Microsoft nabs Canadian pirates:

[ZenOps]

http://www.integratedmar.com/connect....cfm?item=1681

Microsoft is hitting pirate operations pretty hard, first on the list is Ontario... Soon to be expanded to the rest of Canada.

[v00d00]

Beware of the man!

(B.Gates that is)

[Txiasaeia]

They're not going after "pirate operations," but beige-box retailers who build a computer and include a copy of Windows without a legal CD and key. This can only be a good thing. Advertising computers with copies of Windows and NOT including a legal copy of the OS is false advertising, and I think could actually be classified as theft (as opposed to copyright infringement.)

[v00d00]

When we purchased our laptop, it came with WinXP, but we didn't get a copy of WinXP.. isn't that illegal?

All we got was a norton ghost backup of the original data.

And this was from a large name brand notebook maker, and from a large retailer.

[BoxsterS]

When we purchased our laptop, it came with WinXP, but we didn't get a copy of WinXP.. isn't that illegal?

All we got was a norton ghost backup of the original data.

And this was from a large name brand notebook maker, and from a large retailer.

Perhaps, what really matters is the certificate of authenticity sticker on the bottom of your laptop or on the side of your PC. If there isn't one there then it might be cause for concern. Remember, you can always call Microsoft or electronically authenticate your product key. If you have even the slightest doubt then do it. Microsoft will not come after you and they'll give you a legitimate copy of XP just for telling them who the supplier was. This way you become legitimate and you get back at the low life retailer that sold you a pirated copy of XP.

[v00d00]

Yeah it did come with that special hologram certificate of authenticity.. BUT, we didn't get a friggin copy of WinXP.. which drives me crazy, because when I've had to do a system restore, the stock Windows is loaded up with all kinds of stupid programs that I don't want.

So if I call Microsoft, I can get a copy of WinXP mailed to me for free since I never actually received a copy?

[BoxsterS]

Yeah it did come with that special hologram certificate of authenticity.. BUT, we didn't get a friggin copy of WinXP.. which drives me crazy, because when I've had to do a system restore, the stock Windows is loaded up with all kinds of stupid programs that I don't want.

So if I call Microsoft, I can get a copy of WinXP mailed to me for free since I never actually received a copy?

And you won't get one from Microsoft either. What you have is an OEM copy and as such you probably didn't get any recovery CD's either. My Thinkpad didn't come with any CD's either, but I can easily recover because the newer laptops generally hide a recovery partition with a copy of the OS in case of failure. If you need recovery CD's then call the company that sold you the laptop. Microsoft offers no help whatsoever to OEM copies of Windows.

[v00d00]

Ahhh all it makes no sense.

I just have no respect for Microsoft anymore.. Linux needs to hurry along and make a competitive product to lure me away from the Microsoft machine.

I though there was a rule that if you are buying a computer system and don't want to use Windows, you can actually get a refund for the cost of Windows and get an empty computer?

[chatbox]

Ahhh all it makes no sense.

I just have no respect for Microsoft anymore.. Linux needs to hurry along and make a competitive product to lure me away from the Microsoft machine.

I though there was a rule that if you are buying a computer system and don't want to use Windows, you can actually get a refund for the cost of Windows and get an empty computer?

It makes perfect sense. To keep the cost low, the price of the laptop only covers the license/usage of the OS, doesn't cover the cost for the media or packaging of the OS, nor does it cover any form of installation other than the method provided to you by the laptop's manufacturer (e.g. recovery CDs). You get what you paid for.

About the "rule", no, it's not a rule. However, you can try to request a laptop without Windows. It was a Dell lawsuit in the states.

[CSR]

" Canadasys Computers Inc. (Scarborough)

" Filtech Enterprises Inc. (Toronto)

2 well known stores...

[peterbrowne]

Rama Computers Inc. (North York)

I used to get stuff @ their Mississauga SOuth Common Mall location

[LegiT]

Bill Gates in Empire Palpatine's voice:


Wipe them out...wipe them all out.

[audit13]

I know we all like to knock MS but, if we were in BG's shoes, would we do the same ?

I'm not condoning the business practices of MS but I like to think that there are 2 sides to every story.

[v00d00]

No.. when it come to m$ there's only one side... MONEY MONEY MONEY!

[audit13]

No.. when it come to m$ there's only one side... MONEY MONEY MONEY!

This reminds me of an Abba song