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WARNING: device driver updates causing Vista to deactivate

apcmag.com — Microsoft has confirmed: something as small as swapping the video card or updating a device driver can trigger a total Vista deactivation.

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  • technoredneck, on 11/02/2007, -18/+308Haha, that's what you get when you buy software--or, excuse me, a so-called 'license' to use it [eyeroll]--from a company and agree it's okay for them to treat you as a criminal, rather than a customer. Any company that had even a shred of decency or competence wouldn't inconvenience their consumers with DRM and copy-protection measures, especially not when their stuff will probably still get pirated anyway.
    • AlanLivingston, on 10/30/2007, -9/+14Any idea where I can get SW unencumbered with a license?
      • m3t00, on 10/30/2007, -3/+15You can have a copy of mine. I only ask that you give me credit if you pass it on.
        • subliminalurge, on 10/29/2007, -1/+5That implies a license. What if he doesn't want to give you credit?
        • Ademan, on 10/29/2007, -0/+5Then he's a bastard? Giving credit where credit's due is a pretty small price to pay...
          (but yes, that IS a license, hardly restrictive though, unless your purpose in life is ripping things off)
          • AlanLivingston, on 10/29/2007, -0/+2I'm pretty sure my parents were married.
      • kevcool, on 10/30/2007, -5/+24This will leave you pretty well unencumbered:
        http://www.gnu.org/
        • KibibyteBrain, on 10/29/2007, -12/+6Used to before GPL3. Plus, MIT is free-er.
      • AF-Geek, on 10/29/2007, -0/+2I think everyone's missing the point... He asked for software without a license, not free software.
        I'm pretty sure the only way you're going to get that is to write it yourself or have a buddy write it!
        • notthemama, on 10/29/2007, -1/+2But he was missing the point himself. The top poster was talking about software licenses that are unusually restrictive and treat legitimate customers like thieves. Not merely the license being coded into the software, which is often a mistake, but set up so that the software is checked for validity regularly and starting from the assumption that it's not valid.
        • tempusrob, on 10/24/2007, -0/+1Most GPL/BSD/MIT software licenses govern source/binary distribution and *not* usage of the software itself. This is compared to the story in question, where *trivial* changes to the underlying software makes the software say "No Vista ... Not yours!"
      • Supadude, on 10/25/2007, -8/+2www.apple.com

        OS X FTW!
    • paku, on 10/29/2007, -11/+47That's why my next upgrade from XP will probably be a Mac with XP on a secondary partition just in case I need to play a couple rounds of counter-strike.
      Vista is the "Packard Bell" of operating systems.
      • kabewm, on 10/30/2007, -6/+41No way! Packard Bell was nowhere near as bad as Vista . . .
        • theblooms, on 10/29/2007, -0/+3You know, you can talk smack about PB all you want, but I had a Multimedia C110 that was kick ass.

          From the factory, it was a Pentium 120 with 16 megs of Ram, 1 gig hard drive, an 8X CD-Rom and a 56k modem all for $1000 including the monitor, which was an unbelievable deal at the time. By the time I had finished with it, I had added a 400 mhz AMD K6-3, 128 megs of ram, 15 gig hard drive, a 32x CD-burner and a Voodoo 3 video card. Dollar for dollar, it was a freakin' awesome machine. The ONLY thing that ever went bad in it was the power supply fan.
      • jsd8cc, on 10/29/2007, -11/+27Linux + Wine.
        • Tezdoll, on 10/29/2007, -8/+2There are good types of Wines and bad types of Wines. If i can't drink it, its bad.
          • potp, on 10/29/2007, -3/+3use the drinking one while using the OS. it makes even Linux/Vista look good.
        • gquaglia, on 10/29/2007, -0/+15Wine is not the answer, at least not yet. I've tried it with several applications with negative results...
          • MarkOfTheDead, on 10/29/2007, -1/+30You aren't drinking enough of it.
          • Drahkar, on 10/29/2007, -2/+2Its generally the most recent versions of applications that have issues. Especially those that were made for Vista. If you are using the older versions then you could be alright.
          • Ademan, on 10/29/2007, -1/+5Yeah it's definitely not a catch-all solution yet, but it's has a really high success rate for me, about 80% or better really.
          • yingjai, on 10/24/2007, -0/+1so what do you do when you can't run that 20% of the apps you need? go for lesser alternatives? there was a reason you chose that app over the lesser alternative in the first place.
        • Sibre, on 10/29/2007, -4/+4As great as both of those are, they can be a pain to set up unless you know a lot about both, and have hardware and compatible drivers to work with them. The average person who just decides they don't like Vista and want to switch will have a hard time going to a Linux/Wine combo, even with Ubuntu.
        • teaBagger, on 12/09/2007, -0/+1When Linux + Wine can truly run all the latest releases of Autocad then Microsoft is history.
          Until that happens, no go!

          - The reason why I had to purchase Vista :(
      • RealHyperX, on 11/05/2007, -19/+13Actually I just installed vista on a new PC, and it's very nice os. Has all the features I love in my Mac, plus the shortcuts that I used from windows.
        • Drahkar, on 10/30/2007, -3/+13Just wait until you find a problem and there is no way to fix it or fixing it breaks something else. The concept isn't bad. The implementation of Activation and DRM is however.
        • tonicboy, on 10/30/2007, -5/+14Say hi to the guys in Microsoft HR for me when you see them.
      • ElPachuco, on 10/29/2007, -11/+19Yeah, my next computer will definitely be a Mac, my first one, and I'm telling all my family and friends that they should just get Macs. All this crap is just getting ridiculous.
        • iticu, on 10/29/2007, -8/+20Why a Mac?
          Apple aren't exactly saints, you could argue they treat their customers just as bad as Microsoft. The only reason they get praised on here so much is because they aren't Microsoft.
          • DarkSorrow, on 10/30/2007, -18/+4Mac have less problem. Apple dont care what hardware you use as long it works. just plug it in and it just work. Apple not concern about privacy like MS do. One changes in hardware is not going to kill OSX. installing OSX dont require serial, just install it like any non-serial SW and it just work fine.
          • TheUngod, on 10/29/2007, -2/+16But apparently Mac doesn't have spelling or grammar checking. Me fail english?
          • cawpin, on 10/30/2007, -2/+14"Apple dont care what hardware you use as long it works."

            So where can I get that OS X that runs on any PS hardware? Right, I thought so. My next computer purchase is going to be a Macbook Pro but I don't need bullschitt reasons for it to be.
          • aaronm67, on 10/29/2007, -2/+11I think you meant "Apple don't care what hardware you use as long as you buy it from Apple."

            OSX doesn't break when you change hardware because, for the most part (except basic components like HD and RAM), you can't change the hardware.
          • Markie1006, on 10/29/2007, -2/+4"...for the most part (except basic components like HD and RAM), you can't change the hardware."

            Which is the same as every other laptop manufacturer of course.
            Let's see how many components you can change out of your Latitude
          • yingjai, on 10/24/2007, -0/+1cpu's and optical drives can also be changed out of laptops. i know i can with my asus and sony laptops. other than that.. keyboards, screens, trackpads... can be replaced, but would need original manufacturer parts to fit. i know this because i have taken apart both laptops for various reasons.
        • TheUngod, on 10/29/2007, -8/+6I'm glad your family is from upper middle or upper class and can all afford new macs. Some of us have to upgrade our computers piece by piece.
          • EllimistX, on 10/29/2007, -1/+6Just cause he's telling them to doesn't mean they can, but it's something for them to keep in mind whenever they do get around to buying a computer. I've said the same thing to my friends, and instead of upgrading a pos pc piece by piece, they just save up and buy a new one... It doesn't have to be a Mac, but I swear, the concept of delayed gratification is lost on this generation...
          • ElPachuco, on 10/29/2007, -1/+8And really are iMac's really THAT expensive? When you look look at all the stuff built in, I don't think 1,199 is bad.

            And as a big plus you don't have a giant ugly box and dozens of cords all over the place.
          • senatorpjt, on 10/24/2007, -0/+3You can't upgrade your PC piece by piece anymore, unless you have a secretary to make all the activation calls to Microsoft.
        • MacSuxWindozSux, on 11/05/2007, -2/+4You aren't aloud to think replacing the entire computer over and over again is inexpensive.
          Once macs can be upgraded piece by piece then it'll be ok. But not yet.
          /sarcasm

          If you have a PC desktop, and you don't think you should have to buy a whole new case, peripherals, monitor, power supply, etc. I highly recommend upgrading individual parts, if you can.

          It's much cheaper to do it this way. And you can put your money directly into performance. If you want to be trendy, and pay the extra cash, you can buy everything over again.

