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#16
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Stolen PC
"Phil" wrote in message
... Mike, Thanks. This area is a mine field - here is what I have learnt today - I'm sorry if it sounds like I am getting at you but your post seems wrong. OEM Windows IS NOT FREE - essentially or not MS gets money from every OEM sale (probably $20-$30 for XP Home). We (consumers) pay for that. I am sure you know that there is no technical reason for MS not to allow OEM software to be transferred - it is not like the integrated software that controls a DVD player. Windows is separate from the PC - it is only for business reasons that they are sold together (and perhaps 10% of the time they are not bundled). So this is simply a business practice. Providing OEM windows is a benefit for the consumer, the reseller and MS - it is a win-win (no pun intended) situation - actually it has been wildly successful. So much so that consumers mistakenly think like you do - that Windows is free, which makes non-OEM pricing such a huge shock. And is a big issue for MS as I am sure they would like to switch to a software-as-a-service model (like antivirus). So, I can understand (and see some logic) to OEM software not being transferable (supposedly because of the heavy discount) but irreparable damage or stolen PCs should be an exception. It costs MS nothing to do this and the harm to MS is huge as it encourages software piracy. Let me explain. My son cannot afford to buy a new PC yet - when he can from his part time job he will probably get one with OEM Vista. So between now and maybe 6 months I have given him an old PC so he can access the web and do his school work - this PC has a legal version of Windows 98 but most of his apps (including MS-Office) won't run with Win-98. So he needs XP and his choices are $90 for a legal version (that will be useless in 6 months time) or $5 for a pirated version. Hence, MS encourages software piracy. It's a bad policy - MS should make exceptions but they won't just like I won't be able to persuade my son that using pirated software is wrong. C'est la vie. "Mike Hall - MVP" wrote: "Phil" wrote in message ... Thanks for the help. Sadly insurance is not an option - what with excess, depreciation and loss of no claims it makes no sense. Police are not interested - we know who the thief is as he advertised some of the stolen goods and we traced it to him - informed the case officer but it seems it is too small a crime for them to bother. Who says crime doesn't pay? Just checked the link given and it says that if your PC is stolen then the Windows software is gone too. That's a pretty unfriendly business practice - why would they do that? There must be a tiny number of people who get their PCs stolen and legitimately want to reinstall Windows on a new PC which doesn't have Windows already preinstalled. This just adds insult to injury. OEM software is part of the computer package, and you get it for free essentially. When you replace the computer, it too will be supplied with OEM software. The only trackable computers are Macs. I understand that the Mac registration process enables Mac repairers to bring lawful owners and stolen machines back together. PC's are not registered at all, only the operating system, which could be taken off and installed on another machine that is not 'hot'.. -- Mike Hall - MVP How to construct a good post.. http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups.. http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc Mike's Window - My Blog.. http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx Phil I used the word 'essentially' for a reason. Were you to go out and buy a barebones tower, and keyboard, mouse, monitor etc of the same quality as say HP, you would realize that the OS part of a computer deal is essentially free. The terms of OEM is that the computer manufacturer is WHOLLY responsible, so claim off of the manufacturer. They will ask for proof and you will find it difficult to get any that sticks.. I have no doubt that they will tell you you claim off of insurance. It is unfortunate that your son does not have the funds to get a new computer or software for your older computer, and that you don't have a spare Vista machine kicking around, but they are not the fault or responsibility of either Microsoft or the manufacturer. Try upgrading the RAM in the Windows 98 machine to 256mb, and your son will be able to legally download Ubuntu which includes Open Office. he will then be able to continue his work.. -- Mike Hall - MVP How to construct a good post.. http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups.. http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc Mike's Window - My Blog.. http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx |
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#17
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Stolen PC
"Phil" wrote in message ... My son's PC was stolen along with all the software. I'm trying to find out if I have to buy everything again. Does anyone know Microsoft policy on this? It was an HP PC so with OEM Windows XP home. I have no disks - only a record of the product key. I guess I just have to buy a new licence. Also do MS keep a record of stolen product keys? Not sure if this would stop the thief from using the PC? Phil why don't you teach Microsoft a lesson and the next system you buy install Linux instead? -- Xandros |
#18
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Phil wrote:
The rudeness I completeley agree with you on and thank you for pointing this out - I cannot find any moderator to bring this up with but will keep looking. The chance one takes when they post in an unmoderated group - and Usenet it completey unmoderated - is that one will get feathers ruffled. You would hardly expect someone who chose "Snidely" as a name to post as "Mr. Rogers" would post... or would you? In the interest of accuracy, I will, however, retract my assertion that your question was stupid. I will change it and say anyone who would ask such a question is stupid. |
#19
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Phil wrote:
I hope this board is moderated Once again your hopes are dashed. You're not doing very well today, are you!? |
#20
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Hello there I was just researching other info and came across your discussion.
