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Cracked version of Windows XP

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Have any of you ever heard of this?

http://newxpower.blogspot.com/

What do you think? Do you think that this is ligit? Is it even feasible? Besides the obvious legal implication, what are the fallout from this? Will you be trying it?

TCB

Topic

I think I will stick with Linux, PCBSD

In reply to Cracked version of Windows XP

.

Is it legit? Two chances.

In reply to Cracked version of Windows XP

Slim, and none. Slim lives in Texas, and the ‘nones’ don’t leave their convent.

First post in a brand new blog. No related Google results when searching for the terms nCipher or xpower.

“In a recent telephone interview…”
With no interviewer details like name, date, interviewer organization, etc.

If you’re lucky it’s just a reskinned Windows PE / Bart PE / UBCD. I’m betting it’s a preconfigured zombie, and I wouldn’t even run it in a virtual machine. Let us know how it worked, after you’ve formatted your drive and reloaded your OS.

No thanks

In reply to Is it legit? Two chances.

It looks totally bogus to me. I wouldn’t put it on my system at all. It almost looks like an elaborate attempt at phishing for identity and personal information thief purposes.

I was just wondering if any of you had heard of it.

I really liked the part of

In reply to No thanks

“all of the bugs in XP were fixed”

yeah, I’ll believe that remark.

I dont trust it right now. That is why I have no intention of downloading it. However, at this time of year, this pops out as people start shopping for Christmas (and looking to save some cash)…. It does have the stink of ID theft all over it.

Even if it works (at least to load the Internet) it is probably calling home with your personal info (not yours as you didnt install it, just an example).

It reminds me

In reply to I really liked the part of

of a Windowblinds skin,only “this one” is probably sent from a server in an asiatic republic,courtasy of “Boris and his mates”.
It has to be a scam.I bet MS are talking to their lawyers as I write this.

ha ha ha

In reply to I really liked the part of

You sound like an expert! Thumbs up!
” I never installe dit, but it is pure BS, I just know it, because I know everything”

Please do your research before talking.

ummm what are you mumbling about???

In reply to ha ha ha

I said what I thought, I did not state any facts about it because I have none. Learn to read before trying to argue little twit!

sure

In reply to ummm what are you mumbling about???

Look, nobody is imposing anything on you. Don’t download it if you think it’s some kind of scam.

Reviews

In reply to No thanks

There is a review of it:
http://forums.montrealracing.com/showthread.php?t=506124&page=2

No review, just an announcement on a forum.

In reply to Reviews

There are also several comments, most of them negative. I don’t normally take operating system recommendations from a racing forum.

?

In reply to No review, just an announcement on a forum.

Negative? If you read well those are people’s thoughts… not actual reviews. The ones who DID dowmload it had only good things to say.

#2 I agree with you about the “racing forum”. People that like cars do not anything about computers or informatics… right? lol

You’re the one who called it a “review”

In reply to ?

“There is a review of it:”

But then you said,

“If you read well those are people’s thoughts”

You can’t point to a resource and then complain about it.

Downloaded and tested

In reply to Is it legit? Two chances.

I’ve used this version and I like it. Normally when I load a regular copy of XP I need to spend considerable time to tweak it to where I want it, removing animations, ts Iurning off services I don’t need, etc. I’m an IT tech, and for large clients I can do this using GPOs, but for smaller clients it needs to be done manually. This version has already removed most of the XP annoyances I strive to get rid of.

The license code is hard coded in the installation, so I don’t have to worry about that. I’ve added it to domains, ghosted and SIDed it, and haven’t found any problems with it. As far as license go, my clients already has XP or VISTA licenses, and I just use this version instead. I’m sure it’s “illegal” from a M$ point of view, but if I’d stuck to M$ all recommendations and guide lines, I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere in my M$ and IT career. I don’t recommend it, but just wanted to share that for me it has served me well.

