Questions about updating to Windows XP

[Polar]

Hi everyone, this is my first post.

I'm just wondering whether or not to upgrade my Windows ME machine to Windows XP with an XP Home SP1a clean install disc that I have. The two problems I have are:

1) Is there anyway I can go online without Microsoft knowing? The copy is perfectly legal and I plan to do a full phone registration but I don't want MS to know that my copy is accessing the web. I know you can disable certain things in services.msc and I already have the Windows Updates on CD so will this be enough?

2) I have a DSL connection through a USB modem on ME. I remember my ISP giving me a USB modem because it wasn't XP I was using. I think they have other, non-USB modems for XP, will I need one?

Thanks in advance, Polar!

 

[Mr5oh]

Microsoft will not know you are online. Even if the copy is questionable , you can still use Windows Update with no problems. Here is part of the legal agreement for WindowsUpdate:

The configuration information collected is used only to determine the appropriate updates and to generate aggregate statistics. Windows Update does not collect your name, address, e-mail address, or any other form of personally identifiable information.

You can disable pretty much everything that would sync with Microsoft if you wish, also you could get a firewall, and pretty much block what ever you want. However, I think you are being way to paraniod. Also note that Windows will ask you to register, it doesn't register for you if you select do not register. After that the only things that sync with Micosoft are updates, time, and both of these things can be disabled.

Install Windows XP, and stop worrying.

I doubt you will need a new modem. I can't imagine XP not supporting this.

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[Dax]

"Windows Update also collects the Product ID and Product Key to confirm that you are running a validly licensed copy of Windows. A validly licensed copy of Windows ensures that you will receive on-going updates from Windows Update. The Product ID and Product Key are not retained beyond the end of the Windows Update session, unless the Product ID is not valid."

 

[peartree]

Well, that's not entirely true. If it's not a legal copy (you don't have a legal Key), then in most cases, Windows Update will NOT work. Microsoft has made quite a point of letting everyone know that the service packs won't work with illegal copies, either.

<font color=green>****</font color=green> Never Assume <font color=red>ANYTHING</font color=red> <font color=green>****</font color=green>

 

[Polar]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. To be honest, I'm thinking of LAN-ing two computers, both with one legal XP and having access to my DSL internet via the remote computer. I didn't know if, by web browsing, Microsoft would realise what I was doing. By the way, supposing they did, what would the do exactly? Is the worst I could get a strongly-worded letter or should I be expecting a knock on the door?

 

[Mr5oh]

Someone who was so inclined, can get service packs to work on a questionable copy. Also if the key will install service pack 1, windows update will work.

Not that I would know though.

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[peartree]

Well, you can sleep easily tonight. As long as your keys are legal, Microsoft doesn't care if you're screwing your pooch. They want your money, not a clean report from your local Pastor.


<font color=green>****</font color=green> Never Assume <font color=red>ANYTHING</font color=red> <font color=green>****</font color=green>