Illegal copies Windows Turn in tech?

[Gary Orner]

Ok I have been getting an overwhelming amount of boxes coming to me with illegal copies of Windows 7. These are all older boxes and have either an XP key or Vista key on them.

I get these boxes for all sorts of reasons. Viruses, not loading, ect.

Now my problem is I can not just let the customer not know. So I tell the customer and they will tell me so and so put it on for me. I talk to them and tell them it would be better to use the key on their machine or purchase a true legal copy of windows 7. I have never had a customer get upset and we always fix the issue.

But in the last two weeks I have gotten 8 of these machines. all tied to the same person. I am not one to go and start calling on people but it is directly effecting me and it is illegal, giving true honest techs a bad name.

This spike in illegal copies just got to me. I would get a machine here and there with illegal XP or 7 and I would call the customer and just fix it for them. Reading through the forums i see some people just fix the issue and never say a thing to the customer. Say it is a virus they clean the machine and that is that.

I guess I am a little upset I am trying to do everything the right way without cutting corners and I have another person cutting corners and making money doing it. I don't know.

I honestly might be seeing a spike in illegals because I have been using D7 a lot and it is catching these for me. So who knows. I love D7!

 

[gikstar]

Seems like this guy is providing a lot of work for you and maybe sales of Win7?

I understand where you are coming from... I see a lot of older computers being sold on Craigslist with Win 7 installed and I would guess that 95% of them are illegal copies.

We don't have the clientele that you have, we have mostly businesses with proper COA's, but when we do come across one we inform the client and let them know their choices and what we recommend. If the O/S has to be reinstalled, we will provide the installation using the o/s that they have a valid license for. We also suggest that they go back to the original seller and complain, maybe even report them, that's left up to them.

From what I've read, most software companies don't go after the little guy since there is no money in it for them. Will they make an example of a shop owner who pirates their software?, yes, they do at times to scare others.

 

[Mr.Mike]

I am not one to go and start calling on people but it is directly effecting me and it is illegal, giving true honest techs a bad name.

Moral and ethical dilemma; what to do?

This spike in illegal copies just got to me. I would get a machine here and there with illegal XP or 7 and I would call the customer and just fix it for them.

Moral and ethical dilemma; decision made.

I guess I am a little upset I am trying to do everything the right way without cutting corners and I have another person cutting corners and making money doing it. I don't know.

Moral and ethical dilemma; remorse for choosing to work on illegal machines anyway.

Look friend, I understand how you feel. But wouldn't it be better to simply turn down anymore work from this person providing you with machines with illegal OS's? Then just mark it down as a brief moment of ethical confusion and move on. Trying to do everything right is not an option. Like our little friend Yoda says: You do, or you do-not. There is no "try".

Good Luck

 

[gikstar]

But in the last two weeks I have gotten 8 of these machines. all tied to the same person. I am not one to go and start calling on people but it is directly effecting me and it is illegal, giving true honest techs a bad name.

I get the impression that the illegal Win7 is being installed by the same tech/business and that that techs/business clients are coming to the OP for repairs/virus removals. I don't believe that one person has brought in 8 computers.

 

[Mr.Mike]

I get the impression that the illegal Win7 is being installed by the same tech/business and that that techs/business clients are coming to the OP for repairs/virus removals. I don't believe that one person has brought in 8 computers.

I would agree. Some dirtbag is distributing illegal copies of the OS to unsuspecting clients. I hate it when I get one of these in. Too bad.

 

[smashedbotatos]

Situations like this make you look good and honest to the customer. They came to you and not the previous shop owner for a reason. Take care of each client by doing what you are doing.

You can always have the customers report the incidents through the proper channel if you so choose. Microsoft's online piracy reporting.

I have not personally turned anyone in for this, but I have seen these same cases before. Client either buys a new PC with a counterfeit copy already on it, or pays for an upgrade of their current system.

I have actually seen a custom built PC come in with a COA from Dell, how it was activated was beyond me. The customer also didn't receive the proper windows re install disks. <- that one beyond angered me.

Consumers are put in a hard spot by techs that sell old OEM COA's on Ebay. They don't know the difference or what to look for when purchasing a new OS.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

After 8x times of seeing that nearby...wow, I'd have a hard time not turning in this fake wanna-be tech that is supporting pirating.

I've gotten close to do that...a few years ago I went to look at the networks of some potential new clients...business networks, and I know this one guy that did part time SMB network support in addition to his full time IT job at a big pharmaceutical company. I noticed a trend...the servers and workstations he put in at these potential clients were all cloners...and the big tipoff...when you see "Server 2000 Enterprise Edition" installed on a server for a 9 node network...you know it was installed by some propeller head with a Microsoft Action Pack subscription. So I saw two of his networks...if I ran across a 3rd one..."strike 3 you're out"...I was going to report him.

 

[Tekko]

Instead of turning him in and watching nothing happen I would call around to various media outlets and see if they want to do a little segment on software fraud

Bad techs name is trashed, you look like a honest business and get free advertising.

Win, Win, Winning.

 

[smashedbotatos]

Instead of turning him in and watching nothing happen I would call around to various media outlets and see if they want to do a little segment on software fraud

Bad techs name is trashed, you look like a honest business and get free advertising.

Win, Win, Winning.