A silly question but did you purchase the pc or laptop on a credit card that covers losses like visa/mastercard does for everything? Its worth a look into as for example they tell me they cover damages losses extend warranties etc. Upon getting another pc or laptop up and running.... My fathers laptop was stolen from the farm and thats all that was taken-figure that out while he's out for a bite to eat? We got him to get a program that traces the pc laptop www.lojackforlaptops.com. We understood it tracks the laptop -so its on the new pc or laptop and who ever takes off with it somehow is traced via the software company lojack/police ...there is a trial with most pc's and laptop's but people do not stop and slow down and read the information appearing -upon startup most times and miss out on "helpful" software. Just trying to help, Jen A Waterloo ON Canada.....hope the weather stays warm! : ) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote: Inline Phil wrote: My son's PC was stolen along with all the software. I'm trying to find out if I have to buy everything again. Yes, unless your insurance covers some of it. Does anyone know Microsoft policy on this? No. It was an HP PC so with OEM Windows XP home. I have no disks - only a record of the product key. I guess I just have to buy a new licence. At minimum, yes. Also do MS keep a record of stolen product keys? Not sure if this would stop the thief from using the PC? Nope. Probably not. |
#21
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Mike,
Thanks - Dell used to sell PCs for $30 less than the same PC with OEM Windows XP Home - not sure if they still do. Selling it for $30 is 1000%+ gain over marginal cost. You use the word "fault" as if I am saying it is Microsoft's fault that my son's PC was stolen. I am sure you don't mean that and I'm certainly not claiming that. However, to find that the OS is the only piece of software which I am not able to transfer is the fault of Microsoft and I have yet to see a good answer to why they would do that (in the case of a stolen PC). Interestingly I have found that getting around the WPA is relatively easy and even MS will provide support for OEM problems i.e. they are currently helping me and perhaps they will allow the transfer this time. It seems MS are not as evil as their licence agreements appear. I have also been told that non-OEM Vista has a one time transfer policy. Didn't Apple try something like this with iTunes? Another lesson MS needs to learn from Apple, I guess. Thanks for the tip about Ubuntu - another poster suggested Linux as well. However, the investment in both time and money in other Windows based apps is significant. MS is well aware that switching costs are incredibly high, hence these anti-loyalty business practices - I am sure they will change (not because of anything I say or do). Bad business practices eventually change (or the business dies) - MS is no exception. Phil "Mike Hall - MVP" wrote: Phil I used the word 'essentially' for a reason. Were you to go out and buy a barebones tower, and keyboard, mouse, monitor etc of the same quality as say HP, you would realize that the OS part of a computer deal is essentially free. The terms of OEM is that the computer manufacturer is WHOLLY responsible, so claim off of the manufacturer. They will ask for proof and you will find it difficult to get any that sticks.. I have no doubt that they will tell you you claim off of insurance. It is unfortunate that your son does not have the funds to get a new computer or software for your older computer, and that you don't have a spare Vista machine kicking around, but they are not the fault or responsibility of either Microsoft or the manufacturer. Try upgrading the RAM in the Windows 98 machine to 256mb, and your son will be able to legally download Ubuntu which includes Open Office. he will then be able to continue his work.. -- Mike Hall - MVP How to construct a good post.. http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups.. http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc Mike's Window - My Blog.. http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx |
#22
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db,
All good ideas (except fighting fire with fire). Taking the law into our own hands would probably work - I'm just not prepared to do that for something like this. The "punk" is a young adult professional thief and drug addict - known to the police. He lives in an inner city ghetto - tower blocks where even the police don't like to visit - shootings are common place. They target students - there have been over 30 laptop thefts from student residences since Sept. - which is why my son had a desktop PC but that didn't stop the thief. So far there is no violent (against a person) crime involved but he is known to associate with others who are violent. This is an area of society that I don't belong in - I support our police and community workers who are trying to solve these problems, I don't want to be part of the problem. My son is a student - no credit cards, no online banking or other accounts. Adding passwords is not really an issue (and won't slow down a thief) - doing regular backups is and he has learnt that lesson. Losing these files is an inconvenience rather than a financial loss. Actually the only file which has cost him money