- How to be a Legal Pirate

[Snuffy]

Several times I have been ask how to get rid of the CRAP ware that all the OEM manufacture place in there "Restore Disks" or "Hidden Partition".

I have more than one, had very happy customers, with this:
1. Using a Real copy of Vista. Upgrade or Retail. since the customer does not own this (Edited Znod).
2. Boot to DVD - Format there HD... then install only what is on the "Upgrade" or "Retail DVD".
3. Depends on which version I use, I then make them Legit by using there OEM KEY.

OK, this is how to be a Legal Pirate..... I have made them a DVD - so they can reinstall and use their OEM KEY.
PS: The Upgrade copy works better...for this, a couple of different manufactures does not like the FULL Retail DVD... why I really do not know.

PSS: Every customer says WOW it really is much faster than when NEW..due to NO CRAP Ware.

[CrowdAds]

[ProCookie]

Vista Retial FTW!

I know how bloated OEM Versions can be. My last OEM was XP Media Center and it had tons of tiralware that had already expired . Not Cool

[felix8406]

Well, I have a Dell Ultimate Vista DVD and it doesn't include any extras, other than the OS and a big Dell icon that shows up when (or if) I open the Welcome Center. The bad news for MS is that DVD does not require a product key when installed on Dell's system...I'm sure you can fill in the rest.

[ProCookie]

Dell cut back on there bloatware a while a go, there one of the cleanest OEM's nowadays. Its cool how you dont need a product key, my emachines computer is like that too.

[Snuffy]

For those whom have the BLOAT version of OEM's. This method does work on most....and the Upgrade works on all of them... I also have a small program on USB Flash that I use to retrieve there KEY.. even if it is OEM and related to the BIOS.. It does pay to be safe... and Magic Jelly Bean Key Finder is simply TOM TERRIFFIC ...

[felix8406]

Snuffy, what about XP? I have an XP OEM CD from Dell and it's full a garbage. Is it possible to remove all uneeded stuff and create a clean DVD.

[airman]

I do not know for sure but do you thing what you have been talking about is a gray area as far as MS is concerned and when you do this upgrade procedure do you usually have to call for a new install code key or whatever they call the 45 digit code they give you.

[Sylar]

Yer one of frist things ill do with new Compaq will be too gt rid off stuff I dont want but alot of the progs its coming with are okay such as Works.

[Znod]

It seems to me your customer ends up with a product key that he or she did not purchase from a maker or upgrader of a computer system, a computer manufacturer, a retailer, or Microsoft. I don't understand how the individual cannot be considered to be a pirate. Help me here.

[felix8406]

The way I understand it, Snuffy uses a Retail or Upgrade copy, install it on the customer HD and then uses their original product key to activate it. I think that's legal as far as MS is concern, though I'm not sure about the manufacture. On the one hand, the manufacture want the customer to buy their crap, however they already sold the system to the customer, so I don't know if they'll be concern.

[Snuffy]

Originally Posted by airman

I do not know for sure but do you thing what you have been talking about is a gray area as far as MS is concerned and when you do this upgrade procedure do you usually have to call for a new install code key or whatever they call the 45 digit code they give you.

Since I'm using a Download copy of Vista, and install w/o a Key, then (secret) way to activate by adding the correct Key then click Activate. This I'm not sure if GREY to Manufacture or Microsoft or Both..
No I DO not call support. remember folks I can not talk. in 1999 I lost my Vocal Cords to cancer...so I do not use the "Call some TechSupport" that does not speak english, nor have the customer attempt this..most of my customers are not that computer savy.. they are farmers, ranches, and widows, who say either it works or it does not work...I charge $35.00 while the computer shop charges $75.00 an hour and usually keeps the system for 3 or 4 days.

Originally Posted by ZNOD

It seems to me your customer ends up with a product key that he or she did not purchase from a maker or upgrader of a computer system, a computer manufacturer, a retailer, or Microsoft. I don't understand how the individual cannot be considered to be a pirate. Help me here.

I use a 3rd party program to find the KEY and use the KEY furnished by the Manufacture under BIOS Activated OEM. I do install the exact version they have...

Originally Posted by felix8406

Snuffy, what about XP? I have an XP OEM CD from Dell and it's full a garbage. Is it possible to remove all uneeded stuff and create a clean DVD.

Yes, since the KEY will only work on the correct version.. I (being a Pirate) have a bootable CD with every version of XP on it... I simply insert the customer KEY for the correct version of XP. (Winbeta does make CLEAN versions of every know version of XP). You have to make sure it is by WinBeta and not 3rd party added ISO.
I use the Original XP version. RTM - then I have slipstreamed the original SP1 then SP2 and SP3 into the original CD...
method noted can be found on Microsoft site how to slipstream! This is my version.

Originally Posted by Snuffy

<drive>:\<what1> -sto drive>:\<what2> uncompressed. What1 is the ripped original version what2 is what you want the new version to be named..=WinXP_SP3. if the -s = upgrade does not work then use -x = extract to <drive>:\<what1> -xto drive>:\<what2> uncompressed.

This is using CMD=command prompt or for the old timers DOS.
The easiest way to upgrade is 1. Original copy of XP 2. upgrade or extract SP3 to that version... test with ISO Buster or Untra ISO and insure it is bootable - burn slowly ...

[Znod]

I see now. Yes, they use their own OEM key. Seems OK to me. The OEM probably would not provide software support if they realize the original software is not installed, but no big deal. The only EULA problem is likely to be the use of the downloaded program.

[Snuffy]

Originally Posted by Znod

I see now. Yes, they use their own OEM key. Seems OK to me. The OEM probably would not provide software support if they realize the original software is not installed, but no big deal. The only EULA problem is likely to be the use of the downloaded program.

I agree since the Download is a TRUE fully accredited download from Microsoft. Any way I feel good that I know it is not loaded with Malware, spyware or 3rd party Crapware..

They get a good clean install, they use their KEY.

[Znod]

Whatever, I applaud your result. I wonder if one could do a repair install using the same technique. Actually, I can't remember if repair installs require use of a product key or not. Do you recall? One problem with OEM's that don't provide a Vista disk is that repair installs sometimes are not possible.

[Buster]

if you do an install from the manufacturers disc and remove all of the crap you don't want you can burn a backup using acronis or discwizard from Seagate its quicker to re-install a fresh copy with this and there is no question of legality and you are re-installing the original registration code if you make a bootable disc from within the program this can be done on a clean hard drive all you have to do is format it first and as far as Microsoft is concerned you have only ever registered your copy once