More on the WGA fiasco. This time, it costs you...

[kcredden]

Well, I've been reading up on the blog about the WGA fiasco. This time, he outlines how it'll cost you money.

Why am I NOT surpised at this?

I used to call this 'double dipping' which basically means. You buy a new computer, pay $30 or so for a copy of XP when you get it. You don't get an OEM disk anymore, but a recovery disk or even worse, a recovery partition. (which leads to the triple dipping) But now, with WGA even if it's legit, you then pay another $130 for a new cd. How is it triple dipping? What happens if your harddrive dies, or is messed up, so the recovery partition is damaged? Yep, you guessed it. CHA-CHING!

Boy, Billy boy, must be just dancing with glee...
--
ZDNet writes:

When Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage software kicks in and identifies your copy of Windows as "non-genuine," what happens next? On the surface, at least, Microsoft is all tea and sympathy: "You may be a victim of software counterfeiting," says the official message that takes over the Windows start up screen. But that's a funny way to treat a victim, because everything in the WGA experience is intended to get you to open your wallet and pay for a new product key and Windows CD, even if you already own a perfectly legal license.

More here (http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=113)

Oh, I also left comments too, around the 60th or so comment.

[DecupldSolutions]

Make images of partitions and avoid the cost. Or learn to make images.

http://www.bsodtv.org/
http://jdhore.vox.com/

Those guys are good...

WGA... haven't had a problem yet. Got back up cd's though and legal key copies. Haven't tried this yet but this was learned from episode four BSODtv...

autoruns from systeminternals freeware...
http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/Autoruns.html

[Jess]

What are you supposed to do about this? I just recently recieved the message that my windows may be counterfeit and my system may be at risk. I do not have the money to buy this so called key and I wouldn't even if I did have the money. I don't have the computer smarts and I guess Microsoft thinks most people will pay for this just because they don't know what else they can do about it.

[bdr]

There are plenty of ways (illegally) to bypass this, but the only legitimate way is to purchase a copy of Windoze from Wally-World, and use the key provided with that.
Really sucks huh?
I will be the first to admit, I have d-loaded pirated versions of games, but if I really like the software, I ALWAYS purchase a copy. The main reason being, you will have true "support" from the manufacturer.
God-Gates aint all that bad, he is the biggest philanthropist in the world, and thats a huge title to have...
So Jess, I feel for ya, all I can tell ya is to do a google on it and read til your eyes bleed, thats how I have learned about stuff myself.

BDR

[Foxy]

If you are a student at any college you can buy Windows for about $50. Just go to www.whywaitforbooks.com

[Jess]

Thank you ..bdr and Foxy. I really don't want my eyes to bleed from google searches so I think I will break down and buy a copy of windows from wally world. Thanks again guys. I Hope it makes me "genuine" again.

[Foxy]

if you are using a genuine copy of windows, then there is no need to buy another one. if it came pre-installed on your computer, call either Microsoft, or the make of your computer and they can help.
I have a Toshiba with windows, it came installed, i got that error message and just called Toshiba and they took care of it for me. It was a free 30 minute phone call but that was cheaper than buying another copy.

[bdr]

Dang, I hate it when a woman is smarter then me.. (unfortunately thats more often then I like to admit)
Foxy is absolutely right!

BDR

[Daphne]

I used to call this 'double dipping' which basically means. You buy a new computer, pay $30 or so for a copy of XP when you get it. You don't get an OEM disk anymore, but a recovery disk or even worse, a recovery partition. (which leads to the triple dipping)

I don't know where you purchase a new computer and buy XP for $30.00 its usually more like 100-150 or more depending on what version you get.

Most pc's have the recovery partition which is great if the end user knows what to do with it and how to use it. (no offense intended to anyone)

But now, with WGA even if it's legit, you then pay another $130 for a new cd. How is it triple dipping? What happens if your harddrive dies, or is messed up, so the recovery partition is damaged? Yep, you guessed it. CHA-CHING!
You can order the recovery disks from the manufacturer from 10-30 bux when you purchase your computer. You can even purchase in time of need from the manufacturer for close to the same price, maybe more for shipping, but a far cry from $130.
Yes the recovery disk will install everything on your computer the way it was the day you took it out of the box, so you will have to do some uninstalling of programs to get it back to the way you had it, but its better than having nothing at all.

Keep in mind that depending on when you purchased your computer, if you run the recovery partition or recovery disk, that you windows will be out of date. As I type this the standard is Windows XP SP2 and has an additional 60 -70 updates depending on what hardware is in your computer.

Just my .02

[Foxy]

Dang, I hate it when a woman is smarter then me.. (unfortunately thats more often then I like to admit)
Foxy is absolutely right!

BDR

Thank you!