NT4 Service Packs by Webmoth · · Score: 1

      Absolutely nothing, but stuck-in-the-mud corporate policies along with a stinginess that's tighter than an Al Quaeda security system dictate the use of NT4.

      --
      Give me my freedom, and I'll take care of my own security, thank you.
  20. Means a delay on VPC7 too by goMac2500 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Virutal PC 7 is not coming until SP2 is out according to Microsoft so us Mac users can be assured the latest in security.

    Or Microsoft is stalling because they're not finished with VPC7. One of the two.

    1. Re:Means a delay on VPC7 too by Hawthorne01 · · Score: 1

      Mac users are already assured to have the latest in security...

      It's called OS X. :-D

      --
      "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."
    2. Re:Means a delay on VPC7 too by goMac2500 · · Score: 1

      Maybe because it makes a nice virtual machine so I can run Linux at the same time as OS X. Or test out Windows configurations for work. Or use little dinky shareware programs to do simple tasks. I was even once at an Apple lab where they had 2000 server running with X server on the same machine to demo how to integrate a Active Directory domain into X. Its not full time software, its utility software. Virtual PC makes nice virtual machine software so I don't have to reboot every time I want to run Linux. Thats why Microsoft also makes a Windows version.

    3. Re:Means a delay on VPC7 too by vsprintf · · Score: 1

      Thats why Microsoft also makes a Windows version.

      Microsoft doing Windows versions of software. What will they think of next? :)

    4. Re:Means a delay on VPC7 too by dbirchall · · Score: 1
      Sheez... I buy a G5, which is supposed to be the fastest PC in the world (at the time), and now I just wait, and wait, and wait... :)

      Yellow elf needs VPC 7 badly!

  21. Why not release July Security Service Pack? by MooseByte · · Score: 2, Interesting


    Why don't they just release an XP interim security service pack? Surely they have enough already working in SP2 that they can get at least SOME of the fixes out the door sooner?

    Cripes, even something that just defaults a user's firewall to "on" and obscure ports to "off" would be a head start.

    Normally I'd say fine, the longer the better - lets me get Firefox into wider distribution ;-) but the more insecure winboxen there are out there, the worse things get for the rest of us. A 60% solution now while waiting for the other 40% of SP2 would seem like a benefit to the end-user.

  22. Corp Keys by nurb432 · · Score: 1

    i also do the same thing, just because it makes management easier. Why should the big boys get all the breaks only because they have more $$?

    If it gets to the point where this sort of thing is impossible, ill just be forced to move my clients to other less restrictive systems.. and have a bit more ammunition to back it up. " see, your support costs are increasing" ...

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
    1. Re:Corp Keys by OverlordQ · · Score: 5, Interesting

      In my eyes, IANAL, it's perfectly legal, we paid for the (insert num of licenses here, 5-10 iirc), so we should be able to install XP Pro that many times. To me we pay for a license to use XP, not for a specific CD Key, so to me, it shouldn't matter that we're using the Corp version of XP Pro, it's still XP Pro just w/o the pointless activation. Again, IANAL.

      --
      Your hair look like poop, Bob! - Wanker.
    2. Re:Corp Keys by rritterson · · Score: 1

      Read the EULA. You paid for x copies of retail XP, not corporate XP.

      --
      -Ryan
      AUWYHSTOT (Acronyms are Useless When You Have to Spell Them Out Too)
    3. Re:Corp Keys by Txiasaeia · · Score: 1

      And the difference between retail XP and corporate XP is...

      --
      Condemnant quod non intellegunt.
    4. Re:Corp Keys by ejdmoo · · Score: 1

      the EULA, of course

    5. Re:Corp Keys by arkhan_jg · · Score: 1

      Retail EULA's aren't worth the paper they're printed on, outside of the handful of UCITA-passed states. First sale doctrine says that copyright holders cannot apply additional restrictions over and above that of copyright, after sale.

      The EULA is not given to you to 'sign' until after you've bought the product, and thus is not legal with regards the original sale. They try and get round this by claiming it's
      a) a licence, not a sale
      b) by copying into memory or onto a harddrive, you're making an additional copy, which requires permission - which you only get by agreeing to the EULA.

      Both of these are legally flaky. If you go into a shop, give a man some money, and he gives you a box with something in it, that's a sale. Contract law would apply if you had to sign the EULA at the till, or as part of an ongoing service relationship (such as with ISP's), but since they only try and apply them post-sale, they're on very shaky ground.

      Assuming a court accepts the extra copies argument (most world copyright law explicitly allows for such 'working' copies without extra permission, but you never know) you're still butting up against that EULA's aren't valid contracts. They're not an exchange of value, i.e. only one party gains something. They're not terms negotiated between both parties, but dictated by one side; and the signature can hardly be classed as legally binding. What if my cat walks across the keyboard and triggers the 'OK' while I'm reading the small print? Did my cat 'accept' the licence? What if someone too young to be bound by contracts installs windows?

      EULA's have never been tested in a court, and with good reason; they would likely be tossed as invalid.

      Note however that corporate EULA's attached to a particular corporate sale contract with a negotated price, real signatures, lawyers etc are usually valid.

      --
      Remember kids, it's all fun and games until someone commits wholesale galactic genocide.
    6. Re:Corp Keys by man_of_mr_e · · Score: 1

      Sorry, but the "after the sale" argument has already been tested in court. See ProCD v. Zeidenberg. In this case, it was ruled that even though the license was not available to read (and thus agree to) until after the sale, it was still valid because the vendor offered a way to return the product for a full refund.

      Now some people might want to claim that they can't return OEM copies (but that doesn't effect retail copies, which you are talking about), even though those copies CAN be returned, they simply have to be returned with the hardware they were bought with.

    7. Re:Corp Keys by man_of_mr_e · · Score: 1

      Because whatever the EULA says must be the law?

      No, but if the EULA isn't valid, then copyright law would take over, which would give you no right to use the product at all.

  23. [ot] windows update, without IE? by happyfrogcow · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Alright, a few weeks ago i walked my parents through setting up firefox over the phone. I don't want them touching IE with a 10 foot pole. I have heard there is an app from MS for running Windows Update without a web browser. anyone have any more details? any experience using it?

    hfc.

    1. Re:[ot] windows update, without IE? by happyfrogcow · · Score: 1

      i have no idea. this is their machine, not mine. My computer runs slackware. My last windows frame of reference in windows98. They usually call me if they get some message they aren't used to seeing. they never mentioned anything like this, and whenever I am home i use to run Windows Update through IE, which showed many updates available. So apparently it isn't set as that for their computer. They are running XP

      Now if that exists, and I trust by your general bluntness that it does, are there any repercusions I need to be aware of to let them know?

      thanks, and nice troll attempt btw.