is an assignment that was due - he had to pay for a copy of the police report to prove to his professor that the PC was stolen in order to get an extension on the deadline. (No-one trusts anyone anymore.) To pursue a civil action we would have to serve the thief with a summons, have proof of the stolen goods and the thief would have to show up to court. Failing to show up is not a criminal offence and even if judgement went in our favour there would be no way to collect. Bailiffs would not be able to sieze any property (as there is no way to know what property the thief owns) and our stolen goods have most likely been pawned off already for rent and drug money. The police and courts are losing this battle in all our inner cities - whilst my son met with our detective friend over a 20 minute period he was handed three crime reports - one arrest of a 14 year old youth with sub-machine gun and two arrests for homicides. A stolen PC does not figure on his priorities. The solution is with education, employment, housing, health and other social services - then the police might have a chance. Phil "db.·.. ))) ·` .. ." wrote: well, as far as everyone is concerned the pc also has credit card numbers and other account data. so you might want to ensure your creditors are made aware of the compromise. ----------- your son and his friends don't have to knock the door down, but isn't a bad idea. however, one has to fight fire with fire. perhaps, your son and friends should develop a plan, like order a pizza for the punk and when he opens the door, the gang can boldly walk in and retrieve the stolen property. might also get the dean of the college involved if the punk is a college student. ----------- remember to put passwords on the new computer, like on the bios, the disk and of course the administrator. -- in regards to civil action, all it requires is a witness to confirm that the punk has the computer and then you would send a letter to the parents demanding the computers return or you will sue them. if the punk is a student then it is likely the school administrators will provide you with assistance. db·´¯`·...¸)))º DatabaseBen, Retired Professional - Systems Analyst - Database Developer - Accountancy - Veteran of the Armed Forces "Phil" wrote in message ... DatabaseBen, Thanks for the advice. The case officer is not getting a free ride (but pretty close to one). I, very politely, chase him every few days - the thief is proving difficult to catch (my guess is that he is not at home during the case officer's shift or doesn't answer the door bell). This is a big city and the amount of time an officer can put to a simple robbery is very small. I'm not making excuses just stating facts. Very few robberies of this nature are investigated - this one has been only because my son tracked down the thief and we know a detective at the station. As to civil action - I don't know how we would do that - we have no real proof. It took me an hour persuading my son not to go round and make a citizen's arrest. He (and half his college football team) wanted to kick the guys door down and recover the stolen goods (the PC being the most important as it contains hundreds of photos and personal documents which can't be recovered - no recent backups of course). It is frustrating that the only solution seems to be to behave as badly as the criminal (he did kick my son's door down) - which I'm not prepared to do. Anyway this is a whole different issue - maybe the police in your area are able to deal with these types of crime (I'd be very surprised and if so we should all move there). Thanks again, Phil "db.·.. ))) ·` .. ." wrote: in one respect i understand what you are stating. however, i disagree with giving your local law enforcement a free ride by not forcing them to do their job. all thefts must be reported and the police must take action. therefore, you should raise hell with them and your councilman. in addition, since you have an idea of who the culprit it, then this would make the job of the police easier. the value of the item is based differently than for insurance purposes. therefore, if your machine was purchased for several thousand dollars, then this is larceny. if there was breaking and entering or trespassing, then this is also a crime. in addition to the above criminal charges, you also have rights in civil court. -- db·´¯`·...¸)))º DatabaseBen, Retired Professional - Systems Analyst - Database Developer - Accountancy - Veteran of the Armed Forces "Phil" wrote in message ... Thanks for the help. Sadly insurance is not an option - what with excess, depreciation and loss of no claims it makes no sense. Police are not interested - we know who the thief is as he advertised some of the stolen goods and we traced it to him - informed the case officer but it seems it is too small a crime for them to bother. Who says crime doesn't pay? Just checked the link given and it says that if your PC is stolen then the Windows software is gone too. That's a pretty unfriendly business practice - why would they do that? There must be a tiny number of people who get their PCs stolen and legitimately want to reinstall Windows on a new PC which doesn't have Windows already preinstalled. This just adds insult to injury. |
#23
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In general, for all owners of any computer.
