Trickster wrote:

> I've been thinking about buying Windows XP. Some programs require it
> for some of their functions and Win2k is starting to show its age.
> However I strongly resent activation. Hopefully by the time
> activation becomes common, Linux will be a viable desktop
> alternative. Meanwhile, what I'd like to know is: Is there a way to
> bypass activation each and every time (on a legally bought version)?
> I like messing with my PC a lot so I'd probably doing a lot of
> reinstalls. I've read this article:
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=305356 and it seems like it all
> boils down to backing up wpa.dbl.

Only if every hardware component checked is read exactly the same!

The best way to show MS your disgust over PA is not to buy it, and 2K
SP4, isn't dated at all.  Kinda like XP SP1 without all the fluff!
Honestly, I have to say that 2K SP4 is MS's most stable OS, not XP of
any variety!

But if you've made up your mind to go with XP, but don't ever want to be
hassled with PA then this is what you'll need:

(1.)  a CD burner.

(2.)  11 files from a VL copy of XP.  You can usually find them thru
file-sharing.  Search for something like "XP corporate conversion" or
download the full DevilsOwn version and extract the 11 files listed
below.

Below is the path & file names:

    i386\DPCDLL.DL_
    i386\EULA.TXT
    i386\NT5INF.CA_
    i386\OEMBIOS.BI_
    i386\OEMBIOS.CA_
    i386\OEMBIOS.DA_
    i386\OEMBIOS.SI_
    i386\PIDGEN.DLL
    i386\SETUPP.INI
    i386\SETUPREG.HIV
    i386\WIN95UPG\WIN95UPG.INF

(3.)  a VL Product Key.  Search Google or file-sharing for the "XP
keygen."

(4.)  a program to edit to create & edit .iso files, like WinISO.

(5.)  One purchased OEM or Retail copy of XP Pro, prior to SP1.  [Might
work with XP SP1 media too, I just can't tell you for certain.]

When you have everything you need, create an .iso file out of your
purchased XP CD, replace the 11 files listed above with the corp files,
and save the edited .iso file.  Burn the new .iso to CD.  Run the XP
keygen to get a VL Product Key, and install XP from your newly adapted
CD, using the VL PK.  This will work with XP Pro [Retail or OEM] only.

Warning!  Using these instructions can be considered a violation of the
DMCA, though "Nothing in this section [DMCA] shall affect rights,
remedies, limitations, or defenses to copyright infringement, including
fair use, under this title."

> Does this prevent reactivation in
> case of a reinstall?

Yes, because you've created you own VL version that disables PA.

> Does it still work after Service Pack 1?

As I mentioned before, not sure if the above will work with an existing
version of XP SP1 install CD, however if you get a copy of XP prior to
SP1, then you can slipstream SP1 into your modified VL version.  This I
can say works, but only if you use a Product Key generated by the XP
keygen.  The link below explains how to slipstream SP1 into a new
bootable SP1 CD.

http://www.windows-help.net/WindowsXP/winxp-sp1-bootcd.html

Again, if you don't believe in PA then you should reward MS with your
money!

And you can probably find a used copy of 2K for pretty damn cheap.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.kurttrail.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"