Is Microsoft about to release a Windows "kill switch"?
- Thread starter kangaruffian
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That suits me just fine. If they turn it into a killswitch, with all the legitimate users that will have trouble with it, I'll have a good enough reason to tell people how to disable/bypass it (pending a check on the DCMA to make sure it's legal to do - I certainly have no issues over the ethics of the issue).
AMDIsTheBest010
Posts: 359 +0
What Do you mean by a kill switch??
This is stupid. If they kill the Xps off then that will force many to buy Windows Vista. I really diagree about everybody having to buy there own individual XP. If I buy something I then own it. I should be able to do anything i want to with it. If i want to share it whats wrong with that?
WGA KillSwitch - A means by which MS will prevent WGA-failed installations from operating unless the issue is "resolved" within a certain timeframe (just like XP product activation and the "30 days to activate"), where the installation of the WGA bloat (because that's really all it is to a genuine user - just a little extra disk space and internet bandwidth used for nothing, and a bit of an invasion of privacy), is mandatory for the installation of further updates.
It hasn't happened yet, but it's possible. The only benefit of WGA is to Microsoft really. You can understand it, but nevertheless it's still a rather draconian measure that's proving problematic for some genuine users. It's also a little hypocritical when you consider just how happy MS has been to actually benefit from piracy in the past, but that's another argument.
Unfortunately though, when it comes to XP, there really is nothing to argue about in the "everyone having to buy it" debate. That's just the way that commerce operates. MS is no different in that respect. MS actually owns EVERY copy of XP out there. What the consumer buys is a license from MS to use it.
I agree that everybody should have to buy the product. What I disagree with is that it should be one product for one machine. Personally, I feel that it should either be done on a household basis, or it should be licensed for personal use only on a maximum of (lets say for example) three machines.
However, the current (and every) EULA says no, so no it is.
It hasn't happened yet, but it's possible. The only benefit of WGA is to Microsoft really. You can understand it, but nevertheless it's still a rather draconian measure that's proving problematic for some genuine users. It's also a little hypocritical when you consider just how happy MS has been to actually benefit from piracy in the past, but that's another argument.
If MS kill off xp installations in this manner, it will mean that people will have to buy genuine copies of XP at the moment, or maybe Vista at some other time. The trouble is that many genuine copies of XP are falling foul of MSs WGA checks, which is obviously unethical and unfair.IBN said:
Unfortunately though, when it comes to XP, there really is nothing to argue about in the "everyone having to buy it" debate. That's just the way that commerce operates. MS is no different in that respect. MS actually owns EVERY copy of XP out there. What the consumer buys is a license from MS to use it.
I agree that everybody should have to buy the product. What I disagree with is that it should be one product for one machine. Personally, I feel that it should either be done on a household basis, or it should be licensed for personal use only on a maximum of (lets say for example) three machines.
However, the current (and every) EULA says no, so no it is.
AMDIsTheBest010
Posts: 359 +0
of ok i see now, i just didnt understand what you guys meant.
i get the feeling that MS doenst trust anybody to do anything any more, i mean you think that the biggest name in software would be a little nicer to its customers who pay $100.00 to use their junk.
well i'm buying a new MacBook for college so in a few weeks, im done with MS 4ever i did my own personal test installing OS X Tiger and XP home and OS X truly does have a one click instalation
1. you pick whether you want an "simple" upgrade, or a clean install, thats it it does the rest
XP: it only takes anout 50 questions oh not including a 53pg EULA that tells you what you can and cat do with the software "YOU" purchased
MS has seriously gone downhill
i get the feeling that MS doenst trust anybody to do anything any more, i mean you think that the biggest name in software would be a little nicer to its customers who pay $100.00 to use their junk.
well i'm buying a new MacBook for college so in a few weeks, im done with MS 4ever i did my own personal test installing OS X Tiger and XP home and OS X truly does have a one click instalation
1. you pick whether you want an "simple" upgrade, or a clean install, thats it it does the rest
XP: it only takes anout 50 questions oh not including a 53pg EULA that tells you what you can and cat do with the software "YOU" purchased
MS has seriously gone downhill
wolfram
Posts: 1,833 +9
Ahhh, Bill Gates....
He wants more money, by forcing users with little or no money, to pay $100 dlls or more for XP or Vista?
