Disgusted with PC Builder

linktoinsanity · 3 Aug 2009 at 15:27

marc2003 said:
but who knows what spec this machine is? we've already established the guy who sold it is a cowboy. it might be some hunk of junk even though it is only 3 years old. it might not even be capable of running windows 7.

This tbh. I've shown my grandfather how to use dxdiag, should mean he can read off the specs back to me over the phone at some point, which should help with this problem...

Dunno quite what to expect really. Blasted Cowboys!

Phal · 3 Aug 2009 at 16:47

Ive seen the genuine advantage crap appear on PCs with legal keys :/ Just ended up re-entering them and it worked ok.

Ross1234 · 3 Aug 2009 at 16:52

Moeks said:
That might only get you an upgrade license though, no-one is quite sure at the moment. You might want to take a look at this thread before buying Windows 7 right now. All that does seem reasonably certain is that those who have already pre-ordered will get a full retail version, weather it's the E version or not.

I don't think Microsoft quite know yet. But if the E version is scrapped and they simply do a World Wide version, you won't get a full retail copy that cheap, they'll bring the pricing inline with the rest of the world and that'll be more likely an upgrade price.

Food for thought anyway, I'd say it's worth asking some of the retailers doing the offers.

No it will be the full version. The "E" version was that price and it was the full version so they cannot then give you the uprade version in exchange. The cheap price was because it was preorder not because its the E version. You could get it at that cheap price in america too.

reflux · 3 Aug 2009 at 16:58

Doesn't surprise me mate, they probably thought an old guy wouldn't notice and they could save some pennies. It's a shame, but it's not unlike the motor industry where it's also very easy to rip off people who don't have a good understanding of the hardware or what is being done.

Hope you get it sorted

Bane · 3 Aug 2009 at 21:29

Was it bought as a reconditioned model or new custom built? As the same thing happened to a family I know.

The company was still in business so they got a new product key. But wonder if the same thing will happen again, as no sticker on case.

Dano · 3 Aug 2009 at 21:38

See it loads sadly, same with apps like office.

raptormonkey · 3 Aug 2009 at 21:49

Can't you setup remote PC help?

BloodyL · 3 Aug 2009 at 21:59

I recently repaired my next door neighbours laptop with a pirate copy of WinXP 32 bit OEM as I haven't got a proper copy of that particular version , I did however use the serial code from the COA sticker on the bottom of the laptop.
Is this acceptable?

Ascendancy · 3 Aug 2009 at 22:01

BloodyL said:
I recently repaired my next door neighbours laptop with a pirate copy of WinXP 32 bit OEM as I haven't got a proper copy of that particular version , I did however use the serial code from the COA sticker on the bottom of the laptop.
Is this acceptable?

It's not a pirate copy then is it?

BloodyL · 3 Aug 2009 at 22:04

Just wanted to be sure that I haven't crossed a line or anything, I did figure that although the method of acquiring the media was less than legal, the end justified the means in getting hold of a copy of XP32 to use with a legal serial code.

Dingleberry88 · 3 Aug 2009 at 22:22

raptormonkey said:
Can't you setup remote PC help?

Good idea. LogMeIn's free and really easy to set up/use.

linktoinsanity · 3 Aug 2009 at 23:26

Thank you raptor monkey, I shall take a look.

SilverTongue · 3 Aug 2009 at 23:30

BloodyL said:
Just wanted to be sure that I haven't crossed a line or anything, I did figure that although the method of acquiring the media was less than legal, the end justified the means in getting hold of a copy of XP32 to use with a legal serial code.

When you buy Windows your actually buying the key, the media it is on is basically a bonus

this_is_gav · 3 Aug 2009 at 23:36

willatwell182 said:
When you buy Windows your actually buying the key, the media it is on is basically a bonus

It's also quite necessary. And copyrighted.

As has been said though, it's the license they care about.

spudbynight · 3 Aug 2009 at 23:41

LinktoInsanity said:
I don't know who the guy is personally, but my grandpa (who has been staying with us this weekend) bought a PC off this guy 3 years ago, which didn't come with any CDs for installing OS/drivers and now the version of XP on there has come up with the black background and genuine advantage thing.

Now I'm no angel when it comes to these things, but I have never and would never sell a PC on to someone with a pirated version of Windows especially with the person assuming it was all fine and legal. Especially not an 85 or so year-old who has no chance of understanding anything about this.

I told my grandpa to put the address of the guy in the validation thing (where you have to pay £95) and hope he gets some form of fine.

My grandfather is on a pension and doesn't have £95 to spend on a legal OS (so I'm trying to get him sorted with a new copy of Windows 7 when it is released).

At the very least though £65 or so for XP Home is what I'll have to do, not to mention travelling all the way to Lancashire to sort out the blasted thing!

Sorry for the rant but had to vent!

I can let you have a legit licence for Vista for your grandpa if you want.

mp260767 · 4 Aug 2009 at 13:38

marc2003 said:
but who knows what spec this machine is? we've already established the guy who sold it is a cowboy. it might be some hunk of junk even though it is only 3 years old. it might not even be capable of running windows 7.

iirc isn't there a win7 upgrade checker program around that gives you an idea of whats ok and what needs upgrading for win7 ?

razer1978 · 4 Aug 2009 at 18:37

i've had this problem myself, my nan sold her house and out of the money she bought me and my sister a pc, my pc cost £1500 (about 8/9 years ago) it was a pentium 133, 32Mb of ram and not much else and being my first pc didn't know much about the internals and how much things cost and like others on here have said filled with dodgy software that my nan was told was all genuine, i was so ****ed when i realised, people like this are scum :mad:

D D Danneh · 4 Aug 2009 at 18:41

BloodyL said:
I recently repaired my next door neighbours laptop with a pirate copy of WinXP 32 bit OEM as I haven't got a proper copy of that particular version , I did however use the serial code from the COA sticker on the bottom of the laptop.
Is this acceptable?

I think that'd be fine, since you're only really paying for the licence when you buy the OS. You aren't actually buying the OS to become your property to edit and distribute.

razer1978 · 4 Aug 2009 at 18:44

mp260767 said:
iirc isn't there a win7 upgrade checker program around that gives you an idea of whats ok and what needs upgrading for win7 ?

i've just installed win7 on my sisters pc and it's not exactly new (athlon 64 3500+, 1Gb ddr400 and an nvidia 5600ultra) and it fly's and my sister is over the moon with it and her pc is about the same age (3 or so years)