possible piracy

[Guest]

FIRST--I am computer stupid! I appreciate any help, but please make it simple
for me to understand.....TY!

I think I have been pirated. My pc crashed. I took it to repairman. He
talked me into updating from ME to XP. I got tower back, but no CD, floppies,
etc. I have asked for the backup disc, but he will not give me one.
He installed XP Pro Service Pack 2. How do I find out & prove if it is
pirated? How do I get a backup? (He says I can make one, but can't figure out
how...if I can)
I contacted microsoft, but they will not tell me if it is piracy, although
she said she thought it was. Says it is not their customary procedure to
notify me.
I want to take him to small claims court or something, but I need proof.

 

[Leythos]

I think I have been pirated. My pc crashed. I took it to repairman. He
talked me into updating from ME to XP. I got tower back, but no CD, floppies,
etc. I have asked for the backup disc, but he will not give me one.
He installed XP Pro Service Pack 2. How do I find out & prove if it is
pirated

If your computer was upgraded from ME to XP and you didn't get the
official XP Upgrade disk or a Full/OEM XP Disk, then you got a pirated
copy of XP.

Tell the vendor that you want a legit XP CD/media or you're going to
report him to Microsoft and the BSA, and even the local authorities.

DO NOT LET HIM BACK AT YOUR COMPUTER once you do this.

He should also provide a COA (a Microsoft Sticker) that includes a 25
digit key:

A COA might look like one of the following:

http://www.zodiac.com.hk/zodiac/resources/MS_Windows_XP_Home_sticker.jpg

http://img.pconline.com.cn/images/bbs4/2005/09/11/1126431876386727.jpg

http://www.a-computers.ca/imags/windowscoa.gif

 

[Guest]

Is there a way for me to get information off my computer to prove this? As I
said, I would like to take him to small claims court & get my money back. I
don't believe he is going to supply me with the disc. I have contacted him 3
times & he keeps giving me the run around. He says I got what I paid
for.....uninstalling ME & installing a new program. He said it didn't matter
what system he put on my pc, ie. 98, Me, XP. How do I get a disc if he
doesn't give me one?
I have already reported him to microsoft & BSA. Why contact the local
authorities? What would they do?

 

[AMDX2]

contact them and find out.

Is there a way for me to get information off my computer to prove this? As
I
said, I would like to take him to small claims court & get my money back.
I
don't believe he is going to supply me with the disc. I have contacted him
3
times & he keeps giving me the run around. He says I got what I paid
for.....uninstalling ME & installing a new program. He said it didn't
matter
what system he put on my pc, ie. 98, Me, XP. How do I get a disc if he
doesn't give me one?
I have already reported him to microsoft & BSA. Why contact the local
authorities? What would they do?

 

[Guest]

I contacted microsoft. The lady said she thought it was piracy, but could not
tell me for sure. She also said they would not advise me as the their
investigation or the results of it.

 

[Ivar]

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/whyValidate.aspx

 

[Leythos]

Is there a way for me to get information off my computer to prove this? As I
said, I would like to take him to small claims court & get my money back. I
don't believe he is going to supply me with the disc. I have contacted him 3
times & he keeps giving me the run around. He says I got what I paid
for.....uninstalling ME & installing a new program. He said it didn't matter
what system he put on my pc, ie. 98, Me, XP. How do I get a disc if he
doesn't give me one?
I have already reported him to microsoft & BSA. Why contact the local
authorities? What would they do?

If you report him to the local authorities it will put local pressure on
him, as MS and the BSA are not likely to go after a small pirate.

If you have a receipt, if you have something that shows that he did the
work, or something that shows that HE installed it, then you have a
case, and the local authorities should be notified.

Call him up, tell him that if he doesn't provide valid/licensable media
and COA, that you are going to contact the local authorities - most
pirates will cough up a legal copy rather than risk more legal action.

After you get everything, report him anyway for making you jump through
all those hoops.

 

[Glen]

Go to Windows update and see if it is reported as non genuine version.
Assuming it is non genuine then make a note of the serial number and product
ID for use in court. Get the serial from magic jellybean. Get product ID
from right click my computer, system properties general tab, under
registered to.

Magic Jellybean
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

I think Belarc Advisor freeware can give youe any needed numbers but Im not
100% sure.

 

[Larry Samuels]

Umm, possibly arrest him for software piracy if you file a complaint.
It is illegal to install any MS os without providing the original media and
COA to the customer.

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

 

[Guest]

My system information gives me my first name & a number. Under
microsoft....updates says none available, but through the "custom" button, it
gives 1 uncritical update for media player. (this work was done 5/16, so
could there just not be any yet?) I went to jellybean....it gives me no
number. I couldn't figure out where to go & what to do at Belarc.

