Operating systems are now the one piece of expensive software I actually buy. The only cheap software I buy is Norton Antivirus as I like having good regular updates and that is one thing Symantec are exceptionally good at.

I always used to have bootleg Windows ever since Windows 3.1, right up until Windows Me (also known as Se = Shite Edition) but nowadays I wouldn't personally trust a dodgy OS - as you've found out, how do you prevent malicious code being ran when it's the operating system itself!?

I bought Windows XP Pro, and Vista 64 when it came out (DX10 gaming machine with 4GB RAM). Vista isn't as bad as everyone says when you have a modern machine, but the one frustration I have is for DAW / Music Recording software which works better on XP.

So... can't wait for Windows 7. I'll pay for that, too.

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Thassius
"Blessed are the noobs, for they shall inherit Obsidian" - Thassius

windows xp is free you silly,
im pretty sure vistea is to

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You can pirate them with no problem., but last time i did...well....
I'll just pay the money.

ROFL
u can just, buy a burnt version from ur pc store LOL
or go on mininova and view the comments and stuff b4 u install...
pirate bay isn't so good imo

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Yes you can download semi-reliable torrents of OS's but personally I like to be able to download updates and service packs with ease post-release.

Since Microsoft introduced the Genuine Advantage programme that is becoming increasingly difficult.

Again, two pieces of software I'll actually buy. OS, and Firewall/Antivirus suite - both for updates.

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Thassius
"Blessed are the noobs, for they shall inherit Obsidian" - Thassius

I use Avira for my antivirus. It's free, uses less resources then any of the popular retail programs, and it works better then Mcafee or Norton (according to pretty much every review site out there). It finds trojans, viruses, ad ware, and root kits.

The downside is that you get an ad that pops up on your screen once a day at about midnight asking you to buy their retail version. Not much difference between retail and free, except the retail has no ad.

lmao windows advantage has a crack like everything else, infact i have it lolz and i go to the site and update like everyone else lol
if you need it ill give it to you!
but ya i understand where ur coming from
and theres files (.reg)out there like 2kb that will validate ur system lmao
but ya, at first instead of you just entering the key and going along ur business your sitting here cracking the system, so ya it's easier your way,

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Don't missunderstand me, I've take more then my share of pirated software, and it would be hypocritical of me to bash anyone for doing the same.

I just don't want to get one of the updates for Windows and have it be an anti hack patch. It would be a crappy day to have your OS lock you out of your own files because Microsoft found a way to detect the crack. Sure, you could work around it eventually, but it's a hassle that I'd rather not deal with.

i feel you, then i would be forced to pay then
i only pirated it because i paid for mine originally and lost my CD and key, so shit, im not paying twice, lol
but if i had the money, i would, BUT I DONT! sooooo bam

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king of the run on sentence.