Service Pack 1's Warez-Busting

andrewb758 · #1 07-27-2002, 03:30 PM

I have been reading much about Windows XP SP1's supposed warez-busting abilities. I have always assumed that it determined the legal status of your copy by the CD-Key you used during installation. If you used the leaked key then it "froze" your ability to use Windows Update and so on. In fact, I think I read this on CNET News.com or something. Now, a couple questions. First, I have found a small program that actually generates new (e.g. theoretically un-activated) Windows/Office XP Keys. Wouldn't simply re-installing Windows with a generated corporate key (instead of the leaked key) allow you to upgrade to SP1 hassle-free? I found this program on a P2P network, and like I'm sure many of you reading this are, I was skeptical, too. But this little SOB actually works! Also, couldn't you also simply make a new copy of Windows XP Pro (with a CD-RW drive) and switch it over to retail instead of Volume License? I read on the Internet that you could do that. It does work, I tried it, and it involved changing a number in an .INI or .INF file on the disc. Then, couldn't you use a generated key and just activate? These keys are not displayed from a list (as many other XP keygens do) but actually generated (the process of finding one valid key takes about 15-20 min. on my 1 gig machine). Finally, bear with me here, one more question: I also read that the new key schema was turned off in the SP1 _upgrade_. Does this mean that users of leaked keys are not to worry? In essence, they could use the upgrade instead of creating an new CD or image with SP1? I'm looking for someone to shoot down or support any or all of these theories. Any input at all on these topics is also much appreciated. Thanks.

phaedrus · #2 07-29-2002, 11:00 AM

http://www.astalavista.com/library/c.../xpwarez.shtml

andrewb758 · #3 08-02-2002, 02:02 PM

Interesting story. So am I seeing that an upgrade doesn't change the alogorithm for corporate keys? Seems to me that that would be the method of choice for most of the illegal users that Microsoft is targeting. Slipstreaming would more the method of IT managers and professionals who are less likely to be using the illegal copies Microsoft is concerned about. Would they change this between now and the final release of SP1 (e.g. both upgrades and slipstreams activate the new key alogorithm), you think? Now, here's something to think about. That story, I have discovered after doing some research, is floating around mainly at less mainstream sites, the "underground," if you will. The story making headlines at the mainstream news sites like ZDNet and CNET is that Microsoft has blacklisted specific corporate key or keys, the number is unclear. They are clear to state, and have even stated to some of the sites that ran the new-alogorithm story, that they are not retooling the keys and no IT manager is going to have to issue a new key to each computer with SP1. However, the man quoted also says that the only "folks" affected "are those with illegal copies of Windows XP." Now, how are they going to know your copy is illegal? There is more than one way to defeat WPA on both the Professional and Home Edition and I can't imagine they've counterattacked all of them in one Service Pack. What would they do about people like a friend of mine who simply called them up and the computer at the other end of the line gave him the confirmation ID without any questions? Yes, I know, they can't get everyone. What I'm interested in is who they're going to get. Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it, Microsoft zapped a specific key or keys once before in a Service Pack for a version of Windows NT or 2000. Doesn't it seem logical that they would follow this same path again, since many people are using that one volume license key? My computer is currently in a position to have Windows XP re-installed if need be. (the HD is blank after a botched restore from a backup, I fixed the problem but never ran the restore again) I have also heard that slipstreaming SP1 into an illegal copy of XP turns it into a retail Pro that accepts retail keys. Anybody got anything to back up that one (or not)? Anything is appreciated.

DereX888 · #4 09-04-2002, 06:46 PM

Its just another stupid hype from m$oft like the one with 'product activation' last year, thats what it is.

Altough Im not running WinXP at all on any of my machines for long time, I just downloaded SP1, installed certain Corporate Edition of WinXP Pro that was available at the end of July last year on some 'warez' sites, and installed this service pack.

NO PROBLEMS AT ALL.

