Like second hand lap tops (note books) and or desktops for instance. I am looking at buying a "refurbished" lap top from a local guy in a recent local newspaper, but although he says the lap tops he has in his posession come with registered copies of XP and Office 2002 professional, how do I know he's genuine?
And that should I go ahead and buy one of the "refurbished" lap tops he has had, that I'm wouldn't be taking illegal posession/use of microsoft software, either with or without the CD-ROMS they should come/originate from?
I'm not even sure that he includes the software CD-ROMS with the lap tops he advertises in the newspaper classifieds.
How can I be alert and cautious in this matter?
I don't want a fine of the $10,000 otherwise $100,000 for being in posession/use of Microsoft's software!
2007-08-28 07:06:07 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Someone who works at a local computer shop recently told me something about OEM or EOM whatever that is and that apparently, Microsoft wants any computers sold on second hand with their software installed to be removed prior to the original owner/purchaser of the software selling the computer.
If a windows compatible computer, whether a lap top or desktop, if it doesn't have the "OEM" or "EOM" (whichever it is) authentic stickers (labels) stuck on them, could that mean their dodgy and best not worth buying/using?
2007-08-28 07:21:49 · update #1
Also, when I asked the guy on the phone about whether the apparent refurbished lap tops in his posession of "20 suppliers" had genuine OS and office on them or not, he replied to me abruptly saying something like "They're all registered... I've gotta go, if you want them ring me during the week." then he hung up.
2007-08-28 07:28:13 · update #2
If you buy a refurbished lap-top or PC, the copy of Windows is likely to be registered, just not to you. The (Microsoft) License that comes with Windows clearly states that if you sell your computer, you have to remove Windows prior to the sale. You can then install Windows on a new computer. However, with many refurbished machines, the copy of Windows is invalid and you will soon find out that you cannot receive updates or download any other software from Microsoft. It's highly unlikely that Microsoft would fine you but they would want to know where you got your lap-top from, assuming they come after you, which isn't really likely. As for other software, if he does NOT supply the original Disks, the software is pirated. Now, this is differentto having an unlicensed copy of Windows and many software manufacturers would be interested in suing you for using pirate software. All non-Windows software should be "FULL" versions and NOT OEM. OEM can only be licensed when a new machine is "originally" built and not for refurbishments. Finally, I'd advise you NOT to risk your money as the guy is advertising. Therefore, if he is caught (which is very likely as he is advertising) the police will confiscate your lap-top and you'll lose your money. Try saving a little more and get a new lap-top which won't cost much more than a refurbished one and you will get more up to date hardware, a bigger HDD, better graphics etc. and a "GUARANTEE".
OEM Software is "bundled" software and is NOT FULL VERSION! OEM is software that has limitations to it's use and is "not for sale". It is an offence to sell it or to install it on any machine other than an Original Machine, that's what the O and M mean "Original" and "Machine". As for stickers, the original Windows sticker has to be removed and the software uninstalled before resale. The software on a refurbished lap top has to be pirated as only full-versions can be installed legally and full-versions of any software is expensive. A full version of XP Home will cost around $400 and it's around $600 for XP Pro. Add the $1,000+ price tag for the full version of Microsoft Office and there is no way anybody would buy a used lap top for three times the price of a new one. Remember, a sticker only proves that some software has been registered to somebody but is not proof that it's you. If you go ahead and buy, all software, including XP should be in sealed boxes / cases and the keys should not be on display. Keys will be inside the box / case.
2007-08-28 07:27:10 · answer #1 · answered by kendavi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello; This is very easy! The notebook/laptop will have a sticker of MS Windows on it, authenticating the fact that it does indeed have a legal copy. If the operating system it XP Home edition, then it has to be registered & activated within 30 days, or stops working... If it has XP Professional version, one can get away with using an illegal copy for years, but you will not enjoy the updated security releases, nor the newer Internet Explorer 7 that has come out recently.
I guess one way to tell is to have the guy power on the machine; go to http://update.microsoft.com and see if the macine passes MS validation, and make certain all updates are in place... if the guy claims it has all the updates, take a look at the blue 'e' icon that symbolizes Internet Explorer... if the "swoosh" around the e is blue, it's got the older version, and has not been updated. If, however, the blue e has got the gold colored "swoosh" (the swoosh could be seen as an orbital path; like a satelite orbiting earth), but the new IE 7 update has a gold one, while the older ones are blue...
I'd say the non-removeable sticker from MS (which also has the CD key on it), is the first and most important thing... go ahead to MS and make sure it passes Validation, and you've got yourself a legal version of Windows XP. The windows version is valid for the machine its installed on only; it's not transferable to another machine, but if the machine changes hands, then the OS (operating system; windows xp) changes hands with the machine! Even if you had an 'illegal' version of windows, you'd be very unlikely to get 'in trouble' from the "software Nazis" (My term for them).... unless you were making copies of windows and selling or sharing them over the internet, or in a store.... MS is not interested in going after people like you, it's the real pirates they're after!
I used a copy of XP pro on my wife's machine for 2 yrs, and the only thing that resulted was an inability to do updates... and an annoying message everytime the pc started! Once we were able to get a new copy of XP Home version, reinstall it, and register it, we were good to go! We did our 3 years worth of updates (whew! took a while too!), and now we're more secure.
I hope this has helped
2007-08-28 14:21:34 · answer #2 · answered by Mark MacIver 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Generally you would only be requested/forced to buy a legitimate copy of the software from windows. Be sure to keep all sales records of the transaction and if there are any questions as to the validity you would not be held responsible.
You may end up having to purchase the appropriate software licensing, but you can always recoup this from the seller if it was not a legitimate copy in the first place.
2007-08-28 14:13:01 · answer #3 · answered by Jeremie I 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It would be the registered copy to that computer. He who owns the computer owns the rights to use the software.
2007-08-28 14:14:49 · answer #4 · answered by krennao 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
they wont fine you, all my software is illegal, well most of it.. and you wont know till you try to update windows if its legal, and to be honest on windows XP you can just use a corperate cdkey (frm a company) and it will let you update and stuff.
2007-08-28 14:12:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
hey well umm i was thinking wat about you try to donwnload something from the microsoft website they use active x to dtermine if the software is genuine or not or you could email then with the software code number
2007-08-28 14:11:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