          Truth Hurts.
      • MacSuxWindozSux, on 10/29/2007, -1/+3Having used a Packard Bell... Vista is much better then Packard Bell or Packard Bell Navigator.
        Nobody hear can honestly say otherwise.
        • abohling, on 10/29/2007, -0/+1Packard Bell Navigator was awesome! I totally remember going into the spaceship, clicking on the control center to get on to the web. It was like the future of computing - today (or in this case, years ago).
          Seriously though, it was very unique but I remember after a short amount of time it kind of screwed up our computer and stuff stopped working. It was kind of cool to click on the tv and watch tv though - until that stopped working too. The games bookcase was neat to look at and the games folder in Vista sort of reminds me of that.
    • rebotfc, on 10/29/2007, -17/+12This is why leopard is great, no serial , just pop the CD in and install.
      • Cyber_Akuma, on 10/29/2007, -12/+32I can't wait to run 95% of my games on Leopard on a computer I built out of parts I chose myself

        Oh wait.....
        • cdiggy, on 10/29/2007, -3/+3....and I can't wait to stick to the topic:

          "something as small as swapping the video card or updating a device driver can trigger a total Vista deactivation"

          enjoy your Frankenstein PC ina box(?) that likes to deactivate... kthxbai
      • kag9000, on 10/29/2007, -6/+31This is why linux is so great, no serial, no overpriced hardware, just pop the CD in and install
        • potp, on 10/29/2007, -4/+20This is why Pirated XP is so great, no serial, no overpriced hardware, just pop the CD in and install
        • epyon180, on 10/24/2007, -0/+2So rebotfc gets dugg down mentioning leopard and kag9000 gets dugg up with linux? I think they should both get dugg up because they both point out flaws in Vista.
    • TheUngod, on 10/29/2007, -22/+27Yeah, you can totally just get a Mac...where you can't upgrade it at all in the first place! Great alternative!
      • superkendall, on 10/29/2007, -3/+10Unless you get a Mac that can upgrade.

        Do you really never buy a Windows laptop (same issue after all)?
        • gamelord12, on 10/28/2007, -2/+9Upgradeable Macs cost $3000. Upgradeable Windows machines cost $300.
        • cdiggy, on 11/05/2007, -8/+2$3000 Upgradable Macs don't need upgrades for years. $300 Windows machines need upgrades as BEFORE you even get them home. Yeah, sounds like a good deal to me. Thems Windows boxes are sooooo much cheaper part for part LOL kthxbailoser
          • natenovs, on 10/30/2007, -0/+1did you seriously just write kthxbailoser?
            you fail.
        • windohs, on 10/28/2007, -0/+1the only desktops (imac and mac mini) are not upgradeable like nearly all desktop pc's. mac laptops do make it easy for user to upgrade RAM/ Hard drive though (unlike many pc laptops)
    • Cyber_Akuma, on 10/28/2007, -13/+9This site is filled with pro-linux and anti-ms ads, I am starting to think it may be a teensy bit biased...
      • mrurc, on 10/24/2007, -1/+5Biased doesn't mean inaccurate, btw. And while we are talking about bias, I notice that you conveniently failed to mention the MSN search bar at the top of the page.
      • drachemorder, on 10/24/2007, -1/+6Everyone is biased. The only question is which bias is the correct bias with which to be biased.
      • Terrk, on 10/24/2007, -1/+3You just got ***** owned^^^

        And what is wrong with linux?
        • potp, on 10/30/2007, -3/+3that they have fanboys who use the word owned?
      • crimsonnblue, on 10/30/2007, -6/+5Its that way because Windows users are playing games and linux/mac users are on digg because they have nothing else better to do.
        • windohs, on 10/30/2007, -1/+1oh really....last time i checked you can run orange box on ubuntu
          pwned
      • MozzieTS, on 10/28/2007, -0/+2reality has a Linux bias.
    • MiddleOfNowhere, on 10/30/2007, -4/+32What Microsoft does here is simply the definition of anal-retentiveness.
      Vista: "O *****, oh *****, something’s changed. New driver? Bah, probably pirated. I might not be on the original system anymore. Heck, I’m probably on some acne-riddled kid’s basement PC right now. Oh God. I’m gonna hide in here and lock myself up. Better safe than sorry."
      This is so pathetic.
    • antdude, on 10/24/2007, -0/+6The only problem is that XP won't last forever. It's like Windows 2000 today. Not all newer software and games even work on it. :(
      • StarlessKnight, on 10/26/2007, -0/+3They could fix that by making XP v2.0. Vista is not XP v2.0, it's Windows v6.0, take that how you will.

        Vista wouldn't be so bad if Microsoft removed all the DRM/Protection junk that keeps playing games with what legit customers can even use their own computer.
      • FinalSword22, on 10/26/2007, -0/+2Just get an 3rd party XP patch. I know for a fact that most DirectX 10 games are just Vista ads in disguise.
        May XP live forever!... or at least until a good new Microsoft OS comes out.
        • antdude, on 10/26/2007, -0/+1Does the third party XP patch really work for DX10? I don't like using unofficial patches.
        • windohs, on 10/28/2007, -0/+1good + Microsoft OS ???
          /brain crashes
      • Waterrat, on 10/28/2007, -1/+2 Sure it will..Until Microsoft decides to kill it...
        if you wanted to,you could still be using Windows 98.
        • antdude, on 10/26/2007, -0/+1Try playing newer software on 98. :P
        • windohs, on 10/28/2007, -0/+1basically just dropping XP support right?
    • JPPiper, on 10/30/2007, -5/+4I just talked with Micro$oft today and they stated that after the first of the year, you won't be able to buy new systems with XP Loaded on them!
      Bastards
    • MagicCake, on 10/30/2007, -12/+18Are you ***** kidding me dude? Did you even read this *****? He basically says "oh yeah, they were super cool about it and not only solved my problem in 5 minutes but also helped me figure out more information.... but seriously guys this is a huge problem so I'm going to write two more pages about it". Give me a break. They don't treat you like criminals. They treat you very nicely if you're having activation trouble and will take care of it in under 10 minutes, and that's on the off chance you have activation trouble to begin with.
      • drachemorder, on 10/30/2007, -6/+20That's not the point. The point is that we shouldn't have to be burdened with these "features" that do nothing to benefit the user to begin with.
        • MagicCake, on 10/30/2007, -11/+7Microsoft is a business, they want to make money. Not every little aspect of what they do is to benefit you. I can live with that. I can live with that from ANY company. What's important to me is that when it doesn't work correctly, they quickly fix it and are polite about it. They do both of those things, so it's not a big deal to me.
          • drachemorder, on 10/30/2007, -3/+9When they do things that serve no purpose at all except to line their pockets at the customer's expense, I very much take exception to it. It's the sort of abuse the free market is supposed to fix --- ideally someone else would release an operating system that's just as good that doesn't have misfeatures like that --- but the free market can't fix it because of overly restrictive copyright and patent laws.
          • MagicCake, on 10/30/2007, -6/+4The purpose is to keep the average user from passing around his Windows disc. I don't know about you, but I can forgive them for that. No one said it was an amazing "feature", and as I said before the most it will do to you is force you to pick up the phone for 5 minutes.
          • lharrod, on 10/30/2007, -2/+7Apple also has safeguards to keep people from passing around their Mac disc, yet they don't have this deactivation crap. I changed my RAM on my PC at work. The next day, Vista deactivated. I reactivated it, but a few days later, it deactivated again. What the hell? And what's with the UAC? Again, Apple has security measures, too, but their OS doesn't continually ask you "Are you sure? Are you sure?" Microsoft's solutions seem to be a combination of greed and incompetence.
          • grumpyrain, on 10/30/2007, -1/+3I think you are letting Microsoft off the hook a bit easily there. Outside digg and in the real world, Vista is an excellent OS. It is stable, looks good, and after pretty close to a year there still has been no threats that UAC didn't mitigate. But Microsoft better have another thought if they believe that I will accept being labeled a thief. As a software developer, I understand their frustration about piracy and their anti-piracy measures, but you NEVER throw false positives. It is the unwritten law of copy protection. Customers will accept typing in serial numbers, even online activation and periodic phone homes. They will NOT accept being accused of piracy. To their credit, they solved the problem quickly, but that does not entirely excuse the fact they caused it in the first place.
      • expatcatalyst, on 10/25/2007, -3/+9That off chance get's larger and larger for those of us who actually know how to improve anything inside the case of our computer. How is being inconvenienced a "feature"?
        • MagicCake, on 10/30/2007, -4/+3That's cute, but I happen to build my own machines and upgrade them fairly regularly. The chance does get larger, but is still rare, and they do take care of it in minutes if it happens.
        • notthemama, on 10/30/2007, -1/+2MagicCake, you shouldn't HAVE to call up microsoft to deal with installation problems when it's due to something like this. Any inconvenience in upgrading is too many. It makes it a HECK of a lot more inconvenient if I'm trying to debug the system and see if it's this video card or that sound card or that other piece that causing a problem when I have to call up M$ each time I try to change a card.
      • tendonut, on 10/25/2007, -3/+6OR, you could just pirate it and never have to worry about that ***** ever again. Seriously, who is this DRM ***** really hurting? If you have a pirated copy of it, most of the DRM crap has been removed. It only hurts the people who actually bought it
        • notthemama, on 10/24/2007, -1/+2Exactly. It makes many people more inclined to pirate the software rather than fewer.
      • notthemama, on 10/24/2007, -0/+1Did they change? They used to assume you were lying and tell you to go buy another copy of the OS.
    • expatcatalyst, on 10/28/2007, -4/+13The Solution? Get off of Microsoft, and I'm not even into Linux. But MS just becomes more and more of a pain to have.
      • lharrod, on 10/28/2007, -1/+6I agree. What sucks is that it seems that MS will be on top for a long time to come. They're an institution like McDonald's and Coke, now. They will never go away. McDonald's could have an ebola virus breakout in their kitchens, killing thousands of customers, and they would still be the top fast food chain. Coke is also untouchable. This is why MS does such a half-assed job with their products, because they don't have to aim for quality.
      • MacSuxWindozSux, on 10/28/2007, -3/+2All the Apple fans are on this thread talking ***** about Microsoft.
        I'd say stay away from vista, but even so... it's not that bad.
    • frygar, on 10/28/2007, -6/+21***** MS, ***** their ***** DRM-riddled bloatware, and ***** their crash-tastic ad-infested console.
      • MicrosoftBob, on 10/24/2007, -0/+6Come on, frygar, quit beating around the bush and tell us how you *really* feel.
      • MrObjectional, on 10/28/2007, -0/+3ad-infested?
        • frygar, on 10/24/2007, -0/+2You can't open a blade on the 360 without having some sort of advert crammed down your maw. Ironic, then, that users are able to purchase "skins" for their console that they won't be able to see because they are covered by MS advertisements telling them to, you know, spend more money. What a joke.
        • windohs, on 10/28/2007, -0/+1and the funny thing is that you PAY for xbox live and its ads
          go free (and ad free) PSN
      • psyjoniz, on 10/24/2007, -0/+4normally i'm all like 'damn, chill out!' but honestly, can it be said any other way? i declare not. :)
    • crapmatic, on 10/24/2007, -0/+7Adobe is well down this path. I stopped using Indesign CS3 after paying $250 for it, because it was then that I saw the DRM and was too worried about getting locked out of my publishing work since you only get a limited number of activations. Yeah, you can deactivate a copy and move it, but that doesn't work so well if the hard drive crashes, and bad luck is inevitable. So I would theoretically have to get a pirated version off p2p to assure myself of being able to access my work! Oh, that's just delicious. I'm never buying another Adobe product again, after this experience.
    • MacSuxWindozSux, on 10/25/2007, -8/+8Apple is just as bad when it comes to DRM and proprietary software.

