Purchasing used equipment

[ford5576]

I am looking at purchasing a used laptop and find that
many of the sellers advertise a Microsoft product on the
computer, but no CDs are available. An axample would be
the computer has MS Office loaded.

1. If I purchase the computer how do I know if I received
a legal version of MS Office?

2. What can I do if the version is not legal?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If a seller offers a used computer with a Microsoft product installed,
but does not provide the buyer with the original installation CDs,
Product Keys and documentation, then an improper license transfer
occurs and you cannot legally use the software. In that case, you'll
have to purchase your own software programs, including the Windows
XP operating system.

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

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

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|I am looking at purchasing a used laptop and find that
| many of the sellers advertise a Microsoft product on the
| computer, but no CDs are available. An axample would be
| the computer has MS Office loaded.
|
| 1. If I purchase the computer how do I know if I received
| a legal version of MS Office?
|
| 2. What can I do if the version is not legal?

 

[Plato]

If a seller offers a used computer with a Microsoft product installed,
but does not provide the buyer with the original installation CDs,
Product Keys and documentation, then an improper license transfer
occurs and you cannot legally use the software. In that case, you'll
have to purchase your own software programs, including the Windows
XP operating system.

It doesn't really matter. All used PC hard drives should be wiped clean
and then setup with the OS/apps you want. And persons should always have
real CDs for the apps/OS they want to use. If not, then such persons
will have to spend the bucks later for an at-home service call at 10PM
to get their favourite apps to work again.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I am looking at purchasing a used laptop and find that
many of the sellers advertise a Microsoft product on the
computer, but no CDs are available. An axample would be
the computer has MS Office loaded.

1. If I purchase the computer how do I know if I received
a legal version of MS Office?

If he does not supply
- CD (or in the case of Windows other means of reinstalling to
ex-factory state: sometimes this is done from a hidden partition on Hard
disk, but I would not buy such a machine)
- Product Key
- Certificate of Authenticity

Then he has not made a legal transfer, and you should not pay for the
software (you might want to buy to get the bare hardware, but do not
factor the software in the price)

2. What can I do if the version is not legal?

Go buy a legitimate copy at a reputable discount store