    2. Re:[ot] windows update, without IE? by alerante · · Score: 3, Informative

      Actually, there is a small tray icon that can be used to automatically download updates without using Internet Explorer, at least in XP. Go to Control Panel: System, and open the Automatic Updates tab. Then set the schedule to your own convenience.

    3. Re:[ot] windows update, without IE? by Thng · · Score: 4, Informative
      You may be thinking of the Microsoft baseline security analyzer. FWICT, it finds most (if not more) of the security updates on windows update (based on v4) and I added the "more" because it also scans other products, like MSSQL (v5 of windowsupdate seems to have some of this ability)

      It is not quite like windows update, in that they will still need to download them, and would probably just confuse them.

      If they're running windows 2k sp3(?) or higher, or Windows XP, just turn on Automatic updating, and choose either install updates automatically, or download updates automatically and prompt to install.

      Hope this helps

    4. Re:[ot] windows update, without IE? by happyfrogcow · · Score: 1

      thanks for the link to http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=306525

      i noticed it only notifies them if they are logged on as Administrator (from what i've read). This may be why they are never notified. They each have their own username on the system i think, and not the Administrator account.

    5. Re:[ot] windows update, without IE? by mabinogi · · Score: 2, Insightful

      You know, their machine isn't going to spontaneously combust if they use IE to go to Windows Update...

      You do realise that, don't you?

      If they've connected a Windows Machine to the internet, then they've already exposed themselves to 99.9% of anything they're likely to get, regardless of what browser they use. Firefox just means they wont get ActiveX stuff and probably wont get popups.

      But I hardly think pointing IE at Windows Update is suddenly going to install porn autodialers and flood them with popups.

      --
      Advanced users are users too!
    6. Re:[ot] windows update, without IE? by slidester · · Score: 1

      This is available in Win2k too. Not sure about previous Win builds. any win98 users out there?

    7. Re:[ot] windows update, without IE? by DMNT · · Score: 1

      Automatic updates suck better than my vacuum cleaner. First of all, if you don't run your computer as an administrator, you can't use "download and ask user to install when ready". Second, if you use "download and install", and you've just written 10,000 lines of code or document and go get yourself a cup of coffee and while you're away, computer fetches the downloads and installs them. Then it gives you X minutes time to come back before it reboots without allowing you to save your work. (This is the reason I turned off the autoupdate in my W2k box.) This would be a working scheme if Windows saved your session and programs - but I guess the current architechture doesn't allow that.

      --
      ?SYNTAX ERROR
    8. Re:[ot] windows update, without IE? by Thng · · Score: 1
      It may only be on XP (My 2k box is at home) but automatic updates has a "download now and choose when to install" option (sp2rc2).

      however, I am pretty sure I remember seeing that in the 2k auto update options. ymmv.

  24. Re:Why not release July Security Service Pack? by stratjakt · · Score: 4, Informative

    All the fixes for known worms/vulnerabilities are out the door on windows update. Go get 'em.

    --
    I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
  25. Re:I want to believe... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny
    SLDT02004071000002(anything resembling humor)



    Universal joke ID cataloging system info...

    Currently assigned universal joke IDs are as follows:
    SLDT02004070900001 - "no yuo"
    SLDT02004071000001 - "vlad farted"
    SLDT02004071000002(x) - "YOU FAIL IT (it is x)"
    SLDT02004071000003 - "omg ror"
    SLDT02004071000004(x, y) - "In Soviet Russia, x y YOU!"
    SLDT02004071000005 - "Imagine a Beowulf Cluster of these!"
    SLDT02004071000006(x) - "x is dying."
    SLDT02004071000007(x) - "Have you ever seen x? That's the kind of martial arts I practice, and you're about to get one free lesson!"
    SLDT02004071000008(x) - "x. What's it all about? Is it good, or is it whack?"
    SLDT02004071000009[x] - "wtf is this some kinda x talk?"; default x="nigger"

    If you wish to tell these jokes in the future, you can simple refer to it by these UJID numbers and we'll all know what joke you're referring to.

    The number system can be broken down like this:

    AAAABBBBBCCDDEEEEE(x, y, ...)[z, ...]

    Where AAAA is four character string assigned by me to uniquely identify a joke's source. For example "no yuo" was first cataloged into this joke library when it was spotted on slashdot, so its UJID begins with SLDT If you'd like to apply for a unique identifier string for your web site, please contact me.

    BBBBB is a 5 digit value which specifies the year that the joke was originally cataloged. This joke cataloging system is designed to be y10k compatible.

    CC is the 2 digit value which specifies the month that the joke was originally cataloged.

    DD is the 2 digit value which specifies the day that the joke was originally cataloged.

    EEEEE is the 5 digit value which is assigned sequentially per day. So the first funny thing that's said on any given day will be assigned 00001. etc. You may ask why this is only 5 digits. Well, its my theory that human civilization can only produce a certain amount of original comedy per day. I haven't established a precise upper bounds to this value, but all simulations appear to indicate that this value is well below 99999, so 5 digits should suffice.

    (x, y, ...) is a parameter list for variable punch line jokes. For example when someone posts joke "SLDT02004071000002(life)" This should be interpreted as "YOU FAIL IT (it is life)".

    [(z, ...] shall specify optional parameters; the default parameter shall be noted in the UJID definition. Example: SLDT02004071000009 with no parameters will resolve to "wtf is this some kinda nigger talk?"

  26. Delayed for a reason by howman · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft has found out that SP2 contains a huge security hole which may allow your OS to run completely trouble free and secure. They are working hard to patch this bug, which has been termed GOOB.ASAP (Going out of business), with faulty code as to require monthly updates, service contracts, partnerships with virus software detection companies and eventual update of hardware.
    SP2 will also include a new feature which will bring back an old friend of ours. Ever since the demise of the blue screen of death, customer calls and upgrades have been down. They are working around the clock on a newly branded moire of death which they feel will be just as impactful as the origional blue screen but with a friendlier look and feel.
    They are appologising for the delay in delaying your delayed computer experience.

    --
    flinging poop since 1969
    1. Re:Delayed for a reason by sharkey · · Score: 1
      working around the clock on a newly branded moire of death which they feel will be just as impactful as the origional blue screen but with a friendlier look and feel.

      Here's a screenie from the public Alpha trial version.

      --

      --
      "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  27. If you want to check out XP SP2 RC2... by antdude · · Score: 4, Informative

    Then, go to http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ (not v4). Just remember to make backup before you upgrade in case anything goes wrong!

    --
    Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
    1. Re:If you want to check out XP SP2 RC2... by Huring · · Score: 2, Funny

      I tried, it broke my firewire card (Creative Audigy 2) so i couldn't access my 160gb SmutStore(tm) - had to boot into FC2 to get my daily dose... Only one thing i could do - revert back!

