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SP1 Unsuccessful in Preventing Vista Hacks

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the oh-my-god-i'm-so-shocked dept.

"The other A. N. Other" writes "It seems that Microsoft has been unsuccessful with SP1 in preventing hackers from turning a pirated, non-genuine copy of Vista into genuine copies that pass activation. The article initially looked at two of the most popular hacks (OEM BIOS hack and the grace timer hack) but after a little digging ZDNet were able to transform a non-genuine install into a genuine one. 'After a few minutes of searching the darker corners of the Internet and a few seconds in the Command Prompt I was able to fool Windows into thinking that it was genuine.'"

8 of 214 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Here we go again... by badfish99 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Simple solution: pay for a copy, throw it in the bin, and install a stolen copy instead.

  2. Re:Here we go again... by SailorSpork · · Score: 5, Funny

    You mean, someone would actually want Vista so much they'd pirate it?! These allegations surely come from M$'s PR department! If there's someone out there that really wants a copy that badly, I'll trade my Vista Home Premium that was bundled with my new system for your XP serial number...

  3. Come on.... by Aurisor · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is ZDNet we're talking about here. When he says "searching the darker corners of the Internet" he's probably talking about his cluttered address book, looking for the phone number of his friend who knows how to hack vista.

  4. Re:Black Screen of Death... by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 5, Funny

    So, if the screen goes black on users who have a genuine copy, maybe they can use this hack? Or would this be illegal? Although it would then be like tricking Windows into -realizing- it is genuine... No, I think in order to be convicted of piracy, you would need a ship, some weapons and have committed acts such as thievery at high seas, raping, pillaging, you know that sort of thing.

    Copyright infringement, OTOH, is something else entirely.
    --
    My blog
  5. Get your pirate code right! by langelgjm · · Score: 5, Funny

    As a representative of the PADL (Pirate Anti-Defamation League), I protest to your inclusion of rape in the list of activities characteristic of pirates. According to Captain John Phillip's Pirate Code,

    Article IX. If at any time you meet with a prudent Woman, that Man that offers to meddle with her, without her Consent, shall suffer present Death.

    Please cease and desist from further defamation of pirates. Or prepare to be pillaged yourself! (And note that the article only applies to the prudent Woman.) YAAAR!

    --
    "Anyone who [rips a CD] is probably engaging in copyright infringement." - David O. Carson
    1. Re:Get your pirate code right! by operagost · · Score: 5, Funny

      (And note that the article only applies to the prudent Woman.)
      Ah, you have found the loophole! Bring on the lusty wenches!
      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
  6. Re:Black Screen of Death... by ColdWetDog · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yet one more reason Imaginary Property should be abolished.

    Just rotate it 90 degrees, poof.

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  7. Re:WHAT!?!?! by Cigarra · · Score: 4, Funny

    Did you even read the summary?
    Of course he didn't.

    He was frist!!
    --
    I don't have a sig.