Beware of Fake XP

[Johnny]

I bought 5 windows XP Pro last month at $50 each in front
of a STAPLES store at 125th Street in Harlem, NY. I
believed it was a very good deal. After building 5 PCs for
my personal business and installed XP I realized that they
were illegal because I couldn't register them. I entered
their codes or serial numbers in a search engine and found
them online. I was so shocked... I bought them because the
software came in a package sealed like the real thing with
manual and everything. It looked real. If you are reading
this, be aware and don't buy anything if it is not on a
shelf of a computer store. I lost $250 because it was in
front of a store. I thought it was legit.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Reporting Piracy in the U.S.
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/reporting/piracy_in_us.asp

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


|I bought 5 windows XP Pro last month at $50 each in front
| of a STAPLES store at 125th Street in Harlem, NY. I
| believed it was a very good deal. After building 5 PCs for
| my personal business and installed XP I realized that they
| were illegal because I couldn't register them. I entered
| their codes or serial numbers in a search engine and found
| them online. I was so shocked... I bought them because the
| software came in a package sealed like the real thing with
| manual and everything. It looked real. If you are reading
| this, be aware and don't buy anything if it is not on a
| shelf of a computer store. I lost $250 because it was in
| front of a store. I thought it was legit.

 

[Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)]

They offer it at $150-250 dollars a copy less than the correct cost and you
"don't" suspect that anything is wrong?

Guess you learned that you get what you pay for! Had they worked, you would
have cheated Microsoft out of $750 to $1250. I don't feel sorry for you!

--
Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

 

[Guest]

want cheap legit Real XP check out
http://softwarecds.com/cart/index.php
already gotten a cople on my own perfect.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I bought 5 windows XP Pro last month at $50 each in front
of a STAPLES store at 125th Street in Harlem, NY. I
believed it was a very good deal. After building 5 PCs for
my personal business and installed XP I realized that they
were illegal because I couldn't register them. I entered
their codes or serial numbers in a search engine and found
them online. I was so shocked... I bought them because the
software came in a package sealed like the real thing with
manual and everything. It looked real. If you are reading
this, be aware and don't buy anything if it is not on a
shelf of a computer store. I lost $250 because it was in
front of a store. I thought it was legit.

Part of me wants to be kind.

But the larger part wants to ask, "Why didn't you just go into the store and
ask if the guy selling out front was doing it on behalf of the store or
without their knowledge?" Sixty seconds of trouble would have saved you
$250. Not a hard choice to make there, I don't make $15,000/hour for my
time - if you do, then I can see why you just bought them outright..

Again, part of me feels your pain. You saw what you thought was a deal, but
somewhere, in the back of your head, I have to think a voice was saying
"This is too good to be true!" or "What if this is a rip-off?" or something
similar AS you forked over the money.

I hope you paid cash.. Otherwise - who knows what else you opened yourself
for. They might have your credit card number now.. Or if you wrote them a
check.. And they got your address and possibly drivers license
information.. This could get interesting.

 

[Peter A. Stavrakoglou]

Part of me wants to be kind.

But the larger part wants to ask, "Why didn't you just go into the store and
ask if the guy selling out front was doing it on behalf of the store or
without their knowledge?" Sixty seconds of trouble would have saved you
$250. Not a hard choice to make there, I don't make $15,000/hour for my
time - if you do, then I can see why you just bought them outright..

Again, part of me feels your pain. You saw what you thought was a deal, but
somewhere, in the back of your head, I have to think a voice was saying
"This is too good to be true!" or "What if this is a rip-off?" or something
similar AS you forked over the money.

I hope you paid cash.. Otherwise - who knows what else you opened yourself
for. They might have your credit card number now.. Or if you wrote them a
check.. And they got your address and possibly drivers license
information.. This could get interesting.

When is anything bought from a side-walk in NYC not a knock-off?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

There's nothing in the least bit legitimate about that site. Did
you even bother to read the FAQ?