      --
      There is never, ever, any need for MS Comic Sans
    2. Re:If you want to check out XP SP2 RC2... by Fallen+Andy · · Score: 1

      Great, but the full monty is 264 MB. How many people are going to download *that*??? Whatever happened to differential patches a la the PocketSoft thing?? Worse still, all developers who *fix* their apps for SP2 - will we end up being BROKEN for PRE sp2 systems??? or told that SP2 fixes X (the KB said SP1 did) and *still* finding the same bug hiding in a different form?? If Microsoft are *serious* about disseminating SP2 to a wide audience maybe they should start begging for space on magazine CD's *yesterday*... (With all that money they ought to be able to afford big lunches for magazine editors :-)). In any case picture the scene, you have 150 lusers on a complex LAN, and you have to roll out this thing. TCO what TCO? Shylock asks for less...

    3. Re:If you want to check out XP SP2 RC2... by antdude · · Score: 1

      Maybe it's Wine. Works for me in XP Home and Pro.

      --
      Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
    4. Re:If you want to check out XP SP2 RC2... by climberkid · · Score: 1

      be sure to read the fine print "do not install over slipstreamed version of Sp2." I did it without reading and messed up the compy. Had to reinstall.

    5. Re:If you want to check out XP SP2 RC2... by Ramadog · · Score: 1
      Great, but the full monty is 264 MB. How many people are going to download *that*???

      With a download rate of 4K/sec I won't be. That file is not dialup friendly. For some broadband plans it is not even broadband friendly.

      At least in Australia you have dialup plans that
      can be for less than 10 hours a month
      1 isp had a limit of only 70meg a month download
      automatic disconnects as low as every 4 hours

      You even get broadband plans with a download quota of only 200meg.

      I think some of these are reasons why people would not download sich a big file. Even service packs when they were about 100 meg in size I would have think about it and find a time when I would not be wanting the phone and would not blow out any quota (time or download).

    6. Re:If you want to check out XP SP2 RC2... by cookiepus · · Score: 1

      Link does not work properly in Mozilla.

    7. Re:If you want to check out XP SP2 RC2... by Fallen+Andy · · Score: 1

      Even with the power outage we had yesterday here in Athens GR, and 384K ADSL (and all that bandwidth just for me when the power came up :-)) I wouldn't do it. No, magazines are the way to distribute it or binary diffs (why don't microsoft do this ??). A hardened cynic like me would suggest that the *diff* would still be 100MB.

    8. Re:If you want to check out XP SP2 RC2... by mnewton32 · · Score: 1
      I tried it, wouldn't even let me in:

      Windows Update cannot continue because a required service application is disabled. Windows Update requires the following services:

      Automatic Updates enables detection, downloading, and installation of critical updates for your computer.
      Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) enables faster, restartable downloading of updates.

    9. Re:If you want to check out XP SP2 RC2... by 1110110001 · · Score: 1

      Does work with Firefox under Mac OS 10.3.4 - It tells me: Checking for the latest version of the Windows Update software...

      Depending on your connection speed, this might take a minute. During this time, you may receive one or more security warnings. Review each security warning to ensure that the content is signed by Microsoft, and then click Install or Yes to install the software.


      But nothing happens after that. Maybe my connection speed is just too slow.

      b4n

  28. Re:Ok, so where to get new keys? by DaHat · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Last I checked /. was not about software piracy, please take your warezing rear elsewhere or by a legit copy with a legit key.

  29. Cant rtfa! by pepeperes · · Score: 1

    We're working to resolve our technical difficulties, and will have our pages back up just as soon as we can. We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for your patience and understanding. ... i didnt think theyd be slashtdotted so soon??

    --
    ... from the forgotten corner in europe
  30. blah...who cares? by Aslan72 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    There are a couple of pieces that I'd like (e.g. the pop-up blocker), but for the most part, I really don't care and it's a problem that's best suited till later. I don't feel like piecing my way through the gpo that you'll need to setup to configure the "firewall" the right way.
    I'm much more looking forward to Mcafee's next release which will include a buffer overrun protector and its own spyware killer(which I bet will work a bit better).
    --pete

  31. but why.... by MarkEst1973 · · Score: 1

    but why is M$ using students to develop their OS? I know summer interns come cheaper that full-timers, but come on!

  32. SP5 worth it for criitcal update roll-up alone by swb · · Score: 1, Insightful

    SP5 would be worth it simply for rolling up all the critical updates and Sp4 into a single executable. This would allow machines to be setup and patched offline and not worry about as many network-level vulnerabilities, as well as taking a lot of the patching burden off of needing a relatively high speed internet connection.

    I've always wondered why MS didn't produce minor-version service packs (eg, 4.24) that included the last major service pack plus critical updates released since then as a single EXE. Since SPs essentially unpack and run an executable, you'd think it wouldn't be too hard to mod that system to produce SP+hotfix rollups.

  33. I once had *GECKO* poop on a keyboard by Fallen+Andy · · Score: 1

    No seriously, one sneaked into my Athens Greece apartment and made a political statement about my Linux file server :-). Took me three hours to stop using colourful language about the locals, and three weeks to pluck up the courage to clean it (hey I use telnet ok?)

  34. Windows XP SP2 RC2 is buggy as heck! by shakamojo · · Score: 4, Informative

    I've been testing SP2 since RC1 and it's still pretty buggy... the new wireless features have issues with certain products from some major manufacturers, the added browser security has (in my case) created more problems than it solves, but the new firewall features and interface are VERY nice. I just hope they work the bugs out before release, as it stands now, it's no where near ready for release to the general public IMHO.

  35. Am I reading that right? by bl8n8r · · Score: 2, Insightful


    "...online and operational (and works with Service Pack 1!).."

    One would think this should be a requirement, it reads like more of a bonus.

    --
    boycott slashdot February 10th - 17th check out: altSlashdot.org
  36. Re:Ok, so where to get new keys? by aardvarkjoe · · Score: 4, Funny
    Last I checked /. was not about software piracy...
    Nice to have you back ... but I might warn you that things have changed since 1998.
    --

    How can we continue to believe in a just universe and freedom to eat crackers if we have no ale?
  37. XP SP2 is working fine for me by tliet · · Score: 1, Redundant

    The RC2.040610-1520 that I downloaded two weeks ago works perfect. On an 600 Mhz Celeron HP Omnibook XE3 with 384 Mb RAM it just works. I installed it since I had some issues with XP before and wanted to clean install the whole machine when I thought of SP2.

    Installed it without a hitch and my system is running smoothly ever since.

    I just hope Microsoft will let people install the final version over the RC2.

  38. Re:Ok, so where to get new keys? by shepd · · Score: 1

    >please take your warezing rear elsewhere or by a legit copy with a legit key.

