i've seen people use them too ... but try to update with SP1 which fixxes so many problem XP has its stupid
you can't because it isn't a true activation number, and windows knows it - it will tell you to contact microsoft about it.
there is NO real way to get around XP's security system either to crack the product efficiently or to actually gain full system access in the same way as is possibly with Win9x|NT
as for Mod-Chips, they're not really hacks - they're hardware updates ... you swap one bios chip for the factory generic one. I can guarentee you that whoever sells you it never made it themselves, it was a leak from the factory.
the only reason microsoft products get such a high rating for piracy is because its the highest profile product you can get. you can't really make infalible software, and whenever there is a new OS released there are thousands of bedroom hackers - some which work together, to break the codes.
and as i said before oftenly its because of a leak that they are hacked in the first place...
i don't think you can really call it a hack if someone has made something with the source - because if thats the case then Quake3 and Half-Life mods are "hacks" ... which isn't true they're modification.
The only thing that changes the term is the fact between legal and illegeal. I've been told be a friend who literally hacks software for a living, that microsoft products are the hardest to hack without referrance.
The only reason Linux is so hard to hack is quite a simple reason - there isn't a STANDARD version ... one hack for Redhat won't work with Mandrake - because there are little things which are different ... so unless you can get ahold of EVERY version of Linux and make a hack specific which also has to check for which OS - then its unlikely worth the trouble.
Windows is an extremely complex peice of software with over a billion lines of code - and it is hard even with 180 programmers to catch all of them, simply because you need flawless communication.
they fixx every possibly entry there is as quick as they can, and althought you might not like Windows - i very much doubt any other OS is going to take over anytime soon.
However Microsoft are taking to great an advantage of the situation for it to warrent me explaining the evils of piracy - because they're just as greedy selling operating systems too close together for pathetically expensive ammounts of money.
Personally i wouldn't say microsoft has failed at anything, becuase the overall system compatibility with windows is greater than any other operating system - also the overall product support is also alot greater.
Might not seem it, but for Linux it takes months when bugs are found - whereas at Microsoft they know there are bugs and don't wait for reports but deliberatly try to crash the system and debug everyday with constant updates, even if its a little thing.
Also remember that they're not only working on the OS, but also trying to make sure that is functionability is idiot proof. I really don't see the adverage users getting on with anything except BeOS or Win9x/XP ... most here don't count as adverage users as you've all been using computer for years, you understand quite a far bit - perhaps not as much as some around here, but still understand FAR MORE than the adverage user cares to know.
I think because Windows is really the only viable choice right now everyone loves to sit there and find faults with it ... if you look closely at any program you'll find thousands of fualts - doesn't make it any less of a program.
I mean i can sit here and telling you a list as long as both my arms whats wrong with 3dsmax. That said, i still use it daily and although i'd prefer not to as much after a while of understanding howto get around its quirks you relise that it is a powerful tool.
personally i hope this new version of windows isn't leaked, because it is a serious peice of kit which is going to have 2years of debug time prior to release - as well as 2years of professional hackers cracking it.
Once it comes out, you can expect it'll be a while before ANYONE hacks it.
I think the beauty about AuthentiCode, is that even with the source code - you need to understand the language to understand how the key algorithms are developed.
(^_^) so i'm pretty sure it is going to be secure
Anata aru kowagaru no watashi! 
