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k folks, some will like, some will not, but this is how I got a free Vista Ultimate key (actually three now) and how you can too (or Home Premium if you like).
Go into your local electronics super store. There are many computers there now with Vista installed on them. Either under, or somewhere else, is the M$ COA with the key, right there in plain sight. These machines have never been activated. Pretend to be talking to a friend on your cell phone about the machine you're looking at, when you are actually using the memo function on your cell phone to record the key as you recite it. Tip: It will be very noisy on playback due to the background noise, so be sure to say letters as words such as Mary for M Charlie for C, Apple for A, etc., otherwise you won't be able to decipher the key on playback (this happened to me the first time). This of course works best if you have a name brand machine; if you have a Gateway, get one from a Gateway machine, if you have HP, than an HP, if you have a Dell... oppps! I guess you're SOL.
Note: I -think- that if you use any valid key, even from a different manufacture, call M$ to activate, they WILL activate you! I did this on one of my machines and it is fully activated and Genuine, can't say it will work for you but what's it cost to try?
"Why hack it when you can have it?!" whistlingbop1.gif
Now, if you are a person who this suggestion is making your blood boil, consider the fact that these are all demo machines that will not be sold. If this is no consolation for you, than please disregard this post.
Taking a photo might be easier but in low light it may be hard and with low quality; let alone looking suspicious; and with CCTV security cameras around.
Anyway, its an interesting way of going about getting a key, which I have never thought of! Although i'd think, after 30 days the machine in the store would have to be activated, many are reporting this works.
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Or just do what I did, buy a new computer, find something wrong with it, exchange it. Make sure to record the CDkey before you return it. Now I have 2 Premium keys.
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...acatually did this last week. I went into a electronic store and inputted a serial (a Packard Bell OEM serial) into my phone (looking at the side of a tower and went away to input each part into my phone) it did work and it sucessfully activated without any problems...
All demo machines are sold eventually, unless physically damaged beyond operation. Here's the scenario for the little scheme - you grab a key from a demo system. 3 months later the demo is sold and some poor guy brings it home and tries to activate. Activation fails so shmuck calls MS. After a mildly frustrating process which works it's way to our GA unit, the key on the COA is invalidated and a new key is issued. A memo is then sent to retailers asking them to better protect keys on display systems. In the end, you, mr. thief, end up with a key that won't pass validation for updates and downloads.
Does anyone have any ideas on the security of these key stickers on store machines; and how this key stealing is prevented if it is at all possible? Even after obtaining key, a copy of the operating system itself will have to be sourced; be it borrowed from a friend or downloaded illegally.
I take this opportunity to say, I in no way endorse this stealing of keys, which is most probably illegal, and I am posting this here for discussion value only.
It might sound good and will probably work, but then like you said once the computer is sold, things will start rolling and I'm sure the shop you bought it from will do anything in their power to find out how it happened.
So you'll probably end up 'nicked' or your operating system wont be able to receive updates, etc.
I was reading this on thehotfix the other day and I have to say that it’s more hassle than it’s worth...I mean honestly your underneath the CCTV cameras and people are wandering around, is it really worth getting a criminal record for?
Personally when it comes to the COA I think it would benefit the retailers if they put the COA inside/underneath the machine when on display...failing that they just didn’t display the COA and just kept records of which COA goes with which machine.
BTW who would actually try this method to obtain a key?
Hmm, I wouldn't advice you to do this. You get caught and you are in trouble - and I'm pretty sure you would.
I can get hold of illegal copies anyway, but would I want to? No thanks, XP already takes up enough system resources, I don't want more crap!
As far as I know, keys are often reset (something like 3 months). So, if you activate a key and say, 6 months later the machine is sold and the user tries to activate it. It'll work. If it doesn't, your activation code WILL work with WGA. Microsoft bans only 1000+ used keys.
I didn't test it on VIsta, but I can assure XP works this way.
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Now I have 2 Premium keys. 
