Windows XP

[bdgr]

*Originally posted by Greathouse *
**I have been using XP Pro since beta1 (and .Net/2002 server since build 1580) and even if you think that there maybe “spyware” or anything else going on behind the scenes you still must admit that it is a much better and more stable OS than any of our previous offerings.

**I agree…Well…Dos 6.22 was pretty good, but other than that, your right, I love it so far.

**

All of my information (including MSONLY info) indicates that there is no “spyware”.

port 32xxx or whatever

Can you give a specific port number(s)? I may be able to find out exactly what you blocked with some more specific info.

**No, unfortunatly I didn’t write it down, and the log in Zonealarm is not the best. All I remember is that the name of the ap was blank, and it was a high port number 32xxx(IIRC)

**

If you have access to it as an administrator I would suggest installing NetMon to see what traffic was being passed on the port, but usually ports that high are ephemeral and used for things such as streaming media (not only streaming media though).

The fact that unidentified apps try to open up non-standard ports upon the os being installed is a security hole, and is in fact, spyware.

this may very well have been the code checking itself at boot (which it does). How do you know that something did not have a connection to your machine prior to installation and after the reboot it was not just trying to re-establish the connection. This would not be our software, but rather you possible being scanned/attacked externally prior to the reboot and then you new software notifying you and closing the port.

**well, It is behind a firewall, and the only other machines on this side of the firewall are mine. Also, it wasnt incomming trafic, but a local program trying to act as a server. IE also tried to act as a server at one point(which, being a browser, it has no business doing

**

I am not nitpicking the posts. If it seems I am then I apologize, I am just trying to get more information in most cases or clear up misconceptions in others. **

Good to have you here Greathouse, I appreciate any info.

Overall, I like it so far, my only reall bitches (other than the ones we are talking about),are:
[list=1]
[li]My cd software got killed again. When win2k came out, that was everybodys big bitch, cd creator and others wouldnt run until there was an update. I had hoped MS would try to prevent this on this go around. Now, I’m waiting on an update again.[/li][li]Why is the built in CDR software so damn slow? It takes it longer to prepare to burn a cd than it takes it burn the cd. It should have to recopy all the files, and build an image. Is there a way to turn this off, so it will burn on the fly?[/li][/list=1]
OTher than that, everything seems fine.

[Monster104]

Nero works on mine, FWIW.

[VenusGirlTrap]

I have Windows ME right now and I’ve been thinking about upgrading. Do you think it’s a good idea? I have a Dell with 1GHZ and 256MB ram. I also have plenty of memory, something like 35 gigs. Also, I’m totally computer illeterate; is it easy to install?

[bdgr]

*Originally posted by Monster104 *
**Nero works on mine, FWIW. **

Yeah, mine too. But I like roxio cd-creator(formerly adaptec), for some things.

[Greathouse]

I have Windows ME right now and I’ve been thinking about upgrading. Do you think it’s a good idea? I have a Dell with 1GHZ and 256MB ram. I also have plenty of memory, something like 35 gigs. Also, I’m totally computer illeterate; is it easy to install?

First, let me start off by apologizing for ME. WOW, what a stinking heap that was.

As far as an upgrade goes, I have not had any problems myself, but those were mostly on test boxes with few if any 3rd party apps installed. I would honestly recommend a clean install of XP rather than an upgrade. And I would also (and always) recommend XP Pro rather than Home Edition. The extra features included with XP Pro make it worth the extra $50.

[bdgr]

*Originally posted by VenusGirlTrap *
**I have Windows ME right now and I’ve been thinking about upgrading. Do you think it’s a good idea? I have a Dell with 1GHZ and 256MB ram. I also have plenty of memory, something like 35 gigs. Also, I’m totally computer illeterate; is it easy to install? **

I would, its very easy to install. If your on a cablemodem, just get zonealarm…In fact, if you have a cablemodem, you need zonealarm anyway. Its free, and it is good protection.

[Greathouse]

Also, it wasnt incomming trafic, but a local program trying to act as a server. IE also tried to act as a server at one point(which, being a browser, it has no business doing)

The version of Netmon that installs with Win 2K will only monitor incoming packets, but the full version that ships with SMS can monitor communications between any other machines on the network that have SNMP installed. But if this your only machine then I guess it is a moot point since it would need to be on a server. If you had a another machine to setup as a server then it may be possible to get a 120 day eval version of the full NetMon. (I would not as an employee be able to send that out)

–Had to cover my ass there--

IE may try to act as a browser if malicious code is entered into a website that tries to exploit the Code Red Worm. This is not common, but is possible. There may be other reasons, but this is the one I see on a daily basis. As a general rule I have to agree with your statement. I cannot think of a good reason for the browsert to act as a server, but I am not a developer so there may be valid reasons I am not aware of, or can’t think of right now.

