digg

Facebook Connect Join Digg About

WGA and Activation Failures Don't Faze Redmond

gripe2ed.com — "..Now, all of a sudden, Microsoft is saying that their licenses are invalid. And - to make things more exciting - they've dimmed the Automatic Updates settings so we can't change them to Manual. One by one, all of the machines are becoming unusable."

Who dugg this? Made popular Jul 26, 2006

Digg DudeWhat is Digg?

Digg is a place for people to discover and share content from anywhere on the web. Digg surfaces the best stuff as submitted and voted on by the community. Take the Tour to learn more.

130 Comments

show profanity settings
expand all
  • Phyltre, on 10/12/2007, -2/+68Once again, the effects of anti-piracy only serve to promote piracy while diminishing the PR of the progenitor.

    You'd think they'd all learn about DRM and reactivation problems.
  • jer2eydevil88, on 10/12/2007, -6/+47@inkswamp
    You need a ***** serial number to play quicktime movies in full screen on a Mac. Apple needs to change that as of yesterday, with this the case many first time Mac users are turned away and many of those get their first taste of Serialbox.
  • nofxjunkee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+38"And what do you suggest microsoft do?"

    At least, the _very_ least, they should make sure these schemes work *before* shoving them down their _paying customers_ throats.

    edit: "but no one gets mad at BMW beacause every time they lock their car an alarm is turned on. "

    terrible analogy. the alarm is to protect your car, not BMW's property.
  • Eeqmcsq, on 10/12/2007, -5/+42I can sure see something like this coming soon:
    Mac: Hi, I'm a Mac.
    PC: And I'm a PC.
    Mac: Wanna go to the beach?
    PC: Sure. But first, you'll need to ask my parent's permission.
    Mac: Uh, sure.
    ...
    Mac: Ok, I got it. But you shouldn't wear that jacket at the beach. Here, try just a T-shirt.
    PC: Ok, I'm done changing. But you'll have to ask for permission again.
    Mac: Uh... again? Oh, all right.
    ...
    Mac: Ok, let's go.
    (Halfway to the door.)
    PC: My parents say you need to ask for permission again.
    Mac: Why?
    PC: They don't think you asked for it before.
    Mac: Look, I'm headed to the beach. Call me when you get this straightened out with your parents.
    (Mac walks out.)
    PC (all alone): Now, what do I do?
  • neko, on 10/12/2007, -0/+33Windows has detected you are attempting to burn a CD. We apologise for the inconvenience, but as many illegal pirates use CD-burning technology, access to the CDRW is now a Windows Genuine Advantage Plus! Extra Pack feature.

    Please go to windowsupdate.com and enter your product serial key. If you do not have a product serial key, your credit card number will do just fine.

    [Yes] [OK]
  • DarkSorrow, on 10/12/2007, -4/+36good thing i removed WGA after i found what WGA really can do. there is a article about how to force removing WGA and use a AutoPatcher as a Window Updates without using a WGA
  • ronin2040, on 10/12/2007, -2/+30Im sorry, but microsoft really does make it hard not to hate them.

    You talk about how the rest of the world goes on using windows...thats all fine, but what about when our whole company's network started to go down, for no reason, with wierd COM errors, causing DHCP to fail? No viruses (checked while offline), no harddrive corruption, no malware, all updates, dial-a-fix tried (with moderate, temporary success)...and then the problem disappears.

    Or when you call up microsoft asking why a client's hotmail live doesnt work, and get the run around for 5 hours going between the same extensions, finally fork over money for pro tech support, and after an hour on hold, they hang up on us?

    Or how about how they like to restrict their websites (preview sites, certain MSDN portions) to IE only for no ***** reason except that they want to bash Firefox?

    Or how about them releasing reports every 2 weeks on how IE6 with all patches has fewer announced holes than firefox version .9 (always an older version, always reporting the very holes that mozilla themselves released)?

