MICROSOFT SENDS A VIRUS

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Wendy & John

SUBJ: MICROSOFT SENDS A VIRUS
DATE: January 10, 2004

I installed XP/Home upgrade over my Win98, then over my
2nd computer's WinME. All worked OK, then the 2nd box
quit: It now only opens an authorization window and halts.

a.) If "AUTHORIZE-YES" is selected, MS Phone Support
says XP is only good for one of my computers and will
not authorize. Box remains halted. Nothing works.

b.) If "AUTHORIZE - NO" is selected, the computer shuts
down and will not restart except back to the endless-
loop authorization window.

I assume this damaging Virus was placed in the XP operating
system by Microsoft to stop software theft. I wrongly thought
it was OK to use the same XP in both my home computers.

I am willing to uninstall XP and go back to my ME system, but
Microsoft phone support will not help; they only refer me to a
Microsoft knowledge base having uninstall instructions which
work only if you enter "Protected Mode" as an administrator,
or if you have a command prompt.

Neither option is available to me. My Microsoft Windows XP
will only open to the frozen authorization window and halt.

The Virus sent by Microsoft in its XP system CD damaged my
computer unto uselessness. It was my mistake to believe I
could use XP on both of my home computers, but I don't think
my equipment should be damaged by Microsoft to punish me.

If I buy a new computer to replace the one damaged by the
Virus from Microsoft, it will be with the bitter knowledge that
I will be forced to buy another new operating system from the
same corporate monopoly that destroyed my present computer.

I hope someone else learns from my experience with Microsoft.

Yours truly,

John E. Ardans 425 468 3558 (e-mail address removed)

_________________________________________________
 
Wendy said:
SUBJ: MICROSOFT SENDS A VIRUS
DATE: January 10, 2004

I installed XP/Home upgrade over my Win98, then over my
2nd computer's WinME. All worked OK, then the 2nd box
quit: It now only opens an authorization window and halts.

a.) If "AUTHORIZE-YES" is selected, MS Phone Support
says XP is only good for one of my computers and will
not authorize. Box remains halted. Nothing works.

b.) If "AUTHORIZE - NO" is selected, the computer shuts
down and will not restart except back to the endless-
loop authorization window.

I assume this damaging Virus was placed in the XP operating
system by Microsoft to stop software theft. I wrongly thought
it was OK to use the same XP in both my home computers.

I am willing to uninstall XP and go back to my ME system, but
Microsoft phone support will not help; they only refer me to a
Microsoft knowledge base having uninstall instructions which
work only if you enter "Protected Mode" as an administrator,
or if you have a command prompt.

Neither option is available to me. My Microsoft Windows XP
will only open to the frozen authorization window and halt.

The Virus sent by Microsoft in its XP system CD damaged my
computer unto uselessness. It was my mistake to believe I
could use XP on both of my home computers, but I don't think
my equipment should be damaged by Microsoft to punish me.

If I buy a new computer to replace the one damaged by the
Virus from Microsoft, it will be with the bitter knowledge that
I will be forced to buy another new operating system from the
same corporate monopoly that destroyed my present computer.

I hope someone else learns from my experience with Microsoft.

Yours truly,

John E. Ardans 425 468 3558 (e-mail address removed)

_________________________________________________
Click to expand...

That's humorous..

They destroyed your present computer because you couldn't read the EULA
presented to you in the packaging and when you installed!

Now you will likely blame Microsoft for giving away your email (which you
just did to thousands of newsgroups, expect LOTS of new spam.. Some will
LOOK like they are from Microsoft, they are not) and your full name and
phone number.

Not only that - you THINK it was a virus that destroyed your computer. heh

You can only install and activate a copy of XP on one computer. You have to
at least buy another license to get it to activate on another computer. You
waited past the 30 days and you can install a different copy of it over it
(Repair Installation) and activate that OR you can re-install any copy of XP
(that option erases the files.) However, because you did not activate it
within the 30 days, it has locked itself where you cannot get back in to
"uninstall". Read more about what you didn't read before:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302878

Your computer is not destroyed.
 
