First, if you have a software firewall installed (I have Kerio 2.4.15), it will block the GenuineCheck program unless you allow the firewall to ask you first and give permission. I don't think MS warns you about that, although people using a firewall should know it - but I bet most don't, especially if they are just using the Windows XP SP2 firewall which is on by default.
They can't possibly account for every single software/hardware firewall configuration out there. Get real.
Second, Microsoft fails to validate my system, then goes on to require a download of a SECOND piece of software which ALSO requires permission to get through the firewall AND fails to identify my system.
The first method (via ActiveX) failed. Of course it would try an alternative method -- What if you had ActiveX disabled or failed to properly allow the ActiveX control to initialize/run? How are they supposed to verify your Windows validity without being connected to the internet?
Why they don't make this as simple as Windows XP "activation" is beyond me
Actually this is how it currently works! The software you execute (whether it be the executable or the ActiveHax control), generates an installation ID which gets sent to the activation servers for verification and validation. A non-unique hash-for-the-day is returned for your use on the site.
Oh, yes, and you have to run as Administrator for the process to work at all, apparently (I didn't bother)...
This is not true -- You should've tried it before saying anything.
Really secure validation method, MS, way to go, Bill - you fucking moron...
Secure yes, but one (like yourself) might have some comments on it's ease of use. That's fine. Question for you: Why didn't you opt-out to validating Windows, saving us the headache of reading your comments?
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They can't possibly account for every single software/hardware firewall configuration out there. Get real.
The first method (via ActiveX) failed. Of course it would try an alternative method -- What if you had ActiveX disabled or failed to properly allow the ActiveX control to initialize/run? How are they supposed to verify your Windows validity without being connected to the internet?
Actually this is how it currently works! The software you execute (whether it be the executable or the ActiveHax control), generates an installation ID which gets sent to the activation servers for verification and validation. A non-unique hash-for-the-day is returned for your use on the site.
This is not true -- You should've tried it before saying anything.
Secure yes, but one (like yourself) might have some comments on it's ease of use. That's fine.
Question for you: Why didn't you opt-out to validating Windows, saving us the headache of reading your comments?