buying tweaked OS's off ebay

[poindextermatic]

as the title says I am considering buying a 'tweaked' os off ebay, has anyone had any experiance with these?

Here is what it says as an example of one:-

''Windows XP Performance Edition SP3 - October 2008

Original Size: 595 mb
New Size: 242 mb (Difference of 353 mb)
(This is the Size of the ISO)

This supports ALL Languages and ALL Keyboard Layouts.

This is a FULL Install. You CANNOT Upgrade from previous versions of Windows.
There is no validation required. This PASSES WGA.
I have included the CD-Key already in the install process. This means at no point will you have to enter it. See Serial.txt if you do need it.
This has all windows updates through October 2008. This is has been tested in VMWare Numerous times with no errors.
This works 100% with Windows Update.

The Following has been Removed From This OS...

Applications:
Briefcase
ClipBook Viewer
Games
Internet Games
Pinball
Screensavers

Drivers:
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
Cameras and Camcorders
Display Adapters
Display Adapters (old)
IBM PS/2 TrackPoint
IBM ThinkPad
ISDN
Logitech WingMan
Microsoft SideWinder
Modems
Multifunctional
Portable Audio
Printers
Scanners
SCSI/RAID
Serial Pen Tablet
Sony Jog Dial
Tape drives
Toshiba DVD decoder card

Hardware Support:
Brother Devices
Gravis Digital GamePort
Iomega Zip drive
Multi-port serial adapters
Ramdisk
Teletext codec
Windows CE USB Host

Multimedia:
AOL ART Image Format Support
Images and Backgrounds
Media Center
Mouse Cursors
Movie Maker
Music Samples
Old CDPlayer and Sound Recorder
Speech Support
Tablet PC
Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player 6.4

Network:
Client for Netware Networks
Communication tools
Comtrol Test Terminal Program
Connection Manager
FrontPage Extensions
H323 MSP
Internet Connection Wizard
Internet Information Services (IIS)
IP Conferencing
MSN Explorer
Netmeeting
Network Diagnostic
Peer-to-Peer
Share Creation Wizard
Synchronization Manager
Vector Graphics Rendering (VML)
Web Folders
Windows Messenger

Operating System Options:
NET Framework
Administrative Templates
Administrator VB scripts
Blaster/Nachi removal tool
Color Schemes
Desktop Cleanup Wizard
Document Templates
DR Watson
Extra Fonts
FAT to NTFS converter
File and Settings Wizard
File System Encryption
Help and Support
Input Method Editor
Manual Install and Upgrade
MS XML 2.0
Out of Box Experience (OOBE)
Private Character Editor
Remote Installation Services (RIS)
Search Assistant
Security Center
Service Pack Messages
Shell Media Handler
Symbolic Debugger (NTSD)
Tour

Services:
Error Reporting
Fax Service
Indexing Service
Messenger
Network DDE
Remote Registry
Removable Storage
Route Listening Service
RPC Locator
Telnet

Directories:
DOCS
SUPPORT
VALUEADD

I have disabled and deleted the Classic Windows XP Install Screens with the info about XP and the blue Background.
You will just see a black background now and the install will look similar to 2000. This saves Space and gives more
info while installing.

The Minimum HD and RAM Requirements have been lifted. You can try and install this on whatever machine you like now.
High ISO Compression has been enabled to save space.

Patches:
TCP/IP Half-Open Connections = 100 (Default 10)
UXTheme Patch (Allows Unsigned Themes to be applied to XP)
Windows System File Checker Disabled (SFC)

Tweaks:
Boot and Shutdown-Auto-End tasks immediately
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-Disabled
Boot and Shutdown-Status Messages-Extended
Desktop-Desktop icons size-32
Desktop-Internet Explorer icon-Show
Desktop-My Computer icon-Show
Desktop-My Documents icon-Show
Desktop-My Network Places icon-Hide
Desktop-Recycle Bin icon-Show
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 Prefix: Shortcut to
Explorer-Disable shortcut arrow
Explorer-Disable Web Files and Folders connection
Explorer-Display the contents of system folders
Explorer-Launch folder windows in a separate process
Explorer-Remove Send To on context menu
Explorer-Show Drive Letters in front of Drive Names
Explorer-Show extensions of known file-types
Explorer-Show hidden files and folders
Explorer-Show Map Network Drives buttons in Explorer bar
Explorer-Show protected operating system files
Explorer-Show Statusbar in all windows
Explorer-Show the full path in the Address Bar
Explorer-Show the full path in the Title Bar
Explorer-Use small icons in Explorer bar
Internet Explorer-Disable information bar when popup is blocked
Internet Explorer-Disable Internet Explorer link creation
Internet Explorer-Disable Market Place bookmark
Internet Explorer-Disable Media Player 6.4 created bookmarks
Internet Explorer-Disable Outlook Express link creation
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-0 Days
Internet Explorer-Set Homepage-www.google.com
Internet Explorer-Set Internet Explorer to accept 10 connects at a time
Internet Explorer-Set popup-blocker to high
My Computer-Add Administrative Tools
My Computer-Add Control Panel
My Computer-Add Device Manager to Context Menu
My Computer-Add Network Connections
Network-Allow receiving Remote Assistance-Disable
Performance-Disable Info Tips on Files and Folders
Performance-Disable Last accessed Timestamp on files
Performance-Disable Optimize harddisk when idle
Performance-Disable Tracking of Broken Shortcut Links
Performance-Disable Warn on low disk space
Performance-Disable WBEM logging
Performance-Do not cache thumbnails
Privacy-Disable Driver Update Internet prompt
Privacy-Disable File MRU-List
Privacy-Disable Tracking of most used programs
Privacy-Remove Alexa
Security-Always show Updates under Software
Security-Disable Web Open With prompt
Start Menu-Add Administrative Tools menu
Start Menu-Clear most recently opened documents list on logoff
Start Menu-Control Panel-Display as a menu
Start Menu-Disable and remove Documents list from the Start Menu
Start Menu-Disable Highlight newly installed programs
Start Menu-Do not use Personalized Menus
Start Menu-My Computer-Display as a menu
Start Menu-My Documents-Display as a menu
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-Display as Connect to menu
Start Menu-Reduce popup delay
Start Menu-Remove Search For People from Search
Start Menu-Remove Search the Internet from Search
Start Menu-Remove Set Program Access and Defaults
Start Menu-Remove Windows Catalog shortcut
Start Menu-Scroll Programs
Start Menu-Use small icons in Start Panel
Taskbar-Disable Balloon Tips
Taskbar-Disable Group similar Taskbar buttons
Taskbar-Disable Hide inactive icons
Taskbar-Disable Language-Bar
Taskbar-Hide Volume Control Icon in System Tray
Taskbar-Lock the Taskbar-Yes
Visual Effects-Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing-Disable

