Ask Your Vista Questions Here.

This was on packetstorm... about 5 months ago.
And i think ireland already mentioned it or linked to it.

 

Pirates crack Vista Activation Server

* 7th December 2006
* James Bannan
* Vista

Pirates have released another ingenious workaround to Vista's copy protection: a hacked copy of Microsoft's yet-to-be-released volume licencing activation server, running in VMware.

Volume Activation 2.0 is one of the more controversial features of Vista: it means that every copy of Vista has to be activated, even the Business/Enterprise volume licenced editions.

However, to make life easier for administrators, Microsoft worked in a more convenient system of in-house for en masse activation of PCs called KMS – Key Management Service.

The idea behind KMS is that you have a single PC running KMS which can then handle activation for all your Vista clients, so that they don’t have to connect back to Microsoft every single time.

The downside of KMS is that the activation is only good for 180 days, to discourage people bringing in their home systems, activating them and wandering off again.

Bearing in mind that KMS wasn’t scheduled to be released until next year, pirates have managed to get hold of KMS and produce a standalone, fully-activated KMS server called “Windows Vista Local Activation Server – MelindaGates”. Tongue-in-cheek of course…the first “cracked” version of Vista was called Vista BillGates.

The download is a VMWare image, and the idea behind it is that you download and install VMWare Player (a legal free download), boot the image and use some VBS script (supplied with the activation server download) to have the client Vista machine get its activation from the local server. And that’s it – no communication back to Microsoft.

Of course, in line with the Volume Activation 2.0 model, this only works with Vista Business and Enterprise editions, as they are the only ones which will accept KMS keys.

Home and Ultimate editions still use normal single-use activation that calls back to Microsoft for validation of the product ID.

On one hand, this is strikes a serious blow to Vista’s activation model. Simply possessing the Vista DVD (which was released on the boards about two weeks ago) wasn’t enough to get you past the robust activation requirements. But if you can load up a local activation server and activate Vista that way, it sort of makes the whole thing redundant.

There are two caveats though. Vista still has to be installed with a KMS product key, so if that activated system ever goes through the WGA system with a known pirated key, Microsoft will be able to track it down and eventually close the loop.

The second is that this is a true KMS server, so the activation is only good for 180 days, then the client needs re-activation.

It’s also still not a crack. In this instance, as with the Vista BillGates release, it’s an activation workaround. Admittedly a very clever one, and one that Microsoft will have a lot more trouble stamping out, but the fact that it’s taken the acquisition of a KMS server shows that Vista activation is still holding strong in its own right.

But is that of any comfort to Microsoft right now, while its yet-to-be-widely-released OS is being pirated like crazy?
http://apcmag.com/node/4769

 

Vista Minimum Requirements Unrealistic
By Scott M. Fulton, III, BetaNews
December 8, 2006, 11:57 AM

A white paper published this morning by hardware analysis firm iSuppli, based on its studies of Microsoft Windows Vista running on multiple grades of computer hardware, has concluded that the software publisher's stated minimum requirements for the system -- which include an 800 MHz processor, 512 MB of RAM, and a 35 GB hard drive -- may not be nearly enough.

"Despite Microsoft's claims that Vista can run on such trailing-edge systems," writes Matthew Wilkins, principal analyst for compute platforms research, "iSuppli believes the reality is quite different."

A much more realistic expectation, states the white paper, entitled "Sorting Out the Requirements for Windows Vista" (downloadable through registration), is for consumers to plan for either a 3 GHz single-core CPU or a 2 GHz dual-core CPU for their desktop systems. A 1.5 GHz processor may be suitable for notebooks. Windows XP can get by with much less.

The reason for what many consumers will consider expensive upgrades isn't what you might think at first. While a great deal of extra processing power, especially in the graphics department, is necessary for Vista to run the "full experience" of its Aero operating environment -- including, for instance, the ability to flip application windows around in full 3D rendering -- Wilkins points out that Aero is merely an option, that it isn't really a necessary one, and that it can be turned off.

No, the reason is the one that should be more obvious, were it not obstructed by the superficial ones: It's just Vista, and it needs more processing power just to be Vista.

Besides the CPU, the biggest factor impacting the overall cost of a Vista-capable system will be memory, iSuppli says, not graphics. For system builders and OEMs producing PCs today, the firm's charts make clear, they'll build Windows XP-capable systems with the same CPU as for their Vista-capable systems, so buyers of new computers this holiday season won't find new systems with XP pre-installed that are incapable of running Vista.

