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Keznews Dangerous MS Update Early Warning System

Thanks to Steve Jobs for this post in our forum. Steve Jobs wrote: 15 May 07 - Since a few days, most of the known Office 2007 keys do not pass the Genuine test anymore. You can still use them to install your Office 2007 and change the key later.
microsoft - comments - 17.5.2007

XP OEM Licensing Extension Is Urban Myth

Contrary to all the blog buzz, Microsoft hasn't extended OEM Windows XP "downgrade" licensing by another six months.
windows - comments - 8.10.2008

How to Backup and Restore to Preserve OEM Offline Pre-Activation When Reinstall Windows XP

Most users of new computers with Windows XP pre-installed will notice that no activation is required after they unwrap and start up the new laptop or notebook PC, even though they need to go through the initial set up process, and a product key is found on the Certificate of Authenticity attached to the PC (COA Key). Large PC manufacturers known as Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) have the ability to pre-activate Windows XP operating system installed on new PCs via SLP (System Locked Preinstallation).
windows - comments - 3.9.2009

How to Downgrade from Windows Vista Business or Ultimate OEM Edition and Install Windows XP Professional

A lot of users still don’t getting used to Windows Vista. A lot of reviews have been labeling Windows Vista as bloated, hard to use, tons of compatibility issues, inconvenient, not user friendly, not stable and etc.
windows - comments - 22.8.2008

What about Windows 7 OEM pricing?

Microsoft still has yet to go public with its Windows 7 price list. But that hasn’t stopped customers and partners from publicly hoping for the best (cheaper than Vista) and fearing the worst (any kind of increase over the cost of Vista).
windows - comments - 16.6.2009

Windows Live to Get First OEM Bundle

Microsoft will imminently announce its first PC-bundling deal for Windows Live.
windows - comments - 14.3.2007

Windows 7 OEM Pricing Emerges

Windows 7 is set to be launched on the market in about three weeks from now, and those people considering choosing it as the platform on their computers are certainly interested in the costs the migration will imply.
windows - comments - 30.9.2009

Microsoft can't afford to support OEM Vista?

Microsoft might have $7.6 billion in spare cash in the bank, but when it comes to supporting users who purchase Vista on a new machine, the software giant is all too ready to cry poor.
windows - comments - 15.5.2007

OEM licensing confusion starts at Microsoft.com

Last week, in the wrap-up for a post about WGA, I offered five suggestions I’d like to see incorporated into Vista and especially into Windows 7.
microsoft - comments - 9.9.2008

Microsoft Windows Vista OEM Preinstallation Kit available

The Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 (RC1) OEM Presinstallation Kit is now available. Microsoft's Worldwide System Builder team would like system builders to experience the updated OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK) tools which will be used to preinstall Windows Vista.
windows - comments - 16.10.2006

OEM versions of Vista Ultimate available for pre-order

hardgiant spotted over at overclockers.co.uk that Windows Vista Ultimate 32/64 OEM discs have been added at just £114.99, which when converted to USD comes to $262.750 plus tax. The full retail version costs £352.49 a whopping $685.235 after tax.
windows - comments - 4.1.2007

Vista OEM 'Express' upgrades stuck at the gate

Europeans who bought a new PC in time for Christmas and were persuaded that they would get a Vista upgrade soon after the rollout by redeeming a voucher, are learning that demand for the upgrades far outstrips "supply".
windows - comments - 18.2.2007

Vista Oem Activation Tool Kit 0.5 Beta

Thanks to Steve Jobs for this download. This is Vista Oem Activation Tool Kit 0.5 Beta by Steve Jobs @ Keznews forum
download - comments - 22.3.2007

Vista Oem Activation Tool Kit v1.5

Steve Jobs update his Vista Oem Activation Tool Kit For Vista 32bit and 64bit to version 1.5. Vista will be 100% genuine, all downloads will work.
download - comments - 3.4.2007

Vista Loader 2.2.0 OEM BIOS Crack Emulator

This is New version of Vista Loader 2.2.0 from Chinese hackers. With this you can force a bios emulation and let Vista think it's installed on a OEM machine.
download - comments - 20.5.2007