    That's a good idea. However, once I'm by a copy with a legit key, how can I read it with my ass?

    --
    If you could be told what you can see or read, then it follows that you could be told what to say or think - BoC
  39. Windows XP SP2 Technical Preview Newsgroups by antdude · · Score: 3, Informative
    --
    Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
  40. question by gad_zuki! · · Score: 1

    Will SP2 be installed if the user has his or her PC set to automatically update?

    Should I assume that friends and family will all call me on the same day asking "what the hell is this firewall thing asking me all these questions?"

  41. AutoPatcher XP by Mitchell+Mebane · · Score: 1

    It's as good as a Service Pack.

    AutoPatcher.com

    --

    The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.
    --Aristotle
    1. Re:AutoPatcher XP by Mitchell+Mebane · · Score: 1

      I have absolutely no connection with AutoPatcher, except having used it.

      --

      The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.
      --Aristotle
  42. Silly me. by MirgNave · · Score: 1

    Silly me... I opened the v5 link up in FireFox and sat there wondering why it wasn't working. DOH!!

    1. Re:Silly Me. by NoahsMyBro · · Score: 1

      I'm part of your club. I did the same thing, and sat for a second or two thinking it must be broken - still in beta and all that. Then I realized I was using Opera. d'Oh!

  43. Re:And then... by imemyself · · Score: 1

    Three days?! Three whole days? Hackers are more efficient than that. Hell, I'm sure hackers will know of some vulnerabilities three days before its officially released.

    --
    Every time you post an article on Slashdot, I kill a server. Think of the servers!
  44. Recent Article In InfoWorld by Master+of+Transhuman · · Score: 1

    suggests SP2 will be a support nightmare.

    One company tested the beta and 5,000 remote machines couldn't connect to their home office any more. The CIO said, "It will break the company".

    --
    Richard Steven Hack - This sig is TOO GODDAMN SHORT TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL WITH! MORONS!
    1. Re:Recent Article In InfoWorld by rritterson · · Score: 4, Informative

      If the CIO is going to do a company-wide roll out of beta software and call it a "test", the CIO is already breaking the company.

      The idea is, you build a small test lab, see what has changed and what won't work, then you create new group policy objects to handle it. You then disable the GPO until you create a new GPO that deploys SP2 to the machines. Both GPO's go live automatically, and you've covered your ass. Geez, maybe I should be CIO.

      --
      -Ryan
      AUWYHSTOT (Acronyms are Useless When You Have to Spell Them Out Too)
    2. Re:Recent Article In InfoWorld by Master+of+Transhuman · · Score: 1

      I'm assuming they didn't actually do what was said - they probably did what you suggest and discovered it wouldn't work. The extrapolation was that the 5,000 machines couldn't connect if they were updated.

      --
      Richard Steven Hack - This sig is TOO GODDAMN SHORT TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL WITH! MORONS!
  45. I run the SP Pack2 Beta by NetNinja · · Score: 2

    Runs fine on my system. Has an awesome popup blocker and extra security tools. Not one POP Up gas gotten through.. Yet.

    1. Re:I run the SP Pack2 Beta by stonedyak · · Score: 1
      Has an awesome popup blocker ... Not one POP Up gas gotten through.. Yet.

      Great.. welcome to the 21st century.

      Unfortuanately, now that the most widely used browser has a popup blocker it just means that all the advertisers will come up with either find a loophole in the blocker, or come up with some other form of highly annoying, intrusive advertising.

      Of course when that happens, the rest of us will just update our Adblock filters while MS takes another 4 years to sort out the problem.
  46. Just more hoops? by ps_inkling · · Score: 2, Insightful
    From the MSDN article:
    When an application that needs to listen on a port or ports is being installed by an administrator, it will need to ask the user if he/she wants to allow the application to open ports in the firewall. If the user consents to this, then the application should use the INetFwV4AuthorizedApplication API to add itself to the AuthorizedApplications collection as enabled. If the user does not consent, then the application should use the INetFwV4AuthorizedApplication API to add itself to the AuthorizedApplications collection as disabled.
    So, our spyware now is supposed to ask politely whether it can install itself as an AuthorizedApplication? Yeah, that's gonna work. For older spyware, it won't know to install; newer spyware will just make the API call automatically.

    Last I checked, the problem wasn't whether I had permission to use RPC, it was a buffer overflow in the service that caused the exploit. It didn't matter whether or not I had permission to use RPC -- the mere act of sending a (malformed) packet to the service resulted in an crashed (or compromised) operating system.

    All of the patches only serve to hide the RPC port unless it is in use. In fact, it makes any remote RPC applications much harder to deploy.

    Maybe they're hoping that the NX extensions will imit to vulnerability of the buffer overflow exploit -- if you're using a processor which supports NX extensions...

    I'll still install it, just for the popup and ActiveX blocking capabilities. But I have no illusions it will fix any of the other problems.

    1. Re:Just more hoops? by jp10558 · · Score: 1

      Or, you could just install Opera or Mozilla and have the same thing, with a much lower chance of breaking the rest of the system.

      --
      Opera, Proxomitron-Grypen,GPG 0x0A1C6EE3
  47. windows update V5. by OneArmedMan · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Uh-oh

    *snip*

    Windows Update cannot continue because a required service application is disabled. Windows Update requires the following services:
    Automatic Updates enables detection, downloading, and installation of critical updates for your computer.
    Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) enables faster, restartable downloading of updates.
    Event Log logs Windows Update events for troubleshooting. To ensure that these services are enabled:
    *snap*

    so much for turning off services that you dont want and running things manually ...

    1. Re:windows update V5. by SuiteSisterMary · · Score: 1

      Once SP2 is released, you'll be able to download a big ole executable off of Microsoft's website, suitable for schlepping around to machines, turning into an SMS type rollout package, slipstreaming into an XP disc to make a SP2 XP Install CD for new installations, and so on.

      --
      Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
  48. Microsoft Crap.... by Run4yourlives · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Try updating and not rebooting right away... you can't get rid of the Icon on the systray... and every five minutes or so it'll nag you to reboot.

    Fucking POS.

    1. Re:Microsoft Crap.... by Keeper · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Yeah, because there is nothing better than patching a critical vulnerability on your computer and not having it take effect for 2 weeks because you didn't reboot your computer ...

    2. Re:Microsoft Crap.... by TiggsPanther · · Score: 1

      What is it about Windows that requires these things to require a reboot? It's what I like about Linux (and other *NIX systems) in that most things less than a kernel change can be done without requiring a full system reboot.

      It's annoying having to reboot the computer because of an update. In a home setup it's just annoying. I leave my computer on most of the time most days. When I'm not using it, I'm downloading.

