Pirates Face Vista Black Screen of Death
It's so dark... I'm scared.... hold me?
Thursday, September 13, 2007 by Zoomba | Discussion: WinCustomize News
If you're running a non-genuine copy of Windows Vista, expect something very unpleasant in the upcoming weeks/months. Microsoft is activating a function in your PC which, if you're found to be running a non-genuine copy of Vista, the OS will go into "Reduced Functionality Mode", disabling the PC for all intents and purposes. What will this feature look like in practice?
- A black screen after 1 hour of use
- No start menu or task bar
- No desktop
This is probably the most aggressive stance Microsoft has ever taken on OS piracy, in the past content to letting non-genuine copies run, but to deny them many system patches and improvements.
Will your screen be going dark soon?
Update: According to follow-up stories, the "Reduced Functionality Mode" is not being activated this week. There is no estimate on when the switch will be flipped. Many have claimed that the story is an out-right hoax. Reduced Functionality is something that Microsoft itself has documented. The inaccuracy in the story was over when it would go into effect.
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DorkCoffeez
Reply #2 Thursday, September 13, 2007 2:55 PM
Reply #2 Thursday, September 13, 2007 2:55 PM
I agree. Would start taking bets but it is a real sucker bet.
NightTrainthedark
Reply #3 Thursday, September 13, 2007 2:58 PM
Reply #3 Thursday, September 13, 2007 2:58 PM
I wonder how this plays into it.
Because of the increase in malware, many companies and government offices forbid the use of software containing Easter eggs for security reasons. With the rise of cybercrime and the prevalence of the Easter egg's "cousin", the logic bomb, there is now concern that if the programmer could slip in undocumented code, then the software cannot be trusted. This is of particular concern in offices where personal or confidential information is stored, making it sensitive to theft and ransom. For this reason, many developers have stopped the practice of adding Easter eggs to their software. Microsoft, who has in the past created some of the largest and most elaborate Easter eggs such as the ones in Microsoft Office, no longer allows Easter eggs in their software as part of their Trustworthy Computing initiative.[5]
Because of the increase in malware, many companies and government offices forbid the use of software containing Easter eggs for security reasons. With the rise of cybercrime and the prevalence of the Easter egg's "cousin", the logic bomb, there is now concern that if the programmer could slip in undocumented code, then the software cannot be trusted. This is of particular concern in offices where personal or confidential information is stored, making it sensitive to theft and ransom. For this reason, many developers have stopped the practice of adding Easter eggs to their software. Microsoft, who has in the past created some of the largest and most elaborate Easter eggs such as the ones in Microsoft Office, no longer allows Easter eggs in their software as part of their Trustworthy Computing initiative.[5]
Philly0381
Reply #4 Thursday, September 13, 2007 2:59 PM
Reply #4 Thursday, September 13, 2007 2:59 PM
Sounds like a function Stardock should consider. 
I only said consider, but then I have subcriptions to Object Desktop and WC, it wouldn't bother me a bit. 
I only said consider, but then I have subcriptions to Object Desktop and WC, it wouldn't bother me a bit. 
Ravenzfire
Reply #6 Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:18 PM
Reply #6 Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:18 PM
I don't know, I think it's somewhat of an empty threat. Windows XP has been pirated on massive scales globally and Microsoft has never taken this aggressive a stance with that product. Coupled with how unsuccessful Vista has been on the whole I can't imagine they would really put that much effort into something like this. Besides, pirates will just roll back to a pirated copy of XP if this did go into effect. I guess I'll believe it when I see it.
ZubaZ
Reply #7 Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:18 PM
Reply #7 Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:18 PM
Not sure it's all hoax . . . seems like no one at MS is coming out one way or the other. It's "a spokesman for."
Should be interesting to watch play out. I'd support the action though.
Another take
And aMS KB article describing "reduced functionality mode"
Should be interesting to watch play out. I'd support the action though.
Another take
And aMS KB article describing "reduced functionality mode"
This article discusses the behavior of reduced functionality mode in
Windows Vista. Windows Vista may enter reduced functionality mode if
one of the following conditions is true:
| • | You do not activate Windows Vista within the specified activation period. |
| • | You
modify the computer hardware so that Windows Vista determines that it
is running on a different computer. Also, you do not activate Windows
Vista within the grace period for reactivation. For retail Windows
Vista products or for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Windows
Vista products, this reactivation grace period is three days. For
volume licensed Windows Vista products, this reactivation grace period
is 30 days. Note This situation is known as "out of tolerance." |
| • | You are running a version of Windows Vista that the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) service detects as a "non-genuine" version of Windows Vista. |
The__Goo
Reply #8 Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:20 PM
Reply #8 Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:20 PM
Can you really blame them
Software piracy resulted in a loss of $34 billion worldwide in 2005, a $1.6 billion increase over 2004, according to a study commissioned by the Business Software Alliance.