It is not CRACKED

In reply to Cracked version of Windows XP

I installed it on my old machine. It is not a cracked version of Microsoft XP, it is completely modified.

Oh, by the way – the XPower blog is on the first page of google, result # 6, search if you look for Windows XPower : http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLJ,GGLJ:2006-40,GGLJ:en&q=windows+xpower

————————————–
also check this post on another forum, you will find a description and screenshots:
http://forums.montrealracing.com/showthread.php?t=506124&page=2

And you’ve been here one day.

In reply to It is not CRACKED

You haven’t yet established a reputation here. You haven’t filled out your profile, and you don’t accept peer messages. We don’t have any experience with you yet, so please excuse us if we don’t take you at your word this early in our relationship. Nothing personal, you understand.

I agree

In reply to And you’ve been here one day.

Sure, I agree with you.
My point was that I hate it when people JUDGE something without even trying it…

CRACKED is one Thing, remade is another.

Judging without trying

In reply to I agree

I don’t have to stick my … hand … in a blender to know I’m not going to like it. Downloading something of questionable legality, recommended by a complete stranger, is on the same level of foolishness.

Reverse engineered is something else again

In reply to I agree

And in this case, a violation of copyright.

And to get the source, he either stole it or cracked it. Those are the options.

Microsoft is not in the habit of opening its code base.

Me personally?

In reply to It is not CRACKED

Anything that is so dependent on using the Windows logo to garner a second look is, if not completely illegal, certainly tainted.

I think that keeping to the ethics here is the correct answer. If this was a Linux distro, as much would be said. This claimant states that the OS is Windows XP based. I want to know where they got the source from. Then I want to see something from Microsoft, whose rights may have been violated here, stating that they support this.

I may not love Microsoft dearly but that doesn’t mean that I have to start stealing from them.

Microsoft

In reply to Me personally?

I partially agree with your comment.
However, as long as its distributed for free I, personally do not consider it “stealing”.

If you use a Pirate Copy of Windows anything

In reply to Microsoft

That is theft no matter if you consider it that way or not.

Have a look at the other available downloads on the listed site what do you think all the available versions of Vista Are?

Col

I would disagree with your “ethics”

In reply to Microsoft

If someone handed you a Rolex- gave it to you for free- would you not (likely) be in possession of stolen property? What if the original owner came and tapped you on the shoulder?

Software piracy is wrong, regardless of the pretty wrapper you put around it. Period. This is one place that it gets really black and white.

If I want an XP load, I go to the people that created it and purchase a legal copy. I obey the terms of the EULA. God Himself could investigate the contents of every pc in this house (six or so) and discover nothing but legal licensed software. I will never have to worry that I can be turned in or turned off (WGA). Nor will I ever have to worry that my actions contributed to the creation of WGA.

And I will be able to look myself in the mirror and sleep well at night as a result.

My guess is that Microsoft and their attorneys will be having a word with the people behind this. As well they should.

Maybe

In reply to I would disagree with your “ethics”

Maybe you do make sense. However, exchanging files (Let it be MP3, Software, Video) is 100% legal in Canada. As long as one does not make a profit out of it, he (she) is free do distribute it. That is why I don’t feel bad.

The computer that I actually work on is a MAC. I would NEVER give another single penny to Microsoft, why? Their software is not worth it.

I NEVER buy software before downloading it for free. If i like it and it suits all my needs – I pay for a licensed copy. If I do not like it, I delete it and move on looking for something better.

Not all software is worth the money.

And that makes sense to me

In reply to Maybe

I’m also a Mac user. I love my Mac.

The exchange of files is still a question to be answered here in the US. But you’re right- it is legal in Canada and therefore doesn’t beg the ethical question.

I’ve done the “try before you buy” software myself. And I pay for the stuff I like. But I guess that to me, there is implied consent on the part of the developer when they make a trial version of something. And then there are the projects that simply choose to make a freeware version available.

And I completely agree with you- not all software is worth the money.

