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Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Retsof on February 02, 2012, 12:21:53 pm

Title: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: Retsof on February 02, 2012, 12:21:53 pm
I formatted my laptop and used the Windows7 I had gotten when I upgraded from vista.  Predictably, the old code didn't work.  So, I don't really use it much except when I'm away from the house anyway, so is it worth buying a new key code, or should I just continue with the current black desktop and with it nagging me to authenticate?
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: zookeeper on February 02, 2012, 12:32:51 pm
Have you rearmed it? (http://windowssecrets.com/top-story/use-any-version-of-windows-7-free-for-120-days/) That'd buy you some more time, if you haven't. Although I don't know if it can be done if the trial period has already expired.
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: Aardwolf on February 02, 2012, 03:16:00 pm
Is it the same laptop you bought Windows 7 for? If so, you should call them up and tell them how ****ty their DRM is, and get them to give you a new one for free.
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: redsniper on February 02, 2012, 06:18:03 pm
I had an issue with a legit Win 7 key not working a few months ago. This fixed it IIRC. http://forums.techarena.in/operating-systems/1355229.htm
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: S-99 on February 02, 2012, 08:34:36 pm
Oh god. DRM, when it works properly, you're in the clear. When it doesn't work properly, you're not in the clear. And now DRM that you need to maintain? Uuugh.
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: Charismatic on February 02, 2012, 11:34:03 pm
Calling microsoft is a bad idea, they charge you for support. I was going to take several problems to them but when it was about to charge me i was like fk this.
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: S-99 on February 03, 2012, 04:49:29 am
I'm not encouraging you to change your os. I'm saying that i think microsoft with it's even more integrated drm scheme with it getting to the point where the user needs to maintain the technicalities of it is bull****.
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: Klaustrophobia on February 03, 2012, 06:10:41 am
Calling microsoft is a bad idea, they charge you for support. I was going to take several problems to them but when it was about to charge me i was like fk this.

calling for activation shouldn't be charged as support.
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: Wobble73 on February 03, 2012, 06:58:22 am
If it remains unauthenticated, it may do what it did to my unauthenticated Vista. That is, if you are online, it may stop working after approximately 30 days. That is it will not allow you to log in to Windows and the only way to get back into your system is to reinstall, (you may need to reformat your hard drive also.)
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: Fury on February 03, 2012, 07:03:56 am
If you can't get that windows of yours authenticated, you better install linux such as Mint. http://www.linuxmint.com
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: KyadCK on February 03, 2012, 01:49:03 pm
Calling microsoft is a bad idea, they charge you for support. I was going to take several problems to them but when it was about to charge me i was like fk this.

calling for activation shouldn't be charged as support.

And it isn't. If you can't activate online, use their toll free number and get it activted by phone. Win 7 keys can be used twice a year. Use it.


Is it the same laptop you bought Windows 7 for? If so, you should call them up and tell them how ****ty their DRM is, and get them to give you a new one for free.

That they may actually charge for. Don't do that unless its a 1-800 number. Just activate it over the phone.

If you can't get that windows of yours authenticated, you better install linux such as Mint. http://www.linuxmint.com

Is that a threat, or an alternative?  :nervous:

If it remains unauthenticated, it may do what it did to my unauthenticated Vista. That is, if you are online, it may stop working after approximately 30 days. That is it will not allow you to log in to Windows and the only way to get back into your system is to reinstall, (you may need to reformat your hard drive also.)

Last I checked, 7 won't just 'die' like XP/Vista, it just disables some features. Internet is not one of these features, so its up for grabs how effective this way is.  :lol:
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: Klaustrophobia on February 03, 2012, 07:49:42 pm
has anyone tested if a phone activation will work after 6 months for an activation on a second computer without uninstalling it from the first?  :nervous:
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: KyadCK on February 03, 2012, 08:21:31 pm
has anyone tested if a phone activation will work after 6 months for an activation on a second computer without uninstalling it from the first?  :nervous:

Just tell them Windows died and you have to re-install, assuming you even get a human. (99% of the time their toll free activation is just an automated thing with reasonable voice recognition)
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: Klaustrophobia on February 03, 2012, 11:57:52 pm
i was thinking more about will they know the first one is still active? 
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: KyadCK on February 04, 2012, 02:12:57 am
i was thinking more about will they know the first one is still active?

More to the point is "Will they care" (the answer is no).
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: Klaustrophobia on February 04, 2012, 04:18:22 am
well if windows constantly calls home when it's online (or periodically, whatever)/it 'authenticates' when downloading updates, they probably have a system to catch key sharing.
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: TwentyPercentCooler on February 04, 2012, 04:28:49 am
well if windows constantly calls home when it's online (or periodically, whatever)/it 'authenticates' when downloading updates, they probably have a system to catch key sharing.

It's called the Windows Activation Tool, or WAT. Pertinent to the OP, it's possible to remove the WAT from any version of Windows; you get a fully functional copy that updates normally. Obviously it's probably bad to pirate Windows but I don't see a problem in removing the WAT from a copy you own just to avoid the hassle of dealing with Microsoft's customer service.
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: Klaustrophobia on February 04, 2012, 09:03:33 am
it was just a thought.  this laptop is well past due for a reformat, and i kinda wanted to see if win7 would make it not so much of a pile of ****.  never buy lenovo.
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: jr2 on February 04, 2012, 07:05:05 pm
Hi, Retsof, check your e-mail, you should have one from me.  j****ap_r******s@yah**.c*m
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: S-99 on February 05, 2012, 06:08:27 pm
I've called to activate windows a couple of times. It's a free call where you're talking to a computer. You should be fine. I was activating xp without an internet connection.
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: Retsof on February 05, 2012, 07:11:35 pm
Hi, Retsof, check your e-mail, you should have one from me.  j****ap_r******s@yah**.c*m
Heh, that was a really old account, and is no longer active.  Updated now, but why didn't you just PM me?
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: jr2 on February 06, 2012, 10:43:41 am
Re-sent the e-mail.

Certain software is not condoned for discussion on HLP.  While, in your circumstance, you can use such software to preserve the functionality of your legal copy of Windows, there are other, illicit uses of those programs.  So, to avoid promoting piracy, and to avoid any trouble with HLP's rules, I e-mailed the link to the forum containing the instructions and link for that software to you.  ;)
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: Scourge of Ages on February 06, 2012, 04:31:47 pm
I imagine there was little point to publicly posting exactly what was contained in the private message. Doesn't that kind of defeat the point?
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: Klaustrophobia on February 06, 2012, 05:31:37 pm
well, the actual link is missing.
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: jr2 on February 08, 2012, 01:31:12 pm
well, the actual link is missing.

Here's a cookie, good sir.  (http://whatscookingamerica.net/Cookie/PeanutButterCookie.jpg)
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: Mongoose on February 08, 2012, 03:02:34 pm
Ooh, I love those cookies!  *steals it*
Title: Re: Danger of Unauthenticated Windows?
Post by: Klaustrophobia on February 08, 2012, 07:09:36 pm
back UP! 


i will CUT you! :mad:

nomnomnom