And then you have the music industry
Music Piracy Costs U.S. Economy $12.5 Billion, Report Reveals
Software piracy resulted in a loss of $34 billion worldwide in 2005, a $1.6 billion increase over 2004, according to a study commissioned by the Business Software Alliance.
And then you have the music industry
Music Piracy Costs U.S. Economy $12.5 Billion, Report Reveals
NightTrainthedark
Reply #10 Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:40 PM
Reply #10 Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:40 PM
Just spreading the rumor will stop a certain % of people that were going to pirate it. 
Island Dog
Reply #11 Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:45 PM
Reply #11 Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:45 PM
Don't want any type of problem like that? Simply solution.....don't pirate.
eidylon
Reply #12 Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:47 PM
Reply #12 Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:47 PM
First --- those studies of the amounts lost are generally paid for by the people claiming to have lost.
Second --- most of them aren't true losses, as the people never would've actually bought the stuff in the first place. So it's not lost revenue, but rather revenue that never existed in the first place.
And my biggest gripe with all these "piracy" arguments is they say "piracy drives up costs", so they put in all this anti-piracy junk, and claim to drastically reduce piracy, but do we ever see the costs come back down accordingly? No... instead they continue to go up, even MORE!
If it weren't for discount programs and free copies from launch events and the like, i wouldn't have gotten most of my software... who can afford 400$ for an OS + 700$ for an office suite? $1100 just for the basic software to run a business pc.
Another prime example is Photoshop. They keep adding more and more layers of anti-piracy to cut down "costs", but they continue to skyrocket the prices. Not to mention the other issue which Adobe brings up of the spyware/malware nature of some of the anti-piracy schemes. For myself, i've dumped Photoshop and gone with Paint.NET because it is rapidly approaching Photoshop's usability (it is quite close already), has no spyware, and doesn't cost the equivalent of three car payments or a months rent!
Second --- most of them aren't true losses, as the people never would've actually bought the stuff in the first place. So it's not lost revenue, but rather revenue that never existed in the first place.
And my biggest gripe with all these "piracy" arguments is they say "piracy drives up costs", so they put in all this anti-piracy junk, and claim to drastically reduce piracy, but do we ever see the costs come back down accordingly? No... instead they continue to go up, even MORE!
If it weren't for discount programs and free copies from launch events and the like, i wouldn't have gotten most of my software... who can afford 400$ for an OS + 700$ for an office suite? $1100 just for the basic software to run a business pc.
Another prime example is Photoshop. They keep adding more and more layers of anti-piracy to cut down "costs", but they continue to skyrocket the prices. Not to mention the other issue which Adobe brings up of the spyware/malware nature of some of the anti-piracy schemes. For myself, i've dumped Photoshop and gone with Paint.NET because it is rapidly approaching Photoshop's usability (it is quite close already), has no spyware, and doesn't cost the equivalent of three car payments or a months rent!
PurrBall
Reply #13 Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:58 PM
Reply #13 Thursday, September 13, 2007 3:58 PM
I don't see why anyone cares, everyone who pirates it uses a cracked version that runs fully.
And for all of the people bitching about Vista costing $400, just STOP. A normal version that everyone can use will only cost you $100 - $150.
And for all of the people bitching about Vista costing $400, just STOP. A normal version that everyone can use will only cost you $100 - $150.
eidylon
Reply #14 Thursday, September 13, 2007 4:56 PM
Reply #14 Thursday, September 13, 2007 4:56 PM
the 150$ version is fine if you dont need any extras, but for a work pc, i need a lot of those, such as full RDC (which for somereason doesnt even come in the business edition), bitlocker (again which should come in the business edition). Even media center (which should come on Home Premium).
If you want (or need) any of these, its ultimate or nothing. Which means you're at the 400$ price point (unless of course you know where to go to buy).
If you want (or need) any of these, its ultimate or nothing. Which means you're at the 400$ price point (unless of course you know where to go to buy).