RE: MICROSOFT SENDS A VIRUS

Sorry, I was so hot I couldn't eve write my own correct phone number:

425 486 3558

John E. Ardans 425 486 3558 (e-mail address removed)
_____________________________________________________
 
John;
Where in the world did you get the idea it is a virus?
It is not a virus.
It is simply Windows Product Activation (WPA) doing what it said it
would 2 weeks before.
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

You can achieve limited use of Windows XP in Safe Mode:
Reboot tapping F8 each second.
Select Safe Mode at the menu.
You can back-up your data from here.

Windows XP as all other consumer Microsoft operating systems at least
back to Windows 95 are licensed to only one computer.
Nothing changed in that respect with Windows XP except now there is an
enforcement mechanism.
You would have known this if you read the EULA you already agreed to.

To get back to Windows ME the easy way if you made the correct choices
during installation of Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=303661
If that option is not available a Clean Installation of Windows ME
(destroying all data) is necessary, back-up important data first:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314052
 
You really shouldn't be providing that sort of info on a public newsgroup
(or any newsgroup for that matter)

--
Regards

Steven Burn
Ur I.T. Mate Group
www.it-mate.co.uk

Keeping it FREE!

Disclaimer:
I know I'm probably wrong, I just like taking part ;o)
 
You want some whine with your cheese?

An operating does NOT destroy hardware. Therefore, your computer is not
destroyed. You trashed it due to your own ignorance/incompetetance, unless
you did it on purpose because you wanted to pirate the O/S for a 2nd
computer.

Live with your mistake. By a 2nd operating system and install it on your 2nd
computer.

--
Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard :-)
 
Wendy said:
SUBJ: MICROSOFT SENDS A VIRUS
DATE: January 10, 2004

I installed XP/Home upgrade over my Win98, then over my
2nd computer's WinME. All worked OK, then the 2nd box
quit: It now only opens an authorization window and halts.

a.) If "AUTHORIZE-YES" is selected, MS Phone Support
says XP is only good for one of my computers and will
not authorize. Box remains halted. Nothing works.

b.) If "AUTHORIZE - NO" is selected, the computer shuts
down and will not restart except back to the endless-
loop authorization window.

I assume this damaging Virus was placed in the XP operating
system by Microsoft to stop software theft. I wrongly thought
it was OK to use the same XP in both my home computers.

I am willing to uninstall XP and go back to my ME system, but
Microsoft phone support will not help; they only refer me to a
Microsoft knowledge base having uninstall instructions which
work only if you enter "Protected Mode" as an administrator,
or if you have a command prompt.

Neither option is available to me. My Microsoft Windows XP
will only open to the frozen authorization window and halt.

The Virus sent by Microsoft in its XP system CD damaged my
computer unto uselessness. It was my mistake to believe I
could use XP on both of my home computers, but I don't think
my equipment should be damaged by Microsoft to punish me.

If I buy a new computer to replace the one damaged by the
Virus from Microsoft, it will be with the bitter knowledge that
I will be forced to buy another new operating system from the
same corporate monopoly that destroyed my present computer.

I hope someone else learns from my experience with Microsoft.

Yours truly,

John E. Ardans 425 468 3558 (e-mail address removed)

_________________________________________________
Click to expand...

I agree with you. I don't think it should be so difficult for you
to get it off your computer. It's understandable that *some* people
wouldn't read all the legal licensing stuff, etc.

You may have to bite the bullet and call and MS for help. god, that
thought makes me cringe.
 
Crusty said:
You want some whine with your cheese?
Click to expand...

Shouldn't that be "you want some cheese with your whine"? ;o)


John - thanks for the best laugh I've had in years...You have to be, without
any shadow of doubt, the biggest ****wit I have come across in 20 years of
computing! You wouldn't know clue if it came up to you with "Hi, I'm Clue"
tattooed on it forehead!

PMSL!! ROTFL!!
 
(-: You're probably right!

--
Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard :-)
 
Epona said:
Shouldn't that be "you want some cheese with your whine"? ;o)

John - thanks for the best laugh I've had in years...You have to be, without
any shadow of doubt, the biggest ****wit I have come across in 20 years of
computing! You wouldn't know clue if it came up to you with "Hi, I'm Clue"
tattooed on it forehead!
Click to expand...


"Some people couldn't get a clue if they smeared their body with clue musk
and did the clue mating dance while sounding the clue mating call
in a field full of horny clues at the height of clue mating season."