Poor users, they spend more than 500 dlls building a PC, and the have to spend 100dlls or more just to get windows....
I`m lucky I got a super special when I bought XP (50 dlls
).
He wants more money, by forcing users with little or no money, to pay $100 dlls or more for XP or Vista?
Poor users, they spend more than 500 dlls building a PC, and the have to spend 100dlls or more just to get windows....
I`m lucky I got a super special when I bought XP (50 dlls
).
AMDIsTheBest010
Posts: 359 +0
wolfram said:I`m lucky I got a super special when I bought XP (50 dlls
I got Mine for $34 on ebay
One of the reasons MS doesn't trust anyone is because many users feel it's okay to share it once they paid for it. As far as commercialism goes I completely agree with it - it's not a free OS. If you want a free OS go to linux - but don't expect any real support from anyone there except from the linux community. Only problem with that is all the applications most people want to run are on windows - so looks like you'll have to pay for it after all if you really need it. Not sure how people can get upset that someone would want you to pay for their product. With so many people not following those simple rules it's no wonder and was only a matter of time till they took steps to TRY to "force" people to do so.
KingCody
Posts: 964 +8
50 questions?? haha it's more like 5. and they are very simple questions like what time is it, or what is the computer's name.AMDIsTheBest010 said:
windowsXP is a fairly painless installation process (especially if you have an SP2 version) it's not a 1 click install, more like a 5-10 click/type... big deal. anybody that has trouble with an XP instal needs to seriously question their own inteligence
oh and BTW, your name is going to contradict your recent decision to switch to a mac (your name says that AMD is the best, but you are going to buy an Intel based PC now
hehe
AMDIsTheBest010
Posts: 359 +0
KingCody said:oh and BTW, your name is going to contradict your recent decision to switch to a mac (your name says that AMD is the best, but you are going to buy an Intel based PC now
Yes, I did realize that, maybe one day Apple will Offer AMD CPUs in thier systems to give Mac users a broader choice,
MAD or Intel
hmm?? let me think
AMDIsTheBest010
Posts: 359 +0
wolfram said:
Nope, It was an OEM version and the seller had 100% feedback after 1547 customers, and it was a wholesaler store, and ckecked it with Windows Genuine Advantage Tool and it confirmed that it was genuine
Vigilante
Posts: 1,634 +0
What's even more scary about the "kill switch" is that, not only could they kill your PC IF they think you did something wrong. What happens when that system is hacked and somebody has the button to shut down every internet connected XP or Vista PC in the world?
What happens if the update system is hacked and some virus is force fed to millions of PCs overnight through Windows updates?
Seems to me, just like our government has a finger on a button to let loose nukes. MS has a button now to shut every "law abiding" citizens PC down. But of course, the hackers and crackers who are not connected to the system or have gone around it, will be laughing at all us who paid good money for the software that now turned on us.
MS, through auto-updates, just force fed one of their newest WGA crapwares on my PC at work. I happen to be running SP1, so now I have a "star" icon in my system tray that basically takes up 5megs of space and tells me over and over to get SP2. If you kill the process, it pops back up immediately and doesn't go away. They don't give you any options to close it or "don't remind me" or "hide icon". Not even a "remind me later". No they just slap it on there and there's nothing I can do.
Seems MS has learned some tricks from the spyware creators. Because they are using the same tactics to tell everybody what to do. I'll be hacking out their hacks next time I get a chance.
I propose MS remove all WGA from Vista. And if XP is so dang insecure without SP2 and WGA, then they aught to start a massive recall and give everybody copies of Vista for free.
How many parts of your new car have to go bad before you use your warranty? 1 or 2? And yet we live with a swiss cheese OS with problems on every corner and MS solution is to crack down on pirates by implementing things that don't work, and just hurt valid users. And then force us to BUY more stuff from them?
How would you like Ford to say "oh, your breaks were faulty? Well, you'll have to buy $2000 in new equipment to replace it."
Anyway, rant over, MS bugs me. Um, quite literally
What happens if the update system is hacked and some virus is force fed to millions of PCs overnight through Windows updates?
Seems to me, just like our government has a finger on a button to let loose nukes. MS has a button now to shut every "law abiding" citizens PC down. But of course, the hackers and crackers who are not connected to the system or have gone around it, will be laughing at all us who paid good money for the software that now turned on us.
