Desktops: OEM software for sale online, is this legal?
OEM software for sale online, is this legal?
by no9to5wdm - 10/30/04 2:22 PMThis may sound crazy that I even think of doing this, but I received several e-mails regarding the sale of Most Major software products CDs at much lower prices at: http://acdfghjbeklm.findhere.biz/?page=faq&pid=_584&cart=
The software is shipped from Europe. Has anybody heard any feedback on this company?
I was told before that OEM (by my computer repair co.) that the OEM can't be sold, only with major items like new mother board for major upgrades then it is much cheaper, or with a new computer.
I purchased a new HP Pavilion computer but did not realize that the software that came with it was only trails for 60 days. It was my understanding that the software on a new computer was part of the package deal, plus several trails of other types of product software. (It just listed the software on the box, MS Office 2003,MS XP academic versions, I didn't see anything about trail, except for MS works was a trail). Now I find that there is no MS Office 2003 or MS XP student/teacher, CDS as it was already loaded. Which really upset me, it was $1450. The main software that makes the computer work should be part of the package. Now I have to go pay several hundred additional for the software.
I feel as if I was riped off by HP. Yes I sent an email to HP also. No answer yet.
I was told before that OEM (by my computer repair co. that the OEM can't be sold, only with major items like mother board, then it is much cheaper. Has anyone had this come up before?
Re: OEM software for sale online, is this legal?
by Steven Haninger - 10/30/04 2:47 PM In reply to: OEM software for sale online, is this legal? by no9to5wdmYour best response will come from the software developers themselves as they hold ownership and copyright. They make the rules about distribution and licensing. However, US laws will run into enforcement challenges if infractions originate overseas. Since the site states the software comes from Europe, such is the case. Much software also comes from Asia and has been reported as bogus distributions. If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That's almost axiomatic. As far as trial and limited versions which come with brand name PCs, that's been done for a long time. It's a marketing thing to increase the perceived value of the purchase. This one reason I would never buy a "computer in a box" system.
Re: OEM software for sale online, is this legal?
by no9to5wdm - 10/30/04 5:59 PM In reply to: Re: OEM software for sale online, is this legal? by Steven HaningerThanks, that is what I was thinking. Again I get smart after the fact in buying a PC. Should have checked with the forum first.
Re: OEM software for sale online, is this legal?
by jonjon1946 - 11/5/04 12:10 PM In reply to: Re: OEM software for sale online, is this legal? by Steven HaningerIf you are looking for an operating system that doesn't cost a lot (rare these days) go to Linux.org and you shall find there a number of FREE operating systems that can be down loaded, among which is Slackware 9.1 . There as other distributions that can be had for a pittence compared to Micro-soft. You may want to try SUSE Linux 9.0, the choice of almost all of the big name servers in use today. Take your pick! Linux is the foundation for many first rate OS's that support GUI (graphic user interface, i.e., icons..point and click) as well as command line types. It is helpful to have a broadband connection for downloading as you are downloading installation CD's. But please be advised that some of the download sites use modems to connect to the internet. I down loaded from one such site and it took 36 hours to complete. You will need cheksum, available on the site, to verify the accuracy of your selection once it is complete.
Many of the Linux systems come complete with many applications included, e.g. OPEN OFFICE and games, that Microsoft and others will gladly sell to you for an extra fee for the windows OS's. You can order many of the Linux OS's already on CD for a really low price, in some cases the cost of materials. Linux is a member of the OPEN SOURCE NETWORK as is Sourceforge.net, where you can get free downloadable app's for Windows OS's as well, such as Mozilla Firefox which is a superior browser that, in my opinion, out-performs IE. And if you search the various Linux associated sites you can find instructions on how to install your choice of Linux OS's.
Help is available on-line and/or from the built-in help supplied with the OS. There is even an OS named KNOPPIX that remains resident on and runs from CD-rom that can be used in an emergency to access even WINDOWS files and the internet if your windows or other OS crashes. Linux is very user friendly OS and barely distinguishable from Windows when operating, except it seems to me to be a lot more reliable.
If you check out these computer shows, such as www.marketproshows.com you can find windows xp pro for a lot less than retail but more that a typical Linux OS.
I am currently running WIN XP pro on my own machine, and that is because I bought it before I found out about LINUX. I have my hdd partitioned for Linux and a Linux OS is my option. I do use XP pro most of the time because that is what I am used to and I have a lot of app's that will only run in a windows environment. But when Windows fails...
I hope that you find this info helpful. Good luck!