 

[Guest]

I contacted the repairman almost 2 weeks ago about a disc. At first he said
he would take $99 out of his own pocket & order me one. The day it was
supposed to be here, he said it didn't come in. The next day, his wife called
& said it still didn't come in. She said UPS must have lost it & they were
going to track the shipment. I do have my receipt, but it doesn't state which
version he put on it. It just says "reinstall operating system with all
updates".

 

[Guest]

I clicked on the validation key. It did not give me the gold colored bar at
the top of my screen (for active X), however, the next screen that came up
said...thanks for validating

 

[Leythos]

I contacted the repairman almost 2 weeks ago about a disc. At first he said
he would take $99 out of his own pocket & order me one. The day it was
supposed to be here, he said it didn't come in. The next day, his wife called
& said it still didn't come in. She said UPS must have lost it & they were
going to track the shipment. I do have my receipt, but it doesn't state which
version he put on it. It just says "reinstall operating system with all
updates".

It only take a couple days to get an OEM installation from a VAR, call
them back and tell them that you've been told that you appear to have a
pirated copy of Windows XP on your computer, that without a COA and
Media, according to Microsoft's Systems Builder agreement, that you have
a pirated copy of Windows XP on your computer. Tell them the only way
that MS permits the distribution of OEM software is with the COA and you
want your COA sticker and media or you will have no choice except to
report them to the authorities. Tell them that you expect the media/COA
no later than (pick a time that works for you, but make it this week,
early).

The key part of the vendors statement is that they told you it would
take $99 out of their own pocket - if it was a legit copy of XP he would
already have spent the money and already have provided you with a COA
and media.

Do not give him access to your computer and do not give him access to
your receipt - you want to have those as leverage against them.

 

[Guest]

I contacted his store this morning. Of course, he wasn't there & is suppose
to call me this afternoon. I'm going to wait till 4:30 & call, if he has
not........which I don't think he will. I will leave the message you gave me,
giving him a deadline of Friday 6/09. I plan to go to the police & the
courthouse on Monday.
I appreciate your taking the time to help me. As I said, I am computer
stupid, but I just felt something was rottten in Denmark! I now feel I can go
up against this guy.

 

[Leythos]

I contacted his store this morning. Of course, he wasn't there & is suppose
to call me this afternoon. I'm going to wait till 4:30 & call, if he has
not........which I don't think he will. I will leave the message you gave me,
giving him a deadline of Friday 6/09. I plan to go to the police & the
courthouse on Monday.
I appreciate your taking the time to help me. As I said, I am computer
stupid, but I just felt something was rottten in Denmark! I now feel I can go
up against this guy.

Make sure you post how things turn out, I'll monitor the group for your
reply (keep the same Subject if you can).

Just make sure that you don't fall for the "You have to bring the
computer into the office so that I can legally past the COA sticker on
the box in the proper location" - this would be a warning that he might
wipe the entire drive to hide any evidence. Also, make sure you don't
hand over your receipt, it's evidence now.

 

[Guest]

I'm glad I had your warning. They called & said they had talked to their
attorney & the only thing they could do was have me bring in my tower & they
could uninstall XP & reinstall my ME. I told them I had been advised not to
let them have it. She called back & said they had talked to Microsoft & I can
come in Thursday morning & pick up a "copy" of my system. She also said she
would have a letter for me to sign, stating I had received it.

 

[Larry Samuels]

They are running scared.
Don't sign anything unless the cd and COA are originals. Do not accept a
burned disk or a key written /typed.


--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-

 

[Guest]

I won't. If there is anything not legit, I am going to write it on the letter
before signing it. ( I figure they will call it all off when I start writing
on the letter) The way she said "copy" makes me think it will be a burned off
CD. I am going to accept what they give me & then call them when I get home &
let them know I know it is still not he genuine product. It will be just
that much more evidence in court.

 

[NoNoBadDog!]

Do not sign *anything*. If you sign a statement as they want, it will stand
in court, and you won't have much of a case.

*IF* they offer you a new, factory sealed copy of Windows XP with the Orange
sticker and COA, you should still not sign for it. They have broken the law
and should be investigated.

If it were me, I would not even bother. I would document everything and take
them to small claims court.
If they are in the wrong, they will have to pay any fines, damages and
penalties as well as your court costs.

Bobby

 

[Leythos]

If there is anything not legit, I am going to write it on the letter
before signing it.

Don't sign anything, even if you are pressured, unless the key/COA/CD
are 100% legit. Even if you note on the letter than you are missing part
X, don't feel something is right, you never know what they will/can do.

If you don't get a real CD/COA, then don't accept anything from them and
don't sign anything.

Go on to www.Google.com, search for XP COA, then click the "Images" link
above the search box, it will return a BUNCH of pictures, many of them
show what real COA stickers look like.

If it doesn't look official, then don't take/sign anything. The real CD
is silver and has a holographic image, if you hold it at different
angles it will say Microsoft on it.