New
#21
How to know if your windows 7 is pirated/illegal copy?
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New #22
Agree. Most tech enthusiasts need to find a clean-copy installer starting with Vista as maker's started refusing to provided them to enforce sponsor's bloatware which may provide their only profit margin.
As long as they are using their own Product Key from COA then we should be helpful since the goal is to have the cleanest possible install without bloatware corruption, and a clean reinstall is often the only way to achieve this.
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New #23
True but if your downloading from TechNet, MSDAAA, etc.. you would know it was legit..... If borrowing a copy (cos your disc is scratched or whatever) and having your own key you would also know its legit.
But how could we tell truely if a copy was legit with no media/dvd/key on a second hand machine... if the copy was pirated, and the said copy appeared genuine in all the tests, how would we then tell??
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New #24
You can try and run MS update checker on the pc. It will test the system key that is currently installed and either check for updates or warn you that you are using an in-valid copy.
You can also use a 3rd party program to see what the key is on the computer. Its stored in the registry or something. and compare it to the sticker on the box. if they match and the update thing doesn't warn you then you should be good to go.
I don't think I am allowed to post the name of the key checker here and I don't know if it works with win7. there should be one already though.....
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New #25
the current crop of "hacks" fool windows and MS update into thinking its genuine.... suffice to say i wont say how its done but its done at the very basic level and is coded in exactly the same way as an OEM "genuine" check is done, its (virtually) undetectable if preinstalled on a machine, it certainly fools WGA and MS update.... this has been around since vista and i know people who are still using it on 7, and it works....
Notemy copy IS genuine, just saying this on the grounds of discussion
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New #26
So do you think the Update MS is pushing through this week will detect these clever activation exploits you describe?
I believe you are referring to Vista boot loader. As it is done at the BIOS level it makes it harder to "come clean" by inserting a retail key into such a hactivated OS. Even wiping the HD is not sufficient. I believe you must use the hacker's own removal tool to clean it up.
Perhaps the mods will allow discussion of exactly how to easily remove these hacks as there are regularly those who want to come clean with their hacktivations and it is hard to help them since changing to a retail key or even wiping the HD apparently isn't enough.
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New #27
wow thanks for info serverdsolo I haven't used or needed these hacks either, but that is an excellent correction to my post. Thanks
I would say that the sticker on bottom is still a good way of telling. hmmm otherwise reinstall OS? lol
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New #28
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New #29
@gregrocker i honestly dont know, i am not Microsoft, i cant believe they are unaware of the bootloader (its actually a slightly different variant with Win 7 but its the same basic principle) removing the "hacktivation" with this method (with the most well known one anyway) is as simple as hitting the "uninstall" button, i would almost be willing to lay money on the fact that people who have used at least one certain win7 loader will not be hit by this, as it slightly randomises it to make it "look" more genuine im guessing that MS will be looking for "clones"
out of interest (iv been out of the loop my broadband only came back today) is the update actually out yet?
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New #30
Yes, arrived and installed on all of our computers here in the past two days:
I admire the fact that MS is so up-front and (overly?) sensitive to privacy advocates who claim this is spyware since it will run regularly every 90 days. They could take a much heavier hand with piracy.
It may also be because they are sorting out who is afraid of it and who isn't.
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