Stolen PC

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 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. 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.



The licenses for any OEM software installed on the PC were stolen along
with the computer. Be sure to include them on the insurance claim.


Also do MS keep a record of stolen product keys?


No, Microsoft provides no support for OEM licenses.


Not sure if this would
stop the thief from using the PC?


Nope.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

you might try to get
the details of the machine
from hp, like oem licenses,
serial numbers, etc and provide
them to law enforcement.

here is some more fyi:

http://search.microsoft.com/results....20was%20stolen


--

db·´¯`·...¸)))º
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces

"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?

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.

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.

"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

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.

Phil wrote:

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?

What a stupid question that is.

Someone steals a box of jewelry from your house. Are the vendors for
each piece of jewelry expected to reimburse you?

I hope you aren't raising your kids to be as stupid as you appear to
be.

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

Snidely,

While your general point may be correct, you have a very rude and poor way
of getting said point across. Heaven forbid if *you've* *ever* asked a
stupid question, either in a newsgroup, or in the flow of your everyday
life. I think if you look back, you can probably think of *one* "stupid"
question you might have posed.

In reality, the only *stupid* question is the one that a person doesn't ask.

As this post of yours, and so many that have preceded it , contains
comments of this sort, one can only conclude that you have a very empty
life, and you exist primarily as a angry, hurt, miserable person, who only
feels better about themselves when you try to make others feel bad.

Please, grow up, get a better understanding of how people *should* interact
with each other, and try to be more positive in your responses, rather than
nitpicking.


Curt

http://dundats.mvps.org/
http://www.aumha.org/
http://dundats.mvps.org/AutoIt/default.aspx





"Snidley W." wrote in message
...
Phil wrote:

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?

What a stupid question that is.

Someone steals a box of jewelry from your house. Are the vendors for
each piece of jewelry expected to reimburse you?

I hope you aren't raising your kids to be as stupid as you appear to
be.

I hope this board is moderated - how dare you make such a personal attack?

Your ignorance is only superceded by your rudeness.

The PC also had antivirus software, wordprocessing, spreadsheet, desktop
publishing, database, photography, video editing, music playing, and many
many other apps as well as numerous games.

Every single app can be reinstalled on any PC except Windows.

But this is not the full extent of your ignorance. You seem to think that
Windows installed on a PC has material value like jewelry in a jewelry box.
This is completely wrong - the marginal cost of each copy of Windows is
virtually zero i.e. it costs MS virtually nothing to replace a stolen copy of
Windows.

I suggest you learn a little more about computers and about business before
embarassing yourself like that.

"Snidley W." wrote:

Phil wrote:

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?

What a stupid question that is.

Someone steals a box of jewelry from your house. Are the vendors for
each piece of jewelry expected to reimburse you?

I hope you aren't raising your kids to be as stupid as you appear to
be.

Curt,

The general point is not only incorrect it displays a complete ignorance of
computer software and business in general. Saying Snidley is ignorant is not
actually insulting him/her - I am ignorant of many things, e.g. I was
recently ignorant of MS' non-transferable policy on OEM Windows.

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.

Phil

"Curt Christianson" wrote:

Snidely,

While your general point may be correct, you have a very rude and poor way
of getting said point across. Heaven forbid if *you've* *ever* asked a
stupid question, either in a newsgroup, or in the flow of your everyday
life. I think if you look back, you can probably think of *one* "stupid"
question you might have posed.

In reality, the only *stupid* question is the one that a person doesn't ask.

As this post of yours, and so many that have preceded it , contains
comments of this sort, one can only conclude that you have a very empty
life, and you exist primarily as a angry, hurt, miserable person, who only
feels better about themselves when you try to make others feel bad.

Please, grow up, get a better understanding of how people *should* interact
with each other, and try to be more positive in your responses, rather than
nitpicking.


Curt

http://dundats.mvps.org/
http://www.aumha.org/
http://dundats.mvps.org/AutoIt/default.aspx





"Snidley W." wrote in message
...
Phil wrote:

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?

What a stupid question that is.

Someone steals a box of jewelry from your house. Are the vendors for
each piece of jewelry expected to reimburse you?

I hope you aren't raising your kids to be as stupid as you appear to
be.

Hi Phil,

Fortunately, this is an unmoderated NG, and it allows posters to express
their opinion, and in many cases, even infantile rants about MS business
practices.

I can certainly understand your frustration, in the situation you present.
Whadda mess!

And, you are absolutely correct about ignorance. I guess I'm "ignorant" of
a great many things, but when it comes to the MS OS's, I am hopefully
learning a little more each day.
--


Curt

http://dundats.mvps.org/
http://www.aumha.org/
http://dundats.mvps.org/AutoIt/default.aspx





"Phil" wrote in message
...
Curt,

The general point is not only incorrect it displays a complete ignorance
of
computer software and business in general. Saying Snidley is ignorant is
not
actually insulting him/her - I am ignorant of many things, e.g. I was
recently ignorant of MS' non-transferable policy on OEM Windows.

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.

Phil

"Curt Christianson" wrote:

Snidely,

While your general point may be correct, you have a very rude and poor
way
of getting said point across. Heaven forbid if *you've* *ever* asked a
stupid question, either in a newsgroup, or in the flow of your everyday
life. I think if you look back, you can probably think of *one* "stupid"
question you might have posed.

In reality, the only *stupid* question is the one that a person doesn't
ask.

As this post of yours, and so many that have preceded it , contains
comments of this sort, one can only conclude that you have a very empty
life, and you exist primarily as a angry, hurt, miserable person, who
only
feels better about themselves when you try to make others feel bad.

Please, grow up, get a better understanding of how people *should*
interact
with each other, and try to be more positive in your responses, rather
than
nitpicking.


Curt

http://dundats.mvps.org/
http://www.aumha.org/
http://dundats.mvps.org/AutoIt/default.aspx





"Snidley W." wrote in message
...
Phil wrote:

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?

What a stupid question that is.

Someone steals a box of jewelry from your house. Are the vendors for
each piece of jewelry expected to reimburse you?

I hope you aren't raising your kids to be as stupid as you appear to
be.

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.

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.