      For corporate users it's worse. If your mission-critical systems are running on Windows (I'm not going into whether they should, that's another discussion entirely) the you're going to want to minimize downtime. Shutting down a service to restart it is one thing, but bringing your entire server up and down isn't something you want to do too often. Plus choosing a time is probably getting harder and harder. Especially with international business these are less times when you system isn't going to be used.
      And the problem with timing is that something will exploit the vulnerability between the patch being released and your scheduled maintenance window.

      I know that Windows is apparently getting better and needing less reboots when patching, but if anything it's the severe ones that are the worst. You can't leave them unpatched too long, yet you similarly can't afford the data downtime.

      Education establishments are going to be potentially hit hardest by this delay. Late July through August is perfect for making major changes. Classes have finished. If SP2 comes out too late in August it'll be just in time for all the clerical admin work needing doing. Not really the time you want the IT Department to schedule maintenance.
      I know the RCs can be used to test compatibility, but installing the Final without checking it too might not be a good idea. (Could/should RCs be used on live systems if in-house testing deems them stable enough?) And in educational places, if a major change can't be done before the end of the summer break, it shouldn't be done until the next break. (Christmas or, in the UK, half-term) As if your "weekend maintenance job" takes longer than that, you'll b fielding angry tutors and students the next Monday.

      I know that these things shouldn't be released until they're ready, but some sectors (especially education) have very definite periods of time when you want the envoronment to be stable, and not still having apps and fixes installed.

      Tiggs
      --
      Tiggs
      "120 chars should be enough for everyone..."
  49. This couldn't have worked out better. by 3vi1 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This couldn't have worked out better if the Linux community had planned it. 1) Numerous recent IE exploits convinced thousands of people to try different browsers. These people (and likely a lot of their friends) have now realized that IE != The Internet. 2) Now, MS cuts off security updates to some of those users and other users who either got XP from a friend or bought a "bargain" PC from a fly-by-night outfit that used corporate keys. 3) The type of people mentioned in #2 don't like paying a lot for stuff. What are they going to do now as an upgrade path?: Try Linux for free, and/or pay several hundred dollars for an XP license? Now, ever Linux user out there, here's your mission: Burn a dozen copies of Knoppix and hand them out to everyone that has issues with SP2. I see converts in them thar hills.

    1. Re:This couldn't have worked out better. by 3vi1 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Arrrghhh HTML formatting (sorry). Here's a humanly readable version:

      This couldn't have worked out better if the Linux community had planned it.

      1) Numerous recent IE exploits convinced thousands of people to try different browsers. These people (and likely a lot of their friends) have now realized that IE != The Internet.

      2) Now, MS cuts off security updates to some of those users and other users who either got XP from a friend or bought a "bargain" PC from a fly-by-night outfit that used corporate keys.

      3) The type of people mentioned in #2 don't like paying a lot for stuff. What are they going to do now as an upgrade path?: Try Linux for free, and/or pay several hundred dollars for an XP license?

      Now, ever Linux user out there, here's your mission: Burn a dozen copies of Knoppix and hand them out to everyone that has issues with SP2. I see converts in them thar hills.

    2. Re:This couldn't have worked out better. by Chalex · · Score: 1

      SUSE now also has a free version of their arguably very polished distribution. Might want to hand some of those out too. http://www.suse.com/us/private/download/ftp/person al_iso_int.html

    3. Re:This couldn't have worked out better. by nutbarpsycho · · Score: 1

      It's not like there won't be pirate versions of SP2 to download, and somebody that buys from fly-by-night outfits probably won't be doing much upgrading anyways, so there aren't quite as many potential linux converts as you think

  50. Forgein languages by j_sp_r · · Score: 1

    On a dutch version of XP I downloaded it (30 minutes pay for doing nothing) and only after that it said that it was for english versions only.

  51. huh by autopr0n · · Score: 1

    You know, I spesificaly remember hearing that windows would no longer require service packs...

    --
    autopr0n is like, down and stuff.
  52. I bet you it's compatibility testing by rd_syringe · · Score: 1

    They probably didn't feel comfortable with their level of testing thus far and wanted to do more. I imagine they're jumping through hoops to support to the more popular apps. But really, software makers should just get with it. I'm not gonna run anything that won't run with SP2.

  53. Whoa! I dodged a bullet on that one! by jannesha · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm leaving my tech support job at the end of July. Thank you, Microsoft, for delaying the SP2 release until August!

    Woo-hoo!

  54. It's not from MS, it's Autopatcher by rd_syringe · · Score: 1
  55. Annoyware by grouse · · Score: 1

    If you install something and don't restart, it reminds you every five minutes. Very annoying.

  56. Re:OT: FIREFOX UPDATES by DA-MAN · · Score: 2

    1. Click on "Edit"
    2. Go down to "Preferences"
    3. When "Preferences" come up click on "Advanced and scroll down to "Software Update"

    By default they should be set. Note that Firefox 0.9.2 is a change in the default configuration, and all you had to do was install the small XPI for it.

    --
    Can I get an eye poke?
    Dog House Forum
  57. Dear Microsoft... by SamMichaels · · Score: 1, Insightful

    After reading about XP SP2 and Windows Update v5 on Slashdot, I had a chance to play around with them. While I'm impressed at both the operating system and the updater as of late, I have to be honest and say you've failed to address the number one problem plaguing the computer industry: ignorance.

    The average Joe--your primary customer--doesn't know about Windows Update. This person doesn't know about service packs. This person doesn't care to know. In fact, when you tell this person about how critical these updates are, the average Joe is going to say "I don't care."

    I've been in the industry for quite some time. I've tried to explain it using jargon...using layman's terms...using fruity Powerpuff Girls language...EVERYTHING. The end user--soccer mom and Grandpa--just don't care. They don't see the importance of updates to software.

    Maybe what they need is a scare tactic? YOU, Microsoft, tell them that they are a liability on the Internet. Their documents, taxes, pictures, money, passwords, et al are vulnerable to theft. Their machines are turned into zombies which wreak havoc on innocent Net users....use the new buzz word terrorism as it will get their attention. Nah...they won't listen after 6 months again.

    Is the answer to cripple the operating system unless it phones home regularly? Was this part of the original plan when XP dialed home? Nah...won't work. You have millions of XP installations out there already which do not even have updates from 2001....there's no way those users will even think about updating to enable a mandatory update.

    Remember this for your next Longhorn meeting.

  58. Re:Why not release July Security Service Pack? by LurkerXXX · · Score: 1

    Maybe they found some bugs in it. It's happened before where Windows service packs broke more than the fixed (Winnt 4 service pack 2!). They might have found a bug in it nasty enough that they want to squash it before release. If so, the delay is a good thing. Putting out a patch that breaks boxes is not good.

