A server problem led to users being accused of using pirated Microsoft Windows software over the weekend.
For around 19 hours, beginning 8 pm Friday, a
Microsoft server problem cause the
Windows Genuine Advantage system, which validates the OS legitimate, to falsely accuse users of running pirated software, and disabling some features for those users until the problem was corrected.
The cause a lot of harsh words in forums and e-mails, especially as one of the disabled features was Vista’s Aero graphical interface.
One everything had been corrected, affected users were instructed to revalidate, although the cause of the error hadn’t been found.
“I know you all are looking for an explanation/root-cause,” wrote Phil Liu, a Microsoft program manager in the Windows Genuine Advantage group. “We are aware it is a server-side issue -- the cause is unknown at this current time.”
There’s been controversy about the WGA program since Microsoft introduced it two years ago in the hope of stemming piracy of its OS. It operates by checking a user’s PC and sending data back to Microsoft to be sure all the licenses are proper.
There have been protests. And last year a class action suit was filed against Microsoft, claiming that the checks constituted spyware.
Although the latest incident happened on a weekend, and so affected fewer users, it simply adds to the problems Vista has encountered since its release – and will perhaps make a few wonder whether it’s even worth being honest when they’re still treated as criminals.
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