    I could go on for quite a while, but I think I've vented enough tonight. Just got out of college last year, and I'm pretty appalled at the kind of crap I have to deal with because of Microsoft.
  • ToxicBomber, on 10/12/2007, -8/+35Scary thought...bare with me on this one, its far fetched...but what if its all just a huge plan to FORCE people to get Vista? Making WinXP essentially "broken" for the average user, so they have to go buy the newest thing. Makes sense in an conspiracy-theorist kinda way. Like I said far fetched, but maybe......?
  • Eeqmcsq, on 10/12/2007, -12/+37Windows used to "just work". Now it "just doesn't work".
  • Scruffydan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+25I dont get it. If you are MS wouldn't you prefer that people run pirated versions of windows rather than Linux, or OSX.
  • Mediaright, on 10/12/2007, -18/+42Yeah....just another reason to use Mac or Linux folks.
  • MarkByers, on 10/12/2007, -3/+27Your theory might be more slightly believable if Vista was actually for sale. At the moment Vista is only in Beta.
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -7/+30When I can play games on Linux without problems, then I'll switch, for now I'll stick with my Gaming OS(I've tried switching several times, I've tried getting Cedega working the way its supposed to, and the current game catalogue on Linux doesn't cut it.
  • beanfink, on 10/12/2007, -2/+25They should have called Vista "Mirage."
  • inkswamp, on 10/12/2007, -11/+33Huh? When did it ever "just work?"
  • Rosewood, on 10/12/2007, -0/+20This guy's story when dealing with OEM licenses is all too familiar with me. I have a WGA remover that is working for now and I simply decline the WGA update.
  • FluffyArmada, on 10/12/2007, -4/+24To be super fair, if you get into their über-pro apps, you need a special USB key to authorize it to run on your computer.[ it has to be in to run... every time, if I'm not mistaken ] Which is pretty cool, and less annoying than WGA.
    I must say though, this Quicktime / Quicktime Pro crap is really annoying... :0(
  • mntpng, on 10/12/2007, -2/+22As with all copy protection or digital rights management, only people who are caught in the middle and inconvenienced by it are the honest people. Pirates have already figured out a way to disable or circumvent this sort of thing from day one. Obviously WGA is a brainchild of a someone either too young to know the history of copy protection and it's consequences or someone who simply don't understand the technology outside of their cushy hive. Personally I see WGA as a last ditch desperate attempt at trying to squeeze out last bit of revenue from a five year old piece of software devoid of any competitive value and they are willing to do this regardless of what it does for company's public image. I suppose this sort of behavior falls in line with Microsoft's current status as a monopoly. Also Microsoft's price of operating system has risen at a much faster rate than inflation over the years. You think that has something to do with piracy in the first place?
  • easycheez, on 10/12/2007, -2/+22Good deal. Microsoft should be losing OS marketshare hand over fist. I have a slogan for Microsoft, Windows- The next AOL of Operating Systems
  • Clbck, on 10/12/2007, -4/+24Link?
  • inkswamp, on 10/12/2007, -5/+24Hmm... it's a vast Linux Conspiracy perhaps?

    Or maybe it's just because Linux, Apple, Firefox, PHP really do rock in ways that MS doesn't. Is that so hard to believe?
  • chandler, on 10/12/2007, -4/+22http://www.knoppix.org burn a copy while you still can
  • STDOUBT, on 10/12/2007, -13/+30Doesn't matter -- people will just keep taking it in the ass.

    Patch to kill WGA, cracked ISOs... anything to keep from
    having to actually THINK, and move to a free platform.

