48 replies to this topic

[9block]

Just wondering how many people have a legit/bootleg copy. The price of the OS, I think it should be a bit cheaper and bootlegging might not be so common. I realise those who download torrents and what not will always... but perhaps some others would rather buy a copy and have the support/no issues rather than save a few hundred bucks and deal with the problems.

Notice from BuffaloHELP:

Topic title modified.

[Saint_Michael]

I will never touch a bootleg or Illegal copy of an OS, its bad enough people can do damage to your computer with smaller downloads, but to download and run an OS that most likely has nasty surprises in it. I might as well just private information to them right now.

[9block]

Well if you know what your doing and where its coming from you can usually pull it off. You definitely should stay away from torrents, and Im not going to explain where or how I managed to score a bootleg. I know its wrong and I want to buy a legit copy soon. But scene rips is where to be at, as they will and should not have virus's unless altered somewhere down the line depending how quick/early you get them.

But I wouldn't suggest downloading off shady sites or torrents (wouldn't suggest downloading in any illegal form). Often if it has a .nfo and .svf with about files at 14megs you can supect it is a scene rip and good to go. Other iso's/que's ect I would stay away from always.

Hopefully, you don't bootleg or have bootlegs and I wouldn't recommend downloading anything illegal. If you do download the software illegally and you do like it, buy the software and dispose of the bootleg copy. If you don't like it, just dispose of the bootleg copy.

Support software developers.

[fffanatics]

First of all, how do you not have a legal copy of XP? Like every computer in the past three or four years come with a legal version of XP. Plus, if you want a free OS get Linux. As for the price comment, OS's take years to create, develop, and research. This means it costs a very large sum of money to create it and then maintain it. This forces companies to sell the OS's at a high cost. If they did not, the company would not be profitable at all and that means no one would invest in it and the company would fail. If you do not like this fact, you can always go open source and get a free os. The price does not cause more pirated software, people who do not realize how much work goes into an os are the ones that are too naive and thus try to cheat the system.

[tigercat]

I have an OEM copy of Windows XP. Even if it didn't come with the computer, I would have bought the retail version. With the Windows Genuine Advantage, Windows Activation, and other stuff like that, it seems that an illegal copy would be too much hassle. Not only that, illegal copies are obviously illegal, and I really don't want to get into trouble.

[csp4.0]

I have 2 operating systems winxp and winVista
WinXP is genuine, but my version of winVista is somewhat half genuine half not genuine.

[FolkRockFan]

Linux is free, comes in all sorts of flavors, and has a large community of developers and users who are willing to help with support, troubleshooting, et cetera. So if you can't afford Windows, you can always afford Linux. And if you don't want to use Linux, you can use a library computer.

There is no good excuse to steal from somebody else. Period. Just because some people hate Microsoft and can't stand the high prices does not mean that it is okay to rip off the developers, programmers, et cetera who put their time and effort into creating the software. Yes, Bill Gates has a stranglehold on the market. No, he won't notice if you rip off just one little copy of his operating system. But the software belongs to him, so he deserves whatever he can get for it.

There are alternatives to piracy. I just mentioned Linux as one of them. You can also use a public/school computer, work to save up your money until you can buy Windows, see if your school or workplace offers some sort of discount on legit copies (my school does that with Microsoft programs), et cetera.

Besides: the excuse of "It's so expensive" doesn't really fly with me when I meet people who will rip off the OS...and also rip off a five-dollar card game because they can get away with it. SUUUUURE the price is a factor in that choice.

[odomike]

Well, I am using an OEM Windows Vista that came with my laptop. And also, the Windows XP I have installed is also an OEM version.

I used to have a pirated version which I downloaded from internet but I found out that Microsoft wont allow me to install and enjoy most of their Windows updates, so I had to get an OEM version to install and use. It doesn't require activation on my HP Compaq Laptop.

[9block]

My computer is roughly 6-7 years old. AMD 1800+/60GB/256MB Ram (Upgraded to 7**mb). It was from a random guy with classified ads who builds/sells computers from his living room. Now, the PC has lasted me a long time and I don't turn it off for very long so it was practically been running for 6 years. It came with a copy of Windows 98 and I upgraded to a downloaded copy of XP.

I plan on getting a new computer soon, and it comes with Windows Vista Home Premium. I plan or possibly downgrading to Windows XP - but I am not sure yet.