MS, through auto-updates, just force fed one of their newest WGA crapwares on my PC at work. I happen to be running SP1, so now I have a "star" icon in my system tray that basically takes up 5megs of space and tells me over and over to get SP2. If you kill the process, it pops back up immediately and doesn't go away. They don't give you any options to close it or "don't remind me" or "hide icon". Not even a "remind me later". No they just slap it on there and there's nothing I can do.
Seems MS has learned some tricks from the spyware creators. Because they are using the same tactics to tell everybody what to do. I'll be hacking out their hacks next time I get a chance.
I propose MS remove all WGA from Vista. And if XP is so dang insecure without SP2 and WGA, then they aught to start a massive recall and give everybody copies of Vista for free.
How many parts of your new car have to go bad before you use your warranty? 1 or 2? And yet we live with a swiss cheese OS with problems on every corner and MS solution is to crack down on pirates by implementing things that don't work, and just hurt valid users. And then force us to BUY more stuff from them?
How would you like Ford to say "oh, your breaks were faulty? Well, you'll have to buy $2000 in new equipment to replace it."
Anyway, rant over, MS bugs me. Um, quite literally
SOcRatEs
Posts: 912 +1
A really big "IF"
This is one rumor from one MS tech., What about $9 us an hour?
If WGA had that many prob's wouldn't the post's here @ TS be a lot more in number?
If they do, they do. And if they do, we do, as always.
Theres' alot of world Gov's that use legit copies, at risk from this kill button?
I doubt MS wants to loose the lion's share of that market.
article said:
This is one rumor from one MS tech., What about $9 us an hour?
If WGA had that many prob's wouldn't the post's here @ TS be a lot more in number?
If they do, they do. And if they do, we do, as always.
Theres' alot of world Gov's that use legit copies, at risk from this kill button?
I doubt MS wants to loose the lion's share of that market.
CrossFire851
Posts: 714 +0
wolfram said:Its the same with Crossfire_851. Instead of two ATI`s on crossfire mode, he has two Nvidias on SLI, if I`m not mistaken
LMFAO, hey I got a good deal on my board. SLi is better technogly also. Crossfire (CrossFire851) just sounds better then SLi.
AMDIsTheBest010
Posts: 359 +0
SOcRatEs said:
Yes, if MS is really serious about this, they could eventually shut down the whole planet. considering that 95% of the worlds computers run Windows then they could create serious problems. For example, lets say they issue a Kill-Switch for the computers that control the satellites for Nuclear Weapons on the ground. Then we're all going to be in real trouble.
D
DelJo63
the probability of WGA becoming a kill switch are less than 0.00001.
the intent is to disable updates for unlicensed users,
which (ignoring the politics and implementation issues) is a good thing imo.
Why? The industry needs to slam the door on unethical users who p i r a t e
software and then complain about services. The vendor has responsibility
ONLY to those with a valid license.
btw: I've never worked for MS (nor would I) and actually distain most of their
products.
the intent is to disable updates for unlicensed users,
which (ignoring the politics and implementation issues) is a good thing imo.
Why? The industry needs to slam the door on unethical users who p i r a t e
software and then complain about services. The vendor has responsibility
ONLY to those with a valid license.
btw: I've never worked for MS (nor would I) and actually distain most of their
products.
AMDIsTheBest010
Posts: 359 +0
Yes, I realize the intent, but like others have mentioned, what happens when a hacker gets a hold of the code it uses and then uses that to exploit the core operaating system. They could shut down hundreds of thousands maybe even millions of windows PCs through automatic updates, which almost every winXP has set to update automatically. according to MS windows XP is installed on 500 million computers. so if a hacker could compromise those PCs (which they eventually will find a way ) thats 500,000,000 PCs wiped out. As i said b4, what if those computer are linked to Nuclear Weapons, or Aircraft GPS system, you could have a 747 trying to touch down in LA or something and kill alot of people.
Thats the scary thing about the WGA
Thats the scary thing about the WGA
N3051M
Posts: 2,094 +3
Doubt much of those would be linked directly.. maybe the personell who works there or something.. they'd probably use their own OS's or maybe a linux box
Sad to say however, i think in one of the jokes threads here (cant remember which one), someone posted a pic of a monitor in an airport terminal that should be displaying the timetable for airplanes departing/arriveing etc.. instead it was your run of the mill BSOD...... :knock:
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