Microsoft Confirms Vista OEM hack works

[Jimmy 2004]

In an MSDN blog, Microsoft’s Windows Genuine Advantage Senior Product Manager Alex Kochis has admitted that the OEM activation hack for Windows Vista does work effectively. The hack involves either using a custom BIOS to trick Vista into believing it is running on a different computer model and therefore allows activation without connecting to the internet or using the phone, or using software to fool the OS in the same way. Windows XP also suffered from a similar hack, which also fools the Microsoft website into thinking the Windows install is genuine, however it received little attention because of the numerous other ways to bypass activation. Unsurprisingly, Kochis’ blog is largely trying to deter people from using this method due to its risks (custom BIOSes can be dangerous) and claiming that the software equivalent will be easy to detect and respond to, but it would suggest that Microsoft more worried about this bypass than the others.

Notice: techPowerUp! does not support the use off illegal software

Source: MSDN via DailyTech

[WarEagleAU]

HaHa. Thats not the only hack that works

[Casheti]

Plenty of people have used activation hacks etc...

There are so many variations.

[Mussels]

MMmmm, they dont mention details of this OEM hack... all i can say is that i have seen it, it does work, and there is nothing MS can do about it without using a service pack as an excuse. (The most common custom bios is a dell one - dell will not be happy if their systems are deactivated)

[Casheti]

I always thought it was an ASUS Bios...

[selway89]

Theres a few, ASUS, HP, Lenovo, ACER, and yes they do work.

But I can think of one way they could possibly stop them working. Bit of software used to look at the machines hardware configuration ie memory manufacturers etc and compare the parts to a master list for the hardware configs from these manufacturers.

But its only a thought, how easy it is to impliment and its feasability.

[Jimmy 2004]

Originally Posted by selway89

Theres a few, ASUS, HP, Lenovo, ACER, and yes they do work.

But I can think of one way they could possibly stop them working. Bit of software used to look at the machines hardware configuration ie memory manufacturers etc and compare the parts to a master list for the hardware configs from these manufacturers.

But its only a thought, how easy it is to impliment and its feasability.

That could cause problems if people chose to upgrade their systems though.

[selway89]

Originally Posted by Jimmy 2004

That could cause problems if people chose to upgrade their systems though.

True that is one draw back, but are the customers able to normally upgrade there pc if its from such manufacturers anyway, Im sure its a OEM liscence with it, so technically they should get a new key etc if they do.

But im not sure.

I wounder if the crack where you replace certain files and enter a diff key will work, I rember trying one to see if it worked that said you could use existing RC1 RC2 BETA2 cd keys, and my RC1 key did indeed work. But I dont run vista at the moment anyway.

I have only tried that particular crack out of interest as I have the discs for RC1 and BETA2.

[kureng]

the time stopper hacks works great also....

[Zero Cool]

hes saying the name of the hack why not just say the site where it can be downloaded.

as someone said earlier they do it on purpose, if windows couldnt be cracked, Linux would overtake the market in the blink of an eye

[bebobsa]

Piracy is so popular these days. I received a Vista copy from a friend and a crack. Installed Vista and ran the crack app and ready to go. Bye bye XP!!

[D007]

lol I wouldn't go to vista if someone put a bic lighter under my B**$ and burnt them for 2 days intermittently.. no sir no way no how..lol.. I've seen the hell my brother goes through in vista, I'll wait a while to install mine.. In the meantime it sits in the box of half arse products..lol..

[mullered07]

ive used this exact hack M$ is talking abouit, its quite clever i had a vista iso and the hack is applied by patching the iso before its burned. once installed your pc shows up as a dell system and no key/activation is required although im not too sure wether m$ has clocked on to machines which have the hack because after a few days it runs like sh*t. although this maybe down to the use of the latest cats 7.3 as they are buggy in XP also.

btw i have since purchased vista for anyone who wants to start a flame war about piracy and i as well as many other people dont see anything wrong with trying before you buy

[bebobsa]

Originally Posted by D007

lol I wouldn't go to vista if someone put a bic lighter under my B**$ and burnt them for 2 days intermittently.. no sir no way no how..lol.. I've seen the hell my brother goes through in vista, I'll wait a while to install mine.. In the meantime it sits in the box of half arse products..lol..

