Posted: March 10, 2007/Under: Operating Systems/By: MDL Editorial Team

Vista Loader 1.0, or more commonly known as softmod.iso or softmod-l.iso software based Windows Vista OEM BIOS simulator crack, is a software boot loader or boot manager that simulates and emulates BIOS that supports activation for Windows Vista to crack and bypass the activation requirement. Invented by Chinese hackers, Vista Loader version 1.0 has been upgraded to Vista Loader 2.0. The working theory of the Vista crack is still the same. Before Windows Vista is loaded into memory, a special bootloader that will modify the computer memory to add in specific byte code to emulate BIOS of a OEM brand PC, in order to crack Windows Vista activation.

The previous Vista crack Softmod image file is actually Vista Loader 1.0 that based on DOS operating system. The crack has two branches and was named as softmod-l or softmod-b (both is the same with minor details differences), and also was massively renamed to other various names by users, and released in ISO format on 17th Februar 2007.

The new Vista Loader version 2.0 completely rewritten the code, eliminate the usage of DOS, and increase the usage of GRUB4DOS boot manager, a enhanced universal boot loader with built-in BIOS disk emulation and ATAPI CDROM driver that based on multiboot and operting system boot loader GRUB, GRand Unified Bootloader. Other improvement includes better BIOS emulation method to make the emulated BIOS compatible with previously unsupported OEM branded computer.

Features of Vista Loader 2.0

  1. Eliminate the need to physically modify real BIOS to crack Windows Vista SLP 2.0 verification and activate the operating system.
  2. Vista Loader 2.0 itself is a multiboot boot loader that contains all functionalities of GRUB4DOS, with ability to boot off DOS/LINUX, or via Windows boot manager/syslinux/lilo, or from MBR/CD.
  3. The OEM BIOS emulator is loaded before operating system is called, thus it’s safe and reliable and highly compliance. Beside, MBR (master boot record) may no longer needs to be modified.
  4. Vista Loader 2.0 does not use too much system resources, and does not conflict the software application installed in the OS.
  5. Support 32-bit and 64-bit (x86 and x54) Windows Vista, unlike OEM BIOS Emulation Toolkit 1.0 by Paradox which supports only 32-bit Vista.
  6. It’s possible that the crack will work on future operating system that uses SLP 2.0 activation technology, such as Windows Longhorn Server, with just the minor change to the value data that needs for verification and validation.
  7. Does not slow down the boot up process. Benchmark shows loader increases just additional 1 second to the booting process of computer.
  8. Simulate and emulate a few branded OEM BIOS. Currently supported are Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Sony. It’s customizable by user to increase the supported OEM brand.
  9. Automatically install the corresponding OEM certification for the brand.
  10. Can be used as bootable CD to activate Windows Vista, so that no modification or alteration is done to the hard disk drive.

Changelog and Improvements in Vista Loader 2.0

  1. Compile together with GRUB4DOS so ultra fast startup (1 second).
  2. Install to multiple boot volume, increase fault tolerance capability so that even if software mod program is deleted, Windows Vista can be loaded normally (works in NTFS partition only).
  3. Increase stability and compatibility with no change to ACPI table to support branded machine that not successful in version 1.0.
  4. Support many OEMs or brands. Inside the data folder of the archive contains all supported SLIC BIOS file and XRM-MS certificate file.
  5. Automatically load and install OEM certificate.
  6. Improve booting compatibility to support multiboot environment.
  7. Corrects error in occupying 1M to 2M memory.
  8. Corrects failure in software driver.
  9. The DOS message should no longer appear.
  10. No longer has boot option menu unless user create one.

Features and Improvements of Vista Loader 2.1

  1. Improved compatibility so that whenever OEM Vista BIOS emu crack with Vista Loader version 2.0 doesn’t work, fall back to Vista Loader version 1.0 method (more commonly known as softmod).
  2. Bug fixes.

Update: Download Vista Loader 2.1.3
Update: Download Vista Loader 2.1.2
Download Vista Loader 2.1
Download Vista Loader 2.0

After installing software based mod program for OEM BIOS crack, there is only one file that is critical, that is grldr, called by BOOT.INI of Windows to load the multiboot boot manager. grldr is the main file for GRUB4DOS which include all functionalities. Preprogrammed defalt leads the built-in menu to emulate the BIOS and loads Windows Vista installed on hard disk drive.

There are 2 methods to apply Vista Loader 2.0 as Vista crack, i.e. install directly to hard disk, or create bootable CD.

Method 1 – Bootable CD

Install software mod Vista Loader OEM BIOS emulator to a CD, and use the bootable CD to boot up the computer and then load the Windows Vista operating system to achieve the aim to activate Windows Vista without any changes to hard disk drive. It’s the safest method, although a bit troublesome as need to boot up from CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive after every reboot.