      Don't like it? Hate me? DEAL WITH IT.
      • technoredneck, on 10/25/2007, -5/+3That's exactly why I don't use Apple products either.
      • cdiggy, on 10/30/2007, -3/+3"Apple is just as bad when it comes to DRM and proprietary software."???

        yeah, that's why you need no serial for OSX, they are actively pushing for (and providing) DRM-free iTunes store downloads, and my final point, Logic Pro used to require a freekin' hardware dongle to verify an authentic piece of software and NO LONGER DOES... Winbots like yourself are perfect examples of mindless non-thinking non-informed Apple bashers for-the-sake-of-not-having-to-wake-up-from-your-delusional-denial... getaclue b4 spouting useless drivel about something which you obviously know nothing about
    • neko, on 10/25/2007, -2/+8As I prefer Linux, I try to avoid poking too much fun at Microsoft, lest I be branded a "fanboy". But you've gotta admit, this situation is pretty ridiculous. It only puts the legit users through more pain.

      But, that's what you get. Vista is an OS that doesn't trust you.
    • psyjoniz, on 10/25/2007, -1/+1'probably'?............................................. fail
    • thedragon4453, on 10/25/2007, -3/+1In Soviet Russia, Vista owns you!
    • jabberwolf, on 11/02/2007, -0/+1DRM was Apples festering beast with iTunes. This is simple activation. ooo ahhh, I just pick up ther phone and waste 5 minutes of time to get it activated again and I can do this 24/7. Ouch yeah very inconvenienced.

      As opposed to getting OSX that isnt compatible with 90 percent of the software out there where someone at Apple just says.... well you dont REALLY need variety, you just need to buy from us!
  • smaier, on 10/30/2007, -7/+103I had this happen to me when I updated my RAID array drivers. It would be great if a Nvidia or ATI driver updated caused this and after a new release Microsofts activation phone service was DDOS'd to death from all of the 100,000+ users whose machines de-activated.
    • TritonX, on 10/25/2007, -2/+19"DDOS'd to death from all of the 100,000+ users whose machines de-activated"
      Didn't it already happened ?
    • gen2ux, on 10/30/2007, -5/+69RAID = Redundant Array of Independent Drives
      RAID array = Redundant Array of Independent Drives....array
      • derek20cali, on 10/25/2007, -19/+6Get out of the basement.
        • gen2ux, on 10/28/2007, -0/+2Said by someone sipping on Mountain Dew and eating Hot Pockets living with his parents. Not everyone on here is like you.
      • StudsTurkel, on 10/30/2007, -0/+31He was using a RIDS (Redundancy In Descriptive Statement) statement.
      • rudy23, on 10/24/2007, -1/+26i just read that only my LCD Display
      • dev3, on 10/24/2007, -0/+8It should be RAID array..The drives aren't the only thing that are redundant, even parts of the name are...
        • spudnic, on 10/24/2007, -1/+6Or Array of Independant Drives.
          AIDS for the win.
      • Winters, on 10/24/2007, -1/+26To continue using the RAID array, please enter your PIN number when prompted by the LCD display.
      • Azuroth, on 10/24/2007, -1/+23That comment was so great, I'll give you 20 bucks, just as soon as I get it from this here ATM Machine
        • Winters, on 10/24/2007, -0/+13Make sure to withdraw the full $20 Dollars!
      • marktastic, on 10/25/2007, -1/+11This made me LOL out loud at work
        • crimesaucer, on 10/24/2007, -5/+1LOLol?
        • Tippis, on 10/24/2007, -6/+3At least "LOL out loud" makes a tiny bit of sense: it could be interpreted to mean when you actually say "LOL" at something, rather than just laugh at it.
      • gfnw, on 10/24/2007, -0/+17Both my RAID Array and my NIC card were supplied by an OEM manufacturer.
        • sparc2112, on 10/24/2007, -3/+3Since we are on the subject...
          NIC = Network Interface Card
          NIC card = Network Interface Card...card
      • m3t00, on 10/25/2007, -0/+6damn! I thought: RAID = Redundant Array of Inexpensive Drives
      • tonaros, on 11/14/2007, -5/+1RAID = Really annoying idiot Diggers
      • Phlosten, on 10/30/2007, -1/+1Thats like ATM Machine............Automatic Teller Machine Machine... and
        Windows NT Technology......Windows New Technology Technology
        Wheeee!
      • neko, on 10/25/2007, -0/+3Well, if you do something like RAID 1+0, you really do have an array of arrays.
      • Calcularius, on 10/25/2007, -0/+2PCMCIA = People Can't Memorize Computer Industry Acronyms
    • MalDON, on 10/25/2007, -8/+6I upgraded my motherboard and processor and it caused my non OEM to deactivate. Tech support pretty much told me to go ***** myself. I downloaded osx and installed it on my PC. I plan on buying a mac when my hardware it outdated.
    • mark5hs, on 10/23/2007, -0/+1may I ask how you fixed this?
    • dotancohen, on 10/24/2007, -2/+1Funny, I've never had this happen to _me_. I guess as an Ubuntu user I'm just not used to having my OS suddenly "disabled".
    • dotancohen, on 10/24/2007, -0/+3Funny, I've never had this happen to _me_. I guess as an Ubuntu user I'm just not used to having my OS suddenly "disabled".
    • yohojones, on 10/24/2007, -1/+1Same thing happened to me... Had to call microsoft and reactivate. Pain in the ass.
    • Calcularius, on 10/30/2007, -3/+3You all deserve it for using microsoft. HAHA SUCK IT LOSERS!!!!
      PS. If you digg me down I will have won again by sucking away another second of your lame life. HAHA SUCK IT AGAIN THERE GOES ANOTHER SECOND YOU LOSE!!! KEEP READING LOSER LOL@U
  • Spuy767, on 10/30/2007, -5/+22Seems like that have kept some of the features from XP, my XP used to go thru al that WGA BS whenever I'd do so little as add a hard drive or change the amount of RAM.
    • cvrefugee, on 10/30/2007, -11/+12I've been using Vista since it was released and I've changed video drivers at least five or six times, replaced a hard drive, and NOT ONCE did I ever have to reactivate. Only major changes to the system require a reactivation.
      • sexybobo, on 10/24/2007, -2/+9I have been using Vista was able to install it change video cards twice reinstall after i changed mobo changed all drivers to latest version get all the latest windows updates and several other things. All with out requiring any activation.
        Then again it helps that my software provider is Pirate Bay.
        It is hilarious the people that bought it are struggling with the drm and the pirates are not having any trouble.
      • jer2eydevil88, on 10/30/2007, -2/+2I got a blue screen of death last week on a vista computer and after it rebooted the thing wanted to re-activate.
        I am sticking with XP for the foreseeable future.
    • antdude, on 10/24/2007, -1/+2I remember one time I changed my host's CD-ROM drive (direct raw connection) in VMware v3 in Windows XP Pro. Booting up Windows XP told me to reactivate. Ugh!
  • NikoKun, on 10/30/2007, -27/+23Strange, I've updated drivers countless times, and even replaced my video card 2 times now... Never happened to me. =/?
    Frankly, I'm enjoying Vista, or at least I'm not picky about the problems it does have.
    Of course, If it DOES end up doing something like this to me... I'll be pissed as ***** and I wouldn't stand for it... XD
    • sHockz, on 10/23/2007, -2/+6it happens, in vista and XP alike, it is a common known issue.
      it is also a good excuse to use if you need to get your vista ultimate activated for free ;-)
    • Reno582, on 10/25/2007, -1/+9actually its people expecting the OEM version of Vista to be like the Retail version of Vista
      • rebotfc, on 10/24/2007, -0/+1Why shouldn't it act the same?
        • natenovs, on 10/30/2007, -0/+1because it is intended to be used on one set of hardware.
    • andycr512, on 10/23/2007, -1/+3"Of course, If it DOES end up doing something like this to me... I'll be ***** as ***** and I wouldn't stand for it..."

