As off yesterday hacked versions of win XP will no longer get critical updates.<br />So one day later there is a HACK for that.<br /><br />Microsoft Genuine Advantage Cracked in 24 Hours -<br />http://www.boingboing.net/2005/07/28/microsoft_genuine_ad.html (hack that<br />disables the check)<br /><br />This week, Microsoft started requiring users to verifiy their serial<br />number before using Windows Update. This effort to force users to either buy<br />XP<br />or tell them where you got the illegal copy is called 'Genuine Advantage.'<br /><br /><br /> Before pressing 'Custom' or 'Express' buttons paste this text to the<br />address bar and press enter:<br /><br /> javascript:void(window.g_sDisableWGACheck='all')