I can agree with all but

In reply to And that makes sense to me

“But you’re right- it is legal in Canada and therefore doesn’t beg the ethical question.”

Just because its legal does not mean it is ethical.
If it is unethical here, i is unethical there as well.

However, I have been very disappointed by many paid for sw packages, so now I try before I buy. If I cannot try, I dont buy.
But, I only use trials given by the company that sells it. If they say download it from one place or another, then I go to those sites only for it.

Unbelievable

In reply to Cracked version of Windows XP

As one of the posters in the racing forum linked by argent350 asked, how did this guy speed it up? Has he discovered a new process scheduling algorithm?

I’m inclined to think it’s a prebuilt environment with pretensions at identity theft.

Way off topic – racing forum?

In reply to Unbelievable

Hey Nick, what interest do you have with cars going nowhere fast?

I like to see them make right turns

In reply to Way off topic – racing forum?

All those left turns in NASCAR bore me and Formula 1 lost its appeal for me when it left Watkins Glen. Give me a good CART, SCCA or USAC race, though, and I’m there!

But not around here!

You may want to check out the Kershaw course

In reply to I like to see them make right turns

if you haven’t already. For some odd reason I seem to recall SCCA running there occasionally, although this could just be another of those times I’ve been grossly mistaken. I’ve driven by and seen sport bikes running around, but I was with my in-laws and they didn’t want to stop.

I’ll watch almost anything with an engine, but prefer some form of small oval where I can see everything. I can’t watch drag racing; my attention span is too short. Also there’s too much turn-around time between runs.

Might check it out

In reply to You may want to check out the Kershaw course

Porsche Club of America races this weekend.

[i]…prefer some form of small oval where I can see everything.[/i]

You couldn’t possible mean I-20? :0 I’ve been down there a couple of times. It’s actually not too bad. Since most of the races are less than 25 laps, I don’t get too bored. But I do get dusty!

Nothing is bug-free

In reply to Cracked version of Windows XP

And the software is probably loaded with malware. Rootkit anyone?

I just had to download it

In reply to Nothing is bug-free

Here is what is “Modified”. Haven’t tried to install it yet.

Boot and Shutdown – Auto-Kill hung applications immediately
Boot and Shutdown – Auto-Kill hung services immediately
Boot and Shutdown – Ctrl-Alt-Del at logon – Disabled
Boot and Shutdown – Logon Page – Classic
Boot and Shutdown – Setup Prefetch-Cache – Applaunch and Boot enabled
Boot and Shutdown – Show Administrator on the Welcome Screen
Boot and Shutdown – Status Messages – Extended

Desktop – My Computer icon – Show
Desktop – My Documents icon – Hide
Desktop – My Network Places icon – Hide
Desktop – Recycle Bin icon – Hide

Explorer – Add (un)register libraries in Context Menu
Explorer – Add ‘Command Prompt’ to folder context menu
Explorer – Advanced Search: preconfigure options
Explorer – Associate additional file types with Notepad
Explorer – Change Windows Explorer folder view – List
Explorer – Classic Control Panel
Explorer – Disable Autorun
Explorer – Disable Beep on errors
Explorer – Disable Prefix: Shortcut to
Explorer – Display the contents of system folders
Explorer – Recycle Bin: allow to rename and delete
Explorer – Recycle Bin: delete files directly
Explorer – Restore previous folder windows at logon
Explorer – Show extensions of known file types
Explorer – Show hidden files and folders
Explorer – Show protected operating system files
Explorer – Show Statusbar in all windows
Explorer – Show the full path in the Address Bar

Internet Explorer – Disable Internet Explorer link creation
Internet Explorer – Disable Market Place bookmark
Internet Explorer – Disable Password-Caching
Internet Explorer – Disable sound when popup is blocked
Internet Explorer – Enable Google URL-Search
Internet Explorer – Keep IE URL-History for – 10 Days
Internet Explorer – Set Homepage – about:blank
Internet Explorer – Set IE-Cache limit to – 8 MB
Internet Explorer – Set Internet Explorer to accept 10 connects at a time