      ...and then go back to using Windows? :/
    • archer75, on 10/25/2007, -0/+6It's never happened to me
  • nblsavage, on 10/30/2007, -26/+113just waiting for the MS fanboys to defend this.
    • NoelGallagher, on 10/30/2007, -43/+28I swapped out my MOBO, Vista deactivated. Spent 10 minutes getting it reactivated with no problem. Wow, my world is over.
      • WaterMedia, on 10/30/2007, -8/+30Hello point. Goodbye point.

        (He clearly missed that key item didn't he?)
      • tendonut, on 10/30/2007, -1/+7Thats 10 more minutes than someone who had a copied version would have to spend. That is the whole point here.
    • ozziek, on 10/25/2007, -11/+2Wow, how predictable!
    • grivad, on 10/30/2007, -24/+13What a shocker, Linux/Apple fanboys are already attacking it. -eyeroll-
      • azprofessional, on 10/30/2007, -3/+4Oooh zing, I'm sure thats an effective diss.
      • iticu, on 10/25/2007, -3/+5Ah, the irony of this statement getting dugg down.
      • n8glenn, on 10/25/2007, -3/+3Ouch, the free men are attacking the slave masters for whipping the backs of slaves like you! How completely droll!!!
    • soopafly, on 10/25/2007, -17/+11Well the joke's on you, because there's no such thing as a MS fanboy
      • jer2eydevil88, on 10/25/2007, -5/+10Return to a little something called the American Workplace and you will find many Microsoft Fanboys. These people love Microsoft because it provides them with a way to make a living and to pretend like they know what their are talking about.
        • psyjoniz, on 10/24/2007, -1/+2right...the *****...on.
        • clockdist, on 10/30/2007, -1/+0just because were forced to use Windows at work doesn't make us MS Fanboys.
    • rheaume, on 10/25/2007, -9/+21Yeah for sure when I need to upgrade my Mac i just buy another one! So much easier
      • m3t00, on 10/25/2007, -13/+11Good thing resale value stays high for used Mac stuff.
      • cosmo7, on 10/26/2007, -2/+6What are you talking about? I've upgraded lots of Macs with new drives, cards, RAM, etc. Why do you think they have expansion slots? And I've never had to ask for permission to "re-authorize" OS/X just because I put in a new video card. If anything, Macs are now easier to upgrade than PCs running Vista.
        • gudnbluts, on 10/26/2007, -1/+4When I had Macs, it wasn't possible to upgrade the motherboard or the processor. Has this changed?
        • MrObjectional, on 10/26/2007, -0/+6No, but you can still switch out everything he mentioned.
      • roberto_deneero, on 10/26/2007, -0/+2OWNED
    • gcnaddict, on 10/30/2007, -0/+20We're not. We already ranted them out for screwing up Windows Update.

      True fanboys call out the errors caused by those they are fans of. Mindlessly defending every mistake isn't the attitude of a fanboy. It's the attitude of an idiot.
    • OBKenobi, on 10/25/2007, -4/+2Monopolies = corporate empires = evil.
      • Bartboy919, on 10/30/2007, -0/+5Apple = Monopoly of MP3 market = Corprate empires = Evil?
    • 000dom000, on 10/25/2007, -1/+3I think they're running short of those...
    • DerangedPenguin, on 10/30/2007, -5/+0Oooo Vista is just soooo pretty and I really like Media plaklniooniownoiongoinaionoiasdhfnioannnnnnnnn12iohj
    • Alex2, on 10/25/2007, -3/+3Apple is the new Microsoft. Suck it Mac Tard!

      • roberto_deneero, on 10/30/2007, -5/+1Correction: Apple is not the new Microsuck. Apple doesn't force feed their products down people's throats like your boyfriend does his sausage down yours. Apple actually makes innovative, fun products that people WANT to buy...hell, LINE UP TO BUY OVERNIGHT...because they love it so much. They have choices, even less expensive ones, yet they still show up at Apple stores in droves to buy the latest and greatest. There's a reason for that. The reason is that Apple makes it easy and fun to use technology. Microsoft STILL doesn't get the ***** picture! Nice Zune. ROFLOL. What a POS. iPaq...yet another beautiful contribution to society by the PC lemming, HP.

        Microsoft only dreams of being Apple. Apple is the new Apple. ;)
  • grexeo, on 10/30/2007, -29/+184Now I'm a Linux user I can only point and laugh. And laugh again.
    • objectcode, on 10/25/2007, -5/+22i guess i will point and laugh as well
    • rheaume, on 10/30/2007, -18/+11I wouldn't point too long, you'll need to those finger to program something to browse the web or something no? Then later maybe you can
      fire up a game of Quake1, that'll be fun.
      • autoatsakiklis, on 10/30/2007, -2/+9You mean use Firefox or Opera? Firefox is included in most distros.
      • 000dom000, on 10/30/2007, -2/+10And also by quake 1 you also mean Enemy Territory:Quake Wars. I see....
      • lonnieh, on 10/30/2007, -2/+2"Then later maybe you can fire up a game of Quake1, that'll be fun."
        or quake 4?
      • KungFuJesus, on 10/30/2007, -2/+1Or Unreal Tournament 3 when it comes out?
    • Ethanael, on 10/28/2007, -21/+8Enjoy those games on your sweet Linux box!!!!... er.. wait...
      • sexybobo, on 10/30/2007, -5/+14yes all us poor linux users not being able to play the new unreal tournament game or quake wars or many others. oh wait there are lots of games made for linux and most windows games can be played under wine. In reality there are lots more linux compatible games then there are Mac compatible games.
        • tendonut, on 10/24/2007, -0/+2OK. I am gonna go play TF2 now.

          BTW, every machine in my house runs either Ubuntu 7.04 or Fedora 7 except my main rig which is XP for gaming, so I am NOT a Windows fanboy
      • ubergeek09, on 10/30/2007, -3/+6Obviously this man has never heard of Cedega and WINE.
      • InsaneMachine, on 10/30/2007, -1/+6Still, using Linux as your main OS, then dual booting into XP or Vista to game. Where have I heard this before... Oh yeah bootcamp! So your comments about no games don't really apply
    • iticu, on 10/25/2007, -14/+11So basically, you just surf with the trends?
      Wow, join the crowd mate. Soon enough there'll be enough people using Linux to show how easy it is to hack.. open source does that.
      (i'm not a Windows fanboy, I use Linux and Windows, but people don't seem to see both have advantages. It's not black and white)
      • jer2eydevil88, on 10/25/2007, -1/+4Linux has its disadvantages in security but if its properly setup it can run nearly impenetrable for long periods of time. Windows on the other hand will need constant software patches requiring full reboots in order to stay secure and operable.
      • secleinteer, on 10/25/2007, -0/+7Linux's lack of security issues has nothing to do with how few people are using it on the desktop. It has a huge share in the server market, and if it was so easy to hack, then half the websites out there would be down right now.
      • gridbread, on 10/25/2007, -1/+3WRONG.
        Linux is a totally different animal, and the "Big fish" analogy doesn't even apply to it, especially since any bug or security flaw is usually detected and resolved by it ravenous community in no time.
        That's something big slow proprietary can never address as fast.
      • paulsmith288, on 10/25/2007, -0/+1i didnt think this was a hack, more a feature.
    • GeekSwag, on 10/25/2007, -0/+8So THAAAT's what happened! One day after sticking in a new video card and updating all the drivers Vista decided to bomb. It wouldn't let me log in, stating that i was a dirty pirate. Long story short, I installed ubuntu and wiped out Vista. I'm not about to beg a company to use a product I paid for. Vista makes an excellent beer coaster, however.
      • stotty, on 10/28/2007, -0/+2Well done on not phoning the company you didn't plan on "begging". Now instead of using an OS you paid for, you paid stupid money for a beer coaster. I'm sure that's sticking it to them!
    • tokabowla, on 10/24/2007, -3/+1Bwa... BWA! BWAAAAAHHAHHAAAA!!!!
      (ubuntu nyuka)
    • Kestrel, on 10/23/2007, -0/+0Wow - that must be a real turnabout for you, huh?
    • viksmaester, on 10/25/2007, -1/+1you can only laugh because you never get to make use of such hardware. You nerds just need a text editor to write buggy "Open Source" code
  • cmuwriter, on 10/24/2007, -52/+21Oh my god, the ***** world is going to end, quick fill up your bathtubs so you can still flush the toilet when the electricty goes out!
    • zweben, on 10/30/2007, -4/+42You have an electric toilet?
      • SillyDigger, on 10/30/2007, -2/+13He should :)
      • AlanLivingston, on 10/23/2007, -1/+4I wonder how long the water stays on in a blackout. When those northern terrorists, ummm.. Candians..., caused the blackout in the northeast a few years ago we never lost water in Metro NY. My lights were out for less than 12 hours, though. I assume the water authority has generators for the pumps, too.