Microsoft: The Windows OEM License Dies with Its Computer

Licenses for Windows come in various flavors from Retail to Volume, but perhaps the most common of all is provided by original equipment manufacturers together with operating systems preloaded on new computers.
windows - comments - 17.6.2008

Get an Insight into the Windows 7 OEM Pre-installation Kit

Here is your chance to get an insight into the OEM Pre-installation Kit (OPK) that Microsoft will offer for Windows 7.
download - comments - 24.5.2009

Windows 7 OEM Named Partner RTM Information

Here is the correct current information as available for OEM's. Thansk to our fiend for report.
windows - comments - 22.7.2009

Want Windows 7 for 50 Percent Off? Order an OEM Copy

Missed out on the early preorder discounts? Popular retailer Newegg.com has listed the OEM prices for Windows 7, which will be offered at less than half what Microsoft will charge for a retail copy.
windows - comments - 26.9.2009

OEM Logo and Information for Windows Vista - Auto Patch

Thanks to Steve Jobs for this post in forum. You have successfully activate Windows Vista instantly in OEM style by using hardware-level BIOS ACPI-SLIC mod, or one of the two software based OEM BIOS emulator such as softmod SLIC BIOS bootloader and Paradox OEM BIOS Emulation Toolkit.
download - comments - 20.3.2007

Microsoft Confirms Windows Vista OEM BIOS Crack

Microsoft confirmed the fact that hackers have developed a valid Windows Vista crack designed to exploit the operating system's OEM BIOS activation.
windows - comments - 11.4.2007

First OEM Boxes of Windows 7 RTM Build 7600.16385

Last week, just days after Windows 7 was released to manufacturing, Microsoft started handing the gold bits to original equipment manufacturers.
windows - comments - 27.7.2009

Windows 7 Ultimate cracked and activated with OEM master key

Hackers cracked and permanently activated Windows 7 Ultimate RTM Final Version. Once again hackers wins the cat and mouse battle game from the Redmond giants.
windows - comments - 29.7.2009

Microsoft blacklists leaked Lenovo OEM Windows 7 Key

According to Neowin, Microsoft has responded to the latest Windows 7 cracking scheme by blacklisting the Lenovo OEM master key on computers that are not manufactured by Lenovo.
windows - comments - 31.7.2009

Vista to Windows 7 Upgrades Kill Access to OEM Recovery Applications

Users that upgrade Windows Vista OEM computers to Windows 7 might find that the recovery applications set in place by the original equipment manufacturer are no longer accessible.
windows - comments - 9.10.2009

Dell, HP, and Sony OEM Certificates Used in Windows Vista Activation Crack

The latest trend in Windows Vista cracks is to utilize OEM certificates in order to bypass the activation process of the operating system. Via the OEM crack for Windows Vista, original equipment manufacturer versions of the operating system are illegally activated through a process that involves patching the BIOS of the motherboard.
windows - comments - 26.2.2007

Dead Cheap Windows 7 OEM/System Builder, Pricing Details Revealed

How would you like to buy Windows 7, all major editions, at prices half of those for the retail versions of the operating system? Sounds like a pretty sweet deal? Well, that’s because it is, with the exception of a few small downsides.
windows - comments - 3.9.2009

Microsoft to Kill the Grace Timer and OEM BIOS Windows Vista Cracks with Vista SP1

With the advent of Windows Vista, cracks also became available being designed to bypass the activation process of the operating system.
windows - comments - 4.12.2007

New Vista OEM Activation Hack - Vista Boot by gkend

Thanks to Steve Jobs for this article on his blog and to our forum members to clecha, Nighthief and fitterphil120 for most of the findings. One again the “Chinese” come up with a new method to trick out the Vista Activation. We have seen Softmode and VistaLoader, however “ Vista Boot by gkend” does promise even more.
download - comments - 21.5.2007

Vista SP1 RC Leaves XP SP2 in the Dust, but What About XP SP3?