Wilkins pointed out some reports may be over-dramatizing the notion that older PCs can't run Vista, saying that while Microsoft's stated requirements may be unrealistically low, even older PCs today meet or beat those specifications.

Memory will drive up component costs, however, and could be principally to blame for price differences that users will see between XP systems that are "Vista-ready" and those that are "Vista-capable" (Microsoft has asserted their differences).

A 2 GB comfort zone for desktop DRAM -- up from the 1 GB zone of realism for XP -- would naturally double suppliers' costs for memory per unit, and thus drive up their total component costs per unit up, iSuppli calculates, by as much as 20%. Factor in the resale margin, and consumers could be paying one-fourth more for a system intended to run Vista.

ISuppli's contentions run completely contrary to those recently made by Acer Senior Vice President James Wong. He claims that Microsoft has been engaged in a campaign to compel users to purchase more expensive computers than they really need, by virtue of the same fact iSuppli's Wilkins believes is inconsequential: The full "Aero" experience will not be appreciated by users whose systems will only run Vista Basic.

Earlier this year, there may have been some evidence to support Wong's claims. At that time, it was reported that Microsoft and graphics card producer ATI were actively developing a campaign based on Microsoft's new Windows System Performance Ranking (WSPR), to divide the consumer PC market into five tiers of performance rather than just two. The middle and upper tiers of this system would have been the more "preferred" levels, and they would have mandated much higher-level performance specifications than hardware analysts such as iSuppli believed were being sold to everyday consumers at that time.

As it turned out, Microsoft adopted quite the opposite approach, perhaps after evaluating public response to news of that policy under consideration.

While iSuppli projects, under ordinary circumstances, consumers may pay 20% plus margins more for Vista-capable PCs than for XP-capable ones, it's December, so these are not ordinary circumstances.

A check of TigerDirect.com this morning revealed HP systems with a 3.06 GHz single-core Pentium 4 524 processor, with integrated video, 160 GB hard drive and 512 MB of DRAM -- well within the tolerance limits for Windows XP -- is selling for $499.99, less a $200 holiday rebate.

Meanwhile, a Systemax system from the same vendor configured with a 3 GHz Pentium 4 531 processor, 160 GB hard drive, and 2 GB of DRAM -- as iSuppli suggested for Windows Vista -- sells for $829.98, and is without a rebate offer. So as retailers such as TigerDirect shed their XP baseline systems, the spread right now (counting rebates) appears not to be 25%, but as much as 64%.
http://www.betanews.com/article/Vista_Minimum_Requirements_Unrealistic/1165596677

 

Vista runs stable on desent hardware running on a 64bit CPU at 1.7Ghz with 512 ramm,to run the new 3d menu system you'll need over all better hardware in all Vista on lowest settings will run about the same as XP.

both sides are hyping and its out of control...

 

Microsoft: Vista Wireless Access Could Cause Laptop Battery Drain


By Gregg Keizer,

Users running Windows Vista on laptops may see batteries draining faster than they expect, Microsoft said in a warning, because some wireless access points aren't configured to take advantage of the new operating system's Wi-Fi power-saving mode.

In a recent post to Microsoft's official Vista blog, senior product manager Jason Leznek spelled out the company's last-minute decision to change the default power setting of wireless adapters to "maximum performance."

"Test results from Microsoft and our customers show that some Windows Vista beta users experienced connectivity problems when connecting to public Wi-Fi hotspots," wrote Leznek in his post. "In many cases, the root cause of the problem is access point or router hardware which is not compatible with the 802.11 power save protocol."

Rather than leave the wireless access card in "power save" mode -- which reduces battery drain by periodically putting the card to sleep -- Microsoft switched the default to a more power-intensive mode, one usually reserved for times when the laptop is connected to AC power, Leznek noted.

"However, this power savings scheme for 802.11 wireless adapters depends on cooperation of the access point," Leznek wrote. "The problem is that many access points do not implement or support the power save feature correctly."

To make sure as many people as possible would be able to connect to wireless hotspots, Microsoft made the settings change before Vista moved into its release to manufacturing (RTM) phase last month. "The obvious downside is a potential decrease in computer battery life," Leznek acknowledged.

OEMs can modify the default setting before shipping Vista-equipped notebooks, Leznek pointed out; users can also change the power-savings mode through "power options" in Vista's control panel.
http://www.techweb.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196602474&cid=RSSfeed_TechWeb

 

Just a question: Isin't DRM only for specially copy-protected windows media files? Or can it be used in other media file types too [like MP3, MPG, AVI, WAV ]?

