ripken204 Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 (edited) so my friend decided to finally get vista with SP1 being here and all.but he decided to get it off of craigslist.he got it for $70. the guy said that it was a retial key and he also said that he made it unattended. he didnt even ship the original disk.so after installtion, i first notice the GRUB bootloader for a split second.. and once in vista i notice that it is registered as an oem dell.. with logo and all..doesnt this sound extremely familiar to that dell oem bios cracked version???then i find a file which contains:"Vista Ultimate DELL OEM Permanently Actived Edition (hAwIE)"so i had my friend email the guy all of this information but the guy refused to do a refund. he says that it is legit..he also said that this copy is able to activate up to 10 comps at once!?so what do you guys think about this?i am thinking of having my friend filing a paypal dispute. but the guy is saying that he has all the emails saying that they agreed upon the transaction. a transaction where he promised a retail legit key..so basically i need to prove that the key is not legit.. Edited February 4, 2008 by ripken204 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakebo Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 According to Microsoft's rules a retail package will include CD and COA. If there is no COA then it is not legit. That is the best way I can recommend to be sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelsenellenelvian Posted February 4, 2008 Share Posted February 4, 2008 (edited) Your friend got ripped.... I would report him to MS and make sure to get a refund.Only Dell is certified to produce Dell disks and computers.Also yes do file a report with paypal immediatly. Edited February 4, 2008 by Kelsenellenelvian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarun Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 1. http://www.microsoft.com/Genuine/diag/RunD...?displayLang=en2. MGADiag: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripken204 Posted February 5, 2008 Author Share Posted February 5, 2008 #1 passes b/c that is basically the reason of the crack, to be able to pass all of thatfor #2, the product key and product key hash matches exactly to the cracked version. i have been arguing with this guy over email and he still says that it is legit, haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PC_LOAD_LETTER Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 1. Stop dealing with the seller.2. Call 1-800-R-U-LEGIT and tell them what you told us. then send any chatlogs/emails from the seller to them if they ask for them.3. Let Microsoft deal with him lawyer-styleI've heard of situations where a person has been scammed like this can receive a legit license in exchange for helping MS catch someone selling pirated software. I dunno if those are just old internet urban legends but i'd do it for free. seriously, whats the worst they can do to you? blacklist your serial on pirated copy? -i can almost guarantee thats already taken care of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripken204 Posted February 5, 2008 Author Share Posted February 5, 2008 i will take a look at that and MS claims to have stopped the oem bios crack with SP1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluberti Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 i will take a look at that and MS claims to have stopped the oem bios crack with SP1Someone will come up with another, but yes, SP1 disables the current BIOS cracks. I'd call the number and rat out the seller, as he's up to no good. Your buddy got shafted out of $70, but when it's too good to be true, it usually is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linh_My Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 Attempting to update a cracked copy of XP or to download specific files from MS download will take you to a MS website that offers to either sell you a valid copy of XP or provide you with a free copy of XP if you provide information about the seller. I'd likely attempt to upgrade or download hit the website and try to get the legit free copy, assuming that the offer has been extended to Vista. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linh_My Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 Just ran into this MS linkhttp://www.microsoft.com/protect/promotion...vantage_us.mspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripken204 Posted February 5, 2008 Author Share Posted February 5, 2008 Just ran into this MS linkhttp://www.microsoft.com/protect/promotion...vantage_us.mspxit is genuine tho, that is what is so great about that oem bios crack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluberti Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 Yes, it's going to report itself as genuine, even though it's not (otherwise why develop and run the crack, in the mind of the cracker...). Just contact MS, give them your story, and provide them any screenshots or data they need. Trust me, they're very likely to go after the guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bezalel Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 I've heard of situations where a person has been scammed like this can receive a legit license in exchange for helping MS catch someone selling pirated software. I dunno if those are just old internet urban legends but i'd do it for free. seriously, whats the worst they can do to you? blacklist your serial on pirated copy? -i can almost guarantee thats already taken care of.The free license only applies if you have a high quality fake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripken204 Posted February 6, 2008 Author Share Posted February 6, 2008 so the thing is now, i have been kinda fighting this guy thru the paypal dispute thing. basically he has a "business partner" who gives him these disks to sell. he said that his copy works perfectly and doesnt contain any of those files i listed on the disk.also he says that since it activates fine, works fine, updates fine, that he refuses a refundi say, it only activates fine b/c it is cracked! then he says, well you prolly have made copies of the disk for youself anywaysim like, why!? i can just download this same exact disk if i wanted to.so then the guy keeps saying that i am lying and s*** like thateven tho he is 100% wrongshould i escelate the paypal? or contact MS?i emailed piracy@microsoft.com and they just replied "Due to the sensitive legal nature of these matters, it is not possible for us to provide feedback or updates about actions taken on your submission."i will just have to call them tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelsenellenelvian Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 (edited) Yes escalate the paypal. Edited February 6, 2008 by Kelsenellenelvian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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