My Computer – Add Control Panel
My Computer – Add Control Panel to Context Menu
My Computer – Add Device Manager to Context Menu
My Computer – Add Services to Context Menu
My Computer – Add Software to Context Menu
My Computer – Remove Shared Documents

Network – Allow Network Logins without passwords
Network – Allow receiving Remote Assistance – Disable
Network – Disable administrative shares
Network – Disable automatic search for network folders and printers
Network – Disable LAN-Manager from caching passwords
Network – Disable LM HOSTS lookup
Network – Disable restoring mapped network drives on logon
Network – Remote Desktop – Disable
Network – Remove remote computer NameSpace

Performance – Disable Info Tips on Files and Folders
Performance – Disable Last accessed Timestamp on files
Performance – Disable Optimize harddisk when idle
Performance – Disable paging of kernel and core-os
Performance – Disable Tracking of Broken Shortcut Links
Performance – Disable Warn on low disk space
Performance – Disable WBEM logging
Performance – Do not cache thumbnails
Performance – Enable USB Idle Endpoint support
Performance – Processor scheduling – Programs
Performance – Speed-up Access to AVI Media Files
Performance – Use Windows classic folders / No Tasks Sidepanel

Privacy – Disable Driver Update Internet prompt
Privacy – Remove Alexa

Security – Always show Updates under Software
Security – Disable Screensaver
Security – Re-Enable user:pass URLs
Security – Screensaver Password-Protection – Disabled

Start Menu – Control Panel – Display as a menu
Start Menu – Disable Highlight newly installed programs
Start Menu – Do not use Personalized Menus
Start Menu – My Computer – Display as a link
Start Menu – My Documents – Display as a link
Start Menu – My Music – Don’t display this item
Start Menu – My Network Places – Don’t display this item
Start Menu – My Pictures – Don’t display this item
Start Menu – Network Connections – Link to Network Connections folder
Start Menu – Number of programs on Start Menu – 10
Start Menu – Printers and Faxes – Display as a link
Start Menu – Reduce popup delay
Start Menu – Remove Logoff User
Start Menu – Remove Search the Internet from Search
Start Menu – Remove Set Program Access and Defaults
Start Menu – Remove User name
Start Menu – Remove Windows Catalog shortcut
Start Menu – Use small icons in Start Panel

Taskbar – Disable Group similar Taskbar buttons
Taskbar – Disable Hide inactive icons
Taskbar – Lock the Taskbar – Yes

Visual Effects – Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing – Disable
Visual Effects – Combo box animation – Disable
Visual Effects – Cursor shadow – Enable
Visual Effects – Display mouse pointer trails – Disable
Visual Effects – Fade out selection – Disable
Visual Effects – Gradient captions in windows – Enable
Visual Effects – Keyboard shortcut underline – Disable
Visual Effects – Menu animation – Disable
Visual Effects – Menu shadows – Enable
Visual Effects – Menu style – Normal
Visual Effects – Show translucent selection rectangle – Enable
Visual Effects – Show window contents while dragging – Disable
Visual Effects – Slide taskbar buttons – Disable
Visual Effects – Smooth edges of screen fonts – Standard
Visual Effects – Smooth-scroll list boxes – Disable
Visual Effects – Tooltip animation – Disable
Visual Effects – Use a background image for each folder type – Disable
Visual Effects – Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop – Enable

Nothing but registry tweaks

In reply to I just had to download it

I didn’t read all of them, but a quick scan didn’t reveal anything that can’t already be done from standard Properties menues, Control Panel, or Tweak-UI.

Nothing to see here; move along.

SImple changes

In reply to Nothing but registry tweaks

Yes, simple tweaks… that 99% of PC users don’t even know exist! Maybe for you guys, I.T. Gurus, there is nothing new but you have to admit that general population would be amazed by the performance of an OS with simple tweaks in it…

STAY AWAY – Identity Theft!!!

