Much to my dislike, there’s still some software which doesn’t work yet with Linux, either natively or using the fabulous Wine, so for those cases where I still need to use win32 software, I use VirtualBox and a virtual machine running Windows XP.
My copy of XP is registered; I payed for it simply to avoid getting all those annoying warnings and various disgusting issues one can run into when using a pirated version of XP.
But still I get this idiotic update from time to time:
The Windows Genuine Advantage Notification tool notifies you if your copy of Windows is not genuine. If your system is found to be non-genuine, the tool will help you obtain a licensed copy of Windows.
Do they mean that this already genuine copy is going to turn into non genuine, just like that? Ta-daaaaaaaaaa! today I’m genuine, tomorrow I’m not? surprise! And that’s why they need to check every month? Didn’t they check the first time I entered my serial number?
Most probably they fear someone buying a license and then installing it in several other computers, but this way of fighting their fear is stupid. Just leave alone the nice chaps that installed and registered this weapon of mass destruction and go annoy people who haven’t completed your verification process or however it is called at this time.
Whenever someone asks me why I don’t want to use Windows again unless it’s caged on a (virtual) box, I’m so going to refer them to this!
Zarate
It’s bloody annoying. I do exactly the same thing, my *valid* XP license is from my Dell laptop that originally came with it. Because I’ve installed it a 1000 times in VMs, from time to time it says my serial number has been used too many times.
They offer you a phone number to call. Do it. You don’t even talk to a human being, you go through a painful automatic process that resets your number for the next X times. Then you start all over again.
Windows sucks.
manolopm
The reason for continous updates of WGA notification are the false positive cases. The checker fails a lot and they have to upgrade it to avoid that stupid messages in the windows of the people who paid for it. (That’s the reason that MS gives…)
I think that the real reason it’s to force you to move to vista (or w7)… :)
sole
@Zarate: I kind of prefer the automatic system. At least it’s not a call center based in some strange far away country where the operators are encouraged to confuse the customers and make them stay for longer than they should be. In that respect, this could be considered as the most sensible solution (and let’s ignore for a moment the fact that *THEY* create the problem which needs solving).
@Manolopm: NO WAY!!! :D
Bruce
@Zarate: The last time I dealt with the “used too many times” issue, I actually had to talk to a real person, and it was not a pleasant experience. My brother recently ran into the same issue, but instead of making that phone call for him, I bought him an used iMac.
@sole: I think I’ll refer people to this as well.
sole
haha it seems I’m not the only one which gets bothered with this recurring update!
Rosemary
I have not downloaded the WGA Notification program. I know my copy of Windows in genuine and don’t need MS
Rosemary
Opps! Let me finish that! As I said, I have not downloaded the WGA Notification program. I know my copy of Windows in genuine and don’t need MS checking it for me. But I’m getting tired of canceling the window every time it pops up. Does anyone know how to get rid of the window for good?
sole
No, if I knew I wouldn’t have written this post :P