Comments on: Clients with Pirate Software: Should We Do Anything About It? http://www.technibble.com/customers-with-pirate-software/ A Resource for Computer Repair Technicians & to get PC tech support help. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:24:43 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: John Smith http://www.technibble.com/customers-with-pirate-software/comment-page-2/#comment-13469 John Smith Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:57:33 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/?p=2760#comment-13469 Hi, I am a certified computer technician. However, I need to obtain copies of OEM Microsoft Windows Installation CD's for customers that don't got their OEM CD's with them, and they have a problem that warrants their OS to be reinstalled when they have the COA sticker on their computers. I need a matching CD for every possible OEM version out there since it appears its legal to HAVE the CD when you pair that with the customers COA sticker when performing a reinstall. What do I have to do to get my hands on these CD's without any keys??? Thanks Hi,

I am a certified computer technician. However, I need to obtain copies of OEM Microsoft Windows Installation CD’s for customers that don’t got their OEM CD’s with them, and they have a problem that warrants their OS to be reinstalled when they have the COA sticker on their computers. I need a matching CD for every possible OEM version out there since it appears its legal to HAVE the CD when you pair that with the customers COA sticker when performing a reinstall.

What do I have to do to get my hands on these CD’s without any keys???

Thanks

]]> By: bob http://www.technibble.com/customers-with-pirate-software/comment-page-2/#comment-13209 bob Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:22:24 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/?p=2760#comment-13209 I recently took some computer classes here at East Los Angeles Occupational Center. My teacher told us a story, one of his students went to a nearby computer store to buy something. While he was waiting at the counter the place was raided by law enforcement etc. They questioned him and he left but they took some employees away. I guess they were using a key generator to install copies of windows. And I've heard that if microsoft thinks you are selling bogus software they will have someone come out under cover. They will come to your business and ask to buy something and then you will get busted. I recently took some computer classes here at East Los Angeles Occupational Center.

My teacher told us a story, one of his students went to a nearby computer store to buy something.
While he was waiting at the counter the place was raided by law enforcement etc.

They questioned him and he left but they took some employees away. I guess they were using a key generator to install copies of windows.

And I’ve heard that if microsoft thinks you are selling bogus software they will have someone come out under cover. They will come to your business and ask to buy something and then you will get busted.

]]> By: DavidClark http://www.technibble.com/customers-with-pirate-software/comment-page-2/#comment-12148 DavidClark Sun, 17 Jan 2010 02:05:18 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/?p=2760#comment-12148 This isn't an easy situation with a cookie-cutter solution. Each instance is different because the components are unique to the owner/client. I'm more intrested in the OS and the major packages. The most pressing question garnering my attention revolves around the possibility/probability of an illegal/infected install causing the complaint. But the bottom line is simple;I'll not hazard my reputation between clients. They talk amongst themselves and I don't savor developing that sort of reputation,for when you do something for one, others come to expect the same. I'm liking Ubuntu more and more. In a few years, The Cloud resolves most of these problems anyway. This isn’t an easy situation with a cookie-cutter solution.
Each instance is different because the components are unique to the owner/client.
I’m more intrested in the OS and the major packages. The most pressing question garnering my attention revolves around the possibility/probability of an illegal/infected install causing the complaint. But the bottom line is simple;I’ll not hazard my reputation between clients. They talk amongst themselves and I don’t savor developing that sort of reputation,for when you do something for one, others come to expect the same. I’m liking Ubuntu more and more. In a few years, The Cloud resolves most of these problems anyway.

]]> By: Pedro http://www.technibble.com/customers-with-pirate-software/comment-page-2/#comment-11964 Pedro Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:58:00 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/?p=2760#comment-11964 I honestly do not believe that service should be denied based on pirated software. I mean I will not install or download or advise on where to get software, but honestly, why refuse service? Software developers SHOULD be paid, but there's nothing we can really do to stop piracy. If you don't want to fix a pirated PC, who cares? The customer will just take it to someone who will and they win. I mean who gives a damn if a PC comes in with a pirated copy of windows? Who cares if all their software is pirated? There is NO law that states that you cannot service a pirated system. Besides, just because they had a pirated copy of XP, Vista, or 7, does not mean that it will thwart you. If someone wants you to reinstall windows for them, simply use the real license along with the software it is for. Stop thinking that you are a great person for denying service. Honestly, you're a retarded business owner if you refuse to service machines that have had pirated software. As long as you don't install, download, or condone illegal software, what does it matter? Stop trying to make decisions for others. I honestly do not believe that service should be denied based on pirated software. I mean I will not install or download or advise on where to get software, but honestly, why refuse service? Software developers SHOULD be paid, but there’s nothing we can really do to stop piracy. If you don’t want to fix a pirated PC, who cares? The customer will just take it to someone who will and they win. I mean who gives a damn if a PC comes in with a pirated copy of windows? Who cares if all their software is pirated? There is NO law that states that you cannot service a pirated system. Besides, just because they had a pirated copy of XP, Vista, or 7, does not mean that it will thwart you. If someone wants you to reinstall windows for them, simply use the real license along with the software it is for. Stop thinking that you are a great person for denying service. Honestly, you’re a retarded business owner if you refuse to service machines that have had pirated software. As long as you don’t install, download, or condone illegal software, what does it matter? Stop trying to make decisions for others.