        So many infrastructure details to worry about for the upcoming armageddon.
        • snurfle, on 10/24/2007, -0/+8Candians?
          Are those the strange looking kids from Candy Land?

          Hey! LOOK!!! See where it says "Check Spelling" down there?
          • AlanLivingston, on 10/24/2007, -0/+5Note to self...

            Give spelling Nazi test to all recruits for upcoming armageddon.
        • chalkboy, on 10/23/2007, -0/+3Some people have wells and when the power goes out our pumps dont run.
          • jakem1, on 10/23/2007, -1/+0I didn't know you people had the internet yet. Well done.
          • Canadian0207, on 10/24/2007, -1/+1Congratulations Canada on your first internet server!
        • licoricewhip, on 10/23/2007, -0/+1Water towers hold a cache of extra water to both provide water when sources are at low points as well as to provide water pressure to the system (via gravity). The water will exist for a time, but, without electricity to pump more water into the tower, there will come a time when things stop flowing.
      • selrahc, on 10/23/2007, -0/+2He could have an electric water pump. It's kind of difficult to flush when there is no water in the holding tank.
      • m3t00, on 10/23/2007, -0/+3Runs Vista thus he has developed work-arounds.
    • mrurc, on 10/24/2007, -1/+3The sarcasm detectors around here need new batteries, probably because Vista caused the power to go out.
  • LoveTheCoast, on 11/02/2007, -44/+15I wonder if the articles about the new Mac OS bugs will be this sensational.
    • nblsavage, on 10/30/2007, -5/+47well since no version of the Mac OS has ever required activation, it's not the same thing.
      • ozziek, on 10/24/2007, -14/+1mmmm, Doesn't the iPhone use Mac OSX? Doesn't it require activation to fully work? mmmmm
        • nblsavage, on 10/24/2007, -1/+14grasping at straws are we?
          • iticu, on 10/24/2007, -3/+3If you don't believe Mac has any bugs/flaws you're delusional.
            And yes, this isn't about activation; this is about a bug that is going to be fixed.
        • luchid, on 10/24/2007, -2/+13uhmmm no... not even close to being the same...
          • jakem1, on 10/24/2007, -4/+2That's right. It's only the same when pointing out how cool the iPhone is. The rest of the time it's different.
        • azprofessional, on 10/24/2007, -2/+5Wow, that is one ridiculously ***** large bear turd of a stretch, you win at being a retard
    • PaulPinfield, on 10/24/2007, -10/+3Doubt it as Windoooozzzzzzzzz seam to be in a minority round here...
  • crazyryan, on 11/02/2007, -15/+374Failure is not an option -- it comes bundled with Windows
    • gen2ux, on 10/30/2007, -3/+55This needs to be a T-shirt.
    • QuantumAvatar, on 10/30/2007, -0/+11That was classic. It will live on in my repository of windows negs
      • Tomholius, on 10/30/2007, -0/+2It will live on in my cache for hours and hours
    • directive0, on 10/30/2007, -2/+21I know I'll get dug down. But man, that was ***** stellar.
    • matthewf01, on 10/30/2007, -0/+5But it does at least ask, "Allow or deny?".
      • icemanxp, on 10/30/2007, -0/+6If they included that feature then it would result in an infinite loop.
        Fail set to deny.
        Windows Vista: Failed
        Failure to Fail
        Failure to Fail to Fail
        ext...
    • adoggz, on 10/30/2007, -0/+10hell, at least they don't charge extra for it.
    • universeman, on 10/30/2007, -0/+3Absolutely classic. Way to go crazyryan.
    • tech10171968, on 10/30/2007, -1/+4ROFLMAO!!! Thanks for making my day!
  • Ramble, on 11/02/2007, -37/+31That happened to me months ago. Annoying yes, but a quick phone to MS and they'll activate it again for you.
    • badassninja, on 10/24/2007, -6/+43What? You say that as if it was nothing. You shouldn't have to put up with that crap.
      • greatblackowl, on 10/24/2007, -13/+7There are much larger issues in the world right now to spend your energy on.
        • sacherjj, on 10/24/2007, -4/+9I agree. So use something other than Windows and free your time to spend energy elsewhere.
        • licoricewhip, on 10/24/2007, -2/+4No, sorry. This is an issue that has relevance and is important. That is why it is here to be discussed. You are are the one that is not important and should find self-validation elsewhere.
        • Fartag, on 10/24/2007, -1/+12For the technically minded, this is a big issue. The OS is _fundamental_ to the operation of your machine. The writers of an OS treating you, the paying customer, as a criminal by default is unacceptable. It's a bad foundation, you see, and tends to extend throughout the system. The relation between you the user and software used by you yet written _against_ you is indefensible by reasonable people.
        • staxofmax, on 10/24/2007, -4/+5Am I the only one who finds it ironic that the only people who find this to be a big deal are linux or mac users? You all are already using the OS of your preference, so kindly STFU.
          • senatorpjt, on 10/24/2007, -0/+1Windows users that pirated their copy don't seem to care either.
        • n8glenn, on 10/24/2007, -1/+1Why should we shut up? Microsoft has already expended untold amounts of money and energy trying to completely eliminate the competition, and they want to take control away from their customers and treat them like cattle. They are much more dangerous than most people realize, and one day we could all be forced to use them if we all just shut up and stop worrying about it. Somebody has to give a damn about freedom even if you don't.
        • drachemorder, on 10/24/2007, -0/+3One could just as well say that there are much more important operating system issues that Microsoft should be spending energy on other than craptacular anti-piracy schemes that don't even work.
    • digitallysick, on 10/24/2007, -7/+40How nice of them re activate the overpriced software you paid for....
    • sHockz, on 10/24/2007, -14/+5how nice of them to activate the overpriced software you DIDNT pay for ;-) hhahahahaa

      for educational purposes only kids!
      • n8glenn, on 10/23/2007, -0/+0Actually, if you bought a computer and it wasn't apple, you DID pay for it!
        • trogdoor, on 10/23/2007, -0/+1Or Dell, or system76...
        • FKnight, on 10/24/2007, -2/+1@n8glenn
          "Actually, if you bought a computer and it wasn't apple, you DID pay for it!"

          Oh yeah. a whole $50. In the time it would take me to set my screen resolution properly in Ubuntu, I can make twice that.
    • m3t00, on 10/24/2007, -3/+9Do they still require a credit card before trouble-shooting?
      • sHockz, on 10/23/2007, -1/+8they never have, you got scammed
      • FKnight, on 10/23/2007, -0/+1Microsoft does not charge for support until after your problem has been troubleshot and resolved. The reason they do this is because if it turns out that your issue is due to a bug in the operating system or bad information from a KB article, the support call is free.
    • Sibre, on 10/23/2007, -1/+10I don't think you called Microsoft. The last few times I've called to reactivate various systems, it has always been some man or woman with an extremely heavy Indian accent. I sometimes had to have them repeat the numbers 3 or 4 times.
      • DJDevine, on 10/23/2007, -0/+0it is but most american companys outsource all of their customer support to pay them ass.
    • rebotfc, on 10/23/2007, -0/+5And wha happen's if you have a dispute with them, or they 'lose' your details. Any number of things can happen which prevents you using software you paid for.
      • sHockz, on 10/23/2007, -0/+4all you gotta do is bitch at the indian guy your talking to, and they will give it to you. if they keep resisting, ask to speak to their manager, and i promise you will get what you need. that guy will lose a hand if you have to speak with their manager.
    • n8glenn, on 10/24/2007, -0/+5Nice to know that microsoft has complete control over your computer at all times. Call them, and your computer will work, anger them, and it won't...
    • zoom1928, on 10/23/2007, -1/+4You define quickly differently than most people. It took us almost two complete days for two IT guys to fix our ~45 Vista systems after installing an updated ATI video driver so that our X1300 cards would support more than one monitor.
      • FKnight, on 10/24/2007, -2/+1Your IT guys suck.
        • zoom1928, on 10/24/2007, -0/+2By the time you wait on hold for 15-30 minutes, repeat the current key to the Illiterate Microsoft employee a dozen or more times then finally have them repeat the new keys a dozen or more times, it takes a while. The one time I called, it took about 45 minutes. I think the two guys did a good job getting it done quickly.
  • beckerist, on 10/24/2007, -17/+20I don't deny that SOME people might have troubles, but I have a legal copy of Vista and I switch out hardware on a "more-than-monthly" (probably closer to weekly) basis with no issues*. Is it really that wide-spread?

