Illegal copy of XP, what will happen?

[aquariaguy]

I'm just wondering, a friend of mine wants to open a store, and he needs a computer. Well, he built his computer himself, and he has a pirated copy of Win XP and Office XP. 2 programs that he needs. Well he's wondering can he get caught? I'm also curious too haha cuz ... hmm my laptop ain't exactly legit with programs. Since WinXP is like $200 and Office is like $400 what will happen if he gets caught? Is their even a chance? Like someone can't just come in and say, can i look at what version of windows you have? Or, say if he does get caught, Microsoft will have to sue him right? What will microsoft do? I'm guessing all they would do, is ask him to pay for how much WinXP and Office cost. So can anyone enlighten us. Thanks.

[RW99]

Well assuming he's not connecting to Microsoft for updates, he should be more than fine. The only way he could get caught physically would be if the police or Revenue Canada confiscated his computer.

I could be wrong though... :cheesygri

[dell]

I think if its just one PC then its not as risky compared to a business with lots of PC with copied programs. Microsoft goes after businessess that do that because they lose more money if some company with dozens of computers that use cracked XPs compared to a small business with a single copied one. Now I'm not saying you or your friend is in the clear or anything. Down the line if your friends business becomes profitable then some of that profit should go to buying legit versions.

[Montague]

I do not understand why your friend did not just go out and buy a prebuilt computer with a legit operating system?

How much does a low end <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=167 target=_blank>dell</a> system cost?

Under $500 once you add in some more ram.

How much did he or she really save in using computer with pirated software?

[photobot]

I know tons of people who use pirated winxp & programs AND use all the updates. I don't think they'll go after you,plus it would raise too many questions. What they may do is block your illegal CD software making you unavailable for updates.

play safe..

[surreybc]

I imagine pirating is illegal and you would be fined quite a bit if caught. Employees, accountants, rev can, repair personnel etc may have access to your computer. It might damage your reputation.

[UrbanPoet]

they would need a court ordered warrant to bust his ass for having pirated windows solely for his personal useage.

If he was selling copies of it, then thats a different story!
however getting a warrant and all that legal trouble for 1 personal usage of windows seems kinda overkill.....

But i bet if they started doing that as many times ppossible itll scare everyone into using only legit windwos

[Cronic]

Well assuming he's not connecting to Microsoft for updates, he should be more than fine. The only way he could get caught physically would be if the police or Revenue Canada confiscated his computer.

I could be wrong though... :cheesygri


I have been using my bootleg copy of Win XP Pro Corp. since 2001 and never had a problem with updates, I have now slipstreamed sp2 with xp pro corp and works great, the only thing I had to do was change the CD key almost 2 years ago as it well used.......love it.....I have installed this on about 30+ computers!!!!! :D cant wait to get my free copy of longhorn pro!!!!!!

[LeeBear]

Chances of getting caught are slim. That being said running a pirated OS is not exactly the best way to start up a legit business. Also $200 isn't that much when you consider the overall cost of starting up a business, plus it can be written off as an expense so just tell your friend to buy the damn thing. For $200 your friend really wants to risk his business, pretty stupid to me.

-LeeBear

[surreybc]

If you are starting a small business, you will likely be bankrupt by end of year. Don't make unnecessary cash outlays . in other words, use the illegal software for now.

[aquariaguy]

Well he figures he has to buy XP, and he has to buy Office. I don't think Office comes on XP does it? And my <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=167 target=_blank>dell</a> laptop didn't come with Office. Well i don't remember seeing nething regarding it :(

Anyways, aside from the bankrupt issues lol, stay to the topic please :) Don't worry about the reputation and stuff either. hehe

Only person will be him and maybe 1 or 2 employees, thats about it. Its basically gonna be used for Excel and another program (legit) since he has to keep inventory using Excel.

Any more opinions? :razz:

[CSR]

JUst buy the damn thing.....

[yatko]

If all he needs is OS and some Office software for business purposes, why not install Linux and use Open Office since that app can read and save Microsoft Office files.

The installation of the OS and software will be as easy as installing Win OS and MS Office.


If he chooses this path he can or should also use Fedora Core 3 since it can also easily network with Win machines (in the future) by using Samba or Lisa also can read FAT 32 partitions as well.

I dunno, this is a no risk, low cost solution.

If he really needs to run win OS and use MS Office here is the cheapest system that will come with $150 upgrade MS Office

The total is $584 including OS and MS Office:

http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?CS=CABSDT1&l=en&c=ca&s=bsd&kc=6W463&oc=OCOPTI170L_RBP_BSDEN

[P__S__2]

I have been using my bootleg copy of Win XP Pro Corp. since 2001 and never had a problem with updates, I have now slipstreamed sp2 with xp pro corp and works great, the only thing I had to do was change the CD key almost 2 years ago as it well used.......love it.....I have installed this on about 30+ computers!!!!! :D cant wait to get my free copy of longhorn pro!!!!!!



how are you gonna get a free copy of longhorn..well anyway like everyone said..chances are very slim.