  59. make the crackers wait by wardk · · Score: 1

    wonder if the crackers have patience for this. another wait before a whole new offering of potential exploits.

    I am sure their patience will eventually be handsomely rewarded.

  60. getting beyond the sticking points by zogger · · Score: 1

    It is human nature. People reach a threshold of awareness,based on the accumulation of factors like past data aquistion, native ability to reason, societal norms, etc, etc, and even contemplating anything past that point triggers almost instantaneous cognitive dissonance, with the most probable result of disbelief, as in "well, I just don't believe that, so you must be wrong". Not a refutation of the data or analysis of the accumulated data-merely a "belief". I can think of two very good topics-which I avoid on this forum just from this reason- that if attempted to be discussed here will trigger immediate "beliefs" type statements over just plain jane looking at the data and analytical statements.

    You can show them all the data that's out there, which would lead to a most probable and inescapable conclusion, but if that conclusion falls outside their pre conceived and comfort level psychological and intellectual "pain" threshold, what they can handle psychologically, like when "good germans" refused to believe they were actually getting on cattle cars when just a few months previous they were leading apparently normal lives- they will resort-drop back to- a belief system that is more a religious or cult-like type response over a logicistical system.

    What has happened to you makes it easier for you to see potential wrongness in the making on some subjects. Same thing here, makes it easier to see, therefore you tend to react swifter and stronger, especially with warnings to others, because "been there, done that, seen that" is a powerful teacher and will drag you past your pain/comfort threshold level pretty effectively, and once you've been dragged past that point you can never go back to a previous level.

    It's not that people can't see natively, they could, just no actual frame of reference yet, and it's just that all people have a threshold past which they will-not see, so that turns it into a can-not see. Everyone's threshold is different, and on different subjects.

    On really, really big and easy ones though, yes, you got to wonder sometimes why these thresholds are apparently so abysmally low.

    1. Re:getting beyond the sticking points by Master+of+Transhuman · · Score: 1

      Good points.

      Some author once wrote about attending a meeting of high-level businessmen. He asked them if they believed that businessmen on their level conspired together. "Sure", they said. He then asked them if those above their level - politicians in Washington, for instance - conspired together. They said no. They didn't dare believe they could be conspired against because it would threaten their worldview.

      It's merely another expression of the fear of death.

      My question about obviousness was mostly rhetorical. I know humans can't deal with reality. Their entire history proves it. It's even been suggested that religious belief is hardwired into the brain, probably because primates with the imagination to view their own death couldn't survive without it. I don't necessarily go that far, but I wouldn't have any problem with the notion if it were to be proven.

      --
      Richard Steven Hack - This sig is TOO GODDAMN SHORT TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL WITH! MORONS!
  61. Longhorn by thpdg · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I haven't booted my legal Longhorn machine in a while. Does anyone know if it can access Windows Update now? It had been giving messages in the past about Update 5 still being in Beta.
    Thanks!

    --

    -Patrick

    "They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."

  62. compatibility? by BeatdownGeek · · Score: 3, Informative
    I did quite a bit of testing on SP2 to verify that it works with our (fairly large) enterprise web app. The app uses ActiveX, offscreen pages, popups of all sorts, etc... The only thing that had to be changed for compatibility was the URL had to be added to the "trusted sites" zone. That's it. Not a whole lot of compatibility problems.

    On the server side, it took about 5 minutes to configure the firewall to allow the web and/ or database server to listen for incoming connections. Again, not really a big deal.

    I think the only place there will be compatibility problems is on the "install this great free adware/ dialer" pages. But then again, social engineering and uninformed users are the source of most of the problems anyway. I mean, don't get me wrong, I don't really like MS either, but I think the compatibility fears with SP2 are somewhat overblown.

  63. Re:Last I checked /. wasn't about supporting hoard by TastyWords · · Score: 1

    SP2 Delay?

    Bill & Ballmer have seen the light!!!!!

    SP2 has been delayed now that Microsoft is going to OpenSource!!!

  64. Its not legal by nurb432 · · Score: 1

    However, I also don't care about legality in a situation like this.

    I paid for enough copies. If they want to complain that I used the wrong serial number, they can take me to court. And ill bring along all the retail boxes with me to show the judge. I doubt any jury around would be finding me guilty of anything.

    Personally I think there is cause for a class-action suit against them for giving particular parts of their customer base an unfair advantage by the disbursements of 'enterprise keys' that require less support overhead then 'retail keys'.

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
    1. Re:Its not legal by tjowatonna · · Score: 1

      Your case would not be tried before a jury, so it would be up to the judge completely, and he might side with MS.

    2. Re:Its not legal by goatan · · Score: 1

      If he's from the UK he has a right to trial by jury. Something Labour are trying to stop.

      --
      Saying Apple is better than MS is like saying Botulism is better than rabies.

    3. Re:Its not legal by ViolentGreen · · Score: 1

      However, I also don't care about legality in a situation like this.

      Exactly. At least you will admit it though.

      That is the problem with the world today. People like you think laws don't apply to them because they don't like them or agree with them.

      --
      Not everything is analogous to cars. Car analogies rarely work.
  65. Unregistered Keys by nurb432 · · Score: 1

    Dont put it past them.. "you must register" will become "you damned well better register" before its all over..

    Remember they dont have to support unregistered customers if they dont want too....

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
    1. Re:Unregistered Keys by AKnightCowboy · · Score: 1
      Remember they dont have to support unregistered customers if they dont want too....

      What I'd like to see is Windows switch to a more corporate model of paying a smaller price for the software and then forcing people to purchase an annual support contract if they want updates and support. In order for corporate and home customers to receive any updates you would need to have a valid support license agreement in order to login to a protected site to download patches (either automatically or in bundles for offline installation, etc.). These patches would be signed to your unique identifying key to prevent redistribution. This would allow Microsoft to generate additional revenue without forcing people into updating if they choose to run insecure pirated copies of Windows. It's a win-win situation for everyone except software pirates and your average home user and educational sites.. actually it's a win-win situation for Microsoft and open source software, but let's forget about the little people for a moment to think about my fantasy world.

    2. Re:Unregistered Keys by goatan · · Score: 1
      What I'd like to see is Windows switch to a more corporate model of paying a smaller price for the software and then forcing people to purchase an annual support contract if they want updates and support

      I think your one of the few who would like to see this.

      It's a win-win situation for everyone except software pirates and your average home user and educational sites.

      You meen it's a win for MS because there taxing users every year and the pirates will work around it so no, only microsoft will win and the average user will lose again.

      you could be right about open source winning as it could be the last money grab that persuades people to change.

      --
      Saying Apple is better than MS is like saying Botulism is better than rabies.