Download and run Belarc Adviser (www.belarc.com) and print out the results. This free program will record every hardware serial number and every software Product Code number in the computer. File this printout for reference. It certainly will help if the computer is actually located to prove that it is yours. Also if you do have insurance coverage, you now have proof of value. "Phil" wrote in message ... | db, | | All good ideas (except fighting fire with fire). Taking the law into our | own hands would probably work - I'm just not prepared to do that for | something like this. The "punk" is a young adult professional thief and drug | addict - known to the police. He lives in an inner city ghetto - tower | blocks where even the police don't like to visit - shootings are common | place. They target students - there have been over 30 laptop thefts from | student residences since Sept. - which is why my son had a desktop PC but | that didn't stop the thief. So far there is no violent (against a person) | crime involved but he is known to associate with others who are violent. | This is an area of society that I don't belong in - I support our police and | community workers who are trying to solve these problems, I don't want to be | part of the problem. | | My son is a student - no credit cards, no online banking or other accounts. | Adding passwords is not really an issue (and won't slow down a thief) - doing | regular backups is and he has learnt that lesson. Losing these files is an | inconvenience rather than a financial loss. Actually the only file which has | cost him money is an assignment that was due - he had to pay for a copy of | the police report to prove to his professor that the PC was stolen in order | to get an extension on the deadline. (No-one trusts anyone anymore.) | | To pursue a civil action we would have to serve the thief with a summons, | have proof of the stolen goods and the thief would have to show up to court. | Failing to show up is not a criminal offence and even if judgement went in | our favour there would be no way to collect. Bailiffs would not be able to | sieze any property (as there is no way to know what property the thief owns) | and our stolen goods have most likely been pawned off already for rent and | drug money. The police and courts are losing this battle in all our inner | cities - whilst my son met with our detective friend over a 20 minute period | he was handed three crime reports - one arrest of a 14 year old youth with | sub-machine gun and two arrests for homicides. A stolen PC does not figure | on his priorities. The solution is with education, employment, housing, | health and other social services - then the police might have a chance. | | Phil | | "db.·.. ))) ·` .. ." wrote: | | well, as far as everyone | is concerned the pc also | has credit card numbers | and other account data. | | so you might want to ensure | your creditors are made aware | of the compromise. | | ----------- | your son and his friends | don't have to knock the door | down, but isn't a bad idea. | | however, one has to fight fire | with fire. | | perhaps, your son and friends | should develop a plan, like order | a pizza for the punk and when | he opens the door, the gang can | boldly walk in and retrieve the | stolen property. | | might also get the dean | of the college involved if | the punk is a college student. | | ----------- | | remember to put passwords | on the new computer, like | on the bios, the disk and | of course the administrator. | -- | | in regards to civil action, | all it requires is a witness | to confirm that the punk | has the computer and then | you would send a letter to | the parents demanding the | computers return or you will | sue them. | | if the punk is a student | then it is likely the school | administrators will provide | you with assistance. | | | db·´¯`·...¸)))º | DatabaseBen, Retired Professional | - Systems Analyst | - Database Developer | - Accountancy | - Veteran of the Armed Forces | | "Phil" wrote in message ... | DatabaseBen, | | Thanks for the advice. The case officer is not getting a free ride (but | pretty close to one). I, very politely, chase him every few days - the thief | is proving difficult to catch (my guess is that he is not at home during the | case officer's shift or doesn't answer the door bell). This is a big city | and the amount of time an officer can put to a simple robbery is very small. | I'm not making excuses just stating facts. Very few robberies of this nature | are investigated - this one has been only because my son tracked down the | thief and we know a detective at the station. | | As to civil action - I don't know how we would do that - we have no real | proof. It took me an hour persuading my son not to go round and make a | citizen's arrest. He (and half his college football team) wanted to kick the | guys door down and recover the stolen goods (the PC being the most important | as it contains hundreds of photos and personal documents which can't be | recovered - no recent backups of course). It is frustrating that the only | solution seems to be to behave as badly as the criminal (he did kick my son's | door down) - which I'm not prepared to do. | | Anyway this is a whole different issue - maybe the police in your area are | able to deal with these types of crime (I'd be very surprised and if so we | should all move there). | | Thanks again, | Phil | | "db.