Microsoft is to step up its fight against piracy by requiring users who visit their download sites to verify their installation of Windows with Windows Genuine Advantage. However, security updates will not be included in the check as Microsoft has learned they are vital when viruses like Blaster and Sasser are on the loose. In those times, even pirated operating systems must be protected, as they will scan all around the net for other vulnerable installations to infect.
However, if you fail the Genuine Advantage test, you will not hear the FBI at your door 10 minutes later or be sued or even receive any threats; in fact, you might just get a free Windows XP CD or a discount off one. If you can fill out a form with details of where you got your pirated installation, proof of purchase and return the counterfeit cd you will get a free genuine copy. If you cant give all those details, then you will recive a discount of up to half price for XP Home Edition or Professional Edition.
Source:
BBC News

You're right, Auslander. (Mine is from Florida, and hell, I'm not even 'Merican). :=)
I see you have 'been around' for a bit, since you've mentioned HP. And I couldn't agree with you more. Hewlett Packard sucks wazoo. Overpriced, rampant DRM cancerized, and Best Buds with Micro$oft.
I won't tell you what I did with my new HP inkjet printer some months ago (I now have a perfectly-functioning Canon), but I imagine a few seagulls are dropping some dumplings on it out in some landfill site somewhere. :)
So you know what I did just as an experiment?
I completely wiped my hard drive of Windows-2000, then, installed the relatively ancient Win98-SE instead. (Yep! The old Win-98 system!) Win98, while not exactly the best OS in the world, was pretty much free of all this DRM s--t.
Well! My burner NOW immediately recognized ALL three discs just *fine* thank-you-very-much! I got _perfect_ rips with DVD-Decrypter!
It just goes to show you that micro$oft is constantly undermining your ability to use your own computer as you would like. I thoroughly *detest* a Ballsy Software Company from locking me out of my own equipment!
Alarming also, very much so, is that micro$oft's influence extends to the hardware manufacturers too. In this case - my burner, -- an LG model --, must have a chip in it that recognizes these new "crippled" dvd discs. If you have all the latest-and-"greatest" micro$oft updates, plus a restricted burner, these new discs will be unreadable.
Frig !! :-(
Yes ...... I wish I knew how to use Linux. Compared to windows it is a little less than "user friendly" for most mainstream users, although one would be blessedly FREE of micro$oft's damn, world-domineering, crippling, user-restricting DRM crap.
Most world-wide users of computers don't really know what "DRM" is all about, and that's probably why micro$oft is going to get away with their sleazy agenda.
Ahhrghhhhh !!!!!!!!!!!! :=)