  66. Windows Update problems by knightrdr · · Score: 2, Informative

    As far as problems with Windows Update due to "bad keys", there is a program available that will correct this. I will not be posting a link to it for obvious reasons. I believe it's available via a torrent. I have one version called "winxp-keygenpack.rar" and another one called "xp sp1 keychanger sp2 keygen and product key viewer.rar". There are problem a dozen different file names you can find if you search a little.
    Btw, I've tested it on many machines and have had no problems so far.

  67. Re:I'm just being a pedant. by John+Newman · · Score: 1
    However, the correct phrase is not "chomping at the bit." I believe it is "champing at the bit."
    As long as I'm not the only pedant...

    Not only is it spelled wrong, but it really doesn't belong there at all. "Champing at the bit" means you're so eager to do/see something, you just can't wait...it has a positive connotation. Like, "I'm champing at the bit to get my hands on a copy of Tiger!" or "I'm champing at the bit to ski the backside of Blackcomb!"

    The article implies a sense of fear and foreboding among admins, like "Oh god, I really don't want to see how badly SP2 is going to futz up all our workstations". They aren't champing at the bit at all...more like spitting it out and refusing to put in back in their mouths.
  68. Corporate Market by nurb432 · · Score: 1

    Many software companies do just as you are suggesting, but I don't see them doing that on a large scale for home users.

    I think another result will come down the road: Microsoft will dump the home consumer PC market.

    They will stick with large ticket companies that provide the real revenue, and with embedded markets such as the Xbox and future winterms for home broadband use.

    The general home user is a borderline loss for them and I don't see them continuing to bother forever, at some point it wont be worth them staying in. They already don't support the home market much.. its all about big corporations with their high dollar MOLPs.......

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
    1. Re:Corporate Market by phazethru · · Score: 1
      While this argument does make sense, think about it this way.

      If windows isn't marketed to the home sector anymore, that will leave a large gap in the computer industry. A gap that would have to be filled. So either people would have to go out and buy a corporate contract (expensive) or switch to another OS (*nix?) or not use computers (unlikely).

      Right now windows bills itself as easier to use and administer than linux. This is in part becuase anyone who has grown up with a computer in their household had probably used windows, is comfortable with the windows interface, and is well versed in basic commands. Fast forward 20 years from when microsoft drops the home market. Now people are graduating college having used linux at home their whole lives. Which will they prefer to use in work? Windows, in which they have no experience, or linux, where they are comfortable?

      So don't think of the home market as a poor revenue generating sector. Instead, think of it as a training ground for the geeks of tomorrow. Get them while they're young. It works for tobacco companies, and it can work for OS's as well.

      --
      "I am the Black Mage! I casts the spells that makes the peoples fall down!" ~8BT
    2. Re:Corporate Market by Rich0 · · Score: 1

      The other reply is correct. If MS gave up the home market, then every commercial application imaginable would be ported to whatever other OS's became dominant.

      Right now if you want to install linux on 10,000 desktops at your workplace you have to deal with "but it doesn't run any software" and "it isn't supported by application provider xyz" and all that. That is where the MS lock-in comes from.

      If Quicken and Turbotax and The Sims and popular-office-productivity-package and greeting card maker clone #427 were all available for OS X or linux, the MS monopoly in the workplace would fall just as quickly.

      As long as MS doesn't lose too much money at home, they have every incentive to keep 99% market share there.

  69. I'm unimpress with XP SP2 RC2 by walterbyrd · · Score: 2, Informative

    My system: HP pavilion ze4200, Laptop, XP-home, 1.7ghz celuron, 192mb ram.

    I did a fresh rebuild, the system seemed to be very snappy. I loaded XP SP2 RC2, system seems to run noticable worse.

    It seems to take longer to boot to the point where it is usable. After I long on, it seems to several minutes before I can do anything. It froze up on me to where I had to yank the battery - which is something it never used to do. Everything feels more sluggish. Maybe it would be different with a higher end system.

    Also, I don't see how to turn off new features, such as firewall, or virus checker.

    1. Re:I'm unimpress with XP SP2 RC2 by Frog+in+the+well · · Score: 1

      Yes, I too have the same problem, same configuration as yours. Dont know the reason why, surprising that others dont have the same problem!!! seems that SP2 doesnt like HP pavilion ze4200 (496MB). my problem is not as bad as what you are having, but I have noticed increased booting time and also it takes more time to get to a usable state after logging in. but everything is fine after that. I have tried to uninstall SP2, but it didnt help (its Microsoft!! funkiness is built in). but a good suggestion for u, if u have the system restore turned on, roll it back to a state before SP2. i tried turing off most of the unnecessary serives and start up programs, but no difference. probably its loading something else during the startup. turning off firewall can be done through the 'security centre', virus checker should get turned off through the anti-virus program.

    2. Re:I'm unimpress with XP SP2 RC2 by Frog+in+the+well · · Score: 1
      Believe me, celeron doesnt make much of a difference, not atleast for your browser, media player, or ur office application.

      A clean celeron 900MHz machine is better than a mighty Pentium 4, 3.8GHz, with tons of 'good intention' crap running in the background.

  70. Dear Sam Michaels by The+MESMERIC · · Score: 1

    Thank you for you letter and concern.
    I am sorry to inform you but you got the URL wrong.
    Wouldn't it be microsoft.com that you are looking for?

    I apologize I don't have in hand their forward address.

    However, we from Slashdot, hope that you are successful in contacting Microsoft.

    regards,


    Slashdot User #766636


    This post may contain confidential and/or privileged information, and is intended solely for the nerd(s) above.
    If you have read this message in error, please shoot yourself immediately (try the temple).
    Unauthorised copying, disclosure or distribution of the material in this post is strictly prohibited if not just downright sad.

    1. Re:Dear Sam Michaels by The+MESMERIC · · Score: 1

      Have you seen the ending of the "The Fight Club"?
      Ah ok its only fiction ...

  71. The SIZE of this thing by SeriousEyePanda · · Score: 3, Informative
    "Although the final size of Service Pack 2 is not set, the most recent beta was a beefy 264 Gbytes. Because of that size, the service pack will also be available as a free CD mailed to users who request it, Poole promised."

    from InformationWeek

    Need I say that's pretty beefy!

    1. Re:The SIZE of this thing by BelugaParty · · Score: 1
      For me, the latest beta was only a 110MB. Should I feel inadequate?


      A little technique with a lot of size is better than great technique.

  72. Re:Ok, so where to get new keys? by 0x0d0a · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Last I checked /. was not about software piracy, please take your warezing rear elsewhere or by a legit copy with a legit key.

    Not correct. Slashdot is mostly general tech discussion, and folks interested in pirating software can provide discussion just as interesting as folks interested in designing copy prevention stuff.

    Personally, I find it a little offensive whenever someone tells either of them to shove off ("Don't talk about piracy here" or "DRM sucks, shove off"). I'd rather not try to suppress discussion.