·.. ))) ·` .. ." wrote: | | in one respect i understand | what you are stating. | | however, i disagree with | giving your local law enforcement | a free ride by not forcing them | to do their job. | | all thefts must be reported and | the police must take action. | | therefore, you should raise hell | with them and your councilman. | | in addition, since you have an | idea of who the culprit it, then | this would make the job of the | police easier. | | the value of the item is based | differently than for insurance | purposes. | | therefore, if your machine was | purchased for several thousand | dollars, then this is larceny. | | if there was breaking and entering | or trespassing, then this is also | a crime. | | in addition to the above criminal | charges, you also have rights in | civil court. | | -- | | db·´¯`·...¸)))º | DatabaseBen, Retired Professional | - Systems Analyst | - Database Developer | - Accountancy | - Veteran of the Armed Forces | | "Phil" wrote in message ... | Thanks for the help. | | Sadly insurance is not an option - what with excess, depreciation and loss | of no claims it makes no sense. Police are not interested - we know who the | thief is as he advertised some of the stolen goods and we traced it to him - | informed the case officer but it seems it is too small a crime for them to | bother. Who says crime doesn't pay? | | Just checked the link given and it says that if your PC is stolen then the | Windows software is gone too. That's a pretty unfriendly business practice - | why would they do that? There must be a tiny number of people who get their | PCs stolen and legitimately want to reinstall Windows on a new PC which | doesn't have Windows already preinstalled. This just adds insult to injury. | | | | |
#24
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Jen A,
Thanks. Yes it was purchased by credit card - 3+ years ago so I'm not sure if it is covered but I'll check. I'll look into "lojack" - they claim 75% recovery rate which if true is very impressive. Thanks again, Phil " wrote: Hello there I was just researching other info and came across your discussion. A silly question but did you purchase the pc or laptop on a credit card that covers losses like visa/mastercard does for everything? Its worth a look into as for example they tell me they cover damages losses extend warranties etc. Upon getting another pc or laptop up and running.... My fathers laptop was stolen from the farm and thats all that was taken-figure that out while he's out for a bite to eat? We got him to get a program that traces the pc laptop www.lojackforlaptops.com. We understood it tracks the laptop -so its on the new pc or laptop and who ever takes off with it somehow is traced via the software company lojack/police ...there is a trial with most pc's and laptop's but people do not stop and slow down and read the information appearing -upon startup most times and miss out on "helpful" software. Just trying to help, Jen A Waterloo ON Canada.....hope the weather stays warm! : ) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote: Inline Phil wrote: My son's PC was stolen along with all the software. I'm trying to find out if I have to buy everything again. Yes, unless your insurance covers some of it. Does anyone know Microsoft policy on this? No. It was an HP PC so with OEM Windows XP home. I have no disks - only a record of the product key. I guess I just have to buy a new licence. At minimum, yes. Also do MS keep a record of stolen product keys? Not sure if this would stop the thief from using the PC? Nope. Probably not. |
#25
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Mike Hall - MVP wrote:
Try upgrading the RAM in the Windows 98 machine to 256mb, and your son will be able to legally download Ubuntu which includes Open Office. he will then be able to continue his work.. You're making progress, Mike. BTW, Ubuntu can be downloaded from www.ubuntu.com. Alias |
#26
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"Alias" wrote in message ... Mike Hall - MVP wrote: Try upgrading the RAM in the Windows 98 machine to 256mb, and your son will be able to legally download Ubuntu which includes Open Office. he will then be able to continue his work.. You're making progress, Mike. BTW, Ubuntu can be downloaded from www.ubuntu.com. Alias if he doesn't mind learning to drive on the left hand side of the road with a right side steering wheel and learning a whole new language to boot |
#27
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olfart wrote:
