IsGenuineEx() return code when internet is not available

>> "- IsGenuineEx() returns TA_E_ACTIVATE.- Based on the documentation of IsGenuineEx() I was expecting the return to be TA_E_INET."

Don't disable network adapters. Disabling network adapters alone won't cause IsGenuineEx() to return TA_E_ACTIVATE, however, it will change the fuzzy fingerprint in TA 3.x. So something else is also changing.

In TA 4.x we've fixed the interesting user behavior where customers disable network adapters.

To test "no internet", unplug the Ethernet cable or disconnect from the Wifi network. Don't disable network adapters.

>> "(I assume the utility uses IsGenuineEx() with non-zero values for nDaysBetweenChecks and nGraceDaysOnInetErr)."

No, it uses IsActivated().

> In TA 4.x we've fixed the interesting user behavior where customers disable network> adapters.Why does your team insist on calling this "interesting" every time it is mentioned? I wish you would stop implying that this is user foolishness when you cannot offer a better alternative when asked to do so.

The purpose of disabling a network connection is to guarantee that Windows won't use it, even if it seems to be up. This is perfectly valid user behaviour unless as mentioned you can suggest something better we can tell our users.

The fact that this messes up your "interesting" choice of hardware signature really isn't due to foolishness on our part!

Really this should be fixed in Windows. However, there are 2 better methods than disabling the network adapters. (1) On Wifi networks, disconnect from the network and (2) on Wired networks, disconnect the wire.

But regardless, in TA 4.0 (out soon) we handle the disabling network adapters behavior.

Thanks for clearing this up.