Comments on: Online auctions remain piracy problem for Microsoft

The company has filed another 63 suits against pirates selling via online marketplaces, the fact is, consumers remain eager to find cut-rate offers for Windows and Office.

[maxmulvey]

My computers come pre loaded with Microsoft Windows, within months of purchasing the system, the computer crashes. Backup files and system restore have not ever, EVER worked for me. I end up at Wal-Mart buying another copy of Windows and Office. Surely people like me who purchase software multiple times for the same computers more than make up Microsoft's losses from pirates! I've called Microsoft and my computer manufacturer probably 15 times now, I usually connect with an English as a second language person who cannot understand how to help. The same things happen at work but it's much easier to install a software version that comes on a DVD with a serial number. I guess that if the military switched to Apple OS'es that we wouldn't have this problem as I have never heard of an Apple OS needing to be re-loaded.

[ricegf]

Another option when Windows crashes and Microsoft refuses to help recover without more cash is to just install Ubuntu (http://ubuntu.com). It costs nothing, is remarkably stable and easy to use, is compatible with Microsoft's file formats, and comes with all the functionality for which you have to pay extra with Windows or Mac (office software, graphics, communications, desktop publishing, and a long long slate of games). Best of all, tech support is free (http://ubuntuforums.org) and supplied by *real people* rather than scripted cubical dwellers across the sea. Try it! You'll love it! (Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in Canonical - I'm just a happy user.)

[bensobel]

Why do you need to buy another copy of the software? That is not logical, unless the preloaded version was a pirate copy to start with.

[gp2792]

if you bought the computer with windows and office pre-loaded, then you own the license from the OEM. Don't blame Microsoft for your hardware vendor not supporting you. You should never buy another copy of office or windows to replace the same version on your machine...that doesn't make any sense!

[CrashPad63]

Im calling BS on this comment. Every once in a while you may need a refresh. And for that PC OEM's have restore feaures that do not "work", and to go out and buy another copy when the OEM supplies this for you is rubbish. Dell, HP, Gateway all will send a disc for anyone asking.
Your whole post is just smacks of an Apple Troll.

[Penguinisto]

@bensobel: Sometimes an OEM ships the computer with a 'restore partition' instead of re-install media. You have to ask for a disk, or pay for the privilege (a nominal fee, but you still have to put up with the shipping wait if you didn't ask for it to be included with the purchase).

[UITD]

@ricegf: Linux is NEVER an option.

If you crash your car because you dont know how to operate it, do you blame who made OR even who sold you the car? (well, probably, knowing some of the people I've met in my travels)

People, educate yourselves in how to do a backup and a restore and what emergency disks are and where your replace disks are OR if you need to make your replacement disks.

Stupidity and ignorance of how to operate your computer is no reason to bash Microsoft - though, just like Bush, you'll blame everything including a hangnail on Microsoft.

[faboumen]

@Penguinisto: You can create a restore disk from the partition, at no cost.

[cnet_user_0]

When software comes preloaded in a Windows configuration, then you can be pretty sure that the PC manufacturer has its own bloatware that circumvents Windows standard backup and restore features. Case in point: Lenovo. Believe me I have a Lenovo Thinkpad and I can never use the backup feature of Vista because the Lenovo Thinkvantage (POS software) takes over with its own flavours of Windows system utilities.

But if you install Windows clean on a PC without the PC manufacturer's bloatware, you will be sailing high without any system problems. I think all of these PC manufacturers hire Mac users who intentionally sabotage the Windows configuration. :-)

[coryschulz]

Blue Edition? Sounds lame... I'll wait for the Black Edition. Sounds more hardcore!

[cyberspittle]

I'm holding out for the environmentally-friendly Green Edition.

[UITD]

They'll just scam you for more because its "green" - just like all of the other green-fraud going on out there these days.

[SalesGuy_Randy]

I fully understand about hating how many bulk PC manufacturers send out their PC's without the Windows OS. I have an older HP running Windows XP. My kids had screw it up pretty good so I went for a fresh install. HP wanted to charge me $50.00 for a set of OEM recovery discs on a computer I already purchased from them! My solution was cheaper.... HP puts their OEM Windows XP tag right on the side of their PC. I went to the web and downloaded a copy of a OEM Windows XP and installed it using the numbers on the side of my box. WORKS 100 TIMES BETTER than the factory installed OS. This one didn't come with all of HP's added Crap Ware and I didn't have to go in and try to find added goodies to remove! Is this stealing becaues I didn't pay for the damn disc from HP?????