Although Microsoft has indicated a strong disapproval of benchmarking tests involving development milestones of Windows Vista Service Pack 1, the temptation is simply too big to ignore.
windows - comments - 17.1.2008

XP OEM Licensing Extension Is Urban Myth

Contrary to all the blog buzz, Microsoft hasn't extended OEM Windows XP "downgrade" licensing by another six months. What Microsoft has done is agree to provide OEMs with Windows XP media until June 30. Surely, somebody will accuse me of playing semantics. Not so. It's called accuracy in reporting, and pretty much everybody has it wrong.

The blogosphere buzzed with excitement, ridicule and accusation over the weekend about the rumored extension. Seems like anybody and everybody wagged the "We told you that Vista sucks" finger at Microsoft. I don't doubt that several OEMs want to continue offering Windows XP after Jan. 31, but they didn't need any extension to do it.


neowin.net - 08.10.2008

Dell to Sell Windows XP Professional with PCs Through 2009

In a letter to some of Dells customers, they said that " XP Professional is available for OEM installation on your Dell PC purchases through at least 2009 and likely longer." The "official" OEM and retail end date from Microsoft is June 30, 2008, just a few weeks away. There has been much talk of whether Microsoft would bow to the demand of the consumers to keep XP alive, and with this it is still hard to tell if Dell bought a years stock of licenses ahead of time, or if this is the precursor to an announcement from Microsoft.

Dell's plan for users is to have Windows XP Professional installed on their machines, but include the Vista install disk for when they are ready to upgrade. "With XP installed, we will send media for both Vista and XP with each PC so that when you are ready to migrate to Vista you may at no addition upgrade cost." The demand seems high, so let's hope others follow suit to allow companies the time and resources to fully upgrade.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 10.06.2008

Windows 7 Ultimate cracked and activated with OEM master key

Windows 7 has yet to even be released officially to the general public, and already the dodgy folk on the Internet have fully cracked and activated the Ultimate version, with help from a leaked Lenovo OEM DVD .ISO file. The news comes from website My Digital Life who state that you can already pass Windows Genuine Advantage validation offline, OEM style. The leaked .ISO was originally posted on a Chinese forum, which was then downloaded in order for people to get hold of the boot.wim, and in turn retrieving the OEM-SLP key, plus the OEM activation certificate. Microsoft uses the same digitally signed OEM certificate, which has an .xrm-ms extension, as that in Windows Vista.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 29.07.2009

Windows XP SP3 released to manufacturing, downloadable 4/29

In a post to Microsoft's TechNet Forum minutes ago, a Microsoft official announced that Service Pack 3 of Windows XP has released to its manufacturing channels, in order to reach OEM and enterprise customers by late April...
betanews.com - 21.04.2008

Microsoft sends harsh reality check to OEMs

Last week, Microsoft sent certified letters to its OEM partners regarding Vista's anti-piracy technology -- or, more accurately, what happens if they dare ship a system with a "non-genuine" copy of Vista.

The answer: The system is crippled for 30 days, then hosed entirely until you pony up for a license. This is apparently what Microsoft means when it http://oem.microsoft.com/downl oads/public/US/wgavista/genuin e.pdf>warns of a "diminished user experience."

This would be fine if Microsoft were a reasonably competent organization and Windows Genuine Advantage worked flawlessly. True pirates deserve to be punished. But Microsoft isn't and WGA doesn't “ at least, judging by the many letters I got from Cringesters who bought legit OEM copies of XP from major manufacturers, only to have WGA label them as pirates. ..
winbeta.org - 04.06.2007

Windows XP to be phased out by year's end

Computer makers have been told they'll no longer be able to get Windows XP OEM by the end of this year, despite consumer resistance to Vista and its compatibility problems.

By early 2008, Microsoft's contracts with computer makers will require companies to only sell Vista-loaded machines. "The OEM version of XP Professional goes next January," said Frank Luburic, senior ThinkPad product manager for Lenovo. "At that point, they'll have no choice."

Despite Microsoft's relentless promotion of Vista, manufacturers are still seeing plenty of demand from customers for systems preloaded with XP, especially in the finicky SOHO market.


neowin.net - 12.04.2007

OEM Microsoft Office and OEM Microsoft Windows licensing

OEM Microsoft Office and OEM Microsoft Windows licensing is a topic that seems to again be generating questions and there are plenty of people out there who are illegally taking advantage of others to trying to make a quick profit by selling counterfeit or unlicensed software.



