Had to phone microsoft to reactivate Vista after BIOS reflash..

[dangel]

The simple fact is that (as stated above) things are only going to get worse until Microsoft believe they have beaten the pirates.

Which will be never. Never ever. Realistically things will get worse until enough users complain about it and it becomes news-worthy in the media (a la starforce). I suppose even then MS are still in a position of monopoly and could just ignore their customers (as per usual).

[aidanjt]

The simple fact is that (as stated above) things are only going to get worse until Microsoft believe they have beaten the pirates.

They're delusional to think that they have a chance of beating the pirates to begin with, even the Games industry is starting to wise up to the fact.

[Splash]

People seem to think I'm arguing the case for Microsoft - I'm not. I'm just stating that things are more likely to get worse is all.

[shaithis]

People seem to think I'm arguing the case for Microsoft - I'm not. I'm just stating that things are more likely to get worse is all.

I cannot imagine how, its already as bad as it can get when you need to get Microsoft authorisation after you flash your BIOS.

I have re-activated vista twice now, once when I removed some RAM to RMA and again after flashing the BIOS....both are crossing the line IMO and now my motherboard seems to be dying.....oh joy.

[this_is_gav]

Which will be never. Never ever. Realistically things will get worse until enough users complain about it and it becomes news-worthy in the media (a la starforce). I suppose even then MS are still in a position of monopoly and could just ignore their customers (as per usual).

On one side of the coin, yeah, Starforce can't really be compared to a series of operating systems bordering on taking over the planet. Starforce need contracts to make money, and I think the rate at which companies dumped them was a pleasant surprise to even the most ardent Starforce haters. MS make their millions from the OEM and VL market. Us enthusiasts/average Joe who buys it in a shop offer very little value to them - a tiny percentage of their customers. In that sense it must be very easy to forget about us and just say "stuff you, deal with it".

On the other hand, MS did relax the heavily criticised original Retail license aimed squarely at us, so they must care a little, somewhere deep inside.

Personally I've never had an issue with activation or WGA either here or all the PCs I manage at work. I'm not pretending it doesn't happen, but I do sometimes wonder where some of these often brought up problems are coming from.

[ikonia]

people using illegal copies or people wanting to not pay for the right license - thats where its mostly brought up from

[shaithis]

people using illegal copies or people wanting to not pay for the right license - thats where its mostly brought up from

With a heavey does of coporate greed thrown in to start the ball running.

[ikonia]

Its a pointless debate as its chicken and the egg,

the price is so high because of all the anti piracy infrastructure MS have had to put in place, and anti piracy software thats forced to have been developed. - then the other side is none of this piracey would have happened if earlier versions of windows had been lower priced.

People sit on either side of the fence and argue with each other. Doesn't change the fact - it is what it is.

I'll be posting another thread shortly which I'm sure you'll pickup on and i'd be interested in your thoughts.