check if laptop is stolen or not

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27 Sep 2005
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i bought a MSI GT 70 laptop from ebay and the laptop is great and as described but one of my colleagues mentioned that it could be stolen as there is no stickers on the laptop with the serial number on. Is there a way i can check to see if its stolen or not ? could i phone MSI ? put the serial number into a online checker ?

thanks
 
You said there isn't a serial number sticker so how can you identify the laptop? What do you expect to check against?

Say it is stolen, you will lose the laptop and will be out of pocket. Just enjoy the laptop.
 
I wouldn't worry about it. You have evidence to prove you bought it from eBay so its not an offence. Speak to your local police station if you are that worried. If it is stolen they will seize the laptop with no guarantee you will get your money back.
 
Some laptops have a service-tag/serial number programmed into the BIOS, have you checked there? But as above, I wouldn't be too worried.
 
who cares format that sucker or switch the hdd and install windows again.

not your fault your handling stolen goods amiright bruv, you wot m8? you bought it down the pub from dodgy dave?

In all seriousness if it came with an original charger then I wouldn't worry, most burglars don't bother taking the cables
 
You said there isn't a serial number sticker so how can you identify the laptop? What do you expect to check against?

Say it is stolen, you will lose the laptop and will be out of pocket. Just enjoy the laptop.

You can pull the serial number from CMD

But agreed, dont bother with looking. Enjoy it.
 
If you are feeling guilty about it get it checked, though as others have mentioned you will be out of pocket if it is stolen.

If you knew it was stolen before purchase you are as bad as the theives as you are supporting them.

You could be doing something very good it the laptop is stolen and getting it back to its righful owner and getting the eBay user (if them) dealt with as they should.

Check the BIOS for serial information.

Don't forget if your laptop got stolen wouldn't you wish someone would check before purchasing it?
 
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I would still be a bit weary, all the dells here have monitoring software that will survive a format/new hdd. Don't know if MSI do the same?
 
If you do need to check then:

Press windows key + r together

In the run command type cmd then press ok

In the black dos prompt type wmic bios get serialnumber

Press enter and you have a serial.
 
I have the serial number from the bios i just need to check it for peace of mind i thought there would be a online checker etc. And yeah it came with original charger and all CD'S/manuals etc
 
That's assuming it was reported stolen or when it was reported stolen that the owner actually recorded the serial number to give Police.
 
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