Ok, Microsoft aint so smart. I've seen it all now.

[backtocrappie]

I'm in the middle of switching distro's of Linux. Being rather dissatisfied with Linux Mint(crashed) I opted on new ventures starting with Mandriva, then Debian, and settling on Ubuntu. First thing I needed was Windows back for a quick download of several versions of Linux, plus utilities, until chip-set testing was complete. Well... lots has happened in the last month, and my unactivated version of Windows expired. Oh here we go again! The very reason I dumped Windows in the first place.

All my files and Linux stuff gone! (again)

Or was it......?

Watch this.
YouTube - Use windows EVEN WHEN ACTIVATION HAS EXPIRED.

Yep! Worked like a champ. I even discovered that by plugging in my flash drive I could get the task bar back. I'm tempted to leave it the way it is. It's the most secure version of Windows I've ever seen. On another note-- It's my understanding that any Linux live cd will also access your files on expired Windows. Wish I had known that last year.:rolleyes:

Special thanks goes out to Google, and Youtube. Saving my rear, time and again.

[Slab]

You're a much bigger geek than I!

[backtocrappie]

You're a much bigger geek than I!

It aint voluntary.

[1perchjerker]

backtocrappie,
Glad someone else on here is using Linux.
You know you can dual boot Linux and Windows.
Or like I did, bought a computer from Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council (corpreccouncil items - Get great deals on Computers Networking items on eBay.com!) for $9.99 (they only sell them without Operating Systems) and I run Linux on it.
1perchjerker

[backtocrappie]

backtocrappie,
Glad someone else on here is using Linux.
You know you can dual boot Linux and Windows.
Or like I did, bought a computer from Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council (corpreccouncil items - Get great deals on Computers Networking items on eBay.com!) for $9.99 (they only sell them without Operating Systems) and I run Linux on it.
1perchjerker

There's a few of us in here somewhat dedicated to Linux. I know about dual booting. Just haven't tried it yet. I'm running an AMD64 so it shouldn't be any problem. My only problem is my MSI board with nominal Nvidia chip-set. I was told a few weeks ago at a computer shop that Linux is chip-set sensitive. (really? No duh!). A simple Intel board is all that's needed to make it run right. This explained all my previous problems with loading live cd's on my machine. Linux Mint was the only one that was happy with my board, so I used it. It was a love-hate relationship. I was dead set on Debian recently, but the FULL DVD set was massive in size. If you do the minimal download prepare for failure. No desktop installed. Great. In the 21st century, we still have to build our own desktop? LOL!