"Simply because the CD's we sell are OEM [Original Equipment
Manufacturer] copies which means you will receive the installation CDs
only [they do not come in their original retail packing and do not
include the manual]. " OEM _and_ retail packaging? Hmmmm, how is
that possible?

"Can I register the software?
No." Why not, if it's legitimate?

"I have purchased a CD but I have lost the serial key label. What can
I do?
Panic not, as all CD's are shipped with the serial numbers included in
a text file [as well as on the CD sleeve label]. Simply insert the CD
into your CD-drive and search for a file called serial.txt. Simply
search the CD for this file. " _NO_ legitimate installation CD - OEM
or retail - comes with the Product Key stored in a text file on the
CD.



Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

I bought 5 windows XP Pro last month at $50 each in front
of a STAPLES store at 125th Street in Harlem, NY. I
believed it was a very good deal. After building 5 PCs for
my personal business and installed XP I realized that they
were illegal because I couldn't register them. I entered
their codes or serial numbers in a search engine and found
them online. I was so shocked... I bought them because the
software came in a package sealed like the real thing with
manual and everything. It looked real. If you are reading
this, be aware and don't buy anything if it is not on a
shelf of a computer store. I lost $250 because it was in
front of a store. I thought it was legit.

I'm sorry to hear that you were cheated out of $250, but I hope
you've learned a lesson: if a price is too good to be true, it
*isn't* true.

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

I bought 5 windows XP Pro last month at $50 each in front
of a STAPLES store at 125th Street in Harlem, NY. I
believed it was a very good deal. After building 5 PCs for
my personal business and installed XP I realized that they
were illegal because I couldn't register them. I entered
their codes or serial numbers in a search engine and found
them online. I was so shocked... I bought them because the
software came in a package sealed like the real thing with
manual and everything. It looked real. If you are reading
this, be aware and don't buy anything if it is not on a
shelf of a computer store. I lost $250 because it was in
front of a store. I thought it was legit.

1) Registration is optional.

2) Analogy for you. There's a bloke standing in front of a jeweller's
selling 'solid platinum and pink diamond' Cartier watches for £300 apiece.
In the store they're twenty-five times that. You buy five, never questioning
the price. You take them home, and find that the diamonds are paste and the
metal is brushed stainless steel. Now who's fault is it that you're down
£1500?! The store's, the peddlar's - or yours for being a complete idiot?!
Just because someone sells something in front of a store, doesn't mean they
work for said store. Down Oxford Street there are blokes selling perfumes
and 'designer' shirts outside John Lewis for about a tenth of the price of
those inside the store. You'd probably assume they were JL employees selling
seconds!

What a moron! You've been stung and you're blaming Staples and it wasn't
anything to do with them! The guy must have seen you coming!

 

[*Vanguard*]

Bruce Chambers said in news:[email protected]:

Greetings --

There's nothing in the least bit legitimate about that site. Did
you even bother to read the FAQ?

"Simply because the CD's we sell are OEM [Original Equipment
Manufacturer] copies which means you will receive the installation CDs
only [they do not come in their original retail packing and do not
include the manual]. " OEM _and_ retail packaging? Hmmmm, how is
that possible?

The "retail" packaging is THE packaging from Microsoft; i.e., the wallet
package (from Microsoft). You can buy OEM copies that are packaged by
*Microsoft*. They don't have to be OEM CDs cut, manufactured, and
packaged by the OEM vendor. When you purchase OEM copies from, say,
newegg.com, the packaging is Microsoft's, not Newegg's. *IF* you get a
CD for an OEM version (i.e., you are getting it separately rather than
pre-installed on a computer), you might only get it in a CD sleeve from
the OEM.

"Can I register the software?
No." Why not, if it's legitimate?

