Windows XP SP2 free for all

[Lee]

I just read this it might be interesting for you to read:

http://www.tcmagazine.net/story.php?id=5754

 

[Petros]

SLIPSTREAM TIME!! I want to bake a clam in celebration.

/bakes

 

[NetRyder]

It's a good move, in my opinion.
After all, Windows piracy (and piracy of everything else, for that matter) isn't going to just stop anytime soon. Everytime unlicensed keys are locked out, some hacker group manages to circumvent the process anyway.
Might as well use your resources to plug security holes for everyone regardless. That will be good for the whole Windows user base in the long run.

 

[Petros]

Piracy is on the short list of reasons why Windows is the largest operating system on the face of the planet. Microsoft will miss a few (billion) bucks from individuals that pirate, but that piracy has led to untold billions (trillions someday?) more in the business/OEM sector that buys mass-licenses aplenty.

Very good news indeed, everyone wins--pirates and land lubbers alike. Besides, a VL copy of Windows coupled with a certain famous keygen would still be impervious to a SP1-style lockdown.

 

[LeeJend]

Besides, a VL copy of Windows coupled with a certain famous keygen would still be impervious to a SP1-style lockdown.

And here we have the real reason for Microshafts generosity. They can't block the current hack. With just one Key on the corporate beta it was easy.

 

[canadian_divx]

but to have SP2 you need to have SP1 which cant be installed on the FCKQW key. and yea why we need windows now anyways, suse 9.1 DVD is out and it is great LOL sorry had too

but if you need sp 1 to get sp 2 then some people still cant use it and they are still blocking some keys on windows update so yea.

 

[gonaads]

I really like this little tidbit

The most visible changes SP2 will introduce to XP is the new Windows Firewall, a renamed, upgraded version of the ICF (Internet Connection Firewall) firewall system that shipped with the original Windows XP, and the new aggressive attitude towards security updates and controls.

Unlike ICF, Windows Firewall is turned on by default, and automatically locks up ports like DCOM (Distributed Component Object Model) popular among worm-writers.

New technology allows it to dynamically open and close ports on demand. For example, when an approved online gaming application is given permission to send or receive data over the Net, the port is opened for it, and when the application shuts down, the port is closed.

"We wanted a firewall good enough for most consumers' needs, and we believe Windows Firewall is it,".

And for all you that STILL use IE 😛

Other than security-related upgrades, SP2 also introduces a much-awaited anti-pop-up ad feature, and is integrated with the Internet Explorer Web browser to allow users to stop pop-ups that the user did not explicitly request.

Now you can be like us Mozilla/Firefox users. 🙄

 

[Petros]

Now you can be like us Mozilla/Firefox users. 🙄

And us creepy MyIE2/Avant users!

 

[melon]

but to have SP2 you need to have SP1 which cant be installed on the FCKQW key. and yea why we need windows now anyways, suse 9.1 DVD is out and it is great LOL sorry had too

but if you need sp 1 to get sp 2 then some people still cant use it and they are still blocking some keys on windows update so yea.

As far as I know, no, you don't need SP1 already installed. SP2 should have all the SP1 updates in it as well.

Melon

 

[NetRyder]

I really like this little tidbit

Yeah, it works somewhat like UPnP-enabled routers. Pretty cool

 

[gonaads]

As far as I know, no, you don't need SP1 already installed. SP2 should have all the SP1 updates in it as well.

Melon

That in a sense would be a plus for all them, uuuuuuh... not so legit peoples out there who haven't upgraded yet to SP1 for fear of having their shiit lock up on them. 😛

 

[NetRyder]

If SP2 includes all the updates that came with SP1, I'd imagine it would also block out the keys that SP1 did.
From what I can gather, SP2 won't block any additional keys that SP1 didn't. The infamous keygen was released after SP1 was out, and most people who were using the FCKGW key migrated to these newly generated VL keys in order to install SP1.
That would basically imply that people still using the FCKGW key and others that were blacklisted in SP1 are still going to face problems. Those who changed their keys will be able to install SP2 without any hassles.

 

[melon]

Well, I would say that Microsoft might *remove* that key blocker. It is, after all, being packaged as SP2, not SP1, and they might take the time to remove that.

But, yes, most people figured out how to change their key.

Melon

 

[gonaads]

Now imagine if this so-called removal of the key blocker in SP2 is really a smoke-screen...

Theory: Ya install SP2 on your illegal XP system, it loads fine, then a month goes by and... GOT YA! It's anti-piracy thingy kicks on and yer XP is all locked up. 😱

Damn I'm paranoid. 😛

 

[Xie]

Now imagine if this so-called removal of the key blocker in SP2 is really a smoke-screen...

Theory: Ya install SP2 on your illegal XP system, it loads fine, then a month goes by and... GOT YA! It's anti-piracy thingy kicks on and yer XP is all locked up. 😱

Damn I'm paranoid. 😛

Or what if it installs and works fine but locks you out of future updates?

 

[Daeron Tinúviel]

Now imagine if this so-called removal of the key blocker in SP2 is really a smoke-screen...

Theory: Ya install SP2 on your illegal XP system, it loads fine, then a month goes by and... GOT YA! It's anti-piracy thingy kicks on and yer XP is all locked up. 😱

Damn I'm paranoid. 😛

thats the exact same thing i dream about.........i gues i'll wait a month before applying it 😛

 

[canadian_divx]

since even if u buy windows XP you dont legaly own it you are basicaly renting it, if u have illeagle, would they be legialy to do what they want with it? like u update and it kills its self???? i never understood why they never did something like that?

 

[Hipster Doofus]

Quote:[SP2 will also make XP more aggressive towards sloppy users. For example, features like the automatic patch updating feature or Windows Firewall will no longer go away quietly if ignored, and will continue to pester users to download new patches periodically.]/EndQuote

I don't apply a lot of the patches MS put out. No I'm not sloppy. I rely on a bit of common sense as regards security. Some of these so called patches cause more problems then what they are suppose to solve. How about leaving it up to the user. If I get caught out it's my fault, my choice. I don't like the way MS is taking over. 😡

 

[j79zlr]

If the update is labeled as critical, it is critical to install. I've had only one probelm with a M$ update in 8 years, 811493 [from memory] but that patch was eventually fixed. Systems that are not updated are the reason for the massive and rapid spread of these exploits. How is fixing the holes in their OS taking over?

I don't apply hardly any "recommended" updates.

 

[Hipster Doofus]

Because today it is 'fixing holes' tomorrow who knows?

If people are getting caught out & patches are available then it's their fault for not knowing what they are doing. (Click this attachment, run this exe)

I don't like it because the choice is being taken out of our hands & put into someone's who has $$$$$$ for their goal.