Microsoft Anti-Spyware? More like Anti-Piracy application...
 

I installed the new Anti-Spyware at work, and it worked great. Ad-aware and Spybot were run, found 0 spyware instances. I ran anti-spyware and it found over 20, including an invisible key logger loaded as a driver, (pretty sneaky and possibly loaded internally).

I decide to install it on my home PC, running XP Pro Corp Gold disk with a hacked key. When you install the app it tells you that you must have an authentic version of XP. I understood that as saying that "anti-spyware would not work, or would not be available unless you have XP installed with a valid key", so I hit the button to bypass verification and installed the app. What it should have been interpretted as saying is, "If you are running a hacked version of XP, installing this software will bend you over your computer desk and pound you Taco John style for stealing my software! Sincerely, Bill".

It worked fine until the first autoupdate. I was up at 5am and watched it start to update. It got the new files, then 60 seconds later a black bar appeared across my desktop and the PC locked up. After a reboot and chkdsk the PC comes up like normal, and then 60 seconds later a black bar appeared across my desktop and the PC locked up. After a reboot and chkdsk the PC comes up like normal, and then 60 seconds later a black bar appeared across my desktop and the PC locked up. After a reboot and chkdsk the PC comes up like normal, and then 60 seconds later a black bar appeared across my desktop and the PC locked up. After a reboot and chkdsk the PC comes up like normal, and then 60 seconds later a black bar appeared across my desktop and the PC locked up.

No other software was installed and no other changes were made, and I ran a full virus scan Saturdays at 2am, so it is not a virus. I am 99.9% sure that it is this software, but since it is so new there is nothing out there on the internet yet. I uninstalled the app and searched most of the regsitry for any leftover keys, (can't search it all with 60 seconds to work with), so I will reinstall tonight.

For any of you as dumb as me, please heed this warning and do not make the same mistake.

have you tried to reboot and run chkdsk?
sec

Haha..OWNED.

So your saying it is no good.:(

I think the best way to fix this is to not use a hacked version of windoze. Glad I could help you.

That's interesting, considering that you are asked to VERIFY AUTHENTICITY of your copy of Windows PRIOR to downloading the software:

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow...displaylang=en

Interesting.


You don't cross Microsoft.

ZZZ

You are given an option whether you want to validate, or skip validation.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/w...displaylang=en

I figured there was no point in validating since I knew my copy was not legit.

This is why you never install anything from Microsoft unless you have to.

My advice is to never use a pirated copy for your OS. Just my opinion.

That's why you don't bother with Microsuck. Use Ad-Aware and Spybot.

I have an illegal copy of XP Corporate laying around, what are the benefits of installing it over home edition?

Your peace of mind primarily. I own several copies of XP but I have never installed them. I don't want MS to have records of my computers configuration and have to deal with the hassle of calling MS every time i change a piece of hardware in my box. I use a custom VLK DVD that a friend of mine put together and I have never had any problems with XP being cracked since day one. I also installed the new MS antispyware and it has since updated. I skipped past the valadation part like OP but I have never had issues with lockups or black bars. If this was something MS did to screw up pirated copies of XP then there would be a massive uproar across the internet that would be hard to miss. I figure OP has something wrong with his PC other than the MS antispyware issue.

What do you mean? I've never had to do that. Upgraded video cards a couple times.

I've had to do it quite a few times. One time after flashing the BIOS.

Its really not a big deal though. Its a toll-free call, and it doesn't take more than 5 minutes.