"I have purchased a CD but I have lost the serial key label. What can
I do?
Panic not, as all CD's are shipped with the serial numbers included in
a text file [as well as on the CD sleeve label]. Simply insert the CD
into your CD-drive and search for a file called serial.txt. Simply
search the CD for this file. " _NO_ legitimate installation CD - OEM
or retail - comes with the Product Key stored in a text file on the
CD.

OEMs can package the OEM version anyway they want. Look at Dell or
Compaq that didn't even provide a real install CD but shoved a disk
image in a hidden partition. That certainly wasn't anything that
Microsoft compiled. OEMs can also BIOS-brand their copy so that
instance of the software can only be installed on a computer system with
the BIOS signature from THAT computer maker. Microsoft also does NOT
pre-brand any software before giving it to the OEM.

However, you have to ponder the legitimacy of a web site selling
anything whose "Contact Us" page only lists an e-mail address and no
physical address or telephone numbers. Their "About Us" web page says
absolutely NOTHING *about* THEM. Also, their statement in their FAQ
"Can I register the software? No." means it is pirated. You can ALWAYS
*register* (and also activate) your OEM version. Their claim that you
will always be able to get updates might not be true for Windows XP
Service Pack 2 (if Microsoft continues with its new policy to NOT
provide updates to pirated copies). I purchased a legit OEM version
(with hardware) and it does permit activation (registration is option
but *doable*). Telling me that I cannot register it would definitely
identify it as a pirated copy. Why would they be trying to placate
customers that updates would apply unless they knew they were
proliferating illegal copies (that might not update)?

Sure sounds like a site that should get reported to Microsoft's piracy
department to let them investigate (I just sent notice to
(e-mail address removed)). Their domain registration says they are in Great
Britain (and they charge in pounds) while a lookup on the IP address for
their domain shows it goes through an ISP in New Jersey, USA, both of
which are within legal reach of Microsoft.

 

[David Nimon]

Can't comment about Compaq but my Dell most certainly came with a full
Install CD of XP home.

 

[Redbrick]

Jeez...all you folks here are way too harsh....

Perhaps Microsoft is charging too much for Windows?
I guess if Microsoft could be more reasonable and charge
$50 there would be at lot less pirating???

I see lots of greedy corporate people here...

An academic volume licensed windowsXP is about $8...with
that price why bother pirating windows...but you have to be
a student....

...just my 2 pieces...

 

[D.]

I bought 5 windows XP Pro last month at $50 each in front
of a STAPLES store at 125th Street in Harlem, NY. I
believed it was a very good deal. After building 5 PCs for
my personal business and installed XP I realized that they
were illegal because I couldn't register them. I entered
their codes or serial numbers in a search engine and found
them online. I was so shocked... I bought them because the
software came in a package sealed like the real thing with
manual and everything. It looked real. If you are reading
this, be aware and don't buy anything if it is not on a
shelf of a computer store. I lost $250 because it was in
front of a store. I thought it was legit.

All right, you aren't asking for any sympathy. None given. Common
sense, man. You have the know-how to build 5 computers,& you should
know ballpark figures for XP...

I don't know what prices are today this month, but up until a few
months ago Update versions of Win XP home cost in the neighborhood of
$100, and for the stand-alone version the price was in the
neighborhood of $200. And that was "Pro" you bought. Sure you can
blame the guy who sold those copies to you, really, blame yourself.

....D.

 

[D.]

want cheap legit Real XP check out
http://softwarecds.com/cart/index.php
already gotten a cople on my own perfect.

Their site is limited as to what they sell. For example they don't
have XP home. But they do have XP Pro. It says as part of a bigger
explanation:

"Can be used for either full install or upgrade. Price: £20.00"

How much is 20 pounds in American dollars? They accept PayPal & other
forms of payment. Of course your dealing with a company in the UK, so
if you have any problems.... How can you check out the record of an
online sales site? Is there a website better business bureau?

....D.

