Hi guys..i am wondering if the Bios mod method here is permanent way of activating windows? Do you guys think that future service packs/updates will detect such activation method and flag the system with a timebomb?
After you've survived (your PC) the bios update with a modded one yes! It's the safest method ever. It should work forever...
It will be like 99.99% permanent. Not 100% because they can always go nuts and provide urgent BIOS update/upgrades to a specific case (where too many uses a same SLIC, for example), but then, it will be mandatory to update all the real genuines out there, and this will be hard and a true caos. But you never know, even if they go nuts, you can always re-flashing again to match the actual "reality", so is really pointless M$ doing something like that. Btw, I dunno if they will continue to use this scheme on Win8 and up, they can make those bios into cryptographed, a mandatory thing, in near future, but then, it will add costs, it will be necessary to address a lot issues involving flashing, etc. They already did that on some DVD burners at start, Pioneer DVD burners is a good example of that, but again, was pointless since we break the cryptography on them, so we were able to flash a modified BIOS (RPC-1) anyway. But when they add a new IC to motherboards, specific to do this s**t, then it will be probably a bit challenge, but there are a lot hackers out there now, and I bet this security will be defeated too. So once again, it will be pointless. Gradius
Your activation is permanent until MS releases an update on Windows Update (that you would have to download and apply on your PC to be effective) to block the Lenovo key you most likely used. If that happens, hopefully by then another OEM SLP key will be leaked and you can swap for that one.
Nah, they won't go nuts - look at the lo@ders and activ@tors all around the net - they are easier to blacklist and they have more users using them - they would go for them first since they are easier to detect and blacklist. I bet they won't be changing the activation scheme in Win7 at all, because of one simple thing - introducing something new that would involve some tech-skills on a genuine product (like OEM-branded laptops and PCs and re-flashing them with a 'changed' bios) would create Chaos amongst the genuine users (they would probably think - 'I own a genuine licensed/bought product so what the hell they want from me and threat me to threat like a pirate if I don't upgrade/change something inside my rig')
If they blacklist the key, how much usability will we have on windows 7? I heard somewhere that you get locked out . If that si the case how can we replace the certificates and OEM SLP?
You have 30 days, and can rearm 3x, so is 90 days of normal use. In other words, you have 90 days to find another key.
That never can happen! The new SLP keys to be leaked will be used by hundred of thousands legit users too. Anything bad what will happen to you will happen to them as well! M$ never can afford that.
I think by the time the newer os is out (since you mentioned W8), the EFI and UEFI bios will be standard fare, rather than the hybrid we have today. This will allow for more control for the OS security, in theory. The problem is, if someone built it (a serviceable product), it can be disassembled and reverse engineered, always. We just have to wait for the tools. As for the current activation scheme, I think it is probably not going to change, but I am interested if something changes, or is added to the protection, in the time before OEM release and general availability. It is odd to me that the 2.0 certs are working now....
A simple question. What happens if I mod/flash my bios with SLIC 2.1 and activate Windows 7 with a Vista cert, and then the M$ people change the certs to a new ones ("W7 certs") before the general availability. Will I have to flash again?. Thanks.
That won't happen for a simple reason. The SLIC table changes implemented for Win7 (2.0 to 2.1) have been in the works for months now. A report about it leaked and is available somewhere on MDL. Basically, the OEM's have been told to start making SLIC 2.1 tables available in new models "up to 6 months prior to the Windows 7 RTM date". So SLIC 2.1 is guaranteed to appear on legit systems come Oct. 22nd. This means that current certs will still work. Now, MS can also issue newer certs which would most likely only work for Win7 and not Vista, but if it ain't broken, don't fix it! haha Users of Acer and Gateway will be especially interested in new certs given that Vista certs don't work with those SLIC's.
Ok. Thanks. So if I flash my BIOS with a DELL SLIC 2.1 I will never have to flash again despite of new certs for Windows 7?
You will never have to reflash unless Dell releases a newer version of the BIOS and you choose to mod it. However, SLIC 2.1 is etched in stone this far in the game. Vista certs that work now will work in the future. MS can only disable certs by updating the tokens.dat file, and that cannot be manipulated with a Windows update because you can only modify it in Safe Mode when the activation service is disabled. For the sake of conformity, you could of course install a Win7 cert if those exist and emerge. You could also install a leaked Dell SLP key when it leaks, but you won't need to.
Folks, M-$ is staffed with many PhD's and rocket scientists. What's to stop them from sneaking some kind of WGA mechanism that snoops around BIOSes and weeds out those which are not on their whitelist of OEM-sanctioned model nos. etc?
They wont change it, because laptops/pc brands will make use of it. I think they where to lazy to write a new one