Re: OEM software for sale online, is this legal?
by newrican - 11/5/04 2:05 PM In reply to: Re: OEM software for sale online, is this legal? by jonjon1946Most of the OEM or DSP software that is for sale on online shops are legal, although you really have to make sure that they are. Some shops will sell the item only if you buy with hardware, others will tell you that it is your responsibility to comply with the law and buy the hardware. One great site where I usually go to is www.directdeals.com
OEM
by S Barringer - 1/13/05 8:49 PM In reply to: Re: OEM software for sale online, is this legal? by Steven HaningerIt must be sold with some kind of hardware, and sometimes it can be nothing more than a mouse or something inexpensive like that.
However, you sound like you want the full works installed on your computer, in which case I would go for the "full retail version". It has all the goodies in there that you might want. Along with it you will get the manual, COA, possibly a boot disk (depending upon the OS). And, you won't be required to buy any hardware.
Do not buy anything from overseas as much of it proves to be bogus software. Buy from a seller that you can go back to in the event of a problem. If you buy from overseas and you're not happy with what you get, 99% of the time, you'll be out of luck.
With a local retailer or nationally known seller with a good reputation, you'll get value for what you pay for.
As another member said, "If it sounds too good to be true......"
OEM gives you nothing but the CD. Nothing else. That's great for people who do builds on regular basis and have boot disk or boot CDs on hand, and all the other stuff used for clean installs.
Hope that helps.
OEM
by - 2/13/05 3:39 PM In reply to: OEM by S BarringerIn regards, I am not defending OEM, however I do not buy your logic. If it is less expensive, there must be something wrong with it, and the only way to learn is through tech support and manuals. After several years spending hours on the phone with $5/hr tech support flunkies reading to me ill thought procedures written by $6/hr flunkies, I realized that usually by the end of the call, I was telling them how to solve the problem. I have never recieved a check or as much as a thank you. I do not call them and my computer(s) (& network) runs just fine. Why pay the extra - to SUPPORT "TECH"?
Full versions
by the Otter - 1/29/05 1:09 AM In reply to: Re: OEM software for sale online, is this legal? by Steven HaningerQuote: As far as trial and limited versions which come with brand name PCs, that's been done for a long time. It's a marketing thing to increase the perceived value of the purchase. This one reason I would never buy a "computer in a box" system.
This is certainly true, but if you want a machine with a lot of full versions right out of the box, just get a Macintosh. They come with Mac OS X (which is also much simpler and more powerful than M$ Windows, not to mention it doesn’t look like someone at Fisher-Price designed the interface) , but more importantly (in this case), they come with a barrage of full versions:
• TextEdit for basic word processing
• AppleScript for system automation
• iCal for calendaring/to do: lists
• iChat for instant messaging
• DVD Player for, well, playing DVDs
• iMovie for making your home movies come to life
• iDVD for burning DVDs
• iPhoto for organizing and simple editing of photos
• iTunes for music, including free tunes every week!
• Mail for all your e-mail needs, including Exchange servers
• Preview for PDF creation and viewing pretty much anything
• QuickTime for computer-based movies
• Safari for web browsing
• Sherlock for a super-easy way to find ’net-based info
…and some systems even include AppleWorks for higher-end word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, drawing, and painting; and full versions of Intuit Quicken and/or QuickBooks! I know that a lot of Microsoft-based machines come with programs that do some of the stuff mentioned here, but in many cases, there isn’t anything comparable for Win/DOS, at any price.
Add to that the fact that Mac OS X is based on Unix and can therefore run pretty much any *nix program, plus (if you really want to) can even run M$ Windows (although admittedly, with a performance hit), there’s no contest. (Of course, if you do install Windows, you’ll also have to install anti-virus and anti-spyware/adware programs—things that Mac OS just doesn’t require. ((I do have Norton AntiVirus on my main Mac, but in over four years of Mac OS X, there’s never been an actual virus that could attack it.)) )
I beg to differ
by Rob Bond - 11/4/05 7:30 AM In reply to: Full versions by the OtterMaybe you should get out more dude.
Some links:
www.itweb.co.za/sections/internet/2004/0410251248.asp?A=VIR&S=Virus%20Watch&O=FPT''
news.com.com/2100-7349_3-5215586.html?tag=nefd.top''
news.com.com/Apple+criticized+for+security+advisories/2100-7355_3-5205912.html?tag=nl''
news.com.com/Apple+patches+QuickTime+flaw/2100-1002_3-5203525.html?tag=nl''
news.com.com/Apple+fixes+15+flaws+in+Mac+OS+X/2100-1002_3-5350010.html?tag=nefd.top''
news.com.com/Mac+OS+fix+fails+to+plug+security+hole/2100-1002_3-5220285.html?tag=nefd.top''
www.computerworld.com/securitytopics/security/story/0,10801,104778,00.html''
news.com.com/Apple+patches+%27critical%27+OS+X+flaw/2100-7355_3-5228038.html?tag=nefd.top''
I could probably find more if I needed to. So, it seems viruses and security flaws HAVE in fact been found in the past five years. You can talk all you want about how OSX is 'built to be secure' but it clearly isn't impervious to attack. I can't say as to why more viruses do not pop up, but it makes sense to me that if you're going to spend time writing any sort of malicious code or searching for loopholes, you may as well do it on the OS that most of the world uses.