    (and before you wet your pants and say "but I NEED Windows
    to accomplish X"... Let me just say this: "You need Windows like you
    need a hole in your head").
  • mavantix, on 10/12/2007, -1/+17I've personally experianced it on a client's computer. Their FACTORY INSTALLED (Dell support info and all in computer properties) Dell Windows XP SP2 (even had the Genuine sticker on the side of the computer) with WGA was complaining about being pirated. The only fix I could come up with was installing a volumne license key. Nothing like piracy to fix the anti piracy spy-ware app. Go Microsoft.
  • yellowperil, on 10/12/2007, -5/+20Windows XP SP1... works just fine for me. its been working non-stop for 5 years.
  • tegulizard13, on 10/12/2007, -2/+17ive used all the windows version up through server 2003, as they came out, except for ME (2003 and the other server versions were at work), and i have to say that i really liked 98SE.

    Its too bad that the days when you could reinstall quickly are gone. It makes me sad that i no longer have control over everything.
  • sExl, on 10/12/2007, -2/+17http://www.autopatcher.com/

    IIRC there are versions for other languages of Windows elsewhere, this one is for English installations only.
  • dangmoss, on 10/12/2007, -1/+15I changed a harddisk in an older Presario today and Office XP required reactivation... WTF?
  • superkendall, on 10/12/2007, -6/+20To be fair, on Pro software Apple does have license numbers and often has restrictions such as only running on one local computer at a time. But you're right about OS X not requiring even a serial number to install.
  • skidogallard, on 10/12/2007, -3/+17Great article. It really makes me want to just format my hard drives and install Suse 10.1 in place of an OS that doesn't even deserve to be called an OS. If only Steve hadn't trusted Bill with the Macintosh :(
  • demonicume, on 10/12/2007, -4/+18i dont own a business, but i am a lab manager/ computer resources teacher at a public school. with 64 computers to keep up with and 700 kids who learn their hacks right here on digg, i'm always busy saving a desktop from destruction.

    M$ slows me down. when i call them for assistance, i'm put off. When i try to do a mass reinstall, they refuse to reactivate my systems. Their staff in india takes for ever to understand my english. i end up spending 30 minutes spelling my one syllable name to 5 or 6 peeople.

    last year i pledged to live a microsoft free life. beyond the operating system, i stay far away from their supposed 'fixes.' and we're doing fine. i found freeware that i can use to do things M$ said couldnt be done. most of that information came right here from Digg.

    thanks Digg.

    now if ya'll could stop posting hacks, i might have time to surf the internet while at work. i was very impressed when i came across 6th graders reading Digg and trying to immulate the stuff they saw.

    just kidding, keep posting.
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -6/+20It is what it is: extortion.

    The Redmond Mob has always been adroit about skirting the law and getting away with it but I think this time they've gone to far.

    Their update service, which you simply must have since their software is riddled with security holes, is disabling their customers machines which they can then shake down for a license fee.

    It is the beginning of the end. Only the stupidest of no self-esteem worms would buy Vista after being raped over and over again by Microsquat.
  • MarkByers, on 10/12/2007, -9/+23The only recurring positive story about Microsoft is that Vista is delayed again. That's always good news.
  • Xsecrets, on 10/12/2007, -2/+15"but no one gets mad at BMW beacause every time they lock their car an alarm is turned on. "

    Well they would care if when they came back to the car the key didn't work and BMW claimed they never bought the car, or made them jump through a bunch of hoops to prove they bought the car.
  • mav451, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12Autopatcher is great. Seriously, thank god for Autopatcher--and this is even way before this bogus "Genuine Advantage" crap started flying around. I've been using Autopatcher since '05...makes all those vanilla XP updates (to SP2 and beyond) a cinch.
  • Tixer, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12My current computer came with a legit copy of XP Home. Although it is home, I was willing to accept it over a pirated copy of Pro, until a year ago.

    I was having problems with my machine, and decided that a format was the best solution. So I'm reinstalling, and all of a sudden it tells me that I need to activate. Since I hadn't installed my WiFi card yet, phone was the only method.

    I called up, Christmas eve at 3AM, and spent an hour on the phone with some guy in India. I got the number, and the first thing I did was download a Pirated copy of Pro. Why?