Just make sure he doesn't come to your place of business and cause trouble. There is one computer repair shop here where the owner is a jackass. He ran a rival business out of town by actually....physically assaulting the owner, and the state police when they showed up. Yet he is still in business, and people STILL go there for some reason.

 

[Tekko]

Just make sure he doesn't come to your place of business and cause trouble. There is one computer repair shop here where the owner is a jackass. He ran a rival business out of town by actually....physically assaulting the owner, and the state police when they showed up. Yet he is still in business, and people STILL go there for some reason.

That's why everyone should consider finding a martial art to study. Mine's Bujinkan. Concealed Carry helps too.

 

[Gary Orner]

I have sold a few Windows 7 Homes because of it. I guess the person doing it will get known fast enough. I was shocked a few of them could even update and everything.

I will continue to do what I do and help out every customer and make sure they are happy. This latest customer is going back to Windows XP. Get this she was charged 25 dollars to upgrade to 7. I told her if it is to good to be true then it is. I also said I can not even come close to buying Windows 7 for that.

 

[Dameize]

Theres actually a rogue shop in my town like that. He has been here for like 10 years and you can just walk in and buy illegal software. When I was like 13 I remember him selling me some games before i went back to australia (dont recall what). Another pc shop came 5 years ago though and trash him and try and get him in bother and have done.

Personally I would mention it to them and just say its nothing to do with me personally but if you want I can source you a key at cost price.

That way you look good. Theres also a chance I wouldnt mention it though.

If the competitor was a threat to me i would run them in though for sure.

 

[rudger]

I have a local comp who does the same, puts dodgy versions of windows/office onto machines even on machines where there are genuine license codes stuck to the side of the machine (home pc running windows XP pro when License on the side of the computer is windows XP home)

I try to find out why have they come to me instead of going back to local comp. the only answer I get is that they are unsatisfied with the service they provide.

 

[ljtechservices]

got a local competitor distributing illegal copies?

Turn them in.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/howtotell/cfr/report.aspx

you don't need them polluting the water in your area.

 

[Rosco]

this has been happening a lot in my area. very upsetting. this is a CL post by some pizzia tech:

Hi. I'm a tech trying to generate business to open a new shop & so for a limited time I'm offering a great deal. I will wipe your hard drive and put the Windows version you want with the drivers for your machine. It will run like new. My operating systems are legit and will authenticate with Microsoft. All for $50 so take advantage while you still can. Text or call (number removed) Vin. I also have an anti-virus deal going on as well right now. I have over 8 years experience in computers and have my cert. Please note that I am not saying that wiping an OS is the only solution to virus removal. If you want to have your system put back to fresh out the box status for half the price give me a call before this promo ends.​

i e-mailed the guy from a newly created e-mail. he says its a legit product key but doesnt provide any documentation. lol.

 

[Gary Orner]

Yep, That is what I am dealing with also. How hard is it to charge for the legal software and then charge for installing. I have never had a customer get upset when I tell them the quote to upgrade. I get some say they can not afford it but it is what it is.

50.00 to get a W7 key and for install. I charge more for the install alone.

 

[Rosco]

Yep, That is what I am dealing with also. How hard is it to charge for the legal software and then charge for installing. I have never had a customer get upset when I tell them the quote to upgrade. I get some say they can not afford it but it is what it is.

50.00 to get a W7 key and for install. I charge more for the install alone.

Yea for real. When i explain the price and how the os costs money no one ever gets upset. Some people cant afford it which is fine. But what is wrong with these pizzia techs they are making it hard for us and the customers!

 

[NETWizz]

Here are my thoughts on the matter.

0. It is not our job to turn other people in. We are not the police.

1. You cannot turn in a previous tech on what a customer says. (i.e. You come across an illegal copy of Windows on the job-site... they say it was the last guy, Bob Smith...) <==It probably IS the fault of Bob Smith, but you cannot turn him in because you cannot personally attest to that matter not knowing Bob or if the customer is fully informed. It could have been the guy before Bob.

^^^ How would you feel if Bob (or the guy before Bob) put an illegal copy of Windows on a machine, and you were called in... then the guy who comes inafter you asks, "Who worked on this last?" Then, He then reports you! Sure, they can't prove it, but either way you now have a headache/hassle to deal with. <== This is why I don't report people unless I am 100% sure.


2. It is best to work with the customer and simply correct the problem. Either go back to the legal licence as the sticker on the side of the case, or sell them a properly licence copy of Windows with COA sticker.

Have the customer acknowledge on the Work Order that it is not you. I simply would print a screenshot of "System Info" to show the install date, and advise directly in the work order the date of the illegal install of Windows. (Reason, it doesn't blame anybody specifically, but it proves the system was installed BEFORE you ever got to that job site.) If in the future someone turns you in... you have absolute qualify-able proof it was done on a date before your work order was issued/signed by the customer.

 

[Gary Orner]

Very good advice and I will be doing that from now on. Never even thought about printing out the install dates. Thank you.

I think you hit the nail on the head.

 

[Lefty]

It happens to us all. I've had a couple of customers with the same issue, both XP OSs had "elapsed" license keys. I turned one into a Linux believer and she never looked back.

Worrying about what the previous tech has done is neither productive nor profitable. Fixing the customer's problem is.

That said, documenting the install date is a very good idea, and one I'll be implementing from now on for similar cases.