Someone told me windows xp proffesional checks for pirated software..... question:

[Vesayen]

My new comp comes with windows xp proffesional on it by default, im debating putting on a different operating system, but i'm not sure.

Someone just told me that xp periodically scans your hard-drive and sends info on the contents back to MS, and if you have pirated software, it shuts down your comp..........

It dosent matter if I have pirated software on my comp, and that isnt the issue. The issue is no one has a right to know whats on my comp except me...... I read all the longass user agreements on the comp and the MS software on it-it didnt mention this "feature" anywhere in it.

Is the above true, and if so, any way to disable it? If it is true and I cant, im putting on a different OS.

[Asher]

It only sends the porn back to MS.

[Nubclear]

Re: Someone told me windows xp proffesional checks for pirated software..... question:

You've been had.

[Solver]

That Windows XP does not. It does, at times, send some information to MS sites, but that's triggered by certain things. There are no scans for pirated/non-Microsoft/or any other software.

And yes, it would be illegal, they'd get help by claiming it's a bug.

[Soul Survivor]

was this person a hardcore linux user?

[Whaleboy]

Presumably if you have a firewall on your machine (a non MS one), then that'll prevent it connecting to the network (except the obvious ports for http, ftp etc)?

[optimus2861]

Someone gave you a warped description of WinXP's Windows Product Activation, I think. WPA keeps an eye on the hardware in you computer, and if it changes too much, triggers a "phone home" request for you to reactivate Windows, either over the internet or over the phone (because WPA then suspects you've installed Windows on a second computer in violation of the End-User License Agreement). If you don't do so within 3 days (IIRC), Windows will prevent you from booting into anything but Safe Mode.

You state that WinXP Pro came with your new computer, so you may have an OEM version of WinXP that is BIOS-locked to your motherboard (does your XP CD say something like, "For Distribution With A New PC Only"? That would mark it as OEM). In which case, you shouldn't be prompted to reactivate, ever, but if you were to change your motherboard, your WinXP would neither run nor install on your newly-changed system.

All this because Microsoft believes that 'casual' copying is such a drain on its revenue stream that it has to treat all consumers as potential pirates and disable their OS if things don't seem right . MS Office XP also has a form of WPA in it.

The legality of this particular license restriction is suspect in the United States, but has never been tested in a court of law.

[mrmitchell]

The big piracy fanatics are the ones who are really hurting MS, but Microsoft targets small consumers...it's a shame.

[Dis]

Okay here's a question.

My brother uses Win XP professional on his computer successfully. And he is using it from a copied CD- supposedly. I would like to use Win XP pro as well as I'm still using Windows 98 SE.

I asked him if you had to register it, and he said no, that was only with the regular Win XP.

But if you are able to burn the CD's and put them on multiple computers that would show that the windows product activation isn't working right?

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

This is all hypothetical of course. I just wanted to know in that I could use a backup CD in case my actual Windows XP professional CD doesn't work

[Az]

Dissident: use 3rd tense hypothetical, otherwise the thread would be toast.

[mrmitchell]

Dunno...at best, make a back-up of all your stuff before you upgrade. Might not be able to come back down; depends on how fascist Microsoft is feeling at the moment.

(How much of an upgrade was WinXP over 98? I mean, hell, I'm using ME and I don't feel any compulsive urge to upgrade at all.)

[Az]

that's not 3rd tense, Diss.

[reds4ever]

It'll ask if you want to register say no and don't download the service packs (the regular 'on-going' updating is fine to use)

I have 'friend' who has a similar 'hypothetical' problem to you;O)

[Asher]

Originally posted by optimus2861
The legality of this particular license restriction is suspect in the United States, but has never been tested in a court of law.

The legality has never been questioned, a software company has a right to restrict what you do with their software. And it has been held up in court before, in cases where piracy has been charged (the license also says how many computers you can install it on).

[Kirnwaffen]

I asked him if you had to register it, and he said no, that was only with the regular Win XP.

Hypothetically, what you are talking about is a corporate edition of XP. These editions require no activation, in order to ease the burden on corporate IT teams who are required to install repeatedly. Microsoft realizes that the vast majority of piracy is a direct result of a few leaked 'corporate keys', and has taken steps to ensure that these keys cannot be used to install the service packs or other updates. That's not to say that there aren't ways around this, but I believe that might be going to far...