 

ashwin18
I frist thought DRM was a lock down on vid and audio meaning no DRM no play thats not the case,the new DRM features in VIster are to prevent ease of copying/Cracking DRMed files and DVDs and such.
this will be shot down after they poke holes in WGA.....frankly WGA is hurting vista more than its DRM setup is.

TH DRM setup is painful but frankly as MS has to do i show the emdia mafia they tried and release instacraked updates to the DRM,I would be surprised if a complete halt came to the DVD/CD rip programs they will release updates to make the programs work on vista,in the end MS is only plugging holes in the media mafias war on consumers,if you dont know plugged holes leak LOL

 

So basically, I want to know what kind of files and discs can be DRMed?
As far as I know, i've seen it only in some windows media files.

 

DRM goes to most MP3/MP4/WMA/WMV files but can be placed on most files.

AS for media(DVD/CD,ect,ect) they have tried to lock down the eynctription/protection "lanes" to make it harder to bypass to copy them.

hacks cracks and workarounds will be flowing from the net within acouple month after launch so the DR aspect of it is the least of my worries WGA thats over the top with anti consumerism is my main focus until its limited or removed I am not wiling to put up with it.

I am looking at the price of things looking at my hardware and thinking WTF IF I want to upgrade to basic NEW gameing I have to put 300ish wroth of parts into the system I could fully upgrade for another 600 go wif a nice core duo or plug the holes in my system for 100-200 and get a 360 to play the game I want (BIoshock).

 

Vista Crack Means Big Trouble


Joe Wilcox
Joe Wilcox

In a somewhat deja vu circumstance, crackers may have put the kibosh on Windows Vista product activation, as they did before Microsoft made Windows XP's widely available.

The exploit doesn't break Microsoft's anti-piracy mechanism, but falsely activates some Windows Vista versions.

The Windows Vista crack, if definitely proven effective, is rather ingenious. Because I haven't personally tried it out and Microsoft is confirming nothing--absolutely nothing--I can't definitely say it works. But, conceptually, the crack should work, although it's a whole lot of trouble for average folks. Paying up for a legit copy of Vista would be better way to go, if for no other reason than it's the right thing to do.

In a statement, Cori Hartje, director of Microsoft's Genuine Software Initiative, described the crack as "purely speculative."

I can confirm the cracking tools are out there. I easily found Web links to torrents of the crack. Supposedly the software contains a VMware image and visual basic script that acts as a pseudo activation server for Windows Vista. The user obtains a Windows Vista image file--also available on torrents--and activates against the pseudo server.

The crack exploits Microsoft's Volume Activation 2.0, which Windows Vista supports. The newer anti-piracy mechanism requires Windows Vista versions obtained through volume licensing to phone home every so often to essentially reactivate. Microsoft chose the approach to combat the ongoing problem of leaked or stolen volume-licensing keys. Five years ago, the first keys leaked even before Windows XP shipped, allowing for mass pirating of the operating system. Conceptually, the reactivation mechanism would allow Microsoft to revoke some keys and then invalidate pirated Windows Vista copies.

Volume Activation 2.0 uses two reactivation mechanisms. The crack supposedly takes advantage of the Key Management Service, or KMS. Businesses would set up KMS servers for activating Windows Vista and reactivating within every 180 days.

The service is only designed for software distributed through volume licensing, which would mean Windows Vista Enterprise. The consumer versions of Windows Vista activate in single fashion, so the cracking technique shouldn't work. Besides, Enterprise is the ultimate version to steal, so to speak.

"We are actively monitoring these types of piracy and counterfeit situations, and will take action on any Key Management Service or Multiple Activation Key keys that have been reported as stolen or abused," Hartje said.

The crack isn't without its flaws. Pirated Windows Vista versions would have to be pseudo-reactivated within every 180 days. Vista copies that aren't activated or fail to reactivate all but shut down in about 30 days.

From a security perspective, the Vista crack is deeply disturbing. Suppose a pirate distributed hacked versions of Windows Vista that redirected product activation to its own servers. Conceptually, the hacker could distribute pirated software preloaded for participation in botnets. A little pseudo-activation here, some added remote-access Trojans (RATs) there, and the hacker-pirate has a botnet distribution platform.

There would be little consolation in people stealing Vista paying the hacker pirate by another means, because of all the trouble botnets cause.

No doubt, Microsoft will respond to this crack, assuming it's real, quite possibly by modifying how KMS works. It's not like there have been massive deployments of legitimate copies of Windows Vista yet. The customer impact would be minimal right now.

As for the crack, Microsoft anti-piracy mechanisms aren't perfect, nor are they meant to be. Microsoft probably could make Windows a really tough nut to crack--maybe impossible to pirate. But the cost would be huge reduction in the operating system's utility and usability.