  1. Click on Start button, then select “All Programs” -> “Accessories” -> “Command Promt”. You may need to turn of UAC or open command prompt with administrator rights.
  2. Change directory to the folder where you extracted the contents of vistaloader.rar.
  3. Enter the following command in the command prompt:

    makeldr <oem_brand>

    Replace <oem_brand> with the supported OEM name that you prefer. For example “makeldr lenovo” will install BIOS emulator that emulates Lenovo in SLIC table, and will need to you use OEM certificate for Lenovo. If no option is keyed in, the default installation is ASUS. Supported OEMs currently are Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Sony.

    It’s also possible to place the files from other manufacturers inside the \data folder according the format to add in the support for other brands.

  4. After the command finished executing, a file named “grldr” will be created.
  5. Using ISO image editing or creating software such as UltraISO, add grldr file as the boot or load sector document. Other documents such as signed OEM certificate, readme document and frequently used utilities can be added to the CD ISO image too.
  6. Save the ISO image file.
  7. Burn or write the ISO image file to CD by using your favorite optical disc burning and authoring software such as Ahead Nero, Alcohol 120%, Roxio Easy Media Creator and etc.
  8. Install the OEM certificate to your Windows Vista system if applicable. Pick OEM certificate that corresponding to the brand you chose when creating the OEM BIOS emu CD loader. Use the following command to install the certificate to SLMgr (supported certificates contains in the archive, or you can download from here):

    slmgr.vbs -ilc <folder of extracted Vista Loader>\data\<OEM brand name>;.xrm-ms

  9. In applicable, change Windos Vista product key to corresponding generic OEM CD key (CD-key.txt).

Method 2 – Install Vista Load 2.0 on Hard Disk

A more dangerous method as any wrong move can render your computer unbootable. But it’s easier as there is no need to use CD to boot up the computer after each restart.

  1. If you have install softmod Vista crack (vstaldr or Vista Loader 1.0), uninstall the crack by running the uninstall.cmd contained in the softmod.iso or softmod.rar archive that you downloaded, or visit manual steps to uninstall Vista Loader 1.0 (vstaldr of softmod).
  2. Click on Start button, then select “All Programs” -> Accessories, and right click on “Command Prompt”. Click on “Run as Administrator” on the right click menu, and confirm the UAC security warning.
  3. Change directory to the folder where you extracted the contents of vistaloader.rar.
  4. Issue the install setup command with the following syntax:

    install <OEM brand name>

    Replace <OEM brand name> with the brand name that you want to emulate in BIOS. For example, “install lenovo” will emulate the BIOS with Lenovo OEM ID.

    If you just type in “install” and press Enter, the default OEM is used, which is ASUS. Supported OEMs currently are Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Sony.

    It’s also possible to place the files from other manufacturers inside the \data folder according the format to add in the support for other brands.

  5. Installer will install the software based BIOS mod program based on the selected OEM brand, and then automatically install the OEM certificate for the chosen brand.
  6. After installation of the crack, restart Vista system.
  7. Check the activation status of Windows Vista. If it’s not yet activated, try to change the product key to respective OEM CD key (CD-Key.txt).

Note: Vista Loader 2.0 setup will install loader EMU crack into each and every hard drives that contains Windows Vista installation. During uninstallation, all will be uninstall too. However, if installation for certain drivers fail, the failure can be ignored as long as the hard drive is not boot or system volume.

Uninstall Vista Loader 2.0

The steps to uninstall Vista Loader 2.0 is similar to uninstallation instruction for softmod 1.0.

  1. Open an elevated command prompt.
  2. Change directory to the extracted Vista Loader 2.0 folder.
  3. Enter the command: uninstall

Emergency recovery method in cause computer fault or malfunction after crack installed

If you facing any problem or error and unable to log on to Windows Vista after using Vista Loader crack, try to patch the system by uninstall Vista Loader with the following steps:

  1. Boot up the computer with Windows Vista installation DVD.
  2. Choose Install.
  3. At the screen where you’re asked to input product key, press Shift + F10 keyboard shortcut to trigger command prompt.
  4. Change directory to the folder where Vista Loader 2.0 is extracted.
  5. Execute uninstall command.

Note:

  1. If you’re familiar with GRUB or GRUB4DOS, you can create your own self defined menu list. Simply create a menu.lst file and place in the boot volume/sector. The command to emulate BIOS (acpi) must be added, else Vista crack will fail.
  2. The Vista Loader software BIOS emu only support operating system that uses SLP 2.0 technology, where the first OS is Windows Vista. Thus, OEM version of Windows XP is not activatable with this hack.
  3. The BIOS emu will not affect software compatibility on Windows Vista.
  4. The program only input the OEM verification data value into memory during the initialization phase, and will not be stayed resident in the memory, and also will not read anything from the disk.
  5. There are only 2 possible failures, i.e operating system unable to boot up or operating system is not activated. Make sure that you following the correct procedures.
  6. It’s possible to create a bootable USB with Vista Loader to crack Windows Vista activation. However, it’s more complicated.
  7. This program is recommended only in testing environment. Usage is restricted to technology research. Not allow to use in pirated software. Please support genuine software.

Disclaimer: This article is for education and informational purpose only. Please support genuine software.

Share This Post