In reply to Cracked version of Windows XP

So, none of you guys, the I.T. geniuses found any identity theft/malware/spyware in the XPower??? What a shame…

Of course we haven’t

In reply to STAY AWAY – Identity Theft!!!

Only computerd was bored enough to download it. (computerd, thanks for scoping it out.) What he found doesn’t motivate any of the rest of us to bother with it. Few of the tweaks he listed will result in any performance improvement.

Frankly, it’s more entertaining yanking your chain. Why are you so interested in this? It’s not much more than a skin, isn’t really an improvement to the source code, and clearly illegal. Just because you don’t think it’s illegal doesn’t mean it isn’t.

I installed it and…

In reply to Of course we haven’t

only got as far as the part where the program changed to the “gamers” screen then it blue screened. Saying there was a virus and couldn’t continue. Tried it with NTFS and Fat32. As for the boot time, I did try to have my own XP machine boot faster by tweaking the registry and it did shutdown quicker.
HKCU,control panel,desktop, and changing the “hungapptimeout” to 0 and “WaitToKillAppTimeout” to 0.

HKCU,control panel,desktop, and changing the ” MenuShowDelay” from 400 to 100 does speed up your Start Menu.
Just log off then log back on and you will see the difference.

Didn’t bother with it

In reply to STAY AWAY – Identity Theft!!!

I own a legal copy and I drive a Mac. I can manage my own registry. Why would I bother with something that I don’t think is ethical from the outset?

I don’t care if there are stupid people out there. I don’t need to increase the herd.

If you think that software piracy is okay, by all means, do what you think you must. But for me and my house, we obey the EULA.

When saving a little can cost you so much

In reply to Didn’t bother with it

I know a guy who spends a lot of time finding the latest crack to get around the licensing for xp, and then you do an update and need to repatch to keep it going. Even if there were not the chance of getting caught, who would waste that much time? [i](looking strictly from a time/cost ratio, not ethical) [/i]

As soon as hunt’en season is done, I will FINALLY start loading up a linux gamer at home. Been getting some new toys to build my cisco lab at home to get ready to write some certs! B-) You ready to hit the woods Tig?

I passed this year

In reply to When saving a little can cost you so much

Just didn’t feel good enough to climb a tree in the cold. Or swim the swamp, for that matter. Mike went up the first two weekends but I don’t think that he plans to go up again.

We only get three weekends and two weeks beginning the first Saturday in November. Small game will run to the end of the year so we may go up for grouse again.

How about you?

started a chat about going

In reply to I passed this year

http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=244308&messageID=2360002

figured people could post what they are planning for the year.

Climbing trees in the woods.

In reply to When saving a little can cost you so much

When I was in the Army I was often required to get up before dawn, put on smelly clothes, walk a long distance from my vehicle toting a rifle and a bunch of other gear through the woods in the dark, try to get comfortable at my destination; and then remain as motionless and quiet as possible for several hours.

We called it “Guard Duty”, but at least we were getting paid for it. 🙂

My advantage Pal..

In reply to Climbing trees in the woods.

If I want to take a nap, I can.

If it is raining, I roll over and go back to sleep.

If I am too hung over from the night before, I can grab a beer and go back to bed! :p

I already have permission of “fire at will” [i](whoever Will is, but what has he doen to get shot at? :0 )[/i]

Well..

In reply to When saving a little can cost you so much

Someone who can’t afford a licensed copy would spend time on it:)

Only question that I have is

In reply to Cracked version of Windows XP

Who wants to tell rick?

That would be interesting wouldn’t it. 😀

Col

HAL!

In reply to Only question that I have is

Now you are just being bad!

But I must admit, you got me laughing out loud on that one!
😀

Well I am a Beast. :p

In reply to HAL!

But as I read the first post here that is exactly what I thought. :^0

Col ]:)

[Author]

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