    *knock on wood, I probably just jinxed myself
    • objectcode, on 10/30/2007, -2/+29what the hell are you doing that you have to swap out hardware on a weekly basis?
      • LynchMOB, on 10/25/2007, -2/+9overclocking / benchmarking
      • rugby4ward, on 10/30/2007, -2/+8microsoft employee
      • ubergeek09, on 10/30/2007, -0/+6He must have so much money that he doesn't know what to do with it all. Or he reviews hardware for some kind of publication/website/show.
      • paulsmith288, on 10/25/2007, -0/+1it doesn't mattter - surely its his right to swap hardware whenever he feels like it?
    • rrasco, on 10/25/2007, -2/+2I have swapped hardware numerous times over the last year. As a volume license holder, I have been running Vista since it was available to us, which was a few months prior to public release, and the first thing I did was swap drives in it. No issues here.
      • superkendall, on 10/25/2007, -0/+5It's probably more tolerant of volume licenses. As usual, it's the casual consumer who can least understand how to deal with things that is placed under the most burden.
        • FKnight, on 10/25/2007, -4/+2"Please call 1-800-XXX-XXXX to reactivate your copy of Windows" Wow, you have a really low opinion of the casual consumer, thinking they're too idiotic or stupid to use a telephone and say "I need to reactivate Windows."

          With such disdain for the intelligence of the casual consumer, you must be a Linux user.
        • friedman420, on 10/24/2007, -0/+1only casual users call tech support!
  • calgone, on 11/02/2007, -35/+7Vista FTW!
  • antiver, on 10/24/2007, -17/+9I've completely replaced every component in my system at least once and I've never had Windows deactivate. It might require a reinstall after a mobo swap, but I've never had to call MS to activate again.. I guess I'm just lucky.
    • sacherjj, on 10/30/2007, -1/+9I wouldn't say you are lucky. I mean you are still running Vista, right?
    • AlanYx, on 10/24/2007, -0/+6You're still running XP, I'm guessing. The re-activation criterion have tightened up significantly in Vista. If you've replaced every component in your system at least once, on Vista reactivation would have been triggered at some point.
    • v4vishal, on 10/23/2007, -1/+1Why don't you just replace Windows?
    • antiver, on 10/23/2007, -2/+3I install desktop Linux every 6 months to give it a shot.. but that's another story. Linux stays on my servers, windows stays on my desktop/laptop. And yes, I upgraded from xp pro to vista ultimate about 3 months ago.
    • InsaneMachine, on 10/23/2007, -0/+1yeah good luck changing the motherboard. I tried that before with some preparation, still failed to work on the new board, the chipsets were different as well though.
  • stutimandal, on 10/25/2007, -26/+7They copied Apple too much it seems. Now you cannot add your own hardware, it seems.
    • WaterMedia, on 10/23/2007, -1/+7Alas, you can add your own hardware to Apple silly. And there is no activation. And there are unicorns made of candy.
      • underdog138, on 10/23/2007, -0/+2We're going to Candy Mountain, Charlie! It's a land of sweets.. and joy.. and joyness..
      • MarkOfTheDead, on 10/23/2007, -0/+2Do the candy unicorns only come with the pro boxes or can I get them with a mini as well?
    • ozziek, on 10/24/2007, -4/+2And Apple didn't take anything from their visit to Xerox Parc did they.....
      • reedatschool, on 10/24/2007, -0/+5They were INVITED to come look at the GUI interface so they could develop it into something useful. Microsoft came in as a "developer" for Apple and then promptly stole the idea and propagated onto every PC in the known universe. So the answer is no, they aren't idea stealing bastard like Microsoft. Not that I prescribe to IP rights, but Microsoft has clearly been underhanded over the years.
        • FKnight, on 10/24/2007, -1/+1"I don't believe in Intellectual property rights, but it's underhanded if Microsoft doesn't respect them"
      • MicrosoftBob, on 10/24/2007, -0/+2From what I've read, Apple reached an agreement with and *paid* Xerox Parc for the use of their technologies.
  • e68895f, on 10/30/2007, -12/+77"Don't touch it, you may break it !!"
    - new vista slogan
    • zadadka, on 10/30/2007, -1/+23"Where do you want to STOP 0x0000007f Today?"
    • ozziek, on 10/25/2007, -5/+11"Don't Jailbreak your iPhone, you may brick it!!"
      - new Apple Slogan.
    • sacherjj, on 10/24/2007, -0/+12"Looks like you have installed new hardware. Allow or Deny?"
      • IEatHamburgers, on 10/25/2007, -0/+7"You pressed Deny."
        "I did not!"
        "I am almost certain you did."
      • geeshock, on 10/24/2007, -0/+3Can I phone a friend?
    • soopafly, on 10/24/2007, -0/+6"Wow. Cross your fingers."
    • OBKenobi, on 10/25/2007, -1/+9That's a pretty accurate summary of Vista's design philosophy.

      UAC: It's all your fault, not Microsoft's.
      WGA: You will not change any hardware without notifying Microsoft. Only criminals frequently change their hardware.
      Dual-Booting: Dual-booting is discouraged. You will not use anything but Vista, because other software supports terrorism.
      MS Live/Search/ID/WMP: We will decide what information is appropriate for you. Unapproved media is terrorism.
      WDDM Drivers: Microsoft no longer allows kernel-level drivers, because they can be used for piracy. Therefore, Vista will run like *****.
      WDDM Driver Installation: You don't need a new driver. You can't use open-source drivers. If you try it, we'll deactivate you, because we've already got your money, sucker.
  • Krumm, on 10/30/2007, -2/+93FTA: "Additionally, it has been completely bypassed by pirates, so the one group it’s aimed at is sailing blissfully past in a wonderful world where activation doesn’t exist."
    Bang on! It reams legitimate users for no reason, and the pirated versions are less hassle.
    • ShadedNine, on 10/24/2007, -0/+10Indeed. Anyone who's tried the latest pirated releases knows how flawlessly simple and hassle free it is. Not to mention there's really nothing MS can change to eliminate these copies without also affecting the (millions?) of legitimate systems running the same "pre-activated" versions.
      Once again, piracy > retail. Will they never learn?
    • angedinoir, on 10/25/2007, -0/+9Activiation: A pita for real customers. One or two extra commands after installation for pirates. Go microsoft.
    • senatorpjt, on 10/25/2007, -0/+2Is it even illegal to use a "pirated" version if you have a license?
  • deadbaby, on 10/25/2007, -11/+19In the short time I tried out Vista I had this happen once. I also has the machine BSOD and come back up asking to be re-activated. What a mess.
  • YourTechSupport, on 10/30/2007, -12/+17Anyone else have to fight the irony reflex and yell "OWWWNED!" ?
    • rheaume, on 10/25/2007, -4/+1Yeah me too, then i realized what a douche I was so I shot myself in the face with a 120mm cannon. I'm writing this from heaven (Who just switched to Ubuntu, ffs I cant play any ***** games in heaven either)
  • kingygk, on 10/30/2007, -9/+29This makes me want to get a mac book pro more and more ! I am dreading the fact that I paid 400 dollars for the Windows Ultimate version I cant even use with my nvidia nforce2 motherboard!
    • m3t00, on 10/25/2007, -0/+19I think "regreting" is the word you were dreading to use.
    • WoollyMittens, on 10/24/2007, -0/+12Bonus: If you buy a macbook, you can use that Windows license for boot-camp and still use your pc software.
    • crimsonnblue, on 10/25/2007, -2/+3You paid 400 dollars. Idiot!

      http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 ...
      • MicrosoftBob, on 10/24/2007, -0/+2Technically true, but not the point of the comment.
    • Domdogg123, on 10/25/2007, -0/+5$400...yikes! I bought the Vista Ultimate upgrade from my school for $7. After wasting several weeks with it, I installed Ubuntu instead.
    • ronintetsuro, on 10/25/2007, -0/+2Everything about what you said make me think you use a magic 8 ball as a tech consultant.
  • JoelBakan01, on 10/24/2007, -19/+1Seriously though, how many Vista users would even notice? It just means Vista will run slower which is something windows users have come to expect. I don't think it's anything to worry about. Just reinstall.
  • bebopredux, on 10/30/2007, -18/+75And we hear that Linux is "not quite ready for the desktop"?

    In their quest to become Engulf and Devour, MIcrosoft has instead watched OSX and Linux (specifically PCLInux OS, Ubuntu) become the OS's of choice for users who value being productive rather than quasi-professional trouble-shooters out of necessity.

    Vista is the new Windows ME
    • derek20cali, on 10/25/2007, -30/+5Activating Windows takes less time than recompiling your kernel.
      • CATSCEO, on 10/25/2007, -3/+25Ubuntu doesn't require that....
      • objectcode, on 10/25/2007, -2/+22but you have the option to recompile the kernel
      • andycr512, on 10/25/2007, -1/+13I haven't compiled a kernel since I ran Gentoo, and that was my own choice. Never compiled a kernel on a from-binary distro.

        From the other angle, at least I -can- compile my kernel if I need to.
      • senatorpjt, on 10/25/2007, -0/+3Yeah, but I can do other things when recompiling a kernel, since I'm not stuck holding a phone to my ear and writing down long strings of numbers.