(attribution unknown; probably a group effort)



Bob
 
Greetings --

No virus - it's simply an anti-theft mechanism.

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH
 
I bet that if John looks in his rear view mirror he will find the FBI
following him also......
 
"It's understandable that *some* people wouldn't read all the legal
licensing stuff, etc."
Why? Ok they are a little pressed for time and just want to get done.
Fine, they are still responsible for what they agree.
The point was he agreed to it...twice...and missed the same facts both
times.
There is very little that can be done when people attempt to shed
responsibility because they were to in a hurry to read what they are
agreeing to.
Also, this is nothing new WPA or one computer per license.
Why not research before the issue arises.
Some seem to find the time to do the research after the fact.
In this case, a reload will most likely be necessary, spending time
looking for these groups and getting the answer.
This all could have been prevented by reading the EULA or even looking
on the back of the box "For installation and use on one computer
only".
 
Jupiter Jones [MVP] wrote:

Hi Jupiter:
"It's understandable that *some* people wouldn't read all the legal
licensing stuff, etc."
Why?
Click to expand...

Because humans don't always do what they should do. I myself have downloaded
numerous shareware products without reading the mundane agreements. It
doesn't mean it's smart, but bypassing this kind of stuff isn't unusual.
It happens.
Ok they are a little pressed for time and just want to get done.
Fine, they are still responsible for what they agree.
Click to expand...

No one said that he isn't responsible or that he isn't at fault, it's
just understandable. Not everyone's life revolves around computers, as
is clear by some of the posts to this group. Gee, the guy even posted
his phone number. What does that tell you? He made a mistake.
The point was he agreed to it...twice...and missed the same facts both
times.
Click to expand...

No, the point is he agreed to something, which he understands now, and simply
wants to get the OS off his system and back to where it was. He's pissed off
and is probably calling it a virus out of anger, not because he believes it.
There is very little that can be done when people attempt to shed
responsibility because they were to in a hurry to read what they are
agreeing to.
Click to expand...

I don't think he's shedding responsibility. He's upset and just wants
his system back. It seems he realizes he made an error in judgment,
but an error like this shouldn't mean he can't get his system back,
or at least the XP OS off, which seems to be the problem.
Also, this is nothing new WPA or one computer per license.
Why not research before the issue arises.
Click to expand...

I repeat, it was poor judgment. Our world is full of ignorant people.
I just don't think MS should make it impossible for him to get his
system back, if indeed that's what happened. But I dunno if that's the
case, or just a glitch that he cannot figure a way around.
Some seem to find the time to do the research after the fact.
In this case, a reload will most likely be necessary, spending time
looking for these groups and getting the answer.
This all could have been prevented by reading the EULA or even looking
on the back of the box "For installation and use on one computer
only".
Click to expand...

Okay, well, I agree. My only point was that I understand how it can happen,
and I don't think MS should make it so hard for him to remove the OS, although
I'm not sure they did. It could be that he just doesn't know how to get it
off. I've never had this happen to me.

Thanks,
 
If what you say is correct, and it probably is, then the O/P should then say
in his original post something along the lines of "Hey people, I really
f**ked Up Here", instead of alienating the people whom he asks for
assistance, by calling the O/S that they have taken the time to learn to
support a "virus"!

--
Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard :-)
 
Crusty said:
If what you say is correct, and it probably is, then the O/P should then say
in his original post something along the lines of "Hey people, I really
f**ked Up Here", instead of alienating the people whom he asks for
assistance, by calling the O/S that they have taken the time to learn to
support a "virus"!
Click to expand...

No doubt.
 
Bob O`Bob said:
"Some people couldn't get a clue if they smeared their body with clue musk
and did the clue mating dance while sounding the clue mating call
in a field full of horny clues at the height of clue mating season."

(attribution unknown; probably a group effort)
Click to expand...

The idea came from TV series Blackadder and now comes in several different
forms including: "stickier than Sticky the Stick insect stuck on a sticky
bun"
;-)
 
mb said:
The idea came from TV series Blackadder and now comes in several
different forms including: "stickier than Sticky the Stick insect
stuck on a sticky bun"
;-)
Click to expand...

Thanks for that - I'd meant to post it, but then forgot! Blackadder was a
classic - a true masterpiece of British comedy. Richard Curtis is a
God...Ben Elton, OTOH....
 
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