[bdgr]

*Originally posted by Greathouse *
**

I have Windows ME right now and I’ve been thinking about upgrading. Do you think it’s a good idea? I have a Dell with 1GHZ and 256MB ram. I also have plenty of memory, something like 35 gigs. Also, I’m totally computer illeterate; is it easy to install?

First, let me start off by apologizing for ME. WOW, what a stinking heap that was.

As far as an upgrade goes, I have not had any problems myself, but those were mostly on test boxes with few if any 3rd party apps installed. I would honestly recommend a clean install of XP rather than an upgrade. And I would also (and always) recommend XP Pro rather than Home Edition. The extra features included with XP Pro make it worth the extra $50. **

I have done a couple of upgrades from me to XP, and from 2k to xp, and had zero problems. I was really impressed by how smooth it upgrades

[Greathouse]

I have done a couple of upgrades from me to XP, and from 2k to xp, and had zero problems. I was really impressed by how smooth it upgrades

You have no idea how happy I am to hear that. Mostly all I get hear is how my boss is the Anti-Christ and how my company suck. I love it when someone talks about their good experiences with MS products. I usually only get to hear about bad experiences.

[bdgr]

*Originally posted by Greathouse *
**

I have done a couple of upgrades from me to XP, and from 2k to xp, and had zero problems. I was really impressed by how smooth it upgrades

You have no idea how happy I am to hear that. Mostly all I get hear is how my boss is the Anti-Christ and how my company suck. I love it when someone talks about their good experiences with MS products. I usually only get to hear about bad experiences. **

My first experiances with Microsoft products were with the basic intrepters they wrote for Tandy and TI back in the late '70s. I have used every version of dos and windows(I still have a copy of windows 1.something somewhere…you talk about a useless waste of ones and zeros…) Although I dislike some of microsofts tactics from time to time, for the most part their stuff isn’t bad. NOBODY can write an operating system this complex, and not have a few bugs…At least I hope not, cuz there is still that house I have to pay for. I work on a 14,000 user network, all but a couple of k of those are MS machines, and it works supriseingly well. I have a lot of respect for Linux, but put 10,000 computer illiterates on 10,000 linux machines 8 hours a day and youll really see a disaster.

[Darkrabbit]

Greathouse … Mostly all I get hear is how my boss is the Anti-Christ and how my company suck.*

Well, he is and it does but there are a lot of great people working for Microsoft and a few of them are my friends so some transgressions may be forgiven.

My copy of XP Pro arrives Monday along with my free loot so I’ll give it a chance.
DarkRabbit

[Whammo]

*Originally posted by SPOOFE *
**
Yeah, that’s so sinister. It should be stopped, at all costs. In fact, there’s another, terrible, horrible, evil, Nazi-worshipping group that also records your IP for SOME reason. You can find their website here.

Scary, no? **

Don’t be a numbfuck. I didn’t say there was anything sinister, I was simply saying they record information that COULD be used to track your net usage if so inclined. Next time take your smart ass and shove a toothbrush in it.

Also Monster… when you say that authentication doesnt record any personal information… well… whats personal? If not your name, address and phone number (which we all know is personal… but they dont record that) how about your computers name, address and serial number? Trust me, the info that they get from your machine is VERY personal info of your machine. With just your MAC address alone your internet movements can be recorded.

NOW, that said… do I think they are DOING that to everyone with XP? Hell no! Its simply for security. HOWEVER the means are there if they were so inclined.

Is that Spyware… well… no.

It could be close… thats all I’m saying.

All this aside… Would I give it up for the reasons I stated? Fuck no! I LOVE my XP!! Best OS yet!

[SPOOFE]

Don’t be a numbfuck. I didn’t say there was anything sinister, I was simply saying they record information that COULD be used to track your net usage if so inclined. Next time take your smart ass and shove a toothbrush in it.

And “don’t be a numbfuck” right back atcha. Please provide a cite where I ever said that you referred to IP logging as “sinister”. And try to keep the personal insults out of MPSIMS, please.

