Windows Genuine "Advantage" update blocking.

[Neo]

I got a new computer since my old one was a bit outdated. Long story short I had to use an age old copy of an XP install disk and go to update it and hey, my copy isn't legit. No surprise. So I'm stuck unable to install drivers for my bluetooth mouse/keyboard and I'm stuck with a grand total of service pack 0 and no way to update it.

What are my options other than giving in and buying a key?

[Admin]

Oh, you know your only option.




All joking aside... Why didn't you get a Windows XP CD included with your new computer? =\

[Neo]

built it myself. :x

[Sz]

Considered just using Ubuntu?

[Kulock]

I hate the Genuine Advantage thing. It shows up... what, monthy? And takes quite a while to resolve on dial-up so it can constantly recheck whether your version is legitimate or not.

Which means there's a bunch of illegimate versions that can't get the patches, so they're open to exploits and being abused by exploits and as part of DoS attacks and such, further marring the reputation of Windows in general. BRILLIANT, MS.

Still, though, why isn't the copy you have legitimate? Was the disc originally yours?

[Neo]

No. :D;

See H-Hog's post for further details.

[Kulock]

Well, that said, you should be able to find something to let you update it. Dunno what can be said from there, just go Googling.

[Zebrasputnik]

sz said:

Considered just using Ubuntu?

Linux snobbery aside, this is an option you should actually consider, although I guess it's not what you want... but, hey, I lost my Windows partition accidentally like a year ago and I haven't felt the need to use Windows since then, so you could say the change worked for me...

[Sz]

I'm far from a Linux snob, but I really feel like WINE has reached the point where you can run pretty much anything you need to from Linux. Aaaand Ubuntu seems to be the consensus "best" free one from everyone I can trust.

[Zebrasputnik]

sz said:

I'm far from a Linux snob, but I really feel like WINE has reached the point where you can run pretty much anything you need to from Linux. Aaaand Ubuntu seems to be the consensus "best" free one from everyone I can trust.

Yeah, yeah, I wasn't implying that you're a Linux snob. Actually I use Ubuntu as my only OS - I just added the "snob" bit because when someone tells another person not to use Windows, some people have this tendency to ignore the suggestion because they consider it a piece of fanboyist bias, along the lines of "My 360 doesn't work, what do I do?" "LOL 360 GET A RAEL SSYTSEM U NUB"

[Seph]

sz said:

I'm far from a Linux snob, but I really feel like WINE has reached the point where you can run pretty much anything you need to from Linux.

City of Heroes?

[Sz]

seph said:

sz said:

I'm far from a Linux snob, but I really feel like WINE has reached the point where you can run pretty much anything you need to from Linux.

City of Heroes?

Dunno.

[Robert]

Anyway... without being too specific... you should be able to download the service pack 2 installer (that's posted many places besides just MS's site if you look for it... even some pirate/torrent sites host it)... if your key is blacklisted, there's a simple trick I know by heart that allows you to change your key to a more favorable one. As long as actually getting the XP SP2 installer isn't your problem, this can be figured out.

[Neo]

yeah, getting it's no problem. I have it. It's just going "Loooooooooolz can't install mang you aren't giving us teh moneez!"

[Robert]

Seriously? I've run an installation of Windows XP original with no service packs and a copy (my copy, a pre-WGA version?) of XP SP2 which installs with the complaint that my "licence may be invalid" (because the key I use was black-listed as a common pirate key.) Changing the key using a registry key corruption / faking out activation dodges that bullet. Of course, in both cases we're talking about a non-activation quality code to start with...

[Neo]

Well I don't know how to do the key changing/activation fakeout. :x

[Epon]

You're still gonna run into problems down the road with the genuine bullshit farting on you whenever you feel like getting new updates. Just find a legit copy of XP somewhere, it's not hard. Go to a library or school workplace and find a machine that has the genuine windows sticker on it, copy down the number, and install the mega ultra variable license version of XP, as that's likely what they did and toss in that number.

Or, if you're lucky enough to be enrolled in a college that has MSDN and you have access to it, download XP for free like I did.

[Kulock]

PMage, please.

[Robert]

epon said:

You're still gonna run into problems down the road with the genuine bullshit farting on you whenever you feel like getting new updates.

Simple -- don't get updates. Practice safe computing usage; stay off IE or IE-using programs, don't install what you shouldn't, etc. I've run update-free machines for years. In fact, I haven't had updates turned on since before there were service packs to speak of. They're overrated replacement for common sense. Really the only ones who should worry are computers on large, institutional networks.

[Kulock]

That doesn't sound like your usually clever self. Even if you don't use IE (or "IE-using programs", which is a fairly sizeable chunk), there are basic holes in the various services that have been discovered and need plugged. There's not much "common sense" that'll protect you there.