XP legal issue

[dsigma6]

In my digital evidence and procedure class, I'm writing a research paper on Windows XP and copyright/pirating issues. I don't see why the answer to my question would support what I want to do, but here goes:

I want to, for educational purposes only, attempt to install XP with a serial number found on the internet. I don't think M$ would really care what I was doing, and it would be illegal either way...But maybe there's a chance it's OK to do for educational testing only, not for personal use.

I wanted to ask my Professor about it, but then he'll just think I'm shady!

edit: I am a computer forensics student, and we are focusing on topics such as piracy, intellectual rights, etc. First and foremost, I need a good bit of information to make a well rounded paper, and I thought "exposing" the weaknesses of XP would show my Professor dedication and a good amount of extra research for the paper. My intention is not to encourage piracy or the use of keygens, as this is something the good-guys have to work out in order to fix.

I'm also going to talk about WGA, and the cracked install was simply to show its ineffectiveness.

[DAH]

I believe it's safe to say Microsoft would NOT be OK with it. As a general rule serial numbers found on the internet are of short lived usefulness. Most programs now check against a database of bad serial numbers, depending on internet access expect that it will be detected within a month or so.

[jdhurst]

You cannot use an illegal serial number for Educational purposes. Microsoft provides deep discounts for Charitable and Educational organizations to help them keep legal. ... JD Hurst

[pianowizard]

dsigma6, what's the objective of this project? To see what happens when one tries to install WinXP illegally?

[dsigma6]

dsigma6, what's the objective of this project? To see what happens when one tries to install WinXP illegally?

I haven't completely narrowed my focus down (got a lot of pages to write!)...But I wanted to touch upon the obviously huge piracy problem, WGA, and cracked versions.

I know for a fact, a friend has been using XP with serial numbers from a keygen on multiple systems for 3 years without a hitch. Fully updated and all that jazz.

I didn't expect it to be legal, but I did want to note how easy it was to do. I can just skip this hypothetical install and and write how it goes...from memory.

Microsoft provides deep discounts for Charitable and Educational organizations to help them keep legal

Understood, but using a real serial number wouldn't help me prove anything!

[Dngrsone]

Well, a majority of the serial numbers found on the internet just plain won't work, as was previously noted. Some will work until you try to update to SP1 or SP2.

Windows Auto Update does a pretty good job at detecting illegal installs, however, as with nearly every copyright-protection scheme, there are ways around that, easily found using the search engine of your choice.

I'd skip trying to do an illegal install and just say that there are numerous resources on the web for circumventing MS copyright protection schemes.

[dsigma6]

I agree that it probably is best just to reference other things. I should have made it clear that I don't think using serials off the internet works- I meant with a keygen (which works every time ).

Also, I know that trying Windows update will throw WGA into the mix, so another update source online can be used.

[Dngrsone]

Keygens are nasty things, particularly when it comes to Win-- every key randomly generated by a keygen for XP means another box on a shelf that has been invalidated.

[dsigma6]

every key randomly generated by a keygen for XP means another box on a shelf that has been invalidated.

But that won't come up (right?) if auto updates are off, Windows updates are never used, and the product is never registered.

[Dngrsone]

What I'm saying is that some innocent schmuck buys his/her fully legal copy of XP (name your flavor) for way too much dollars and runs into a problem when trying to register the software because the key has already been registered (because the keygen used that number).

But yes, if a bad number is used to get XP going and the user never updates, then there isn't going to be a problem... until they want some tool or upgrade.

[dsigma6]

there isn't going to be a problem... until they want some tool or upgrade.

I don't mean to pester you on every comment you make, because it's all valid, but what tool or upgrade are you referring to?

[Dngrsone]

For instance, say you want to upgrade to IE 7 (just saying... ), need .NET or any one of a number of MS utilities for hacking around your machine... most MS downloads now require you to validate your OS install before allowing you to download.

[dsigma6]

Ok, I was thinking you'd mention .NET, as I haven't found another source (never really looked though). Good thing Firefox exists!

Are you the dangerous one? I can picture your username on a license plate.

[Dngrsone]

Ok, I was thinking you'd mention .NET, as I haven't found another source (never really looked though). Good thing Firefox exists!

Are you the dangerous one? I can picture your username on a license plate.

Yes, I am the Dangerous One... and I considered a vanity plate with Dngrsone on it, but CA doesn't allow eight letters.

I'm the only person on the 'net with this moniker, so if you see it, then it's me. If it isn't, let me know so I can hunt th eimposter down and shoot him.

There are a few different tools I have seen that required authentication; Microsoft Baseline Security Manager being the one I can think of off the top of my head.

[dsigma6]

I finally talked to my Professor, and he said if this research were for a PhD or Masters program it would be more appropriate, but not at the undergraduate level.

[pianowizard]

Has that nasty forum member named roadrunner440 been removed by the administraters? That's GREAT!

[dsigma6]

Ah, so there were more people who approved of that! It's a good day for the forum.

[OddOne]

One more reason for Linux and opensource software.

I hate to build a computer for someone and have to tell them they need to spend another $100 bucks just to use the thing

[jdhurst]

One more reason for Linux and opensource software.
<snip>

Now, if only the open source community would write an OS that runs the software we need. Linux is fine for some things, but it doesn't run business critical software. I would rather pay for software that does what I need. ... JD Hurst