DEAL: *free* USB key

[Nikolai]

I know that quite a few of the dgrinners have a beef with MS, but maybe this will be helpfull regadless on which side of the fence you are:-)

Microsoft is giving away free USB keys. They may not be latest, greatest and largest, but hey - they are *free* :wink

To get one, you need to have:
1) internet access (which you already have since you are reading this:-)
2) valid email address (duh)
3) valid Microsoft Passport login

Once having all three, follow these simple steps:
1) go to http://www.microsoft.com//windowsxp/mysterysolved/corp/default.mspx
2) click on the USB key picture on the RHP of the page
3) fill out shipping info
4) answer the trivia questions: 2, True, True, True
5) wait for validation email and click on the validation link
6) that's all folks:-)

HTH

[John Mueller]

Thanks Nik,
I been wanting to try one of these things out.What a better way than free,but is it really free:dunno
Got one coming.

[Andy]

Awfully nice of BillyG, innit?

And, it even works from my Mac :lol3

[Bob Bell]

Awfully nice of BillyG, innit?

And, it even works from my Mac :lol3

Are you laughing cause you have a Mac sticker that will cover up the MS logo?

[GraphyFotoz]

Wonder how much space is on it and if it can have the info wipped off so you can use it for other data?:scratch
I got one coming also!
Thanx Nik!

[JohnR]

3) valid Microsoft Passport login



What's that? And how would I go about getting one?

[Nikolai]

What's that? And how would I go about getting one?

It's easy. If you don't have one you'll be able to sign up for it (again, valid email is needed). You may never use it again, but it's free and they don't ask for SSN or CC number... It's simply a unified security check-point for many MS online product (mail, messenger, any "Live" solution, etc.). Pretty convenient actually (in case you use "Winternet", of course:-)

HTH

[JohnR]

It's easy. If you don't have one you'll be able to sign up for it (again, valid email is needed). You may never use it again, but it's free and they don't ask for SSN or CC number... It's simply a unified security check-point for many MS online product (mail, messenger, any "Live" solution, etc.). Pretty convenient actually (in case you use "Winternet", of course:-)

HTH


Heh..actually no, that didn't help. Exactly HOW do I get this "passport"?

[Red Bull]

Go to www.hotmail.com

Sign up for an email address

Get your free USB key:D

Mine should be on the way. 6-8 weeks seems pretty long, but hey it's free.:D

[GraphyFotoz]

Heh..actually no, that didn't help. Exactly HOW do I get this "passport"?

You hafta sign up/register for it.
I did with no problems.....I hate signing up for stuff....I need more email like a hole in the head! :rofl :huh

[wxwax]

Thanks Nik. Any idea what size they are?

[Nikolai]

Thanks Nik. Any idea what size they are?
Sid, no idea:dunno . I *hope* they would think twice before putting MS logo on something really-really small, so I'm hoping at least for 128Mb.:scratch Can be wrong, though, and it's a meager 64. OTOH, could be wrong again, and it would be nice 1Gb:-):rofl

[wxwax]

Sid, no idea:dunno . I *hope* they would think twice before putting MS logo on something really-really small, so I'm hoping at least for 128Mb.:scratch Can be wrong, though, and it's a meager 64. OTOH, could be wrong again, and it would be nice 1Gb:-):rofl
Thanks Nik. :thumb

[Nikolai]

Heh..actually no, that didn't help. Exactly HOW do I get this "passport"?

It's been a while since I got mine, so I don't remember all the details.
But when I was requesting USB and they asked for the Passport, I remember there was a link like "get one if you don't have it". Should be *really* that simple :dunno Yet again, it's no "macternet", so there might be some gotchas :rolleyes

Not sure if this helps..

[JohnR]

It's been a while since I got mine, so I don't remember all the details.
But when I was requesting USB and they asked for the Passport, I remember there was a link like "get one if you don't have it". Should be *really* that simple :dunno Yet again, it's no "macternet", so there might be some gotchas :rolleyes

Not sure if this helps..

I got it now. :thumb

Why does MS put those ads in the email site before you can read your messages?

[dragon300zx]

Mystery Solved. I gots me a key. Just more free MS Swag. I've got bags, t-shirts, notepads, tons of free software, hat, etc, etc, etc. I love going to microsoft seminars :D .

[ChrisJ]

Cool, Thanks Nik! I signed up for mine!

[Nikolai]

Cool, Thanks Nik! I signed up for mine!
I wish my photography-related posts drew the same size crowd:rofl
Cheers!:1drink

[limbik]

Thanks! Now if only it came with the answer to the hot dog dillemma... :dunno

[JimM]

Thanks for the tip, I signed up for one too!