[Seaspray0]

I don't think you'll have microsoft knocking at your door over it.

[UITD]

What, exactly, do you think you stole? Because you didnt give in to the marketing lies of a huge corporation that doesnt give two craps about you? If you read the materials with the computer, you'll see instruction on how to make those discs yourself!

[sanenazok]

PCDecrapifier has been designed to deal with OEM software overload. I would not use a downloaded copy of an OS unless it comes from a reliable source since there's no way to know if the disk image isn't infected with a trojan or some other BS. Still, I don't think a disk should cost fifty bucks! Guess we know why HP is still profitable.

[faboumen]

When you order computers directly from Dell and HP you can select which software you would like bundled with it. When I bought a Dell last year it arrived with only one program I had to uninstall, and that was only because I forgot to deselect it during the purchase process.

[JBSimmons]

It's all part of the ESD (Electronic Software Distribution) mission. Now they make you pay for a CD done by 3rd parties in 60 - 90 days. Digital River credit card processing software does this. The new CPA act requires them to furnish you a CD UPON REQUEST. Don't they forget there are still folks in rural areas that don't have high speed? I HATE downloads taking 10-20 H-O=U=R=S. Then MSFT issues a server reset after 210Mb right when only 8Mb are left. Go figure....

[kheechun]

I thought the name "blue edition" was quite cool. Maybe Microsoft should consider changing their naming system, instead of using, standard, professional, premium, enterprise, ultimate.... why not just use colours? red edition, yellow edition... lol

[sanenazok]

Yeah the red edition, sounds great.

[Mr. Dee]

They could actually use (RED) for their charity campaign.

[Mr. Dee]

Its probably that volume license edition of Office 2007 that has been going around since RTM with some of the other modules in the Office family since its on a DVD.

[angryaussie]

I thought all versions of Windows were already Blue Editions... as in Blue Screen of Death Editions.. heh

[idfubar]

MS is always back on its heels - why not be first to market with Windows Virtual Appliances and VMs on EC2? There's no compelling reason to steal when you can rent for pennies...

[3rdalbum]

In my limited experience, if Microsoft's servers think you're using the same product key on two different computers and won't automatically activate Windows, then you can just call Microsoft and they'll give you an activation code. A lot of what people say about "I had to buy a new copy of Windows!" simply isn't true - the Windows Activation program even tells you to call Microsoft for an activation code. It really isn't difficult or time-consuming, and the operator doesn't interrogate you.

However, if you want to switch to Ubuntu and are willing to deal with the differences between operating systems, then I'd be happy to give you a hand.

[bblackmoor]

It's not piracy. Forgery and fraud, yes, but not piracy.
http://www.blackgate.net/blog/index.php/sharing-is-not-piracy/
http://www.blackgate.net/blog/index.php/copying-is-not-piracy/
Enough with the propaganda from the Digital Rights Mafia.

[e_chappuis]

This sounds like a fake complaint comming from M$. With XP still the most pirated OS...!!! They don't like what it means... A vast amount of unhappy Vista owners are going back to XP using a pirate copy... of course M$ doesn't advertise the fact much...

Besides, why don't they simply block the pirated OS, let say after a warning period of 30 days... Guess whhhyyyyy?!?... Oh you got it : it helps them to keep a very high presence in % on the market share!!!!

But true, the best is to rescue any legal Licence stuck on the side or under the PC / Laptop...

And by the way, the cost of an XP HE SP3 charged to the manufacturers of ultra portable, is around 30$ (unfortunately not available to us, simple mortals), then why should we pay 90$ -140$ if we want to have an M$ license????

[BABAGILL]

As a military retiree working with the military overseas, I purchased a copy of Microsoft Office Standard 2007 last year from my military exchange on base.

I installed it, registered it and used it with no problems for months until around mid December of last year. At that time, Microsoft decided that my copy was for Corporation use only and branded it counterfeit.
I have a trouble ticket in now. Hopefully Microsoft will fix this glitch or thousands of military and retirees worldwide purchased this product are going to be in big trouble if they are counting on the software.