Microsoft envió un mail a una gran cantidad de distribuidores
avisándole de que esta característica ya estaba activada. Cualquiera
que haya leído algo de este sistema operativo sabrá que esta es una de
las medidas que Microsoft puso en juego para combatir la piratería.

Cualquiera que no haya activado correctamente el sistema operativo
se enfrentará al llamado ‘Modo de funcionalidad reducida’ que dará
acceso únicamente a la posibilidad de activar el software para poder
volver a usarlo normalmente.

En ComputerWorld han obtenido una copia de ese e-mail, que dice lo siguiente:

“Buenas tardes, desde esta semana, Microsoft ha activado una
función en Vista llamada ‘Funcionadlidad reducida’. Esta es una función
específica en Vista que deshabilita de forma efectiva las copias no
genuinas de Windows. Por lo tanto cualquiera que tenga una copia pirata
de Vista experimentará:

- Una pantalla negra tras una hora de navegación

- No dispondrá de menú de inicio o barra de tareas

- No se mostrará el escritorio

Por favor, comunique esta iniciativa antipiratería de Microsoft
a sus puntos de venta — nótese que esta función acaba de activarse en
Vista en todo el mundo y por lo tanto cualquier problema con las
versiones no genuinas comenzarán a surgir de ahora en adelante.”

Ahora comenzará a demostrarse si los mecanismos que los hackers han
ideado para saltarse este tipo de características funcionan realmente o
no.

theinquirer.es

En Ingles (Computerworld Australia) Black screen of darkness to haunt Vista pirates -Buy the software or suffer the consequences

Microsoft Windows' infamous "blue screen of death" has become synonymous with an operating system crash or freeze, but that's nothing compared with what users of pirated copies of Vista worldwide can expect from now -- a black screen of darkness.

In an e-mail to a large Windows Vista distributor titled "Pirated Vista -- A darkness descends!" -- a local Microsoft representative made it quite clear what Vista pirates can expect to happen to their unlicensed installations.

A copy of this e-mail was obtained by Computerworld.

"Good afternoon, as of this week, Microsoft has activated a function in Vista called 'Reduced Functionality.' This is a specific function in Vista that effectively disables nongenuine copies of Windows. Therefore anyone who has a pirated copy of Vista will experience:

A black screen after one hour of browsing
No start menu or task bar
No desktop

Please communicate this antipiracy initiative from Microsoft to your resellers -- note this function has only just been activated in Vista worldwide and therefore any issues with nongenuine versions will start to arise from now onward."

Microsoft's new tough antipiracy move also proves the company still controls its software releases with an iron fist, but it marks the first global use of heavy-handed tactics for pirated copies of Windows.

The e-mail message also included what resembled an advertisement of the new antipiracy initiative.

Titled "Don't let this happen to your customers," the advertisement indicates nongenuine copies of Windows Vista will lose access to key features, have limited access to updates, and thus risk attack from viruses, malware and spyware.

"If Windows Vista is not activated with a genuine product key, your customers will experience reduced functionality," according to the ad. "The blocking of nongenuine product keys is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. To help protect honest partners and fight piracy, Microsoft will continue to block product keys that are determined to be pirated, stolen or otherwise deemed nongenuine."

The ad concludes with "Don't risk it!" and "make sure your customers always get genuine Windows Vista preinstalled."