"Alias" wrote in message ... Mike Hall - MVP wrote: Try upgrading the RAM in the Windows 98 machine to 256mb, and your son will be able to legally download Ubuntu which includes Open Office. he will then be able to continue his work.. You're making progress, Mike. BTW, Ubuntu can be downloaded from www.ubuntu.com. Alias if he doesn't mind learning to drive on the left hand side of the road with a right side steering wheel and learning a whole new language to boot Another clueless one who doesn't know what Ubuntu is but thinks he does. My Ubuntu install is in English. It can be installed in any language from the same CD. Oops. I have yet to use a command line or a terminal. Oops again. Now come back when you know something or STFU. Alias |
#28
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Stolen PC
"Phil" wrote in message
... Mike, Thanks - Dell used to sell PCs for $30 less than the same PC with OEM Windows XP Home - not sure if they still do. Selling it for $30 is 1000%+ gain over marginal cost. You use the word "fault" as if I am saying it is Microsoft's fault that my son's PC was stolen. I am sure you don't mean that and I'm certainly not claiming that. However, to find that the OS is the only piece of software which I am not able to transfer is the fault of Microsoft and I have yet to see a good answer to why they would do that (in the case of a stolen PC). Interestingly I have found that getting around the WPA is relatively easy and even MS will provide support for OEM problems i.e. they are currently helping me and perhaps they will allow the transfer this time. It seems MS are not as evil as their licence agreements appear. I have also been told that non-OEM Vista has a one time transfer policy. Didn't Apple try something like this with iTunes? Another lesson MS needs to learn from Apple, I guess. Thanks for the tip about Ubuntu - another poster suggested Linux as well. However, the investment in both time and money in other Windows based apps is significant. MS is well aware that switching costs are incredibly high, hence these anti-loyalty business practices - I am sure they will change (not because of anything I say or do). Bad business practices eventually change (or the business dies) - MS is no exception. Phil "Mike Hall - MVP" wrote: Phil I used the word 'essentially' for a reason. Were you to go out and buy a barebones tower, and keyboard, mouse, monitor etc of the same quality as say HP, you would realize that the OS part of a computer deal is essentially free. The terms of OEM is that the computer manufacturer is WHOLLY responsible, so claim off of the manufacturer. They will ask for proof and you will find it difficult to get any that sticks.. I have no doubt that they will tell you you claim off of insurance. It is unfortunate that your son does not have the funds to get a new computer or software for your older computer, and that you don't have a spare Vista machine kicking around, but they are not the fault or responsibility of either Microsoft or the manufacturer. Try upgrading the RAM in the Windows 98 machine to 256mb, and your son will be able to legally download Ubuntu which includes Open Office. he will then be able to continue his work.. -- Mike Hall - MVP How to construct a good post.. http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups.. http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc Mike's Window - My Blog.. http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx Dell may have sold them less $30, but it would cost way more than that to buy a retail version. Also, the retail version is as transferable as you want it to be. Not sure who told you that it can only be transferred one time only. An option, but there are risks and problems involved, is to download from a torrent. The risks are that you could end up downloading infected files, and the problems are that Dell and MDG BIOS will not recognize an OS CD that is not their own. The legality may be in doubt too.. Microsoft let a lot through re activation. They are not the bad boys as some like to portray, but they do have limits.. I have tried to explain to some of the Ubuntu protagonists here that Windows users don't want alternatives, but for the severely 'cash strapped', Ubuntu will at least get a computer into something approaching a productive state, but it does require a minimum of 256mb RAM.. On your last point, it is not MS who determines what platform runs 3rd party stuff. The software authors decide which platform to which they will port their software. Authors of Windows based software can make a business out of it because they can and do charge in many cases. Developers of open source software do so on the back of some other arm of their business.. -- Mike Hall - MVP How to construct a good post.. http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups.. http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc Mike's Window - My Blog.. http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx |
#29
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Stolen PC
Twayne,