  73. Re:Ok, so where to get new keys? by Glamdrlng · · Score: 1
    Last I checked /. was not about software piracy, please take your warezing rear elsewhere or by a legit copy with a legit key.
    This is an ethical dilemma for some: which is worse, software piracy or unpatched pirated xp boxes? Myself, I think Microsoft owes it to us paying customers and everyone else on the internet to make their patches available to all copies of windows, legit or otherwise. It's not that software pirates deserve oatched machines, it's just that the rest of the Internet would just as soon not put up with the flood of traffic from unpatched machines.
    --

    Yes, my only tool is a hammer. And you're starting to look like a nail.
  74. the circular logic of an OEM OS by louden+obscure · · Score: 1

    you buy an off the shelf PC, and it comes bundled with a version of ms windows. you're buying not only the hardware but also a licence to use the included software. the PC vendor is really responsible, cuz you bought "their" package. i went through a quite a few losing arguments with NEC cuz i had to load the damn OEM supplied win95 disk and uninstall all the crap everytime i had to reinstall the OS. and ms just said i bought a "system" from NEC and that was that.

    so i tried a linux distro. and till i learned how to use it, it was just as crappy as any version of windows. linux is a lot easier to drive once you get the hang of it. i bleve that's the dreaded *nix learning curve. i don't see anyway around that obstacle.
    --
    Serenity now, insanity later.
  75. Talk about getting it wrong... SP2 available now! by displague · · Score: 2, Funny

    I followed the link to step up to v5 of windows update on my girlfriends system.

    A few minutes ago the system informed me about a new update. It's installing "Windows XP Service Pack 2" as I type. This is the earliest August release Microsoft has ever had.

    --
    Marques Johansson
  76. Re:Talk about getting it wrong... SP2 available no by displague · · Score: 1

    My bad, dogs... In the status window it reads "Installing Windows XP Service Pack 2, (Release Candidate 2)..."

    That's what I get for saying something nice about MS...

    --
    Marques Johansson
  77. AMEN! The Inquirer has a link now... by Chordonblue · · Score: 1

    I just sent the folowing link to my assistant in the labs...

    http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=17169

    I was really hoping that WUS (even a beta) would be ready by August. Once again we'll be 'dorm storming' and mega-patching the student computers, cleaning out the spyware, installing our anti-virus, Firefox, etc.

    Last year, it took an average of 15-20 minutes per machine to prepare them. I wonder how bad it will be this year.

    The worst part of it was the international computers. Not being fluent in Korean or Japanese can make things REALLY HARD when you're trying to clean up those computers and get them on a network.

    --
    "...Well, there's egg and bacon; egg sausage and bacon; egg and spam; egg bacon and spam; egg bacon sausage and spam..."
  78. Yeah! If SP7 is good enough for NASA... by Chordonblue · · Score: 1

    ...it should be DAMN SKIPPY for us!

    In other news:

    For those still using NT 4.0, don't forget that MAC's OS 10.4 will include a neato NT 4 Migration Tool. Sort of like that wonderful Novell Migration tool MS used to include.

    "Sometimes irony can be pretty ironic."

    --
    "...Well, there's egg and bacon; egg sausage and bacon; egg and spam; egg bacon and spam; egg bacon sausage and spam..."
  79. What's happened here... by Chordonblue · · Score: 1

    All of these IE exploits have finally allowed me to make some changes here. We were using ISA with Authentication enabled for our filtering system.

    The advantage to using Auth is that you can control individual users or group rights. But what I've been finding is that students just give their logins to anyone that wants them and since MS networks (unlike Novell), cannot control multiple logins with the same account, it's just pointless.

    This is important because Mozilla doesn't like Auth. Proxies very much. It'll work, but everytime you open up a browser fresh you have to click 'ok' to authenticate.

    Well, Auth. is OUT! Mozilla, here we come. It's also solving other issues we had here like the students using XP Home or older Macs in the dorm rooms. Hell, I'm even looking to move a few Linux internet terminals in the main rec room. Dare to dream!

    MS has only themselves to blame. With these delays, the administration here and I have no choice now but to go with other options....

    Not that I'm weeping uncontrolably, you understand... ;)

    --
    "...Well, there's egg and bacon; egg sausage and bacon; egg and spam; egg bacon and spam; egg bacon sausage and spam..."
  80. MOD UP!!! by Chordonblue · · Score: 1

    Yep. Come September I'm going to be deep in the throes of Dorm Storm. I can guarantee that I will spend no less than two weeks getting all the girls connected to the network.

    That includes cleaning out their spyware-ridden machines, getting the latest Windows Updates (GOD! Why do they take so long to install?!), and installing the Sophos client - our anti-virus solution.

    --
    "...Well, there's egg and bacon; egg sausage and bacon; egg and spam; egg bacon and spam; egg bacon sausage and spam..."
  81. Re:Ok, so where to get new keys? by makomk · · Score: 1
    If they can't use that operating system, then who the fuck cares anyway. IT is not a charity, and a computer is not a right. If you don't want to buy windows and dont want to use Linux or BSD, then you dont want to use a PC. A few more people in the world need to face up to that fact.

    He's not suggesting they do it to benefit the people who have pirated versions, he's suggesting they do it to stem the flood of spam, DDoS attacks, etc from pwn3d windows boxes, which affects other people.

  82. I don't want to wait two weeks by Run4yourlives · · Score: 1

    I do want to wait until the end of the day... considering I have 10 apps open right now.

  83. andy landy is correct by sirshannon · · Score: 1

    just in case you wanted verification. The XP Pro retail version has the same Activation mechanism as XP Home.

  84. Re:to all the preachy, smug, "just install linux" by DarkOx · · Score: 1

    Ok, your makeing my point exactly. YOU have gone through the trouble of pirating windows for them. There are the characteristic aunt Tille users. They don't want to do anything XP pro does not do right out of the box. If they did they'd be at the level of pirating XP themselves. As soon as they reach that level of comfort and knowleage with the PC it really would be easier to install a Linux Distro. They aint there yet so they should stick with what they know. Its also ok if they don't ever want to get there.

    Now you should NOT BE HELPING THEM STEAL. Just because something is made by people you don't like and they charge to much for it does not give you the right to RIP them off to help your friends out. You should tell them look I would love to help you with your computer. You can buy a copy of windows or I can install a linux distro for you and point you at the documentation but I won't break the law. That is not being a jerk that is being a responsible citizen who respects the law and is avoiding exposing himself and friends/family to unneccecary liability. Its then there decision wether they buy Windows so you can help them, let you give them Linux and show them what they can read to learn or head off on their own.

    --
    Repeal the 17th Amendment TODAY! Also Please Read http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html