As an end user, I dislike Microsoft's anti-piracy mechanisms. They're a hassle, and they feel like Microsoft either doesn't trust or must punish legitimate users. But Microsoft could have made the mechanisms much more burdensome. Each time hackers, crackers and pirates (Oh my!) undermine these mechanisms, Microsoft must make them tougher and in the process more burdensome for legitimate users. That's the price we pay for people who steal.
http://www.microsoft-watch.com/cont...ans_big_trouble.html?kc=MWRSS02129TX1K0000535

 

ireland
meh the current cracks either barely work or are spy ware.
In time they will get better.

 

So bottom line is, we all should steal

 

Windows Vista crack is actually a trojan
Posted by l33tdawg on Friday, December 08, 2006 - 01:35 AM (Reads: 352)
Source: APC Mag


Malware makers are starting to take advantage of the number of users searching for cracks for the pirated copies of Vista floating around. A new download has started circulating around the crack boards called "Windows Vista All Versions Activation 21.11.06". It purports to be an activation crack for any version of Vista. However, the file is actually a trojan-carrier which will install Trojan-PSW.Win32.LdPinch.aze onto your PC. BitTorrent users who posted reviews of the crack said that a number of antivirus programs detected the malware, though Norton AntiVirus and NOD32 did not.

Windows Vista crack is actually a trojan

* 3rd December 2006
* James Bannan
* Vista, Windows

Malware makers are starting to take advantage of the number of users searching for cracks for the pirated copies of Vista floating around.

A new download has started circulating around the crack boards called "Windows Vista All Versions Activation 21.11.06". It purports to be an activation crack for any version of Vista.

However, the file is actually a trojan-carrier which will install Trojan-PSW.Win32.LdPinch.aze onto your PC.

BitTorrent users who posted reviews of the crack said that a number of antivirus programs detected the malware, though Norton AntiVirus and NOD32 did not.

In an interview about the Windows Vista installation process, and the ease with which administrators can pre-install software into a Vista install DVD, Microsoft Australia's John Pritchard warned that pirated copies of Vista could easily come with malware preinstalled.

"I would certainly recommend when people are looking at any content they make sure they have the approved and hologrammed DVDs to make sure they’re dealing with the genuine product, to get away from not knowing where the source comes from. If they have control of the unattended installation and built it themselves then hopefully they know what they are putting on it."
http://apcmag.com/node/4737

You can read the full interview here.
http://apcmag.com/node/3834

 

TI won't rush into Microsoft Vista readily

Two year sprint

By Charlie Demerjian: Sunday 10 December 2006, 07:29
CORPORATE AMERICA, no, make that corporate everywhere is treating Vista like a dead animal found in the woods, they will poke it with a stick, but there is no way they will take it home. Take TI for instance, it is not going to touch the wonder OS for another two years or so.

The memo below, posted on the TI Infolink internal site goes to show what a warm reception Vista is getting. You can upgrade thousands of machines and buy a new OS, or just stay put. Looks like almost everyone is staying put.µ

TI will maintain Windows XP platform; computer users should not install Windows Vista

(30 Nov 2006)

IT Services will maintain a global Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) operating system standard until 2009 in an effort to save TI a significant amount of money in licensing and support costs. This standard will serve as an alternative to migrating to Microsoft's new Windows Vista platform when that product becomes available in late January 2007.

IT Services strongly discourages TIers and contractors from installing Windows Vista on any TI-owned computer or using a home computer with Vista when connecting to the TI network. New TI computers will continue to include Windows XP through 2008.

"We're confident Windows XP will continue to be a stable, cost-effective and secure operating system standard for TI during the next two years," said Ken Rempert, manager of Client Services and Support. "Windows XP has proven to be a solid platform, and IT Services has adopted this standard worldwide to reduce cost and improve employee productivity."
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=36259

 

That sounds just like what i've been hearing from all my colleague's and everyone in the field.
Sounds like the world is finally seeing Billy Gates' game for what it is :-D

 

*rolls eyes*
lets see how "together" OS is when they recreate it for the next version....ALtho I could see Mac doing a better job at driver compatibility but then they seem to do better with drivers anyway *L*

 

get rid of vista and xp ,and have them get back to updating windows 2000..

which windows xp is windows 2000 with out the bells and whistle's

my main system is 2000..................

 

better yet rebuild the API,DX and kernels so win2K has a good compabilte game mode.

 

The new Vista is class build 6000 vista ultimate which i can confirm the crack works.

 

http://img291.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vistawm4.jpg