Additional Features:
VLK Serial Number
Firewall Disabled
System Restore Service Disabled
Automatic Updates Disabled (Can be re-enabled)
Default Theme Set on Classic (Can Change to Luna Which is Still Included)

Install Notes:
1. Unrar the ISO from the archives using Winrar.
2. Burn the ISO using a program such as Nero, Alcohol 120, Blindwrite, ect... (Burn at a slow Speed to ensure no errors, 4x-8x)
3. Change Bios Priority settings so it boots from the CD-ROM Drive First. (You may be able to skip this step)
4. Insert Disc and Reboot PC, Follow the on screen prompts and enjoy.

Notes:
If you are getting errors while copying files. It's your CD, not the release. Try burning it to different brand of cd/media and try burning at the slowest speed possible.
I just tested this in VMWare and it works flawless. You should get between 16-19 Processes and under 100mb of ram usage when using the computer initially. Everything you install/use will obviously increase this, however its the leanest XP Copy around.

ChangeLog:
-Added All Languages and Keyboards.
-Left Smart Card Service In. (Possibly Fixing ITunes Issue)
-Fixed Start Menu Issues.
-Removed IE8 Beta - Kept IE6
-Updated through October 15th
-Integrated Latest Version of Flash Player 10 for IE6.
-And More.

*TidBits*
People are always like, "IE Sucks, Take it out." I would if I could, but removing IE can cause a lot of problems with other applications. Its better left in and just not used. Same goes for Outlook Express. This also contains NO drivers. Don't ask why you have low resolution, go install your graphics drivers. Don't ask why your wireless card won't work, go install its drivers.

ITS 32BIT DON'T ASk''

[alsenior]

highly illegal. it's one thing to make and pass around a modified xp disk. it's another to sell one with a Vlk on the disc.i would not expect that auction to last

[Agent]

It's illegal.

Report him and move on.

[poindextermatic]

not really the answer I wanted... let's say for arguments sake it was a friend who gave me it...

??

[Agent]

not really the answer I wanted... let's say for arguments sake it was a friend who gave me it...

??

Ermm....what exactly do you want to know then?
Tweaking a Windows install is not illegal (it's designed to be done), bypassing WGA and using a non authenticated serial is.

[SiM]

as the title says I am considering buying a 'tweaked' os off ebay, has anyone had any experiance with these?

I have.

[PeterStoba]

It's an nlite'd xp installation, not illegal. (to an extent atleast)

Inclduding the cd key is the illegal bit

[Koolpc]

Wouldn't go near it with a bardge pole!!

[poindextermatic]

Wouldn't go near it with a bardge pole!!

well... why not?

[TAKTAK]

well... why not?

how do you know whats in it....

could call home (like windows does anyway ) but with malicious details...

all you have is there word that it doesn't...

[poindextermatic]

well you could test it out, it might be good, there is a lot of bloat and things you never need in windows... isn't there? Possibly it is faster... possibly legel if you use your own cd key & sticker//

[TAKTAK]

well you could test it out, it might be good, there is a lot of bloat and things you never need in windows... isn't there? Possibly it is faster... possibly legel if you use your own cd key & sticker//

or you could just make it yourself using nlite which is free and goes through everything step-by-step...

[Mithrandir]

well... why not?

As Taktak said and others have given very good advice.

The answer to your question is don't bother with this (esp off ebay) - clear and simple.

[Jay]

its still illegal to charge for it!

You have come here and asked a question

the Answer is...

Its against the law and should not be done so don't buy it. If you want another answer you are not going to get it here.

[poindextermatic]

o-really? I'll check that out :-)

[directhex]

well you could test it out, it might be good, there is a lot of bloat and things you never need in windows... isn't there? Possibly it is faster... possibly legel if you use your own cd key & sticker//

doesn't make it legal to redistribute your modified version.

there's a reason people distribute tools like nlite instead of full-blown ISOs