Looks like the protection for Vista was broken already... Previously I posted about an NFO file showing on the web just a couple of days after Vista went gold! (nfo files often come with pirated software) This indicated that someone had a copy of the RTM and provided it to warez scene but what's the big deal?

The cd key number in the NFO (which is removed on the web) has got to be blacklisted or will be very soon! So you could install it and then it would say it is not genuine and give you 30 days to buy a license or report yourself for providing counterfeit software to yourself!

How does that work? Linux users may not be aware of Vista licensing but I've a lot of news articles about Vista leading up to the release and several were about the licensing and piracy issues so it is a curious issue... So I'm not advocating that anyone attempt to cheat Bill out of $300 or whatever the price is.

The system works in 3 layers...

- A valid CD key is required to install it
- It must be activated within 30 days
- SPP/WGA is used to periodically monitor license compliance

Well, a key is just a key, anyone could google a vista key I suppose... But the rest of the protection looks like it is relying on Windows Media Player DRM!

There are 2 files loaded with XML stuff and I'm no XML expert by far but I'm looking at them in notepad and I see DRM stuff! Also, a lot of URL's in the files about MPEG stuff and a whole bunch of random looking characters that must be the DRM protected key!

The person calling himself "...raVen..." who claims to have broken this protection scheme is merely replacing these to XML files with his own!

It does not say this, but I think that obviously if even one packet goes to the wrong microsoft server, or even one automatic update is allowed to happen, it's all over... You will be looking at an unlicensed version of Vista and have 30 days to fork over the money or file a piracy report on yourself.

As for me, I aint downloading any DVD-ISO's... I have no interest in using Vista and I'm on a dial up modem! But I did take a look the tiny crack file I found on the web which will probably start showing up on all crackz/serialz/keyz/warez sites soon! (z is a popular letter)

So do you have a reference for any of that??

Why even bother pirating Vista, when you can get it for free. And from the horse's mouth, so to speak.

http://download.windowsvista.com/pre...n/download.htm

I find it interesting. They're actually using java for the download manager rather their own proprietary activex.

heck you can even get xp(64 bit) for free.
http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...x64fre_pro.iso

As much as I love being pirate and all, nothing feels more satisfying than downloading the OS straight from microsoft.

And these are'nt even hacks. Or msdn subscriptions exclusive access type stuff. Just straight publicly accessible downloads.

What it is it with you and Vista anyways?

I think that the best thing for all of us is to stop talking about pirating proprietary software altogether.

We know Windows is full of holes. We know that once it's released there will be a security patch released within days.

Frankly, who cares? This is a Linux board. Windows have their own boards. As do the pirates.

Discuss piracy on piracy related boards. Not here.