TurboTax DRM Writes to Your Boot Sector?!

ltwally writes "As reported on Slashdot (amongst other sites) recently, the latest version of TurboTax is laden with DRM software. Even worse, however, is that it apparently writes to your hard drive's boot-sector , as reported at Extreme Tech here. As I'm sure most Slashdotters already know, the boot-sector is often times used for silly things like boot-loaders and such. "

Well, if they're writing...

[spazoid12]

to my boot sector...I hope it's a really lovely story. Maybe a romance novel would be nice.

How Appropriate

[yukster]

Virii write to boot sector

DRM writes to boot sector

hmmmm...

that settles it

[dubiousmike]

Now I am defintely NOT doing my taxes...again.

TurboTax XP

[Openadvocate]

Hmm seems to me like this product rather should be called Turbotax XP.

Ah, the power of friends

[tuba_dude]

It's times like these when I feel lucky that I've got a good buddy that's a tax guy...and I've got dirt on him.

This is a wonderful way to do things . . .

[D1rtbag]

I can just imagine every piece of software writing its particular attempt to defeat piracy in our boot sectors; finally, we'd have a regular mosh-pit of games and apps regularly crashing our systems and giving virus-checkers fits of apoplexy. Bravo to Intuit for being a trendsetter .

Re:Heh, silly me.

[0xdeadbeef]

You have to be on some sort of crack to write to a person's boot sector. Period. That's just off limits.

I write to your fiancee's boot sector. Zing!

I wonder...

[seldolivaw]

If you use a pirated copy of tax submission software, can you still declare it as an expense?

The ultimate tax software!

[InfinityWpi]

Yes, our new tax software does to your hard drive what the IRS is going to do to you!

Hey, watch it buddy.

[kfg]

That's revisionism you're talking there, and the guy who once modded me down as Flamebait for saying a pocket sized spiral bound notebook was the best "PDA" I've ever had is going to be gunning for your ass.

When we play Solitare around here we use a $3000 machine, and don't you forget it.

KFG

Re:Linux interop?

[cookiepus]

LILO and GRUB shouldn't have the monopoly on fucking up my boot sector, damnit!

Re:Tax preparation for Macintosh

[titzandkunt]

How, in the name of God, does a post which consists of three questions get modded "5 Informative"?

"5 Interrogative", would be more appropriate, no?

T&K.

Re:I just bought that yesterday!

[TheRaven64]

1) Install a bootloader.
2) Remove floppy drive from computer.
3) Install TurboTax.
4) Shut down computer.
5) Remove CD drive.
6) Power up.
7) Ooops. Unable to boot, MBR corrupt.
8) Return to shop, and demand compensation for 'destruction' of computer.
9) Be refused compensation.
10) Hire ludicrously overpriced consultant to fix MBR (say $300).
11) Send bill to TurboTax.
12) Have bill returned with letter expaining politely that it's not their problem.
13) Forward bill and letter to national news services who love to publish this kind of crap.
14) Watch the bottom drop out of TurboTax's share price, and smile.

Note: Paying the consultant is optional.

Re:Analog tax returns

[Anonymous Coward]

Let me clarify: if you're on slashdot, your time means nothing to you.

Re:Analog tax returns

[khuber]

I'm so sick of this "it's only less if your time is worth nothing" garbage. For some, it might work, but when you spend hours on slashdot, I can't give you any credit to that statement.

I imagine you'll be doing your taxes by hand then. I suppose you beat your clothing against rocks in the river and hand knit your clothing using wool sheared from sheep you raise in your backyard.

-Kevin

Re:3D Studio Max does a similar thing.

[Semi-Psychic Nathan]

No problem, as long as you don't need to boot your computer.

Rebii? Apparatii? Cactii? Octopii? Walrii?

[Wee]

I'm not afraid of virii. It's the trojii and worii that really scare me [monkeygumbo.com].

-B

Re:I just bought that yesterday!

[Marc2k]

Hmm..ok, I'm about to start the process, but I'm a little confused. Step 2 is remove my floppy drive, and step 4 is shut down...ok let's se here...*BZZZT*

taxes?

[trybywrench]

fffttt i did my taxes over a year ago.

Re:Wincrash

[Anonymous Coward]

My Linux partition crashed two years ago. And, to my surprise as it was frustrating at the time, I don't miss it very much.

My .sxw-files now are .doc-files.


Will I get +1 Informative for being of the opposite opinion and supporting Microsoft? I doubt it.

Re:How Appropriate

[Anonvmous Coward]

"The OED disagrees with you. Viruses is the plural. "

SHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP!

Wow. I've been building that one up for a while now! Man you guys get into the dorkiest arguments here. No wonder the Valentine's advice didn't go over so well here, heh.

Seriously, put this argument to bed. It is not +1, Insightful. It is not +1, Interestinging. It is -1, Redundant. Viruses and Virii both are acceptable answers. Why? Not because anybody's declared it, but because we know what you're talking about. Those of us that had to take mandatory latin classes need a place to vent this stuff.

Right on! But ...

[Anonymous Coward]

I think that should be "nitpicking smart-asses".

Re:How Appropriate

[dasunt]

Anonvmous Coward writes:

Viruses and Virii both both are acceptable answers. Not because anybody's declared it, but because we know what you're talking about. Those of us that had to take mandatory latin classes need a place to vent this stuff.

thnx. dat's y i rite like dis. odder peeps complane, but i say dat u can reed it so dont wine. inglish magers complane to much.

Actually, I'll go with the anal twits here. Virus has no plural in latin, thus you go with the english plural rules which says add an -es. Its a quibble, but if you want to seem educated, then understand what you are talking about, and what terms you are using.

OTOH, it wouldn't suprise me if the 'virii' term passes into the dictionaries in a dozen or so years. Other false latin plurals, such as octopii, haven't, but virii seems to be in common usage, and dictionaries don't only strive to show correct usage and spelling, but they also incorporate new usages and spellings, however inaccurate, if the usage or spelling is accepted as being correct.

wahhht

[pr0ntab]

I think the point is that no would do that because no one outside America would attempt to break TurboTax's DRM because they would never need to use it! (insert US-centric slashdot rant here) If you're still confused, people in Eastern Europe don't pay our Uncle Sam income tax.

I mean, if you're going to break the law in umpteen countries by circumventing the copy protection, you might as well have a good reason! No amount of charity would make me touch that POS software with a 10 foot pole. (really, turbotax is the pits, its not even fun!)