Is this true?

First of all, all the software on my computer is Legit. I can even list all of it and where I got it. So quit acccusing or hinting that I asked this because I'm running illegal copy. Did anyone of you actually read, and I mean really read the article before throwing me in to "Oh another whiner with illegal software" category? Reading these posts I seriously doubt it.
Second, the reason I asked is this:

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The company will scan machines for a variety of information, including product keys or software authorization codes, operating-system version and details on the flow of data between the operating system and other hardware, such as printers.

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I even highlighted the part that caught my attention. If Microsoft wants to check CD keys, it's fine by me. I already knew they were doing it. What I didn't know is that they also looked at other stuff. I'm not ok with it snooping my personal information, like what I'm sending to a printer. Thats why I posted this question. Does this article exhagerates or does microsoft really does it.

I warned you all a while back -- and a tinhat I was proclaimed
*as he runs out to the supermarket to buy some more Reynolds Wrap* :D

Just tested this. Damn M$. Anyway... who cares. I'll just go linux/mac um...................... nothing. damn monopoly.

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Originally Posted by I4one

I warned you all a while back -- and a tinhat I was proclaimed
*as he runs out to the supermarket to buy some more Reynolds Wrap* :D

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Hey, at least your tin hat is recycleable. :D

As long as i could change my system hardware regularly i wouldn't care.. but since XP won't do that without reregestering, i don't like it. I hope Vista isn't like this.

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Originally Posted by Bearded Kirklander

Hey, at least your tin hat is recycleable. :D

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true that ;)
now on to Patent my new aluminum foil printing paper is all ;)

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Originally Posted by stonez

As long as i could change my system hardware regularly i wouldn't care.. but since XP won't do that without reregestering, i don't like it. I hope Vista isn't like this.

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it won't be the same -- it'll be much much worse
why wouldn't it be ? - considering all the DRM trends and hardware manipulation as of late

sweet ban dvd burners since they promote evil copying.

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Originally Posted by stonez

sweet ban dvd burners since they promote evil copying.

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That's not the point. The equivalent would be Movie companies looking at your hard drive every time you play DVD's on your computer to see if you have any illegal copies of DVDs.
Anyway no one really answered my question yet, just accused me of stealling software and being paranoid.
Does this article exhagerate or does Microsoft's Update really looks at more then just CD keys.

Good question
Since I NEVER update -- I have no clue :D

*edit;
actually - from 2 factors;
A. My experience with the inner workings of the demons ;)
B. The fact that no MS heavyweights have yet weighed in yet...

I'd have to say YES ...IT'S TRUE!

Don't worry though -- you'll forget all about it once you fork over a few hundred and get reemed b/c the of the beautiful "vista's" ...well - you just gotta have 'em, right ? - KY or not

Also - you'll forget when you find out that hte MPAA and RIAA are secretly tracking whatyou're watching, and when, and whatever else you have stored as Media files on your PC

no prob - fugedda-bout-it

It certainly has it's Irony for me though - since I own legitimate copies of all my software - and I run 98 with no updates...I guess all my tweaking and knowledge over the years, would benefit those who've pirated, from the knowledge I have from running an UN-updated system for many years now.

Hehehe;
Any pirates looking for a $250hr techie ??

I planned it that way ....starting years ago -- I knew it would come to this :D
who's the sinister one now ? ....eh ?? :eek:

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Originally Posted by freedonX

It's not Norton Live Update that requieres you to restart many times, but the programs that use it.

I've used Symantec Corporate since 7.6, Norton Ghost 2003, Norton Utilities 2002. Of all of them, I think only Utilities tells me to reboot, the others don't need to reboot.


Johnmcl7: I'm no sysadmin, but I've never had any problems with Windows Update. Maybe with a particular update, but I can count them with my fingers and I'd still have some fingers left


ADD: what I don't like about Windows Update that it verifies if you have a pirate copy or legal. Is when you reinstall Windows and want to download a patch, you have to enter each time your CDkey. Much easier to login with my passport email that is associated with my CDkey(s). Kinda a pain to flip my laptop every 5 seconds after writting 4 characters until getting to the 25, I have bad memory.

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I am a systems admin, I've had no trouble with Windows Update myself but I have had to repair/rebuild PCs that Windows Update has killed, running it on full auto is generally asking for trouble.

Thankfully when reinstalling my laptop I didn't need the product key or activation, it was all builtin to my OS cd which was a pleasant surprise as I was getting ready for the 'turn the laptop upside down' trick.

John

To be honest, I'm a supporter of hardware checks. As long as they don't slow down my computing experience, I couldn't care less.

I don't mind when they're not intrusive either, but I've had problems with Windows verification, I chose the option a few times to see what it was like while it was optional, sometimes it worked, other times it has point blank refused, just getting stuck along the way. All my XP copies are genuine OEM copies that came with the machine, so there shouldn't be a problem.

John

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Originally Posted by UmneyDurak

I even highlighted the part that caught my attention. If Microsoft wants to check CD keys, it's fine by me. I already knew they were doing it. What I didn't know is that they also looked at other stuff. I'm not ok with it snooping my personal information, like what I'm sending to a printer. Thats why I posted this question. Does this article exhagerates or does microsoft really does it.

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IMO, I wouldn't trust all what this site says. I'd wait until a more reliable source confirms what MS scans, or just read it from MS's website

BTW FreedonX
supposedly - you won't need to enter the CD key anymore manually
http://news.com.com/Piracy-check+man...3-5804045.html

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As part of that, Microsoft is adding a few more freebies to the "carrots" it gives to those whose Windows copies pass muster. Lazar said that Microsoft has also refined its online tool that checks for genuine copies such that customers won't have to enter their Windows product code, as was sometimes the case while the Windows Genuine program was in testing

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Originally Posted by I4one

BTW FreedonX
supposedly - you won't need to enter the CD key anymore manually
http://news.com.com/Piracy-check+man...3-5804045.html

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Went and downloaded MS antispyware and it didn't ask me to enter my cdkey. :cool: