Microsoft News

[randyrhoads1981]

"Microsoft is planning what could end up being quite a shock for the Windows XP warez world, and what currently looks to be one of the most amazing moves made by Microsoft since Windows Product Activation was introduced. Currently, Microsoft is in the works of completely rewriting the algorithm for the way Windows XP Corporate keys are generated, and is rewriting the code for Windows XP to recognize this new algorithm. This new code will be an added ‘feature’ of Service Pack 1 due out later this year.

At the present moment, an upgrade to Windows XP SP1 from Windows XP with no SP installation will not give any problems or errors about an invalid CD-Key on a corporate version of Windows XP. This is because the new algorithm feature has been switched off in SP1 upgrades. To get to see this new feature, you would have to slipstream SP1 into the Windows XP installation media and setup Windows. Once you’ve reached the CD-key, no current Corporate Windows XP key (none of the 75 that we’ve tried) will work, as they are all invalid. Even if a corporate key is managed to be found, the chances of it working when SP1 final comes out are slim to none, as Microsoft is rumored to ‘still be working on the algorithm for SP1 for Corporate customers’."

[randyrhoads1981]

Well now ive read that this was a wide spread rumor :rolleyes:

[kenja]

Now I'm curious. Where did the quote in your initial post come from?

[randyrhoads1981]

I found this on a newgroup site i passed by..that along with the Dual Headed Hardrive post i mentioned. Guess someone was wanting to have a little fun with some people while Service Pack is still in the making.

[sea69]

yeah well- I think many people just wanted to use the warez leaked corp copy to evaluate weather it was worth purchasing.

what after the winME fiasco.

of course none of you good people here would be a party to such!

:p

[ErnieK]

You think that's bad? Read on! I had heard rumours previously and now they seem to be comfirmed. (sorry it's so long - but it is worth the read)(PCA mag is trusworthy and a VERY GOOD no nonsense magazine)

[quote]From PCA magazine (www.pcanswers.co.uk)
In Microsoft’s computing future, trusted computing will involve 24-hour computer monitoring and security to make sure you don’t abuse your PC. Neil Mohr (editor of PCA Magazine) takes a peek into his crystal ball...

Microsoft’s trusted computing future involves one thing: Not trusting you to use your own PC.

This move, led by Microsoft and Intel, through an organization called the “Trusted Computing Platform Alliance”, will be heralded by the arrival of a completely new generation of PC hardware and software products. This new generation will leave you wondering what all the fuss was about when Microsoft introduced product activation for Windows XP...

TCPA is based on a hardware authentication system, with the operating system tying into this new layer. It works by using a public key encryption scheme that’s managed externally - effectively a global digital rights management system (or DRM). The difference here is that the DRM will be built directly into your motherboard chipset and processor.

Because it’s been built into the heart of your system it’ll kick in the moment your PC boots up, watching for any activity that breaks its trusted State, which could include running or copying untrusted software or files. It will be built into the BIOS and maintained from there. Once the OS starts it takes over the tracking.

The other side is run by the new hardware, currently named Fritz. The fritz chip is hardware implemented public key encryption system. If you try to run or copy protected software the system has to certify this with the third party through the encryption system, which effectively ties software and files to a single system. If the system isn’t trusted, it’s deemed to be using the software in an illegal manner, and the system will block its use.

More protection ?

At their heart Palladium (part of the next version of Windows) and TCPA provide a vastly powerful system for controlling and limiting what can be copied and run on computers, as well as limiting what they’re used for. This can provide some powerful tools - documents could be locked to a specific computer or set of computers. For home use it can remove the threat of viruses, eliminate email spam and provide complete system security. The problem is that someone has to decide what’s trusted and what’s not. If a company decides a document shouldn’t exist, it could instantly be removed: censorship on a global basis. While the system might be lauded for providing unsurpassed protection for the user, it’s clear that it’s primarily aimed to help the entertainment industry find a foolproof way of controlling distribution of its digital content. More worrying is the level of censorship and exclusion this will provide to certain bodies, such as governments and large corporations (are we cynical in suggesting these are groups that should never be trusted?).
PCANSWERS SEPTEMBER 2002[/qoute]
End Quote

My own views on this would take up far too much space, and besides I do not think you would like it if I started ranting and raving about that rectum and his monolithic organisation. What I will say is that if you want to retain control of your own computer, now is the time to buy the best motherboard(s) and processors you can afford and store them away. As this will be a hardware issue he is effectively negating firewalls and giving M$, and any other company he sees fit to allow (sell too), free access to your computer and controlling your use of it.

[Paul Komski]

The good book can be quoted, (and misquoted), so don't take this to heart anyone.

Luke 3:11
He answereth and saith unto them, he that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none.

Matthew 13:12
To him that hath, more shall be given.

But which one of the two would you most closely identify with Uncle Bill? :D

[Gallaeglagh]

Maybe I will look into that Apple computer after all!

[setoguro]

Oh my are things getting out of hand! We could see the emergence of underground computing which could be a lot of fun or Big brother and the end of our computing freedom. I'm thinking if there is a market for hardware outside the Trusted Computing Platform Alliance someone will be making it and selling it and I for one would be buying it.