FILEnetworks Blog

Pirates crack Windows 7 Beta 1 (Build 7000) activation

Posted: 29 Dec 2008 01:54 AM CST

Yesterday we reported about the first Beta build of Windows 7 (Version 6.1 build 7000 or build number 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400) being leaked on BitTorrent. Just a day or so after the release was leaked, pirates have managed to find a workaround to indefinitely extend the trial period of the OS. There seem to be several different 'activators' or 'cracks' for Windows 7 Beta 1, most of which are based on resetting or re-arming the free trial period of the OS.

Microsoft did not introduce any major changes in Windows 7 build 7000 (beta 1 carrying version 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400) over the previous build (build 6969). It would not be wrong to assume that the anti piracy measures and the activation process in both builds remained unchanged. Perhaps this made it easier for pirates to find a workaround for Beta 1 as activation cracks for pre beta builds of Windows 7 had been around for a while. One of the most popular workarounds for Build 7000 seem to be the ones based on TimerNuke - a mechanism which can manipulate the trial period countdown timer of the OS. In addition to installation/un-installation of TimerNuke, some of these cracks seem to have the ability to remove the watermark as well as to stop the OS from sending feedback (call home) to Microsoft.

However, one must remember that this is still a beta build of Windows 7. Microsoft probably is saving the best anti piracy measures to be fully implemented in the final builds of the OS. Also note that these timestopper or re-arm cracks are known to be unreliable – sometimes they won't work, sometimes they'll appear to be working but the OS will still expire, etc. However even in the case of Windows Vista, pirates started out with time stopper workarounds but then managed to release more advanced cracks such as those based on BIOS emulation by the time a Final build of Vista was released. As for me, I'm just waiting for Microsoft to introduce the next major anti piracy measure for Windows 7 to resume watching the everlasting battle between Pirates vs MS.

Note: Please do not post any cracks, key generators, links to torrent files or any other download links here.

Dynamic-Universe – Private torrent tracker with general content

Posted: 28 Dec 2008 02:29 PM CST

Dynamic Universe (DU) is a relatively new private torrent tracker which managed to show some promise has in the past two months. Although it's only about 9 weeks old, Dynamic Universe has managed to index and track over 3300 active torrents. The site's total user base now exceeds 1100. Both scene and p2p releases (movies, music, games. TV Shows, E-Books, etc) are indexed on Dynamic Universe.

For a start up tracker, DU seems to be doing really good. Instead of a bunch of torrents with only 1 seeder and slow download speeds (which is typical for most new trackers), DU indexes all major scene and p2p releases which usually get 4-5+ seeders. Apart from individual releases, this tracker has some unique packs of its own :

As you can probably guess from the screenshots+, a lot of complete TV season packs (among others) can be found on Dynamic Universe. Make sure you have a look inside 'Movies/Packs' category and 'TV/Packs' category – you may find some good collections after all.

If you are interested in joining this tracker, it's currently open for signup. Registrations are free and no invite is required during the open signup period..

Site Name: DynamicUniverse (http://www.dynamic-universe.net )

Signup URL: http://www.dynamic-universe.net/signup.php

Categories:

(Appz)
(Games/Nintendo)
(Games/XBOX)
(Movies/DVD-R)
(Movies/XviD)
(Music/MP3)
(TV/DVD)
(Audio Books)
(Games/PC)
(Movies/Blu-Ray)
(Movies/Packs)
(Music/FLAC)
(Music/Video)
(TV/Packs)
(eBooks/Comics)
(Games/Sony)
(Movies/DVD-9)
(Movies/x264)
(Music/Lab30)
(Subtitles)
(TV/x264)

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SceneTorrents (ScT) to ban Romanian IP ranges?

Posted: 28 Dec 2008 12:44 PM CST

Looks like the year 2008 is not going to end too well for Romanian BitTorrent users. SceneTorrents (ScT), an 'elite' private torrent tracker, is considering banning Romanian IP ranges from accessing the site and the tracker. Note than this ban is not enforced at the time this post is being written. But the word on ScT's IRC channel and forum is that it will soon come into effect (Hint- Current topic of Sct IRC is :: [ SCT IRC ] :: [ Upcoming .ro ban ] :: ).

ScT's move comes only a day after Romanian users were banned from the popular music tracker Waffles.fm. From what I have gathered (from forum posts and ScT IRC channel), what started the chain of events was 'feeling' (ScT SysOP) getting tipped off about several Romanian members conducting public giveaways of ScT invites (which is prohibited by tracker rules).

If you are an existing ScT member from Romania and did not violate any of the tracker rules (no cheating, no account trading, etc) there is very little reason to worry. According to 'feeling', every Romanian user account on the site will be manually reviewed before a ban is issued. However, this ban, if enforced is likely to prevent any new Romanian users from gaining access to the tracker.

Windows 7 Beta 1 (Build 7000) leaked on Bit Torrent

Posted: 28 Dec 2008 08:50 AM CST

The first beta build of Microsoft's upcoming operating system Windows 7 has leaked on Bittorrent networks. What seems to be a full (untouched) DVD ISO image of the Windows 7 Beta 1 (Version Windows 7 6.1.7000.0) has now made its was across several different public and semi private torrent networks.

Image Source: ZDnet Blog

There does not seem to be any official confirmation from Microsoft about the leak. The claim of this release being 'Windows 7 Beta 1' depends solely upon the assumption that first Windows 7 beta will carry build number 7000. The 'about window' of Windows Media Center in the leaked build states the version number as Windows 7 build 6.1.7000.0 (winmain.win7beta.081212-1400). This matches the build number of Windows 7 Beta 1 stated in ZDNet blog so it looks very much like the real deal.

Although pirates did seemingly manage to crack pre beta builds of Windows 7, there does not seem to be a crack associated with this release. From what it looks like, this is an untouched (no files modified or cracked) ISO image of the 'Windows 7 Ultimate Beta 1' and it is set to expire on the 1st of July 2009. That being said, there are already over 10000 people downloading the torrent on one well known public BitTorrent tracker alone.

Note: Please do not post cracks, key generators, links to torrent files or any other download links.