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Tech: Non-union carpenter
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Tech: Non-union carpenter |
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Subject: Tech: Non-union carpenter From: gnu Date: 06 Jul 06 - 04:34 PM So. I thought I was getting a good deal from a relative of a buddy on a new PC I bought a few weeks ago. Windows found an update for me to install, that being Service Pack 2 for XP. Yes, please do install. POOF! What a time I had. But, after finally being able to uninstall SP #2, everything was back to normal, except.... I get these messages over and over. Your copy of windows is not genuine so click here and pony up some bucks. You may have pirated software. And so on. My phone calls to the vendor are not being answered or returned. Do I have a problem? |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Non-union carpenter From: Rasener Date: 06 Jul 06 - 04:41 PM Gnu John In Kansas is the best bloke on this. I would PM him. The only problem you may have is that you will need to by a pucker version of Windows and have that re-installed. It shouldn't cost too much to have that done, but please do it with somebody who is legal. Where are you Gnu. Can't remember. Cheers Les |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Non-union carpenter From: GUEST,Jon Date: 06 Jul 06 - 04:47 PM Last article I read on MS was this one, gnu. Or was it this one? With the name gnu, you should like Linux btw. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Non-union carpenter From: gnu Date: 06 Jul 06 - 05:02 PM I am in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. The lad just called and said it is an issue he deals with quite often. MS automatically does this and causes him headaches all the time... no sweat... it will be corrected tomorrow night. And, he knows the "trick" for SP2. I wish he had said somthing before hand... I don't like being frustrated for 8 hours at a time. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Non-union carpenter From: Rasener Date: 06 Jul 06 - 05:09 PM Glad you seem to have it sorted gnu |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Non-union carpenter From: gnu Date: 06 Jul 06 - 05:26 PM I just had a PM regarding the "non-union carpenter". I had told my mother I was exasperated about a PC problem. She knows less about PC's than I do (squat, really). She has never even sat in front of one. So, I explained my problem thusly... A computer is a bunch of plastic and metal and software. The plastic and metal are kinda like carpenter's tools. The software is kinda like the carpenter. The carpenter is the brains and uses the tools. And so, it appeared my carpenter wasn't in the union. Worked for her. At least, she nodded. Maybe it was one of "those" nods? Like, "sure". |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Non-union carpenter From: JohnInKansas Date: 06 Jul 06 - 06:56 PM gnu - It's not a short, or pretty, story, but beginning well before WinXP Microsoft decided to do "something" about pirated software, and particularly about Windows. With WinXP, the most common way for most people to get it is to receive it preinstalled on a new computer. Any machine received with preinstalled Windows should have a "Certificate of Authenticity" affixed to the outside of the PC case with a "Product Key" on it. The appearance of the external sticker, with a Product Key shown on it, indicates an OEM version that is "part of the computer." An OEM version is not transferable to another computer. Normal addition of plugins, cards, drives, etc will not affect it, but replacing the motherboard except "with an identical board due to a hardware failure by the original OEM maker" is "making a new machine out of it" and Microsoft expects you to get a new copy of WinXP. Microsoft provides no tech support for OEM Windows. The OEM maker is your only source of tech support. (Updates and patches are not "support" and usually should come only from Microsoft.) It is possible for someone to build a machine for you and separately purchase a retail copy of Windows to install on it, in which case the OEM sticker would not be present. If the Windows is purchased separately at retail, it's what they call an "FPP Copy" (Full Purchase Package) and you can use it on any machine, provided it's on only one machine at a time. If the NUC you got the machine from claims to be using an FPP copy, he is required to transfer the original disks, packaging, manuals and all associated parts and pieces with the transfer of ownership to you. With an FPP copy of WinXP, you can call Microsoft for tech support, free within a limited warranty period and for a fee after the warranty. Any WinXP copy must be "registered" with Microsoft to get full function. After a specific number of reboots, some (undefined) functions will be disabled. Apparently quite a few people never miss the stuff that doesn't work; but it's a lot nicer if everything is there. An OEM maker/installer often will "register" the copy before you receive the machine, but you may be asked to confirm it when you make contact with any Microsoft web site. You must do the registration yourself for an FPP copy unless the NUC did it for you. When you connect to register, you normally will be asked for permission to install an "applet" that manages the process on your machine. A minimal amount of other information, specifically including your "Product Key" will probably be requested. Download of the applet may require you to tell any "cookie blocker" you have installed that Microsoft has this one-time permission to pass it to you. The registration applet will look primarily at the PnP identifiers on a few key hardware components on your machine and will generate a registration number that includes your Product Key and a code describing your machine. That RegNo will be encrypted and stored on your machine, and also will be transmitted to Microsoft. Only the bits of info that you put on their questionare and the coded number that identifies the parts used in your machine will be returned to Microsoft. No "personal information" such as your location, DNS address, etc is included. Some NUCs have found that they are able to locate the RegNo and copy it to another machine. If the RegNo they copy across does not match the hardware on your machine, it is very likely to be questioned eventually, if not immediately. If the same Product Key has been reported by more than one "machine" they likely will inform you that you have an illegal copy, and will invalidate all registrations using that Product Key. In some cases, Microsoft has offered legal copies of WinXP at reduced price (not free) to people who have been cheated with counterfeits, but it's unlikely if you're dealing with a very small NUC. In order to get the reduced price, you will be required to fill out a "Counterfeit Report" identifying your NUC and they'll try to at least shut down repeat business and/or send him/her to jail and/or sue for the full purchase price of all counterfeits installed. It's possible that your NUC can provide "legal ownership" of your WinXP, but I'd be dubious. If your NUC is just copying a different RegNo to your computer, it may work for a while, but will inevitably be detected if you try to keep your system up to date. Take consolation from not being alone, as about 40%+ of WinXP copies currently in use are believed by Microsoft to be counterfeit, although the count drops to the 14% to 20% range in "non-third-world" countries. John |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Non-union carpenter From: gnu Date: 07 Jul 06 - 05:31 AM Thanks John. Very informative. I greatly appreciate your time and effort. The certificate is on the box. I'll see what happens this evening when the vendor comes to fix things. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: Non-union carpenter From: JohnInKansas Date: 07 Jul 06 - 09:39 PM Since it's sort of the same subject, I'll repeat the note in the Tech: WinXP New Deal thread - A newsmail I just received notes that Microsoft released a new verification applet (June 26) that reduces the "call home" attempts from "every time you boot" to "occasionally." If you don't complete the verification successfully, it still will "nag you frequently." The new version also has a "new EULA" that attempts to explain more clearly what the verification does, so you'll likely be asked to read and agree when you log in to fix things and/or when the new applet downloads with your updates. Also, there's a report of a new worm that "mimics" a message from or about the verification program. It's being distributed mainly via AOL "instant messaging" but if you click anything in the message "for more information" it disables your firewall/antivirus, installs malware to steal info from your computer, and opens a back door to let someone take over your machine for SPAM or DDOS attacks, etc. (All the usual stuff.) Re the worm, as always, NEVER click anything in an email, IM, or other unsolicited message, no matter who it says sent it. If you're curious, make your own connection to the people the message claims to be from, and get the info, if any, from the source, via your own connection. John |
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