[Codemaster Snake]

Well I am not into windows much! But do have a original copy of it! I am a proud UBUNTU USER!

Ok Tell me what will bill gates think if he reads these kinda threads?

[SamiFX]

I've never bought an original OS, I buy only burned CD's and DVD's with 0.6$ for CD's and 1.5$ for DVD's that's what our stores sell in my city there is no original one's

Quote

Codemaster Snake: Ok Tell me what will bill gates think if he reads these kinda threads?

he'll think nothing cause he though and finished..he know that and he is satisfied... cause gains of Microsoft are much higher than losses

[megabytemb]

i have one copy of windows xp which i download. i have only had to use it once when my desktop died. all my other copies came on the computer so there all geniune

[kab012345]

Every version of Window's I have is Legitimate from the first OS I got from my Uncle, Windows 98 SE to the copy I have installed right now, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. Plus I got my Express Upgrade to Windows Vista Home Premium from the Express Upgrate to Windows Vista, which is also legitimate, even though I haven't upgraded my computer to it.

Also, I would never get a pirated copy of an OS because I wouldn't know its condition for sure, until I started using it and found some flaws or missing stuff. Plus, you have to have a legitimate copy today for most of the Windows features.

[rayzoredge]

Isn't this a possibly-self-incriminating thread?

Just remember for those of you with pirated copies: If you get caught, you are charged a fee per day per installation from the DAY the operating system originated, not the moment that you start to use the illegal copy.

Or at least that's what I learned in my computer applications class.

[Renaissance]

I have a genuine WinXP OEM (no disc) on my T41 laptop, and I bought a used T43p laptop which I just installed an WinXP OEM (w/ disc).

I have a pirated copy of WinXP on my desktop which I'm going to install linux on.

[Spyda]

First off, illegal copies are dangerous to use, as there always a possibility of getting caught, and secondly most warez or illegal files have malicious spy ware on them that will do damage to your computer. The best bet and the easiest is to buy the software. And why wouldn't you just buy it from the store? Most people download illegal files from the web because they do not have a paypal, but if this was available through the store, then people would buy it, which it is.

[etycto]

do you relly think that anybody with an eligal item would discus it with us that's very funny but anyways yah i do have a legal version. i'd never do that, get an illegal version, i have the worst of luck doing bad stuff

[suberatu]

I originally had an XP OEM copy with no disc, but then I had to send in my computer for major repairs at a local store, and he had to back up my media, wipe the drive, then reinstall. I'm pretty sure my current (post-repair) copy is a fake, but it works just fine. I've been looking to switch to a dual-boot system (XP and Linux) but I'm currently waiting to buy an external drive to back up stuff on a partition before repartitioning it to give back all its space to C:/. After that, I'll remake the necessary partitions for having OSs and Page Files on separate drives.

[kimheng]

I bought any software from the store, they much expensive compare to pirate one but say it won't hurt if you use the legal copy! and it is safer to do so!

[Jimmy]

I am running a legal copy that came with my HP laptop. In fact I have two copies of windows, one that is spare from a previous lapop that broke. Both computers came with the windows cd (although HP optimises XP for the laptops it was supplied with - I'm not completely sure what this comprise of, perhaps the HP logo in windows starting screen!!!)

I would never feel safe to use a bootleg version. There's so much crap that could be running in the background or just not running at all it's risky.

[thepiratedock]

Well i have a few computer (4), so i cant offord to go legit on all of them, but on the 2 legal ones i have copies of Windows Vista Ultiamte running, and on the other 2 i have Xp. I dont think thats to bad, seeing as how i paid a fortune for the 2 legal copies!

[rvalkass]

Out of the 4 computers in my house, 2 run Windows - one XP Home and one Vista Home Premium (or whatever stupid name Microsoft have given it). Both of those are legal versions, OEM without disk. The other two run Kubuntu 7.04, which is a little difficult to get an illegal copy of

[infoinn]

I have an OEM copy of Windows XP. Windows Genuine Advantage, Windows Activation, and many other extra features are their in the original one.

[mc05w37]

i can't afford to buy the genuine one. i usually ask my friends who got the genuine version to burn a copy for me. Sharing is caring.. hehe

[Liam_CF]

Completely legit store bought version for me.