Microsoft today gave more details about how various Vista activation exploits will be handled by the soon to be released SP1, and beyond. Their Windows Genuine Advantage blog gives some of the details on what will happen to machines running an exploit, and reveals that not only will SP1 be looking for these exploits, but a soon to come Windows Update as well. The notice you may get from this update borders on humorous.
Once SP1 is installed, it will disable the OEM BIOS and Grace Timer exploits. Those that had the Grace Timer exploit installed will immediately be prompted to activate their copy of Vista. Those with the OEM BIOS exploit may not see the prompt for up to 15 days, due to the way normal OEM activation works. In either case, once prompted to activate, users will have a 15 second delay in login while waiting for an ‘activate later’ option to appear, and will have notifications every hour, as well as having their desktop turned black every hour (you can change it, but in an hour it will change back). This is obviously better than the pre-SP1 behavior which basically throws you out of Vista.
Later this month, a Windows Update will be released that scans for the exploit, and upon its discovery notifies the user, as a way of ‘protecting’ them from software piracy. Here’s the message those with the exploit will receive:
Windows has found software that circumvents Windows activation and interferes with it’s normal operation. The presence of this software may indicate your copy of Windows is counterfeit.
After repair, your copy of Windows must be activated.
If you do not repair-Windows, Windows might disable the software and you may need to activate this copy of Windows.
Where to start on picking this language apart! First, it would appear Windows ‘normal operation’ is to make sure it’s been paid for, which of course is what most users are concerned about, and is always the first reason to upgrade to a new OS. Of course possibly being counterfeit means it’s broken and is in need of repair. The update can’t repair it though, it simply points to instructions on line on how to do that. Of course once you repair it, restoring it to it’s normal operation, you must activate it. You have the choice not to repair your copy of Vista, but if you don’t, it’s going to repair itself anyway. Nice how they give you a choice without really giving you a choice. Also nice how it’s ‘Windows’ that might disable the software, and not Microsoft. It’s almost like Microsoft is saying “Hey, if it were up to us, we’d let you keep using it, but that Windows, it’s got a mind of it’s own!”.
So, in the end, if you really want to continue using an exploited version of Vista, don’t install SP1, and be very careful about which updates you install. Down the road, it sounds like Windows Updates will be how exploits are handled. Future updates will not only immediately detect exploits, it will remove (or ‘repair’) them as well. Running Vista illegally is getting more difficult, will it result in increased sales, or just decreased use of Vista?
Post from: ITsVISTA
Running a Hacked Vista? Microsoft Wants to ‘Help’ You…
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Written by Joe on February 21st, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on General and HACK and Sales and Updates and exploit and sp1.
This Christmas, the top
video games are in high demand and if your unsure on what to get, look no further, we have here an unbiased top 10 list in no particular order. Of course the list could go on but lets look at this variety pack of
video games.
If your looking to buy a
Nintendo Wii, try
here at AmazonStarting off the list is
Call of Duty 4, an excellent first person shooter with an AI that is remarkably smart, the RPG's fire realistically, the graphics are excellent (if you have the
video card to support it) and the overall gameplay is awesome making this a terrific multiplayer game, better than call of duty 2.
Though it may make a difference if you have an
Xbox 360,
PlayStation or
Wii version of a game as supposed to the PC version (which in most cases allows you to play the game at high resolutions), but the basis of a game remains the same in all platforms. These picks are based on this months latest activity in the market, researched PC Game reviews and experiences of people (ages 10+) playing them lately in general. Depending on the age of the player, preferences on which games are best change obviously.
Here is the list of
video games people are currently enjoying and/or wishing to play which you may want to consider getting.
1 Call of Duty 4This game has a clever story line and some wicked multiplayer for endless hours of enjoyment.
Buy it here at a low price + free shipping2 Football Manager 2008 (Soccer)
With all-new features, improved gameplay and a depth only seen from Sports Interactive,
Football Manager 2008 offers a management simulation that is second to none. This will surly wet the appetite of every Football fan (and by football I mean soccer :) .
Buy it here at a low price + free shipping3CrysisAn alien invasion game set in the year 2020. An archeological team on a remote Pacific island is
captured by an invasion force of North Koreans, and your US Special Forces team is dispatched to investigate and rescue the scientists. Perfect graphics and gameplay, a real winner.
Buy it here at a low price + free shipping4 Unreal Tournament IIIA fast-moving and action-oriented first-person shooter. Yet the game's new maps, the requisite graphical overhaul, and easy-to-understand gameplay modes all feel great.
Buy it here at a low price + free shipping5
The Sims 2
The Sims Series is very popular for all ages, and this is why you will find it in various flavors. Essentially all Sims games give you that feeling of complete control over the lives of autonomous little computer people, this is all that really needs to be said.
Buy it here at a low price + free shipping
6 The Orange BoxThere's never been a package on a console like
The Orange Box. You get five games: Half-Life 2, HL2: Episode One, HL2: Episode Two, Portal, and Team Fortress 2. All in one box, on one disc. If there's one must buy game of the year, it is, without a doubt,
The Orange Box. All five components are excellent, with Half-Life 2 and Episode Two being the two finest single-player first-person shooters on
Xbox 360 version of the game.Buy it here at a low price + free shipping7 Supreme Commander: Forged AllianceA real-time strategy game that features an all-new single-player campaign, a new faction and a myriad of innovative multiplayer features. Players can expect more than one hundred new units will give players access to cutting-edge strategic options, including fully realized navies, orbital weaponry and advanced counter intelligence technologies.
Buy it here at a low price + free shipping8 Gears of War
Unlike other shooters, Gears of War is all about teamwork in a big way. All game modes, levels and scenarios are designed specifically to encourage co-operative play, whether it be with A.I. partners or human players (with A.I. teammates designed with specific strengths, weaknesses and personalities.)
Buy it here at a low price + free shipping9 Halo 3There's no first-person shooter on the
Xbox 360 that can equal Halo 3's blend of cinematic action, adrenaline-pumping shootouts, and male- (and female)-bonding gameplay.
Buy it here at a low price + free shipping
10 Command & Conquer 3:Tiberium WarsOne of my favourites, the long-running and popular real-time strategy series with Command & Conquer is an addictive game,
Buy it here at a low price + free shipping<!--
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Here are games that are more suitable for kids under 13 years of age:
1.
FIFA Soccer 082.
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Teen)3.
Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour (Game for girls)4.
Madden NFL 085.
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games6.
Need for Speed Pro Street (10+)7.
The Sims 2: Castaway8.
Super Mario Bros 39.
Super Mario Galaxy10.
Viva Piñata
Written by PCWizKid on December 5th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on 360 and Sales and Xp and christmas deals and nintendo and pcwizkid and playstation and video games and vista and wii and xbox live.