Computer screens are darkening in China, and it's not because the nation's netizens are powering down.

中国的许多电脑屏幕都成了黑沉沉的一片，这可不是因为中国网民关机了。

Several dozen users of Microsoft's XP operating system and its Office software took to the Internet today to say that their desktop backgrounds had begun turning black. The switch doesn't render the computer unusable, but it undoes people's efforts to personalize their computer screens with photos or designs. Many said they were able to restore their original desktops only to have their screens turn black again an hour later.

数十名使用微软(Microsoft)XP操作系统及其Office软件的用户周二上午在互联网上求助，说自己的桌面背景变成了黑色。这种变化并不影响电脑的使用，但人们设置的个性化桌面会失效。许多人都说，他们可以恢复原先的桌面，但一个小时以后他们的屏幕又变成了黑色。

The users have run into one of Microsoft Corp.'s latest anti-piracy efforts. Its Windows Genuine Advantage software, installed via recent online updates, determines whether the software on the computer is legitimate or pirated. Users will be treated with plain black desktop if their computers fail the validation process. Meanwhile, a persistent desktop notification will pop up at the right corner, warning that the user may be a victim of software counterfeiting.

这些用户是中了微软的反盗版新招。微软的Windows Genuine Advantage软件通过最近的更新程序安装在了用户的电脑上，它会检测电脑上的软件是正版还是盗版。如果用户的电脑没有通过验证，就会“享受”纯黑色桌面待遇。与此同时，屏幕右下角会弹出一个持续存在的桌面提示，提醒用户可能是盗版软件的受害者。

The company says that many of the press reports so far have misinterpreted the new measure. Background images can be returned. Users can purchase the software they're using. And during the whole process, the user's applications won't be affected and information won't get lost.

微软称，迄今为止的许多媒体报道都误解了上述新的手段。原有的桌面背景可以恢复。用户可以购买他们正在使用的软件。在整个过程中，用户的应用程序不会受到影响，信息也不会丢失。

The software isn't restricted to China, but with many users owning illegitimate copies it has created a stir online there. According to the stats from several popular online forums such as Tianya.com, more than 50 users were treated with black desktop about 10 minutes past midnight.

该软件并非仅限于中国，但由于中国使用盗版软件的用户数量众多，微软的这一举措已经在中国互联网上激起轩然大波。天涯(Tianya.com)等几家人气很高的在线论坛的数据显示，在周二零点过后10分钟左右的时间里，大约有50位用户的桌面被黑。