Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ Microsoft: SP2 Will Not Install on Pirated Copies, May 11th, 2004, 4:33 AM

Contrary to the remarks it made to the ComputerTimes, Microsoft now claims that it will not permit users who have obtained Windows XP illegally to upgrade to its latest service release. Instead, the software giant will continue to enforce compliance with its licensing.

In a nutshell, Microsoft group product manager Barry Goffe told ComputerTimes that Windows XP Service Pack 2 would not exclude pirated copies from upgrading, and that it was more important to keep user safe than to be "concerned about the revenue issue."

To clarify its position, a Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews, "Press reports indicating Windows XP Service Pack 2 will install on pirated or illegal copies of Windows XP are not entirely true. Prior to installing, SP2 will check the OS' product ID (PID) against a list of known pirated PIDs. If a PID is found to be invalid, SP2 will not install."

BetaNews confirmed the accuracy of the spokesperson's statement with a source within the company.

View more at http://www.betanews.com/article.php3?sid=1084264398

ill give it 2 weeks before its cracked :)

I suppose our doubts were not ill-founded. Stupid M$.

Kind of a silly move by MS, but all it really means is that the public key lists will be blacklisted.

Anyone running from a self-generated key MS doesn't konw about, or smart enough to change to one won't be affected.

As of 11:30am PST (US), there is already a thread going on regarding the announcement by M$ that the Windows XP SP2 install will fail if the PID matches any known pirated/cracked installation. The gist of the thread I'm following is this:

"We already have a working patch for the SP2 update. The patch checks all known 'invalid' PIDs and will notify the user prior to the actual installation of SP2. The user then has the option to use our built-in tool to change their code to one that will be accepted by SP2 before installation proceeds. No reboot is required. We will update this tool as necessary as SP2 nears official release. Frodo Lives!"

Just thought folks might like to know that you won't even have to wait a few days or weeks to "update" to SP2. It is cracked even before release.

God loves hackers... :D
-ManX

P.S. -> Please don't ask me for more details. I will post them as all of this unfolds. I happen to be privy to an unusual source, and I WILL NOT be able to offer any further info regarding the source. When information is verified, I will let the forum know. -- Peace, Love, and lots of hot sex! -ManX

Interesting info ManX. Thanks mate. :)

This is becoming a very interesting story indeed, watching the cracking teams/pirates vs. Microsoft.

Listen to what the man says here folks; keep posting all the info you guys can bring to this one, but please let's keep it legal and within the board rules regarding w@rez and cracks. Thanks.

~Bear

This post has been edited by Bearsland: May 11 2004, 11:14 PM

I wonder if this fight will go down the track of radar detectors? (radar detector-->radar detector detector--> radar detector detector detector etc.)
We'll have a product, then a crack, then a workaround for the crack, then a crack for the workaround, then a workaround for the crack of the 1st workaround, then a ..... :lol: :lol:

LMAO :lol: :lol: :lol:

You could be right mate. :P

Actually it will more than likely work like Server 2K3 works ... Illegal PID = Windows Update will not work .. it checks with every attempt to install updates

Peace

well, along with the SP2 there will be new windows update site... (I'm beta-testing both.. so far so good - thought they are both pretty much under NDA :()

A peek at what SP2 will contain:

'http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5212568.html

anyone know the official release date of SP2?

Here's a long thread over at slashdot.org:

Slashdot WinXP SP2 discussion

Here are couple of interesting snippets:

1. "As of build 2142 of SP2 (the latest release to beta testers), setup won't install on an installation that doesn't have a 640 ProductID. This has been tested with randomly generated keys, so it's more than just the top 20 pirate keys."

To find the product ID:

2. "To find your PID, right-click on My Computer and hit properties to bring up the System control panel. The PID will be right under the "registered to" section. It will be, e.g., aaaaa-bbb-ccccccc-ddddd. If bbb is not 640, you or definitely out of luck. If it is 640, feel free to give it a shot. Or, you can always make you a new CD Key that works."

"And there's a new keygen (which, BTW, also makes keys for Win Server 2003 Corp, but we aren't concerned with that right now). It's called MSKey. Start it, set Product Family to "Windows XP Pro. VLK", set Product ID range from 640-500 to 640-600, and gen away."

captbics

Sounds like BS to me... because I don't have a 640 in place of 'bbb'... and my copy of XP is 100% legit.

Twine,

Are you running a legit WinXP Corporate? I think that's what they are talking about, not WinXP Pro.

Glad to hear that, though, if it's true.

captbics