[Monster104]

Also Monster… when you say that authentication doesnt record any personal information… well… whats personal? If not your name, address and phone number (which we all know is personal… but they dont record that) how about your computers name, address and serial number? Trust me, the info that they get from your machine is VERY personal info of your machine. With just your MAC address alone your internet movements can be recorded.

Here ya go:

Also Monster… when you say that authentication doesnt record any personal information… well… whats personal? If not your name, address and phone number (which we all know is personal… but they dont record that) how about your computers name, address and serial number? Trust me, the info that they get from your machine is VERY personal info of your machine. With just your MAC address alone your internet movements can be recorded.

[Monster104]

God DAMMIT and I am an idiot. :rolleyes:

Nix that second fucked up quote, and replace it with this:

The hardware information is not uploaded to us. It is set as an encrytion key that is specific to the hardware in your machine. The encrytion key is sent to the database and then an activation code is generated based on the encryted string of bits uploaded. We cannot see what kind of Video card you are using, and frankly we don’t care. The reason it makes you reactivate is so that when you give your copy to someone else or install it on another one of your machine, it will generate a different encrytption key (based on the new machines hardware) and try to match that key with what was uploaded during the original activation. When these do not match you are asked to call and activate it over the phone. This is just to keep the honest people honest.

:sigh:

[Whammo]

*Originally posted by Monster104 *
**

The hardware information is not uploaded to us. It is set as an encrytion key that is specific to the hardware in your machine. The encrytion key is sent to the database and then an activation code is generated based on the encryted string of bits uploaded. We cannot see what kind of Video card you are using, and frankly we don’t care. The reason it makes you reactivate is so that when you give your copy to someone else or install it on another one of your machine, it will generate a different encrytption key (based on the new machines hardware) and try to match that key with what was uploaded during the original activation. When these do not match you are asked to call and activate it over the phone. This is just to keep the honest people honest.

:sigh: **

Hmm… thats interesting Monster… I assume that came from a microsoft webpage. Can you send me the URL? I’d like to read further. BTW thanks.

Spoofe… well, I thought I quoted you, but perhaps I misread…

originaly posted by spoofe--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whammo------------------ it does have a function that if you get an error that ends a program it asks you if you want to sent that to microsoft for their database (so the common errors can be fixed) if you do opt for that (which on the surface DOES sound good) it for SOME reason records your IP… Hmmmm…

---

Yeah, that’s so sinister. It should be stopped, at all costs. In fact, there’s another, terrible, horrible, evil, Nazi-worshipping group that also records your IP for SOME reason. You can find their website here.

Scary, no?

---

Oh man… I cant fucking figure out this quoting shit… anyway. Maybe you can figure out the parts Im trying to quote and who wrote 'em. I give up.

[Monster104]

Whammo, Greathouse explained it with what I quoted earlier in this thread.

[bdgr]

Hey folks, its just an operating systems and this isn’t the pit. Could we perhaps tone it down a bit and get back to the discussion at hand?

[Purd_Werfect]

One thing I’ve heard about XP is that it has better game compatibility. Is this true? I would like to replay some older 95, 98, and DOS games, but I currently have Win2k. While it’s nice and stable for working, it won’t let me play Pod Racer.

[Greathouse]

Hmm… thats interesting Monster… I assume that came from a microsoft webpage. Can you send me the URL? I’d like to read further. BTW thanks.

Here is a web site that explains activation.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/overviews/activation.asp

Here is the part I was referring to in my post:

Product Activation works by verifying that a software program’s product key has not been used on more personal computers than intended by the software’s license. You must use the product key in order to install the software and then it is transformed into an installation ID number. You use an activation wizard to provide the installation ID number to Microsoft either through a secure transfer over the Internet, or by telephone. A confirmation ID is sent back to your machine to activate your product.

The installation ID number includes an encrypted form of the product ID and a hardware hash, or checksum. No personally identifying data is included or required. The confirmation ID is simply an unlocking code for the Windows XP installation on that particular PC.

If you overhaul your computer by replacing a substantial number of hardware components, it may appear to be a different PC. You may have to reactivate Windows XP. If this should occur, you can call the telephone number displayed on the activation screen to reactivate the software.

The hardware hash that the web site mentions is generated off of the PC’s individual PCI bus. This information does not include hardware specifics, just enough information to generate a PC specific hash. I’ll keep looking to find a cite to quote on this, but I am working off of internal training documents. I can’t get to specific about what information it collects or how it collects it until I find a public posting of it (since I like my job and wanna keep it).