Here are the facts and answers to many of the points of confusion around OEM Microsoft Office and OEM Microsoft Windows licensing so you are informed and can protect yourself from the scammers out there...




winbeta.org - 02.08.2007

Windows XP Mode final release coming October 22

Microsoft's Windows XP Mode for Windows 7 Professional or higher has RTM'd (Release to Manufacturing) today and will be available for download from Microsoft Download Center on October 22. OEM manufactures will be able to offer Windows XP Mode on their PC's, based on their shipping schedules to consumers. The design purpose for Windows XP Mode is to help put businesses minds at ease when upgrading to Windows 7 to ensure their applications are backwards compatible. Windows XP Mode will allow any program to run smoothly in Windows 7 Professional or higher just as it does in Windows XP.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 02.10.2009

How to Get Windows XP Even Though it's 'Dead'

On June 30, 2008, Microsoft pulled the plug on Windows XP. That's the last day Windows XP was officially available for purchase from retail outlets, major resellers and OEM hardware manufacturers. But that doesn't mean the operating system is going to go quietly. Many consumers would still rather run XP than Vista, and there are several loopholes in Microsoft's supply chain that let you get a copy of XP if you really want one.




winbeta.org - 01.07.2008

Windows XP gets another stay of execution

Microsoft has extended the final OEM and reseller delivery date for the Windows XP from January 31, 2009 to May 30, 2009. The cut off date for PC makers to obtain licenses for the software was January 31, 2009. Still, vendors have to place their orders before the official cutoff date of January 31, but they dont have to take delivery until May. Microsoft granted the reprieve largely because of customer's preference for XP. Microsoft also recently extended the Vista "downgrade" deadline for OEMs to July 31 and netbooks and low-cost laptops will be able to run XP until at least June 2010, so chances are you'll be able to get XP until Windows 7 ships.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 23.12.2008

Microsoft Responds to Reported OEM BIOS Hacks

The WGA team have finally provided a written response to the reported OEM BIOS Hacks regarding Vista:
I know many of you are aware of reports of hacks that attempt to exploit our OEM BIOS based activation. We're aware of this type of hack and I wanted to take a minute to describe how these work and how we plan to respond.

First, what is OEM BIOS based activation?

Here's a little more information on how OEM BIOS based activation works. This form of product activation is also known as OEM Activation or just OA, which is how Microsoft refers to it and how I will refer to it in this post. Back at the launch of Windows XP when Microsoft introduced Windows Product Activation, we recognized that as easy as end-user activation is, it still represented an extra step.

neowin.net - 12.04.2007

MS: It's Okay to Buy Vista OEM Software

Microsoft has given the go ahead for users to buy the low-cost OEM copies of Windows Vista now appearing on sites like Newegg.com; however, they would be expected to adhere to the licensing terms just like any other computer manufacturer...
betanews.com - 30.01.2007

Windows 7 OEM prices unveiled, 50% off list price

ComputerWorld is reporting that online retailer Newegg.com has unveiled Windows 7 OEM pricing. Newegg.com has priced the OEM version of Windows 7 Home Premium at $99.99 which is a price reduction of 50% down from the recommended retail price of $199.99. Other savings are available for Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate at $134.99 and $174.99, respectively. This is a saving of approximately 50% on each version from the list price. OEM editions are priced lower as you typically do not get retail packaging, little official support and you're not able to transfer the operating system license from one PC to another.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 29.09.2009

Dell launches final Windows XP PC systems

Retail and direct OEM sales of Windows XP will be drying up by the end of this month, so it should not be too surprising that vendors are pushing out their XP inventory this month. Dell has added three final systems to its XP lineup, which customers will be able to order until June 18.