Which bits "are not right"? Do you have any experience with inner city non-violent theft? Why do you think you know more about this situation than I do? No-one has said the police are ignoring it - most of the information I've given is because the police have pursued it. I can guarantee you the police would have "ignored" it had we not found the thief. The solution is not the police, it is insurance (which equates to us paying for thieves to steal our goods). Delivering a small claims summons is a scary idea (plus I don't know what the thief looks like) and you are very naive if you think the guy would show up to court. So even if the court agrees with me what use is it? Where is this "preponderance" of evidence? All I have is what the police have told me - plus I know that he sold some of the stolen goods (I don't know what he did with the PC). The detective just laughed when I suggested this. The cost of the PC is written off - the time to actually get it back has come and gone - if the police had acted immediately with real determination (or we had taken matters into our own hands) maybe the PC would have still been with the thief, now it is probably gone. I've seen no evidence that the police are anxious about anything to do with this case but I would not be surprised if in 6 months they inform us that the thief was arrested (for some violent or drug crime) and none of our goods were found. Phil "Twayne" wrote: I don't know; something's not right with this story. Either you just don't want to bother and want a chance to vent or the story's conflicts, and each additional piece being worse than the last dont' reflect reality. As many offenses as there are there, I can't imagine a police agency ignoring it nor your unwillingness to pursue it in a small claims court for replacement cost. I've used the small claims and things just do not grind to a halt because a summons has to be delivered. Cripes, you even know where the guy lives, you said, so delivering a summons is a LOT easier than one whose whereabouts are unknown. You even seem to know what some of his community ties are, so ... . I've used small claims before and just like they show on TV, all you need is a preponderance of the evidence, which is easy enough with a computer, and you win. Unless of course you didn't obtain the computer yourelf by legitimate means, or the sotware on it is pirated; then it could turn on you if it were broughtup, but you'd still win your case I bet. Time to just write it off from the sound of things, and let the guy go ahead and steal a better one from someone else (you hope) when this one doesn't fit the bill anymore. If he's so well known to the cops, they'd be anxious to have a reasonj to put him away. |
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Stolen PC
Mike,
I just had a look at a retail EULA for Vista Home, it says: "The first user of the software may reassign the license to another device one time" and "The first user of the software may make a one time transfer of the software" I'm no expert but it seems that Vista has a one-time transfer policy. As to my last point, MS can get away with a policy like this because of the high switching costs. Although they are not totally responsible for high switching costs (they do have some responsibility as has been proven in court) they still abuse (adopt a draconian business practice) this. Saying software developers are free to develop for other platforms is a defence even MS wouldn't dare use! Phil "Mike Hall - MVP" wrote: Dell may have sold them less $30, but it would cost way more than that to buy a retail version. Also, the retail version is as transferable as you want it to be. Not sure who told you that it can only be transferred one time only. An option, but there are risks and problems involved, is to download from a torrent. The risks are that you could end up downloading infected files, and the problems are that Dell and MDG BIOS will not recognize an OS CD that is not their own. The legality may be in doubt too.. Microsoft let a lot through re activation. They are not the bad boys as some like to portray, but they do have limits.. I have tried to explain to some of the Ubuntu protagonists here that Windows users don't want alternatives, but for the severely 'cash strapped', Ubuntu will at least get a computer into something approaching a productive state, but it does require a minimum of 256mb RAM.. On your last point, it is not MS who determines what platform runs 3rd party stuff. The software authors decide which platform to which they will port their software. Authors of Windows based software can make a business out of it because they can and do charge in many cases. Developers of open source software do so on the back of some other arm of their business.. -- Mike Hall - MVP How to construct a good post.. http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups.. http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc Mike's Window - My Blog.. http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx |
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