Going to Windows Update still detects few available updates, and this makes me think it may not be the final release of this Service Pack yet. Perhaps m$oft will add those 3 left out minor updates in the release of SP1 thats due on Sep/9 and thats the reason why they have cancel it on their site? With Bill G & Co. anything is possible, even Service Pack needing its own service pack

After short investigation of articles on the net I found an article on german site (link) saying that SP1 disables installation with those 2 keys (and their variations):

XXXXX-640-0000356-23XXX
XXXXX-640-2001765-23XXX

So: just check your already installed WinXP's registration number before installing SP1 (there used to be some utilities to 'decrypt' m$oft's product key like BX6HT-MDJKW-... into 12345-678-... for Win9x and Win2K, perhaps they will work on keys for WinXP too (in case you wanna check your reg number derived from your product key).

Aileron · #5 09-05-2002, 05:50 PM

Well, if we were to say I had a copy of corporate edition, would Microsoft be able to shut down my puter? What exactly is goin to happen? I turned Windows update off, so will Microsoft still be able to get a hold of my ip address and do something to me? I know this may make me sound like I'm hella parannoyed, and it's because I am. At christmas I will be able to afford a copy of Xp but until then, will Microsoft be able to find out if I have an illegal copy or not? Will they be able to do anything about it? And one last question, what all will happen if they lock up my computer, will my computer not work at all, or will it just be windows update? Could someone please expand on this, I'd really appreciate it?

Thanx

mrsubway · #6 09-06-2002, 05:00 PM

The date the Corp. was released doesn't matter. The final is 2600. If you used the key that came with the warez edition, SP1 will block you. What you need to do is deactivate/reactivate Windows with a different corporate key and then upgrade to SP1. Do a search on the net for new keys and instructions on how to deactivate Windows and add the new key.

perlhack · #7 09-06-2002, 05:14 PM

Aileron, I'm in the same boat! :-)

I've got a copy of XP Pro that came w/ a key from a p2p program. Obviously, anyone who downloaded the same file used the same key as I (which scares me). Anyway, as I did some research, I learned how activation works and the warning signs when the grace period is about to end. So far, I've had neither of these signs: Balloon pop-up notifying me of days left and Product Activation in System Settings. In addition, I have a WPA file in System32.

My secret is an activation crack from a p2p program. I have no idea how it works, and I'm skeptical. My only option, really, is to wait the 30 days out and see what happens.

A question to you is, did you activate the Corp edition copy? If not, after 30 days, all that will happen (as far as I've heard), is that Windows will lock out every program except the Activation program, which will force you to activate before doing anything else. Upon activation, they will probably be able to recognize an invalid key, since I've heard they have a list of valid ones (not sure).

If they discover an illegal copy, my belief is that they can only contact you and tell you to stop using it. It seems unlikely that Microsoft would want to go all out and take you to court. However, I may be underestimated.

Anyway, with the power of hackers, this little venture of msoft will end up being futile. I mean, free software is the wave of the future, is it not??

Andrewb758, I have few comments on SP1 except that I will not install it, after hearing about the same things as you from elsewhere. However, I wonder if Build 2600 comes with it. I haven't researched that yet.

Good luck to you all!

$perlhack

-------------------------

The box said, "Requires Windows 98 or better." So I installed Linux.

tomo · #8 09-09-2002, 12:41 PM

Have successfully installed XPSP1 over a keygened XP Corp Pro.
Control Panel|Help|About confirms SP1 is installed. All works as before and Windows update reports that no further updates are required, as expected, since SP1 should have them all. Now all i need do is wait and see what happens after they post a security patch or other.

MRK · #9 10-27-2002, 08:01 AM

This may be a little late, but how did you do this? Some get the error that says that says the key you have used is invalid.

-Mr.K

mrsubway · #10 10-27-2002, 12:54 PM

You don't even need cracks or warez. Just download the corp edition, and install it using a legit XP Corp key. If it starts with FCK..., it's not good. Once you install XP Pro Corp. with another key, you can install SP1 and not worry about activation running out. To Hell with MS. I say even people who buy XP legit should crack it and not activate it.