    The minute I get inconvenienced due to a legit copy is the minute I'll pirate. I do this to any item with DRM, such as PSP games, etc. The fact that I get ***** up the ass because I payed $150 for a license is the minute I won't use it. When a pirated copy has fewer problems, you know somethings wrong.

    It is simply not worth my time to have to spend an hour on hold, then explain that the reason I'm reformatting is because their product sucks.

    "You don't need to do any activation check with apple computers"

    1. Apple assumes that, if you have the hardware, which is a mac, and it can run that version, that you've already payed for it.

    2. You're given an install disc with a computer.

    3. Piracy isn't a big problem, since people have to have macs to begin with.
  • billmania, on 10/12/2007, -4/+15There may be a reason for that. Think. Think real hard, give up? May it just be that Apple, Linux, Firefox (Opera 9 ;) ) exist for the users first, and shareholders second/not at all?
  • skidogallard, on 10/12/2007, -5/+15I can see it too. That would really make a great commercial.
  • Trel, on 10/12/2007, -4/+14If you bothered to read the article, Dell and Microsoft verified that they had legit keys.
    However, MS would not do anything to fix that.
  • bchow, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10Here's my favorite quote from the article:

    "We've decided that it's actually much more cost-effective not to apply any Microsoft security updates ever again"

  • superkendall, on 10/12/2007, -2/+12Sure but when was it SUPPOSED to be for sale originally... just a thought to provoke the conspiratorially minded.
  • PeteyEks, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10Yes, link please. It'd be very convenient to have that information now that MS isn't validating my XP Pro purchased from CompUSA.
  • roaringLION, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11Ooh...what's this, a yellow shield in my taskbar...let's check it out..Why It's...

    WGA, downloaded and ready to be installed.

    (Clicks X)

    Moments later...

    Computer begins self termination due to non-compliance.
  • jer2eydevil88, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11Haha yeah they could use this as a reason to upgrade, "New Windows Vista - Now with less activation requirements than Windows XP".
  • ronin2040, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10Thats actually a damn good name, jokes aside--goes with the glassy interface...why cant Microsoft come up with good names like that?
  • osbjmg, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10I am using a volume license, and apparently it was reported leaked or stolen... now I am treated as if I stole it or something.
  • rderveloy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8This is a perfect case in point where Microsoft should have remembered the old saying, "don't use a cannon to kill a mosquito." WGA is causing problems for legitamate customers, and Microsoft seriously needs to re-examine their technology.

    As for the poor saps that were stuck between Dell and Microsoft tech support, they should have used the conference or 3-way call feature on their phone. If their land line didn't support it, then they could most likely have used their cell phones and had the Dell and Microsoft techs duke it out.

    Heck, both tech support offices are probably located in India and they could talk between each other more easily!



  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -5/+13Must be Vista coder.
  • leadbelly, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8I also had this problem with verification. Just downloaded a cracked copy and everythings works just fine.
  • neko, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Yes, games are the only reason my secondary machine still has winXP on it. It's my Morrowind-and-Oblivion-and-maybe-WoW machine, and good for little else. All my day-to-day stuff I do with Debian, plus the occasional little diversion in the form of Neverball, Billiard-GL, DOSbox, and so on... happypenguin.org is my friend.

    I'd like for more game companies to take a leaf from Id and Epic's books, and release more cross-platform* games, but that will have to happen slowly.

    * - No, Microsoft, "Cross-Platform" does not mean "works on Windows ME,XP && XBox720".
  • Fetching more discussions...
    Show 51 - 100 of 130 discussions

  • Add a Comment

    Login or register to comment!
    Or, sign-in super fast with your Facebook account ...


© Digg Inc. 2009 — Content created and posted by Digg users is dedicated to the public domain | Terms of Use Updated | Privacy Policy
DIGG, DIGG IT, DUGG, DIGG THIS, Digg graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, scripts, and other service names are the trademarks of Digg Inc.