We have received word from the manufacturer that Dells last XP systems added will be the Inspiron 530s (from $549) and 530 (from $799), as well as the Inspiron 1520 notebook (from $799). All systems come with Windows XP Home Edition, Intel processors and at least 2 GB of system memory. The models XPS 210 and XPS 630 models also remain available until midnight June 18.




winbeta.org - 16.06.2008

XP's death sentence won't be commuted this time

In a letter to its OEM customers that install the operating system on PCs they sell, Microsoft has confirmed that it would no longer sell Windows XP as a packaged product, nor sell it to OEMs past its June 30 deadline...
betanews.com - 25.06.2008

Windows XP Embedded Update Rollup 1 Released

The Windows XP Embedded team is pleased to announce that we have officially released Update Rollup 1.0 for Windows XP Embedded. This is the final release of the product known in the Beta as Windows XP Embedded "Feature Preview 2008."

Update Rollup 1.0 includes support for Windows Media Player 11, Windows Internet Explorer 7, Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0, and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) 6.0.

You can download the Evaluation Edition now from the http://www.microsoft.com/downl oads/details.aspx?FamilyId=70A 79E6F-CE42-45C7-ADD2-52F57959E CF2&displaylang=en>Microsoft Download Center. The full version is scheduled to be available for download from the MS OEM Online (MOO) Software Order Center by June 8, 2007...
winbeta.org - 05.06.2007

July 1: No more Office 2003 for OEMs

Its only been six months since Microsoft launched Office 2007 at retail. But as of July 1, 2007, Microsoft wont be making the OEM version of Office 2003 to its PC partners, aka "OEMs."

Eric Ligman, Senior Manager of Small Business Community Engagement with Microsoft, reminded OEMs and customers of the pending cut-off date in a blog posting dated June 18:

"After June 30, 2007 , OEM Microsoft Office 2003 will no longer be availble from Microsoft. Some authorized OEM Microsoft distributors may have some remaining inventory left for a short time after June 30th; however, Microsoft will no longer be shipping OEM Microsoft Office to them." ..
winbeta.org - 18.06.2007

eWeek Opinion: Vista is a Zombie

After Don Reisinger's rant over at CNet News it's now eWeek's Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols jumping on the Windows XP Extended Stay bandwagon. I thought I'd mention that it's not unusual for Microsoft to extend its (OEM) support for older Operating Systems. It happened with Windows 2000, NT and all the 9x variants, well except for Windows ME (anyone remember that?).

Maybe, just maybe it has something to do with Vista Basic PC's? Because in all honesty Microsoft doesn't do itself any favors by releasing something that "looks" worse than XP on low end PC's. Add to the fact that XP has had 6 years to establish itself and became a very reliable OS after SP2 (Service Pack 2).
Windows Vista probably won't be widely adopted until the release of SP1 (and that is mainly in the business sector only). This is standard practice.

It's only fair to mention that the mass exodus to Windows XP was mainly due to the fact that it became the first fully 32 bit client OS after Windows 2000 which was designed for the business sector and not shipped on (OEM) consumer PC's. Due to the wide success and adoption of Windows 2000, XP was built on top of that very reliable kernel. Vista is simply an upgrade, whereas XP was a totally new OS. Upgrading now is not a necessity in many cases for consumers.

Anyway, enough from me, if you want another laugh click Read more to enjoy yet another "expert" opinion on Vista.


Read full story.....
neowin.net - 29.09.2007

Microsoft block Windows 7 OEM key hack

Microsoft’s Windows Genuine Advantage team have responded to this week's news that a Windows 7 Ultimate licensing hack had been identified. After a Lenovo OEM Windows 7 image leaked and was used to extract a license key, Microsoft have worked with the manufacturer to blacklist the rogue key and replace it - on genuine Lenovo PCs bought with the new OS - with a working version.




winbeta.org - 31.07.2009

Microsoft blacklists leaked Windows 7 OEM key

Microsoft has responded to pirates by blacklisting the Lenovo OEM key that leaked earlier this week. On Tuesday Neowin reported that pirates were able to modify their BIOS and activate copies of Windows 7 Ultimate with a Lenovo OEM master key. Microsoft have worked with Lenovo to blacklist the master key before Windows 7 starts shipping with new PCs in October. According to Alex Kochis, Director of Genuine Windows at Microsoft: "we've worked with that manufacturer so that customers who purchase genuine copies of Windows 7 from this manufacturer will experience no issues validating their copy of Windows 7.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 31.07.2009