What do you need?
by R. Proffitt
- 10/30/04 3:21 PM
In reply to: OEM software for sale online, is this legal? by no9to5wdm
For instance, I use Open Office from http://www.openoffice.org for my Office needs. It's what I use and the price is right.
I also have moved to using CDBurnerXP from http://www.cdburnerxp.se/ because it does what I need without complaining about me changing a CDRW drive (OEM software issues).
Hope this helps,
Bob
Re: OEM software for sale online, is this legal?
by Alan Phipps - 11/5/04 2:35 AM In reply to: OEM software for sale online, is this legal? by no9to5wdmI have purchased OEM Software before and have expereinced no obvious problems. My OS is Windows XP Pro and I get legal updates and support OK, however, I did damage the original disk and this is where OEM lets you down. Microsoft will not replace the CD - they say it is the PC Suppliers problem, and the supplier won't either. Luckily I have made a back up copy, so it is not very important. The issue is that OEM should be supplied with a PC via a reputable Manufacturer or supplier. I bought my copy of XP from an online cheapo shop, (as you do) and they have no mechanism for replacement. I think my problem is pretty minor though, as you can always copy the orginal disk and if the Manufacturer supports the software then there is no issue. I hope this answer helps defuse your concerns.
Re: OEM software for sale online, is this legal?
by derekgaus - 11/5/04 3:04 AM In reply to: OEM software for sale online, is this legal? by no9to5wdmI don't know about legality but I recently purchased an OEM version of Windows XP Pro without having to purchase any major hardware. It took some shopping around and all software retailers told me that they couldn't sell it to me. I then tried some outlets that assembled computers, some of which told me the same thing. However, perseverance paid off and I eventually found an outlet that had no problem with selling me an OEM version with no associated hardware purchase.
So where did you get it and how was it?
by sm2123 - 1/31/05 1:35 PM In reply to: Re: OEM software for sale online, is this legal? by derekgausWhere exactly did you end up buying the software and did you have any problems with it?
Re: OEM software for sale online, is this legal?
by Mahayani - 11/5/04 3:29 AM In reply to: OEM software for sale online, is this legal? by no9to5wdmI looked at the site and it appears to be legal. (i.e. not pirated software)
They appear to be operating in the "grey" market. That is, they sell excess inventory of old software.
You will notice everything is 2004, but new 2005 versions are out on most everything (i.e. Norton Internet Security).
As for the operating systems, you are supposed to buy some hardware with the OS. A motherboard is not required. Usually resellers go with a hard drive, which doesn't require building your system from scratch.
As for this particular site selling XP Pro for so cheap, with no hardware requirement, I can only imagine they are selling the original version 2600, prior to XP1 or XP2.
It is uncertain if Microsoft will legally go after this "grey" market, since it is likely that someone (some system builder company, maybe even a major one) actually legally purchased this software, but now finds it antiquated with the release of SP2.
I myself have three extra OS's sitting around, doing nothing, but it is hard (not very nice) to market an operating system that is over 2 years old, outdated by hundreds of plugs to its security holes.
If Microsoft were to pursue this "grey" market, they might find that one of their major clients (computer manufacturers) dumped their excess old operating systems to this or other marketing companies.
The software, already being paid for, enters the market legally to reduce the loss of manufacturers.
I can't swear to it, but the site you mention doesn't appear to be pirating.
P.S. One nasty thing that some computer builders do is to buy licenses without the OS CD. It is cheaper for them. Then they give you a "restore CD"!! WORTHLESS!!!!! You will lose all you data, pictures, songs, documents, EVERYTHING!!! The game of these nasty PC builders is to require you to go back to them, where they can charge exhorbitant prices to save your data.
NEVER BUY A PC, THAT DOESN'T COME WITH THE REAL OPERATING SYSTEM CD. RESTORE CD's ARE A MARKETING HOAX!!
Restore CD
by S Barringer - 1/13/05 9:08 PM In reply to: Re: OEM software for sale online, is this legal? by MahayaniRestore CD's have their use, but in a case of real trouble, you'll need the OS CD because as all of us know, sooner or later, you will find yourself reinstalling your OS. We're talking Windows here. If it's Linux, it's a lot more stable and reinstall is almost a nonissure.
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