I have a very fond feeling that even though linux partitions are not available (without installing/enabling some additional components) for users of Windows from under Windows OS, this doesn't mean that Windows OS itself can't read them silently, so to say.
Theoretically true, I think it'd be outside their bounds to be checking non-MS partitions. Besides there's still plenty of workarounds: Boot CD, ejected after system starts, boot USB-flash, etc.
I think you could move the loader file on to the unbuntu file system and add an entry to the menu.lst and it may work, im not much of a linux user so thats kinda a guess.
you are right, under linux I would use a command like Code: cat /dev/sda1 | grep "some_bit_of_code" Im sure something similar could be done with windows. this is more a security through obscurity thing (not many people will bother to move GRLDR to a ext2 filesystem so MS may not look for it) from MS's point of view finding and deleting the file is kinda pointless because the user will just reinstall it, it would be better to examine the memory space for anything hinkie/non-standard and fail to acitvate. But until MS acts we really have no idea what their stragety will be.
Come on - I can download a Linux file system utility for Windows from the net - there are hundreds of them - do you really think M$ don't know how to read all open source file systems ???
The thing is M$ do not need to delete any file to render any system inoperable - I merely wanted to say that if M$ want to enforce their antipiracy they will and I doubt it will be easy to defeat whatever they choose to do. They removed the hardnosed "system shutdown" in Vista and replaced it with the "annoyance" system. I believe they only did this because Vista did not sell and businesses refused to have anything to do with an OS that shut out any user - after all legitimate licensed users occasionally have problems with activation. If Windows 7 is a commercial success they may harden their antipiracy and disabling hacks such RemoveWAT or Chew-WGA will be their first options, loaders may be second although they didn't target loaders with Vista to my knowledge - they simply disabled Paradox's Royal.sys and Timerstop - which proves that they can easily disable a hacked system no matter what the "authors" of these hacks claim. Loaders would have to be attacked by something detecting the loader but trying to hide it won't work just like some tried to hide "royal.sys" in Vista which failed.
Thank you for your continuous effort, Nononsence!!! Appreciated!!! As a lay person I have a simple question: if we simply stop automatic updates in W7 and use the updates that are posted here, after one you, really knowledgeable guys, mark them as safe - is there a real need for all these additional measures? Please, don't get me wrong: I understand that the continuous testing and improving upon what has already been done is necessary. So, I am not questioning that at all! The quest for knowledge and some other issues/principles is not what I am asking. The Q is much simpler, for some of us who do not have all your knowledge and confidence to mess with it all the time.... Thanx and keep up the great work!!!!