Counterfeit XP

[stevie21]

"Your version of Windows Microsoft is not genuine and I may be a victim of counterfeiting"

It seems that if you download this tiny wee file over here and follow the instructions that come with it then your hooky copy of XP becomes legit again! All you need to do is remember not to install "Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications" as this'll undo your bad work here.

In fairness, if I was Microsoft I'd lock you out of your PC altogether rather than just display an error message as they currently do. That said, I trust that they won't leave the "Genuine Advantage" tool as something that you can choose not to install and will become more aggressive with it. I urge all of you to go out and buy a genuine copy of XP rather than continue this shameful piracy!!

This is supposed to be a questions isn't it? OK... "is anyone getting this error message?"

[BillyNoMates]

I was only born yesterday !!

[stevie21]

That's why you've no mates yet!! Give it time.


Anyway, what are you disagreeing with?

[The Cowboy]

I got that message this week, although my son-in-law who does my computer work ensures my that my copy of xp is legit. Can you post that website address for the fix to [email protected] much obliged if you do.

Cowboy

[kepla]

I honestly REALLY don't understand this: why on earth would anybody actually WANT to buy Microsoft Windows ? ? ?

[camioneur]

Because Billy Gates hasn't got enough money to NOT leave his kids yet!

[Mattk]

What I like is when it says click the balloon to fix the problem...special offer purchase a key to validate your windows for �92 !!!!!!!!

�92..........vista is less than one year away which i will purchase but there is no way I am paying �92 for just a few months more of xp.If they had said purchase a key for a tenner then fair enough!

[stevie21]

Mattk - wouldn't that be condoning or encouraging piracy?? Charging criminals a tenner while all the genuine customers pay the full whack??

Anyway, you can get XP for nearer �50 from ebuyer.com or amazon.

[derekpara]

Stevie.I've got the link on my desktop but it only leads to a short message. Had a go at shutting down and re-firing but still getting nasty comments from Bill. Any ideas ?

[stevie21]

It's a torrent file which you use with a program such as Azureus to download stuff with.

Why aren't you paying for a proper version of XP though? That's what my lawyer advised me to tell you to do and that's what I think you should do.

[derekpara]

Stevie. 1 What's a torrent file ?!

2.Can't afford the real thing.

Now, does this link do the job or not ? If so, how can I get it to work ?

[stevie21]

A torrent file is a pointer to where you can download useful things. If you use a torrent "client" such as Azureus then the tiny wee torrent file that you may have downloaded will tell Azureus where to find what you're after.
Install this program, *then* click on the link and instead of saving it, choose "open with" and Bob's yer auntie.
Then you can go to Bill Gates and say "even though I could potentially use counterfeit software with impunity, I'm choosing not to and Stevie's lawyer has advised me to pay for a legal copy instead. My conscience is clear. Here's a cheque"

(He'll spell it "check")

[stevie21]

Also, linux is free. If you can't afford Windows then I strongly advise you use that instead of committing any crime of software piracy/counterfeiting.

Crime doesn't pay!!!

[cas49]

Afraid I paid up the �92 last week and the link worked.Still waiting for the cd though.What annoys me is that I thought the person who built the computer for us was a friend !!

[stevie21]

cas49 - there are genuine copies of XP selling on ebay.
If you've not installed it then anyone anywhere can use it, activate it and get Windows Updates with it.

I dunno if it's illegal to resell the XP disc but if not then you may consider that. Actually no - seeing as I'm avoiding encouraging crime here (everybody, BUY a genuine XP disc!) you should install the �92 copy you have.

Isn't it nearer �50 though from amazon/ebuyer?? Maybe the extra �42 is punitive :-)

[cathyd]

Hi,

Can i please ask a question. Steve the original comment, you made is this the way to get a counterfeit copy of xp to stop saying its illegal, and is this link safe etc? After reading all your comments i wasn't sure.

Thank you

p.s i know you don't condone this etc etc so i didn't know why you were helping people.

[stevie21]

1. Yes, and yes it's safe.

2. I was trying to help people without getting arrested. Breaking the law is illegal. Encouraging others to break the law, I'm sure, is also illegal.

Have you bought your *genuine* copy yet? :-D
I'd recommend it.

[cathyd]

Hi,

thanks for the speedy response. I know its bad but i promise i must be the most unlucky person with computers. I am bit of a novice (can you tell) and i had a geniune version of ME and had constant problems, virus registry this patch that honestly i just didn't know what to do and it was always freezing up on me.

I really needed to use the internet, and prepare a presentation so a friend gave me a copy of xp to sort myself out.

All i want to do is just look at my emails lightly use the internet, and i know it was wrong etc but i had after 5 years of battaling with ME reached the end of my tether.

I honestly (i know this is starting to sound v. emotional) just think its all so horrible, i hate how everything is done on the internet these days so you have to use it.I can't believe people hurt other people with all these viruses etc etc, they just don'y realise the effect they have on people. I spent a whole weekend recently desperatley trying to sort my computer out (when i was still on Millenium Edition).

I do understand what your saying and i do appreciate it is wrong. I just feel its all so complicated and its all a pretty horrible place the internet but you just can't seem to survive without it these days.

Ok i'll get off my soap box and before anyone thinks i must be old i'm only 23 and i already feel completley out of my depth. Argh!

Thanks for all you help

Cathyd