Pre-installed software question.......

[Dooin' it]

Looking on auction sites & forum sales I see lots of folks selling systems w/ "pre-installed" software. Some disclose with or without disc, but my assumption would always be without disc. In this case, is it legal for someone to sell software (particularly o/s) on a system & just not give you the disc or license??

[wju425]

You're supposed to have a COA with the OS. Without it it's bootlegged.

\o/ Billy

[Dooin' it]

Well, then how do these people post auctions stating clearly that the software is "pre installed"??? I even reported one auction in question to ebay just because there was some seriously high-dollar Microsoft software (WinXP, OfficeXP etc.) that was going to be "pre installed".(no license/coa/zip/zilch/nada) Well, the auction came, went & nothing was done.

Several others just like it! Since MS pulls auctions within hours of their debut when o/s's are offered as potentially missing some critical item for legal sale of their software I'm guessing there must be some loophole on systems..........either that or nobody cares???

[jmichna]

Even pre-installed comes with a COA. There is (some minimal) hard copy documentation that comes with these systems... somewhere (in a legitimate offer) you will find COAs, license key numbers, etc.

[Dooin' it]

OK, maybe I'm not stating this clearly enough.............these aren't "dealers" persay (though a few charge tax in their own state, thus they *are*) most are just regular joe's (or janes) selling computers & throwing software on.

I'm aware of the unique oem licenser that can sell installed software but not include CD's...........what I'm talking about is me winning an auction from you and your auction says you're going to "throw some cool stuff like XP/Office/UT/Everquest on there & everybody but the your dog knows the discs are staying in your drawer at home. Is that clearer now??

[MrPurple]

If you own the Licanse for the software, it would not matter for the most part if you have the physical CD or not.
But be warrned that some Licanse prohibit the copy of the software.
Anyway a Licanse is the only legitamate proof that you are the owner fo the software in question. The acutall CDs mean jack.
And in most cases, if you have a licanse but no CD, you can always contact the copany and ask them to send you a new copy of the software. Most will do it.

[jmichna]

Originally posted by Dooin' it
OK, maybe I'm not stating this clearly enough.............these aren't "dealers" persay (though a few charge tax in their own state, thus they *are*) most are just regular joe's (or janes) selling computers & throwing software on.

I'm aware of the unique oem licenser that can sell installed software but not include CD's...........what I'm talking about is me winning an auction from you and your auction says you're going to "throw some cool stuff like XP/Office/UT/Everquest on there & everybody but the your dog knows the discs are staying in your drawer at home. Is that clearer now??

"Private" sellers can always transfer legitimate licenses... I've done it many times myself (both as seller and as buyer).

I suspect you are talking about a different situation: I think you already know the answer, and are hoping to get a response to assuage your conscience.

If somebody sells you a PC (via private, eBay, lotto, whatever) if they "pre-install" software and do not give you the COA/license, then you are SOL... you are not legit. Where the "guilt" lies can be settled by a "shark" (shark=attorney).

How your conscience deals with it is up to you.

[Dooin' it]

"Private" sellers can always transfer legitimate licenses... I've done it many times myself (both as seller and as buyer).

Totally understood! I think we can all agree it's not what I'm asking!

I suspect you are talking about a different situation: I think you already know the answer, and are hoping to get a response to assuage your conscience.

not to assuage my conscience but to answer my inquiry! The question here is, WHY/HOW are sellers able to get away with it?

Example..................if I notice an even "slightly" suspicious auction on ebay for the sale of Win98SE, I e-mail ebay & the auction is taken down in minutes (if not seconds) of sending that e-mail. The same does not, however, apply to the sale of systems! I can put a system on ebay right now & babble my tail off about how I will "throw on" WinXP, Office, Quicken, Games, games & more games & nobody will even question me about doing it. I will NOT, nor have ANY intention of.......giving you discs, paperwork, coas, manuals, NOTHING!!! And NOTHING will be done to stop my auction. How does this happen one way & not the other??? UNLESS..........there's a loophole that if you sell a computer, you can put whatever you want on the computer & the buyer can use it 'til one of 2 things happens.........the HD is formatted or completely dies!! Does this make sense now??

[Omardeth]

if u get nadda it ain't right ...

[John Prophet]

I didnt read all the posts. But there shouldnt be a lot of surprise about "pre loaded" software, lol.

If you ask how is it possible....I counter that with a similar question.....how is it that I can go to computer shows....big ones, advertised on the radio...broad daylight....and buy all kinds of software that says "not for resale"? lol.

Of course I can also buy all kinds of systems with w98se on them..no coa, no disk etc.

Can u IMAGINE the number of times this occurs???? How could anyone realistically check every sale of every computer everywhere?? Kind of a tuff thing to police I imagine.

My sister bought some Microsoft Office stuff off ebay..the prices seemed too good to be true..they were....it was just basic old cd burned copies, lol. She sent em back and got a refund.

I dont see Bill sweating the rent payment anytime soon..do you?

JP