        John Nash didn't go insane. He was trying to reactivate Vista.
    • objectcode, on 10/25/2007, -19/+4Linux is "not quite ready for the desktop"
    • grewell912, on 10/24/2007, -4/+12I've said the same thing about vista being the new ME. Its like every other OS from MS is good. 98 was good, then ME sucked then XP was good, now Vista sucks.
      • Tezdoll, on 10/23/2007, -0/+1where does windows 2000 fall into your scheme?
        • MarkOfTheDead, on 10/23/2007, -0/+2It was mainly business/network oriented and is for the most part just NT 5.0. ME was supposed to be the "home" equivalent of 2000. I think grewell meant out of home PC OS's.
        • grewell912, on 10/23/2007, -0/+2Exactly Mark and thanks for clarifying....

          2000 was a really good OS though, but XP was much better
    • Haohmaru, on 10/25/2007, -12/+3Yah, linux is EASY you n00bz! I tried to install a small 2.5mb program but it had dependencies, so I downloaded them, but they had dependencies, so I decided to install APT because APT makes it so much easier, but I couldn't because it had dependencies.
      SO easy!
      • andycr512, on 10/30/2007, -0/+16You obviously haven't tried Ubuntu.......
      • Shananra, on 10/30/2007, -0/+15Clearly you haven't used a modern mainstream distro. I do remember those pains that you describe, feels like forever ago...
      • Haohmaru, on 10/25/2007, -4/+1To be fair, no. It's my firewall box running Redhat EL 3.
        I do run Ubuntu on my file server.
      • MarkOfTheDead, on 10/25/2007, -6/+2You forgot to patch the kernel.

        *snicker*
    • mrurc, on 10/23/2007, -1/+2I value being productive! Too bad none of the software that allows me to be productive in my job is made for linux or has a linux equivalent! Emulators FTL.
    • viksmaester, on 10/25/2007, -2/+1yea, you won't have problem with linux.......coz you cant use this hardware :D anyway...so ready for desktop!!
  • clak, on 10/25/2007, -13/+69No way, Apple bricked my phone! They're evil... Hold on a second, I think I walked into the wrong topic.
    • OBKenobi, on 10/25/2007, -1/+4***** 'em all.
    • MacSuxWindozSux, on 10/25/2007, -1/+7My next computer is going to be a Mac, I'm making my whole family make the switch.
      Because I'm a dumbass who desperately wants people to buy Apple products...

      uh... wrong thread?
  • DeadlyNinja, on 10/25/2007, -5/+12It happened to me when I put a new processor in.
    • Almightymole, on 10/23/2007, -2/+1Blue screen of death?
    • Almightymole, on 10/23/2007, -2/+1Blue screen of death?
    • victorc26, on 10/23/2007, -0/+1Didn't happen to me when I installed a new processor.
    • 000dom000, on 10/30/2007, -0/+2I think at Microsoft they call it suicide
  • MadOgre, on 10/30/2007, -5/+36That's odd. My Mac and my Linux boxes never did anything like this. Then again neither did my XP boxes... of course the XP boxes were more subject to viruses and spyware.... Still haven't seen a reason to slidegrade to Vista.
    • deadbaby, on 10/24/2007, -2/+3Let's face it, Mac & Linux simply can't keep up with Microsoft innovation. They probably have at least half a dozen people working on nothing but WGA & activation code all day. Linux & OSX, being based on 30 year old hippie technology, is outdated to really compete. They haven't even figured out how to implement a proper 20 digit serial protection system yet. Stupid hippies.
      • ronintetsuro, on 10/24/2007, -1/+3Your ignorance is ripping a hole in space-time, making your statements true only in your reality. Congrats.
        • DaffyDuck, on 10/24/2007, -0/+3Did you really not detect the sarcasm?
    • ronintetsuro, on 10/25/2007, -0/+2Points for 'slidegrade'.
  • ericdano, on 10/30/2007, -14/+36Another reason Ballmer will not get my money and Jobs gets more of it Friday........
    • licoricewhip, on 10/25/2007, -6/+9Yeah... Jobs is a whore, so that is fitting.
    • Haohmaru, on 10/24/2007, -5/+13Apple sells lifestyles, not computers.
      • MacSuxWindozSux, on 10/25/2007, -2/+3Lifestyle of over spending on high priced computer products.
        • astrotrain, on 10/25/2007, -1/+1They prey on the knowledge of most people, and the simple "if its an Apple product, it will work with an Apple product... I better buy it!" idea. For instance, Apple iPOd cassette Adapter - $30..... Memorex cassette Adapter $9.99... both have the same 1/8" jack, and cassette housing... thats it.
          • MacSuxWindozSux, on 10/28/2007, -0/+1And Memorex probably manufactures them both.
      • astrotrain, on 10/24/2007, -0/+1Apple is more of a designer company, should have Brooke Shields selling their products like she did with the Jordache Jeans back in the 80s.... they were more for looks then use.

        "Don't hate me because I have an iPod.... I just wanted to be hip..." - Brooke Shields (future apple spokes person)
  • badassninja, on 10/25/2007, -10/+22And that's what you get for buying software from a control freak like bill gates.
    • Viper244, on 10/25/2007, -1/+1HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! You call Bill Gates a control freak for trying to prevent Microsoft's software from being pirated, but what about Steve Jobs? He is the most anal and controlling CEO I've ever known, not to mention arrogant. Just take the iPhone not being able to have 3rd party apps because he's afraid they will crash the phone yet only Apple can write apps that won't crash, so he thinks.
      • openguru, on 10/30/2007, -1/+1Go and check apple site again, 3rd party apps are coming this Feb.
        • Viper244, on 10/30/2007, -0/+1That doesn't change the fact that Steve is arrogant, temperamental, and a control freak. This is widely known. You just don't hear about it on Digg cause it's full of Apple fanboys and Microsoft haters.
  • Quix, on 10/30/2007, -6/+134Microsoft's new Vista slogan:

    "Where do you want to go today? No, seriously, that's not a rhetorical question: we need to know so we can decide to allow it or not."®
    • andycr512, on 10/30/2007, -3/+21"You are about to go somewhere. Allow or deny?"
      • TnTBass, on 10/26/2007, -0/+19"You have clicked Allow. Allow or Deny?"
      • astrotrain, on 10/25/2007, -0/+3"We've detected your bladder is full and you must relieve yourself" Allow or Deny?
  • sHockz, on 10/24/2007, -1/+13this is a common problem in vista and xp alike.

    trying to get your vista or xp activated? this is a great excuse for some guy across the world, and if they give you ***** just yell at them, they will give you the activation code eventually ;-) voila, you have LEGITIMATE windows, from microsoft.
    • JoelBakan01, on 10/24/2007, -4/+9Then Microsoft wonders why so many people use cracked versions of their virus.
    • objectcode, on 10/23/2007, -0/+4and that is what i want to do every time i change hardware
    • tendonut, on 10/23/2007, -0/+1I have a copied Volume License edition of XP. Used it to replace my purchased copy of XP Pro. I have no activation to worry about ever. Piracy FTW
    • gridbread, on 10/24/2007, -0/+2I doubt it, I have a legitimate copy of Vista that came with my notebook (unfortunately) and I had to reformat my hard drive after setting up several different operating systems.
      After installing Vista again I went to put in my legitimate key only for it to claim it's still in use, which makes sense except this is the only instance of it ever being used and only on this computer.
      I think I spent about 30 minutes arguing to the useless activation help agent, he just kept asking me if I "put the key in correctly" which I did and knew I did, and after asking me that useless question for a while he simply said he couldn't do anything more and I should contact my vendor/manufacturer...which I know for a fact their somewhat more competent support clearly told me they have nothing to do with Windows software other than allowing sales of the software.
      So thanks for ***** nothing Microsoft, you've just proven to me again that there is no point to buy software, and I am even more annoyed by the fact you manage to tie up so many companies with your piece of proprietary dog *****.
    • JoelBakan01, on 10/24/2007, -0/+0Microsoft isn't the only culprit. A lot of software has this problem. I know someone who purchased Adobe After Effects for her Mac and it wouldn't accept her registration key. The vendor wouldn't take the software back because it had been opened!
  • krupert, on 10/30/2007, -1/+63I am a Microsoft Certified Trainer and most of our training is done using Virtual PC. This even happens to Virtual PCs that have Vista installed on them and are moved to a different host PC. Most of our training rooms have the same computers in them but it still forces me to reactivate the OS every time.
    • m3t00, on 10/24/2007, -0/+12Sounded like a cry of desperation. My .edu job forces me to deal with licenses from most major software vendors. I'm often tempted to just d/l a cracked version even though we own a legitimate license. I wonder if this would be illegal... hmm. Be damned if I could read the EULA and tell.
  • KutterMax, on 10/24/2007, -2/+17I changed my video card from a 7950 to an 8800GTX. The caused my Vista Ultimate to deactivate. I had to call Microsoft and was able to get a new activation code.