Thanks Nik. Any idea what size they are?

About two years ago I got a free one of these from MS for signing up for their Developer Action Pack. Not sure if this is any indication, but the one I got then was 128mb.

[Nikolai]

Thanks for the tip, I signed up for one too!

Youre most certainly welcome!:):

About two years ago I got a free one of these from MS for signing up for their Developer Action Pack. Not sure if this is any indication, but the one I got then was 128mb.
I like the indication:-):thumb
Cheers!:1drink

[mr peas]

All I need to know is, can I format this thing and use it as a small thumb drive? :D

[DanielB]

not quite sure what i'll need it for, but its free so i got one.:D thanks Nik

[JimM]

All I need to know is, can I format this thing and use it as a small thumb drive? :D

Yes, for sure.:clap

[Dee]

For some strange reason Safari didn't work and I had to open IE to get to the site. But after a lot of back and forth (I already had the "pass thingie" but forgot I had it. I tried hot mail, but got so much spam I don't even remember now what my e-mail was or is. I had 2 hotmails... one got spam immediately, the one with some numbers in it took awhile, but they were getting equal amounts of spam, so I use neither account, think I cancelled one of them, but not the other) I finally got notification that my USB key will be on it's way.

OK -- now I need help -- how do I erase and initialize it to work in my Mac???

And thanks, Nik, I always wanted one of these. I'm not off to tell my family and friends. If nothing works, my son-in-law uses a PC... Maybe he can make it work with a Mac.

[Nikolai]

OK -- now I need help -- how do I erase and initialize it to work in my Mac???

Once you get it, simply connect it to one the USB ports. Your machine should detect it as a new media. Simply delete everything you find over there, and you'll be, er, golden:):

And thanks, Nik, I always wanted one of these. I'm not off to tell my family and friends. If nothing works, my son-in-law uses a PC... Maybe he can make it work with a Mac.
You're welcome! And yes, the beauty of USB keys is that USB a cross-platform standard, so you'll be able to use it.
Cheers!:1drink

[kudbegud]

Thanks Nik!!! how in the heck did you discover this in the first place?

[Nikolai]

Thanks Nik!!! how in the heck did you discover this in the first place?
You're welcome:-)
As to the source.. Well, as a software developer I have friends in the trade who have friends, and so on.. Networking I think it's called:-)
Cheers!:1drink

[CBC1260]

Thanks, Nik.

[Nikolai]

Thanks, Nik.
And you're welcome:-)

[Mitchell]

I wonder if anyone has actually received their USB key from this promotion.
Was this all just a scam?

[Nikolai]

I wonder if anyone has actually received their USB key from this promotion.
Was this all just a scam?
But I still keep the faith :):

[Art Scott]

I wonder if anyone has actually received their USB key from this promotion.
Was this all just a scam?
I haven't....not yet....:dunno

[JimM]

Not yet. :scratch If anyone receives it, please let us know.

[Dee]

Been wondering if it will ever show up...

[John Mueller]

I forgot all about it:dunno

[ChrisJ]

It's kind of like cereal-box toys... you forget about it long after you ordered, then one day it shows up and is a great surprise.

[Red Bull]

Yeah, it's been quite a few weeks since I sent out for mine. Still havn't gotten it. Hopefully I get it soon since it's been around 6 weeks I believe. I'll have to check. It said to allow 6-8 weeks for delivery.:dunno

[DanielB]

ditto.:dunno

[Seymore]

Been just over 7 weeks for me. Still, nothing in the mail... :dunno

[GraphyFotoz]

Nope nothing here yet either!

Mighta been a BS scam to get info.....those are tick'n me off!!:splat

[CBC1260]

Been just over 7 weeks for me. Still, nothing in the mail... :dunno

sent for mine in January; nothing yet

[Seymore]

Sorta changes ones view of MS as "the scammer/spammer".

[Stef]

I've received nothing either. I would bet that my junk mail increases now that they have my address though. What a scam. :dunno

[colourbox]

Keep in mind that the fine print says "only while supplies last" ...

[SpeshulEd]

*This offer is available in the U.S. only while supplies last. USB drive is 16MB in size. Limit one per customer. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery.

It also says that its only 16MB.

[dragon300zx]

Thank you for your interest in the Mystery Solved Windows® licensing promotion. We've received your request for more information to help clarify Microsoft® Windows Desktop Licensing pre-loaded on the USB drive. Unfortunately, this Mystery Solved promotion was available in the U.S. only and while supplies last. Supply is depleted at this time, so we encourage you to please utilize the online alternative today.

