Why would you download and running something that is just going to nag you with crap.

llryuujinll

I always wanted verification that my software was pirated. Thanks MS.

BiZarRroBALlmeR

"ask for genuine Microsoft software"

vdubguy

Just buy the damn OS. Almost nobody needs XP Pro and XP Home is only $85 OEM... Stop being cheapskates.

Polybius

@oneclick: It should have a picture of some old woman who resembles a generic grandma with her hand on her chest going "OH DEARY YOURE ANIMALISTIC BEHAVIORS HAVE GIVEN YOUR MEMAW A HEART FAILURE CONDITION!"

Carmen: Lean Mean A Mans Dream Sex Machine

Instead of this they should have the computer display a 50% off Vista coupon for screen capture. Maybe that'll accomplish what they're trying to do.

DustyButt

Well then, thank you thief wherever you are.

sxr7171

@oneclick: nope, thanks to all the people that buy xp from thieves

damnElantra

At least it doesn't say "You are a theif"

oneclick

Wow that's dumb, like anyone is gonna pay attention to that crap and if you have pirated software why would you be dumb to try and verify it? Its like getting ripped of on a sack of weed and telling the cops with the weed on you. lol

CrashOverride777

@OMG! Ponies!: XP Support is carrying on till 2011 actually..

KhaiJB

@llryuujinll: I think the more important question is why is Microsoft bothering? It's XP. I understand that Microsoft has IP rights to protect but is it worth it given that the XP is due for a sabbatical in October?

Vista I can understand... but XP?

/signed

A guy running Vista for two months without a single crash

OMG! Ponies!

@CrashOverride777: Many Microsoft downloads: non-critical Windows updates, IE7 , WMP11, Windows Live all use WGA to prevent them being downloaded or installed on "non-genuine" installations of XP.

Also, many people have bought second hand computers unaware that the vendor has installed a pirated version of the OS on it.

Theophilus P. Wildebeeste

A bit of a waste of time if you ask me, especially when there is a crack out there which WGA cannot detect.

Theophilus P. Wildebeeste

> "Many Microsoft downloads: non-critical Windows updates, IE7 , WMP11, Windows Live all use WGA to prevent them being downloaded or installed on "non-genuine" installations of XP."

Firefox, VLC... and what the fuck is Windows Live anyway? Hotmail? Who uses that?

I don't think true pirates are gonna need any of those "upgrades" from Microsoft.

MichaelScrip

For that last sentence, you bet!

I got my original license since a while anyway.

m-p{3}

thats generous of them i guess. I would have disabled the whole wallpaper and replaced it with a piracy warning.

Overheal

@Theophilus P. Wildebeeste: Oh I thought they downloaded the software to verify it, never mind my bad. I forgot Microsoft, doe's that with their updates.

CrashOverride777

I have a laptop that has an OEM license of XP media center edition, but when I went to reformat with it the restore disk it was damaged (or just came broken from alienware). I couldn't find an OEM xp media center download at the time so I had to use a retail copy. Because it wasn't OEM I couldn't use the real OEM serial that I had for it.

... long story short, I own a legit copy of xp, but was forced to pirate it due to the fact that retail and OEM serial numbers are not compatible. GG.

TaitRT

I don't think anyone is dumb enough to GET counterfeit software. It's not counterfeit. It's called Piracy.

judacris

Or you're smart enough to use Windiz so you can still update XP without needing to update to the genuine advantage to update XP.

@oneclick: I'm guessing you're not using Firefox with its built-in dictionary. Those red lines under the words you type are trying to tell you things.

Maxwells_Nylon_Hammer

@TaitRT: it takes about 7 seconds to find, download, and use the proper tool to change your key to the valid one.

and it works to do exactly what you just stated you want to do.

Oh and as to the "newness" of this whole program...
It's done this for YEARS.

This isn't new.

Buddha916

I'd only pirate something if they didn't make it anymore, I'm sure people will start pirating XP a lot more if they're building a new computer and don't have an XP lisense.

gamecrazychris

Shouldn't it say:

Microsoft may be a victim of software counterfeiting!

?

fluf

@fluf: lol Aren't we the victims most of the time when Microsoft makes money?

CrashOverride777

I'll be over to vista by then. good bye xp.
The "Wow" starts now.

wetworker

@gamecrazychris: I only pirate stuff if I want to buy something else first, and I got a whole second floor to fill!

VakeroRokero

The funny thing is that on a daily basis, I remove spyware from peoples computers. Spyware that replaces their wallpaper with warnings that their computer has been compromised. Spyware that is installed subvertly. Spyware that displays pop-ups telling me that my computer is still compromised.

It's good to see that MS has found a use for those tactics.

Darkest Daze

I'm smart enough to pirate XP. However, I don't know how to apply the crack.

Renegade05

It is actually gonna start on Wednesday, in Malaysia at least. Microsoft Malaysia just announced that the new 'nagware' would cause screen blackouts and disappearing desktop icons which could be restored by resetting the desktop through settings. It'll just keep happening every 60 minutes. Affects all non-validated XP Pros only. Via:

[thestar.com.my]

hodilun

that warning looks so much darker and menacing. it reminds me of letters in a trailer to a horror movie. or maybe one of those "don't do drugs" ads on tv

yeah i have my copy of xp...i just never use it. I got Linux ;)

SleepingMartyr

XP already does that. There is no XP kill switch. Unless SP3 added a kill switch???

JEmlay

Meh. Just be glad they don't shut you down. They're just politely asking you not to pirate their wares.

Rajio

The computer I'm currently using at work says that my copy of XP isn't valid when I try and play a video (that installs WMP11). I know the copy is legit, but XP disagrees. The IT department will really enjoy this.

Enochrewt

MS cycle of BS build up:

1. Install MS Win
2. Activate Win
3. Update Win(which includes a bunch of oh so useful 'security' apps like WGA)
4. Win slows down because it never does garbage collection on updates.
5. Install a cleaning app to get by for awhile.
6. Refresh computer
7. Reinstall Win
8. Talk to 'Bob' in India to reactivate your Win install.
9. Goto line 3.

Another example of punishing legit users. BTW, I have a genuine copy of XP, even though I believe MS owes me for purchasing ME.

darthuv

@Darkest Daze: I can relate, and most of the time those same people ignore those big flashing messages saying their system is compromised until it's too late

kathartik