Looking for answers? Don’t bother using the Microsoft forums
I have recently tried to have a question answered over at Microsoft Answers, and encountered nothing but resistance.
My problem stems from a copy of Windows XP For Legacy PC’s (A.K.A. WinFLP). It was able to accept an install of Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) back when it was Version 1. However, since they went to Version 2, MSE has been either unable to upgrade to it on a pre-existing copy of v1, or v2 has been unable to install altogether on a clean install of WinFLP.
When I tried to post my question to Microsoft Answers, all I got were canned responses which touted the Microsoft line. Statements about the EULA, about which versions of Windows were supported, etc..
As well, when I tried to provide help to others that were having issues with XP 64-bit, my posts were summarily deleted, and the threads locked. You see, while MSEv1 could not install on XP 64-bit, the 64-bit Vista/Win7 version of MSEv2 CAN. Even though it is not officially supported, that version of MSE can indeed install on XP 64-bit.
And when I tried to help out those with XP 64-bit who were looking for answers, my responses were deleted because they were not “canon”. They did not align to the Microsoft EULA and TOS.
Granted, this is a Microsoft site, and I am providing information that shows how to use their software in ways it was not intended to be used, but this is just STUPID. A forum is there to help people, unless illegality is involved (cracked copies, asking to get around license validation, etc.). Having posts deleted because the answers do not fit with Microsoft canon is just stupidity at its finest.
To Dr. Strangelove, whom I suspect was the person behind the deletion of my posts and the locking of threads I responded to: You are an ass. You are helping no-one by supressing innocent information which may help them.
2 Comments
Akuma said
I agree with you. That's no make any sense and I've been my posts deleted too.
I've started helping Microsoft comunity some months ago with virtualization and clustering technologies, but seeing what is happening when you don't help the way they want, I'm going to stop helping in those forums.
If there's a problem with their software or the software allow to do something that they don't want to, they shouldn't shut up the people that talks about it, just they should fix it or advise it publically.
Cheers,
Akuma.
Ilanio said
MSE detects WinFLP as Embedded NT through the following registry value:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control
Key: ProductOptions
Type: REG_MULTI_SZ
In Windows XP, the value of this key is "Personal" for Home version and "EmbeddedNT" for Windows Fundamentals.
To install MSE v2 you need to change this value to "Personal" or leave it empty (that means "Windows XP Professional").
Note the value ProductOptions is protected and monitored, so, when you try to change it, a Message is displayed telling that any change on this key is a license violation.
To bypass this, you can look for the ControlSet Keys. They are together with CurrentControlSet and have numbers (i.e. ControlSet001, ControlSet003, etc.).
Acess the ControlSet with the highest number (in the case of ControlSet001, ControlSet002 and ControlSet003, you need to access ControlSet003) and navigate to "Control" key. Change "ProductOptions" according your needs and reboot Windows.
Before OS starts to load, press F8 and choose "Last Know Good Configuration" on the menu.
After system starts, you can install MSE.
If MSE tell that your key is invalid, read this: http://www.zhacks.com/2010/03/18/install-microsoft-security-essentials-without-genuine-validation-check/
Good Luck