Simply download* the Windows Desktop Licensing reference files directly at:

www.microsoft.com/mysterysolved/corp (javascript:ol('http://r.email.microsoft.com/r/r?1.1.Gb.BL.1Kef9O.C3D4L8..H.D1cI.1ysO.332HA0');)

To help simplify Windows Desktop Licensing, keep these points in mind:

http://a676.g.akamaitech.net/f/676/773/60m/images.delivery.net/cm50content/1544/090081018049dc11/1.gifhttp://a676.g.akamaitech.net/f/676/773/60m/images.delivery.net/cm50content/1544/090081018049dc11/spacer.gif There are two legal ways to acquire a full Windows Desktop license: through your hardware vendor (OEM/System Builder) or Full Packaged Product. http://a676.g.akamaitech.net/f/676/773/60m/images.delivery.net/cm50content/1544/090081018049dc11/spacer.gif http://a676.g.akamaitech.net/f/676/773/60m/images.delivery.net/cm50content/1544/090081018049dc11/2.gifhttp://a676.g.akamaitech.net/f/676/773/60m/images.delivery.net/cm50content/1544/090081018049dc11/spacer.gif Volume licensing covers Windows Desktop operating system upgrades only. http://a676.g.akamaitech.net/f/676/773/60m/images.delivery.net/cm50content/1544/090081018049dc11/spacer.gif http://a676.g.akamaitech.net/f/676/773/60m/images.delivery.net/cm50content/1544/090081018049dc11/3.gifhttp://a676.g.akamaitech.net/f/676/773/60m/images.delivery.net/cm50content/1544/090081018049dc11/spacer.gif OEM operating system licenses live and die with each PC–they are not transferable.
Again, thank you for your interest in Mystery Solved and for helping us spread the word about proper Windows licensing.

Sincerely,
Microsoft Corporation

[JimM]

I just received the same email:

Unfortunately, this Mystery Solved promotion was available in the U.S. only and while supplies last. Supply is depleted at this time, so we encourage you to please utilize the online alternative today.

[DJ-S1]

yep, just got mine too. The email, that is. :wxwax

[Dee]

I was too lazy to find this thread, so I started a new one. Oh well <sigh>

[mr peas]

It also says that its only 16MB.

Is it really just 16 megs? What can you do with 16 megs!? :huh:dunno

[DavidTO]

Is it really just 16 megs? What can you do with 16 megs!? :huh:dunno


Not much of a deal!

[Forehead]

Yeah, that won't even hold one RAW 5MP picture.:noob

Is it really just 16 megs? What can you do with 16 megs!? :huh:dunno

[Forehead]

At only 16mb, those "supplies" should "last" a long time :snore

Keep in mind that the fine print says "only while supplies last" ...

[JimM]

Sure took them long enough to tell us their supplies ran out.

[John Mueller]

Do I hear class action:dunno:D:rofl:wink

[DanielB]

got the e-mail.:wxwax i knew it was just to get our e-mails

[John Mueller]

got the e-mail.:wxwax i knew it was just to get our e-mails

and I hold Nik responsible :lol4

[Zanotti]

got the e-mail.:wxwax i knew it was just to get our e-mails

Thank you for your interest in the Mystery Solved Windows® licensing promotion. We've received your request for more information to help clarify Microsoft® Windows Desktop Licensing pre-loaded on the USB drive. Unfortunately, this Mystery Solved promotion was available in the U.S. only and while supplies last. Supply is depleted at this time, so we encourage you to please utilize the online alternative today.

Simply download* the Windows Desktop Licensing reference files directly at:

Blah, blah, blah, blah.....I feel ripped off!

[ziggy53]

Thank you for your interest in the Mystery Solved Windows® licensing promotion. We've received your request for more information to help clarify Microsoft® Windows Desktop Licensing pre-loaded on the USB drive. Unfortunately, this Mystery Solved promotion was available in the U.S. only and while supplies last. Supply is depleted at this time, so we encourage you to please utilize the online alternative today.

Simply download* the Windows Desktop Licensing reference files directly at:

Blah, blah, blah, blah.....I feel ripped off!

"I feel ripped off" = "I feel Microsofted"

[GraphyFotoz]

I just received the same email:

Unfortunately, this Mystery Solved promotion was available in the U.S. only and while supplies last. Supply is depleted at this time, so we encourage you to please utilize the online alternative today.

From Microsoft this doesn't surprise me!
They never said in the beginning it wasn't for USA!
Pffffffff figures!!!

[luckyrwe]

The real reply:

Unfortunately, this Mystery Solved promotion was available in the U.S. only and while supplies last. We gave away both of them.