Many people say they ahd problems with Vista. Including people with powerful rigs. And I don't understand because I have a crappy machine(can see the specs) and I never had a problem, no even one.

[Zero Cool]

Maybe if no one would have made a crack M$ would have made it themselfs?

[Jimmy 2004]

Originally Posted by mullered07

ionce installed your pc shows up as a dell system and no key/activation is required although im not too sure wether m$ has clocked on to machines which have the hack because after a few days it runs like sh*t. although this maybe down to the use of the latest cats 7.3 as they are buggy in XP also.

No, I think your problem is that your PC thinks it's a Dell and is trying to destroy itself.

[EastCoasthandle]

Originally Posted by mullered07

ive used this exact hack M$ is talking abouit, its quite clever i had a vista iso and the hack is applied by patching the iso before its burned. once installed your pc shows up as a dell system and no key/activation is required although im not too sure wether m$ has clocked on to machines which have the hack because after a few days it runs like sh*t. although this maybe down to the use of the latest cats 7.3 as they are buggy in XP also.

btw i have since purchased vista for anyone who wants to start a flame war about piracy and i as well as many other people dont see anything wrong with trying before you buy

Cat 7.3 is the best Cat for XP since 6.3, 6.8 and 6.9. Your problem started when you wanted to turn your PC into a Dell and you wanted Vista to work flawlessly on it!

[Zero Cool]

isnt it against the rules to discuss this illegal software?

[russianboy]

I use this crack, it works.

[Jimmy 2004]

Originally Posted by Zero Cool

isnt it against the rules to discuss this illegal software?

Yes, I think it is and it would probably be best if people stopped discussing the methods they use before the thread gets locked.

[Zero Cool]

heres how I solved the WINDOWS problem lol, I ordered Linux! wooo

[Jimmy 2004]

Originally Posted by Zero Cool

heres how I solved the WINDOWS problem lol, I ordered Linux! wooo

Next time I do a format I'm planning to do a three way boot between Windows XP, Windows Vista and Ubuntu Linux. The Vista bootloader will be so fun in that situation.

Only problem I have with Ubuntu is that's new versions are release too regularly - I like to be able to keep my OS for a few years to get used to it and still have time to do stuff with it. Even the small changes are annoying if they're every six months.

[mullered07]

Originally Posted by EastCoasthandle

Cat 7.3 is the best Cat for XP since 6.3, 6.8 and 6.9. Your problem started when you wanted to turn your PC into a Dell and you wanted Vista to work flawlessly on it!

at least know what you are talking about b4 flaming me i have a retail copy of vista which if you had read my whole post you would have known, i said i have tried the "hack" which was mentioned and the problems werent just with that copy but also the copy i purchased and LEGALLY own and neither the pirated copy or the legal copy i have since bought work flawlessly on mine and many other machines now wether thats down to windows or driver issues or both i dont know

this also makes me lol

Originally Posted by Zero Cool

isnt it against the rules to discuss this illegal software?

ive said threads in here regarding torrents etc that mods get into discussion with when it suits and also similar threads what get locked again when it suits, if its not allowed to be discussed it shouldnt have been posted in the first place to get feedback and a discussion going!, what about the marijuana thread ? maybe thats locked now i dont know but people dont have a problem with other people saying how they use or have used a drug which is illegal in most countries and kick up a fuss regarding piuracy lol i think youll find theres probably more people here who have "borrowed" software/music etc than have smoked cannabis. i dont condone or reccomend people do either.

if i try software/music/games etc and want to keep them i BUY them!! ever had a grape whilst walking round the supermarket ?

[Zero Cool]

Originally Posted by Jimmy 2004

Next time I do a format I'm planning to do a three way boot between Windows XP, Windows Vista and Ubuntu Linux. The Vista bootloader will be so fun in that situation.

Only problem I have with Ubuntu is that's new versions are release too regularly - I like to be able to keep my OS for a few years to get used to it and still have time to do stuff with it. Even the small changes are annoying if they're every six months.

I ordered the new Ubuntu 7.04 I only used linux for a week. I am gonna install Ubuntu on my old computer, and if its good I will put it on my main rig too

[Makaveli]

that dell shit was pretty funny Jimmy, Think that post is the post of the day!