    Interestingly, my system still reports that I have a 7950 installed, but the 8800GTX runs flawlessly (I did unstall previous drivers, run DriverCleaner, and install new ones).
    • FunkyWitDaSysTm, on 10/24/2007, -5/+3niiiiice. so your compy of vista is so retarded that it doesn't even get it that you installed a new video card? yeah, that's what i'd expect...
    • MacSuxWindozSux, on 10/24/2007, -0/+2At least you can install a new video card.
      It would be ironic for people to make fun when their systems don't allow upgrades.
  • BigFwoosh, on 10/24/2007, -9/+3Funny, this happened to me less than a week ago when I added 1GB RAM to my box. It was annoying to have to reactivate, but I will say that it only took about 6 minutes on the phone to get everything back in order. I hope everyone dealing with this is as fortunate and gets a tech support person who doesn't screw around. Props for the good support, Microsoft, but isn't there a way you can let us legit users upgrade something as minor as RAM without having to deal with this?
    • TheTSArt, on 10/24/2007, -0/+15Six minutes on the phone every time? That's insane.

      What if that happened while you were on deadline... that's unacceptable. "Sorry you'll have to wait, my computer disabled itself and now I've got to wait on hold to beg them to get it working again."

      I just don't understand why anybody would buy a product that is designed to disable itself on purpose. If the Mac OS started doing that, I wouldn't buy it either.
      • andycr512, on 10/24/2007, -0/+6How about a new term - "bombware". It's software designed to blow up if it wants to.
        • astrotrain, on 10/24/2007, -0/+1"you dropped the bombware on me baby.... you dropped the bombware" ** sounds of bombs dropping **

          Yeah I like the sound of that...
    • chugger1992, on 10/23/2007, -0/+1you are getting dugg down, why?
  • geoken, on 10/30/2007, -1/+11Happend to me when I updated my nForce chipset driver through Windows Update. The worst part was that the nForce update was one windows update, then I read on some forums that it was causing Vista to be deactivated, about 2 days later is was taken off windows update. Then, about 2 months later, I saw it on windows update again and i figured they sorted out whatever issue was causing the deactivation. I guess they didn't.
    • MicrosoftBob, on 10/23/2007, -0/+1Sort of like the Keystone Kops of the OS support world.
  • itsbob, on 10/30/2007, -4/+26WOW
  • BadSyntax, on 10/25/2007, -24/+4Wow, thats funny.... I seem to recall updating a driver when my vista install, which was NOT pirated (well not this time), decided to deactivate on me. Around that point, and after suffering the HORRIBLY slow GUI (on a dual 3.6g xeon, 6gb ram, 7800 video, 15K raid 0 x 4 drives) I decided Vista sucked.

    So I went after all the popular linux distros, trying to love them as so many of ya'll do *yet again*. I've tried Ubuntu, Debian, and Redhat. None supported half the hardware in my machine. I don't have a POS dell, I have basically a supermicro server as a desktop. Its a super powerful bad-a$$ machine that runs XP/2K3 just fine.... just not Linux/Vista.

    So, I'm now running 2003 on my "desktop" at home. Its stable, fast, and I've yet to have a game not work. The x86 version supports 6GB of ram and doesn't have driver issues. There is NOTHING I can't do in it (I know vbscript and DOS *very* well). I have ubuntu in a VPC sessions, but find it useless.

    Sure, if I had to *pay* for Office 2007+Windows XXX I'd probably decided *nix was better as well, but since I pretty much always have an MSDN account whereever I work, windows is just a better OS. Vista however, sucks ass.... if your thinking of upgrading DONT, its really lame.... all your going to see new is the GUI anyway, and if the GUI is more important than the performance, go get a MAC (which people love, but I haven't played with OSX yet so I can't judge.... just the people who tend to use them!) MS is on every desktop *because* of piracy, if they take that away, it'll be a great help for Linux/Mac (probably more mac unfortunately).

    When are all the *nix zealous gunna get their freaking heads together and:
    1. Make a single freaking version of linux.
    2. Create a good DirectX sorta API (NOT opengl!) so people can play games
    3. Create a GOOD GUI, thats fast, non-java based, and gives all the silly animated abilities so many n00bs care about
    4. Have some freaking good driver support, even if somehow they are backwards compatible.
    5. Emulate, without a virtual window, MS x86 apps.

    Do that, and microsoft would die within a few years.... until then we are stuck with ***** like vista. Btw, I'm not an MS fanboy, I've been a unix/linux/hpux admin in the past.... while I love the shell, its lack of good products and support for common tasks makes it nearly useless. Don't even try to compare things like openoffice vs office 2007, its like comparing a Ferrari to a souped up Kia.
    • Wacer, on 10/30/2007, -0/+7Having one version of Linux would be horrible. Some distros are geared for server and scientific fields. Other are geared towards home users, etc. I have one distro that doesn't even mess with graphical software and is text based but it is great for what its used for.
    • Smuikas, on 10/30/2007, -2/+91. Make a single freaking version of linux.
      Bad for competition. Multiple distributions means multiple people competing. Compete comes from the latin Competere, which means 'train together.' Athletes train together, then compete. The entire process isn't hateful, spiteful, but should be working towards making your product the best it can - without spinning FUD at other products and pulling other dirty tricks. Make it the best you can, and you'll win out. Linux distros are currently doing this, and Gutsy Gibbon is winning out.

      2. Create a good DirectX sorta API (NOT opengl!) so people can play games

      Cedega does support a lot of games. It's also pretty lacking.

      3. Create a GOOD GUI, thats fast, non-java based, and gives all the silly animated abilities so many n00bs care about

      Look at Gutsy Gibbon. It comes packaged with this cool thing called Compiz Fusion, that isn't Java-based (afaik - mainly because it's decently performing. Feel free to prove me wrong). In fact, its interface runs snappier on my 4 year old computer than windows 2000's did. And a lot of its features add usability, not just eyecandy.

      4. Have some freaking good driver support, even if somehow they are backwards compatible.

      Yeah, uh, you haven't tried linux in the past five years, have you? Most of the driver issues nowadays come from VERY small segments of the market. And some wireless cards. I was kind of disappointed that the official (non-free) ATI drivers don't work well on my 9600, but the community ones work great. Your machine sounds like a pretty beefy server - you realize that most servers out there run some version of posix, don't you? Linux, BSD, etc, has historically been better supporting of RAID than windows.

      I'm kind of confused why you have an older nVidia card in something that's so badassed. Nevertheless, I've heard success stories of people who just "installed ubuntu and it worked" on such cards.

      5. Emulate, without a virtual window, MS x86 apps.

      Yeah, WINE does that.

      Go back to your basement, you microsoft shill. Stop throwing FUD. For being a unix/linux/hpux admin in the past, you seem to be pretty out of touch with what it's currently like to run a modern linux distribution.
      • underdog138, on 10/23/2007, -1/+1My comment had the same information as yours, except I wasn't a total ***** about it. That just makes us all look bad. Come on now.
    • underdog138, on 10/23/2007, -1/+4/*
      When are all the *nix zealous gunna get their freaking heads together and:
      1. Make a single freaking version of linux.
      2. Create a good DirectX sorta API (NOT opengl!) so people can play games
      3. Create a GOOD GUI, thats fast, non-java based, and gives all the silly animated abilities so many n00bs care about
      4. Have some freaking good driver support, even if somehow they are backwards compatible.
      5. Emulate, without a virtual window, MS x86 apps.
      */

      1) Freedom of choice is the mainstay of the OSS philosophy.
      2) OpenGL is a great, open API. id software and friends have made some of the greatest cross-platform engines in the industry on this API.
      3) CDE was the only Java-related GUI which was created by Sun. Sun has now switched to using mainly Gnome (C based) on their open version of Solaris. KDE is C++. This has always been the case.
      4) Most drivers come from the hardware manufacturers themselves, and many of them don't write drivers for operating systems other than Windows. Many of them keep a tight reign on their hardware specifications which make writing drivers in operating systems other than Windows a trial and error procedure or take a large amount of reverse engineering.
      5) In the same vein as #4, The win16/32 GDI/Aqua APIs are proprietary, and the wine team has to do a large amount of reverse engineering to create these API layers. Wine isn't an emulator. It's an API layer like anything else.

      Kids these days.
  • stevedusa, on 10/30/2007, -3/+43Already happened to me. Bought a copy, format, fresh install, activated... install mother board driver, reboot and it says it was deactivated because hardware change... try reactivate, won't let me, have to call them and... deactivated AGAIN after I updated the video card driver. After that? Went straight back to XP, same procedure, no deactivation.

    Can't believe they treat everybody as a thief, even legit copy customers! One more reason no Vista for me.
    • Wacer, on 10/24/2007, -1/+9That is why it is easier to run a cracked version because at least it is usable if your into changing things on your system regularly. Its just easier to run Linux if you can.
      • stevedusa, on 10/24/2007, -0/+5Well, I am a Mac guy now. The PC is just there for games, domain/application server and couple things.
    • FKnight, on 10/24/2007, -2/+1Well, knowing that I'm installing an operating system which has a hardware based fingerprint system in it's activation subsystem, I normally install Windows, install all of my drivers, and get all the hardware working before I activate it the first time. You have 30 days to activate. The time you wasted was your fault.
      • tomis, on 10/24/2007, -1/+2No, poor design is the designer's fault, not the user's.
      • MicrosoftBob,