 

[Joan Archer]

Well my Compaq didn't, you where supposed to make your own set which
needed six CD's as everything was in a FAT32 hidden partition.
I totally screwed up there so just installed my own Retail copy, at least
that way I didn't have to have all the rubbish installed by Compaq just a
nice clean system with just my stuff installed <g>
Joan

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

Their site is limited as to what they sell. For example they don't
have XP home. But they do have XP Pro. It says as part of a bigger
explanation:

"Can be used for either full install or upgrade. Price: £20.00"

How much is 20 pounds in American dollars? They accept PayPal & other
forms of payment. Of course your dealing with a company in the UK, so
if you have any problems.... How can you check out the record of an
online sales site? Is there a website better business bureau?

...D.

*SIGH* You obviously can't read! Any site that has to claim its "legit"
obviously isn't!

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

Their site is limited as to what they sell. For example they don't
have XP home. But they do have XP Pro. It says as part of a bigger
explanation:

"Can be used for either full install or upgrade. Price: £20.00"

How much is 20 pounds in American dollars? They accept PayPal & other
forms of payment. Of course your dealing with a company in the UK, so
if you have any problems.... How can you check out the record of an
online sales site? Is there a website better business bureau?

...D.

*SIGH* you obviously can't read! Any site that has to claim it's legit,
obviously isn't! The prices should also tell you something's not right.

Read

Can I register the software?
No. However do not think that this will stop you getting updates for your
software, because updates are always available whether you register or not.


Will I be able to receive software updates?
Yes. As with any product you purchase, updates are always available whether
you have registered or not.


The above statements are contradictory and a lie.

I will now quote from BC's post as he put it more eloquently than I can.:

There's nothing in the least bit legitimate about that site. Did
you even bother to read the FAQ?

"Simply because the CD's we sell are OEM [Original Equipment
Manufacturer] copies which means you will receive the installation CDs
only [they do not come in their original retail packing and do not
include the manual]. " OEM and retail packaging? Hmmmm, how is
that possible?

"Can I register the software?
No." Why not, if it's legitimate?

"I have purchased a CD but I have lost the serial key label. What can
I do?
Panic not, as all CD's are shipped with the serial numbers included in
a text file [as well as on the CD sleeve label]. Simply insert the CD
into your CD-drive and search for a file called serial.txt. Simply
search the CD for this file. " NO legitimate installation CD - OEM
or retail - comes with the Product Key stored in a text file on the
CD.


That says it all. Report sent to (e-mail address removed) and the police.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi Joan

I'm still baffled about these '6' Compaq CDs. There must be a *terrific*
amount of their own dross on those CDs - as you know - the XP files are
contained on 1 CD.

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups


| Well my Compaq didn't, you where supposed to make your own set which
| needed six CD's as everything was in a FAT32 hidden partition.
| I totally screwed up there so just installed my own Retail copy, at least
| that way I didn't have to have all the rubbish installed by Compaq just a
| nice clean system with just my stuff installed <g>
| Joan
|
| David Nimon wrote:
| > Can't comment about Compaq but my Dell most certainly came with a full
| > Install CD of XP home.
| >
|
|

 

[Joan Archer]

Hi Will
I know but that's what it took, I still have them, in fact I have two sets
because I couldn't make it work my local friends at the PC shop made me a
set and when they didn't work he came out and got mine working to make a
set, and as they were still rubbish that's when I installed my own copy
<g>
Joan

 

[Will Denny]

The marvels of OEMs - no wonder Ad-Aware & Spybot are being kept busy!!

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups


| Hi Will
| I know but that's what it took, I still have them, in fact I have two sets
| because I couldn't make it work my local friends at the PC shop made me a
| set and when they didn't work he came out and got mine working to make a
| set, and as they were still rubbish that's when I installed my own copy
| <g>
| Joan
|
|
| Will Denny wrote:
| > Hi Joan
| >
| > I'm still baffled about these '6' Compaq CDs. There must be a
| > *terrific* amount of their own dross on those CDs - as you know - the
| > XP files are contained on 1 CD.
| >
| >
|
|