MadDeez
Reply #15 Thursday, September 13, 2007 5:04 PM
Reply #15 Thursday, September 13, 2007 5:04 PM
do like i did and get the oem build of ultimate for 200 bucks. newegg, tigerdirect, and numerous other online sellers have it at that price.
pepperammi
Reply #16 Thursday, September 13, 2007 5:06 PM
Reply #16 Thursday, September 13, 2007 5:06 PM
Can someone clear this for certain if this is a hoax? I'd heard of the 'reduced functionallity', I think I even remeber it saying about so if I didn't activate mine in a certain amount of time.
Since I don't have a pirated version it wont matter to me but if it's been confirmed a hoax then maybe headline/story needs amending?...
Premium does have media centre.
Since I don't have a pirated version it wont matter to me but if it's been confirmed a hoax then maybe headline/story needs amending?...
Premium does have media centre.
Phoon
Reply #17 Thursday, September 13, 2007 5:15 PM
Reply #17 Thursday, September 13, 2007 5:15 PM
Um... don't you think they would FIRST have to perfect the WGA check system? Just a couple of weeks ago there was a big problem with WGA flagging legit systems as non-genuine.
I think it's a hoax.
I think it's a hoax.
I.R. Brainiac
Reply #18 Thursday, September 13, 2007 5:35 PM
Reply #18 Thursday, September 13, 2007 5:35 PM
YA got that right Phoon...first legitimate business out there that loses money for being wrongly flagged is gonna sue.
On a side note,why would you wanna pirate Vista?(it sux )
On a side note,why would you wanna pirate Vista?(it sux
)
Kirkburn
Reply #19 Thursday, September 13, 2007 5:47 PM
Reply #19 Thursday, September 13, 2007 5:47 PM
A suggestion for news posters - check for updates before posting news...
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=windows&articleId=9035918&taxonomyId=125
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=windows&articleId=9035918&taxonomyId=125
Murex
Reply #20 Thursday, September 13, 2007 5:50 PM
What do you consider a "normal" version of Vista? Are you referring to the Home Basic? I can't see why any one would want or should want to pay any amount of money for an OS that Isn't any better then XP Pro. There isn't any thing in Vista that The Average user needs. And there are far more average users then there are hard core or business users that might need or use any advantage of Vista.
As far as any of the eye candy in Vista goes, Any one using StarDock products have been enjoying the eye candy long before Vista came out.
What really makes me mad is the High price we are asked to pay for Vista here in the good old USA. They say part of it is because of Piracy. But yet in China where Microsoft says that piracy is running "Rampant" they cut the cost in half. Microsoft argues that if they cut the price of Vista more people will buy a legitimate copy.
Well DUH!!!! Now I ask you wouldn't it work just as well here in the USA. Oh Wait I almost forgot we are suppose to blindly let Microsoft shove it's products down or throats. It isn't suppose to matter How high the price or even if the product works. When I see some one say how good Vista is even though it has flaws in it (In a couple of years and god knows how many service packs Vista will run almost as good as XP Pro) I have to wonder how those same people would feel If after buying a new car they found out it would only run on three wheels but in a couple of years the auto maker would figure out how to make it run on all four wheels.
Reply #20 Thursday, September 13, 2007 5:50 PM
And for all of the people bitching about Vista costing $400, just STOP. A normal version that everyone can use will only cost you $100 - $150.
What do you consider a "normal" version of Vista? Are you referring to the Home Basic? I can't see why any one would want or should want to pay any amount of money for an OS that Isn't any better then XP Pro. There isn't any thing in Vista that The Average user needs. And there are far more average users then there are hard core or business users that might need or use any advantage of Vista.
As far as any of the eye candy in Vista goes, Any one using StarDock products have been enjoying the eye candy long before Vista came out.
Can you really blame them
What really makes me mad is the High price we are asked to pay for Vista here in the good old USA. They say part of it is because of Piracy. But yet in China where Microsoft says that piracy is running "Rampant" they cut the cost in half. Microsoft argues that if they cut the price of Vista more people will buy a legitimate copy.
Well DUH!!!! Now I ask you wouldn't it work just as well here in the USA. Oh Wait I almost forgot we are suppose to blindly let Microsoft shove it's products down or throats. It isn't suppose to matter How high the price or even if the product works. When I see some one say how good Vista is even though it has flaws in it (In a couple of years and god knows how many service packs Vista will run almost as good as XP Pro) I have to wonder how those same people would feel If after buying a new car they found out it would only run on three wheels but in a couple of years the auto maker would figure out how to make it run on all four wheels.
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Reply #1 Thursday, September 13, 2007 2:49 PM