]]> By: PaulD http://www.technibble.com/customers-with-pirate-software/comment-page-2/#comment-11616 PaulD Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:36:54 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/?p=2760#comment-11616 I'm fairly new to the game and studied by correspondence and so don't get to network very much. For this reason this site is a real goldmine. I've been building my business for about 2 years now and can almost give up my day job. I never use or install non-legitimate software but I didn't realise that you can use a generic install disk and use the product key on the sticker. I've been lucky enough to not have to reinstall where the customer either didn't have a disk or recovery partition to use but I'm sure I will do in the future. Where do you buy the generic operating system disks to use in these cases? Sorry for my ignorance in this matter but as I said - this is the first forum I've found solely populated by technicians. Happy holidays. I’m fairly new to the game and studied by correspondence and so don’t get to network very much. For this reason this site is a real goldmine.

I’ve been building my business for about 2 years now and can almost give up my day job.

I never use or install non-legitimate software but I didn’t realise that you can use a generic install disk and use the product key on the sticker.

I’ve been lucky enough to not have to reinstall where the customer either didn’t have a disk or recovery partition to use but I’m sure I will do in the future.

Where do you buy the generic operating system disks to use in these cases?

Sorry for my ignorance in this matter but as I said – this is the first forum I’ve found solely populated by technicians.

Happy holidays.

]]> By: Paramortal http://www.technibble.com/customers-with-pirate-software/comment-page-2/#comment-11605 Paramortal Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:14:57 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/?p=2760#comment-11605 1. If a user has pirated software, I inform them of the fact, and the pitfalls involved, and then I often direct them towards cheap or free alternatives - Photoshop -> GIMP, MS Office -> OpenOffice, Tuneup Utilities -> Glary Utilities, etc! 2. I'll fix a pirated OS if I can. If the problem is being caused by the fact that it was pirated, I'll definitely inform the customer of that fact. I like to teach my customers about free software alternatives. Many of them simply aren't aware that so many good software packages are free - or that there are alternative Operating Systems available that are free as well! 1. If a user has pirated software, I inform them of the fact, and the pitfalls involved, and then I often direct them towards cheap or free alternatives – Photoshop -> GIMP, MS Office -> OpenOffice, Tuneup Utilities -> Glary Utilities, etc!

2. I’ll fix a pirated OS if I can. If the problem is being caused by the fact that it was pirated, I’ll definitely inform the customer of that fact.

I like to teach my customers about free software alternatives. Many of them simply aren’t aware that so many good software packages are free – or that there are alternative Operating Systems available that are free as well!

]]> By: Eddie http://www.technibble.com/customers-with-pirate-software/comment-page-2/#comment-11597 Eddie Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:55:20 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/?p=2760#comment-11597 Some people have come to me for help with their computers. Many times they were very old computers because they would never have the money to pay for it, and was a hand me down from someone else who had a newer one. Almost always they never had an operating system cd. When I tell them that this old computer will cost them $100 for just a license, they want no part of it because they can't afford it. I feel sorry for these folks because of their situations. Many are on limited incomes, and would certainly allow anyone to install a pirated version of MS, just so they can have a computer. Most people with new computers have no installation cds whatsover. When I ask them about it, they have no idea what I'm talking about. Some people have come to me for help with their computers. Many times they were very old computers because they would never have the money to pay for it, and was a hand me down from someone else who had a newer one. Almost always they never had an operating system cd. When I tell them that this old computer will cost them $100 for just a license, they want no part of it because they can’t afford it. I feel sorry for these folks because of their situations. Many are on limited incomes, and would certainly allow anyone to install a pirated version of MS, just so they can have a computer. Most people with new computers have no installation cds whatsover. When I ask them about it, they have no idea what I’m talking about.

]]> By: PCTECH http://www.technibble.com/customers-with-pirate-software/comment-page-2/#comment-11594 PCTECH Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:11:27 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/?p=2760#comment-11594 I would not tell the customer that his software is pirated unless the problem is with the pirated software,then i would explain that you will need to purchase a lagit copy or freeware copy of the software,then i would show the customer where they can get the freeware versions of software.saying that in my experience with customers all they want is their pc fixed. I would not tell the customer that his software is pirated unless the problem is with the pirated software,then i would explain that you will need to purchase a lagit copy or freeware copy of the software,then i would show the customer where they can get the freeware versions of software.saying that in my experience with customers all they want is their pc fixed.

]]> By: JW The Computer Guy http://www.technibble.com/customers-with-pirate-software/comment-page-2/#comment-11560 JW The Computer Guy Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:22:24 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/?p=2760#comment-11560 In all honesty, I think that what people do on their coputers is none of my business. The only time I would offer a genuine copy of Windows would be if it can't get updates. I'm pretty we wouldn't like it if someone started looking around all our stuff. In all honesty, I think that what people do on their coputers is none of my business. The only time I would offer a genuine copy of Windows would be if it can’t get updates. I’m pretty we wouldn’t like it if someone started looking around all our stuff.

]]> By: Jayman http://www.technibble.com/customers-with-pirate-software/comment-page-2/#comment-10641 Jayman Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:30:55 +0000 http://www.technibble.com/?p=2760#comment-10641 Sorry. I don't cost between 100 and 200 bucks, the Key does. Sorry. I don’t cost between 100 and 200 bucks, the Key does.

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