[nuropa]

actually Microsoft did block pirate copies from been able to connect to windows update site, but they changed their policy to allow all to download latest updates because the security threats outweights the piracy issue, they don't want millions of unpatched computers on the net spreading virus and shut down the Internet. so if you run a pirate copy, you can download from the site just fine.

[d_jedi]

If he needs the programs, then BUY THEM. End of story.
Microsoft may very well turn a blind eye to pirated software for personal use, but if a business is using pirated software, they're gonna bring the pain.. the penalties for using pirated software can be quite severe..

I know I wouldn't be a customer of a store that uses pirated software. Where are the morals, man?

[d_jedi]

I have been using my bootleg copy of Win XP Pro Corp. since 2001 and never had a problem with updates, I have now slipstreamed sp2 with xp pro corp and works great, the only thing I had to do was change the CD key almost 2 years ago as it well used.......love it.....I have installed this on about 30+ computers!!!!! :D cant wait to get my free copy of longhorn pro!!!!!!

Let me know when you get caught. I'll be the first to laugh.

[callous]

Kids, go here for updates without connecting to MS.

http://www.softwarepatch.com/index.html

Edit: many if not all the patches on this site link straight to MS' site. This is quite safe.

[yatko]

Kids, go here for updates without connecting to MS.

http://www.softwarepatch.com/index.html


Hmm. I don't know which one I should trust when it comes to updates and spyware. Microsoft or some third party site.

I am dead serious and the question is very hard to answer

[surreybc]

"Anyways, aside from the bankrupt issues lol, stay to the topic please Don't worry about the reputation and stuff either. hehe"

Definitely on topic. One of the main causes of early-on bankrupticies is going out and buying a bunch of stuff that is not absolutely needed ie legal software or fancy furniture, etc.

If you have to ask the question about the software, you can't afford legal software. People who have stable union or professional jobs etc have never been tested by real competition.

[aquariaguy]

"Anyways, aside from the bankrupt issues lol, stay to the topic please Don't worry about the reputation and stuff either. hehe"

Definitely on topic. One of the main causes of early-on bankrupticies is going out and buying a bunch of stuff that is not absolutely needed ie legal software or fancy furniture, etc.

If you have to ask the question about the software, you can't afford legal software. People who have stable union or professional jobs etc have never been tested by real competition.

I didn't say he can't afford the legal software. This business doesn't need a computer, he just wants it to keep stock of stuff and surf the 'net when he wants too.

I just wanted to know what "could" happen if for some reason, someone checked his computer, for some unknown reason, and I have no idea how they would know it's illegal at first glance or by checking the system info (someone care to explain?). That's it.

[aquariaguy]

I have been using my bootleg copy of Win XP Pro Corp. since 2001 and never had a problem with updates, I have now slipstreamed sp2 with xp pro corp and works great, the only thing I had to do was change the CD key almost 2 years ago as it well used.......love it.....I have installed this on about 30+ computers!!!!! :D cant wait to get my free copy of longhorn pro!!!!!!

How did you put it on 30+ computers? I'm guessing it's not a corporation or a big business, because that would be even riskier than 1.

[felixdd]

Some store in HK got busted for exactly what you're asking. They installed bootleg XP on client's computers. The cops caught them.

[x-batman]

Actually I have a friend who owns a small computer store here and is a supplier to some other computer stores here, one of his clients (another small computer shop) was investigated on by the rcmp and they were charged a little bit, I cannot remember how much exactly

[aquariaguy]

Some store in HK got busted for exactly what you're asking. They installed bootleg XP on client's computers. The cops caught them.

Hm...this isn't a computer store. And he's not installing anything on anyone's computer.

Obviously those guys should get on trouble, if their installing illegal copies on people's computers and selling them. I'd be mad if I couldn't get updates for my XP.

[aquariaguy]

Actually I have a friend who owns a small computer store here and is a supplier to some other computer stores here, one of his clients (another small computer shop) was investigated on by the rcmp and they were charged a little bit, I cannot remember how much exactly


This store isn't a computer store. I'm guessing a computer store would be more likely to get investigated for computer fraud. Sort of like a video store would more likely get investigated for certain types of xxx and/or illegal copies of videos. ie) Pacific Mall

This store has nothing to do with electronics, computers, er..anything electrical, nothing technological...hmm............nothing that can be pirated or has to do with pirated, or selling pirated. The only thing illegal in his store will be his mp3's :cheesygri (or the XP)

[CoinSaver]

I'm surprized that nobody sudgested OpenOffice.org.

For a business, your friend can write off the expenses such as the computer. It's best to keep it legit. Buy a copy of Windows. Download a copy of OpenOffice, and be done with it.

All legit, and saves the big expense of MS Office. It may not be MS Office, but I'm sure that you can do what ever you are looking for with the spreadsheet there.

I didn't recommend Linux because of the other app (not specified). I assumed it was a Windows only app.

[aquariaguy]

Hey thats kinda cool. I'll pass it on. Thanks.

[Cronic]

How did you put it on 30+ computers? I'm guessing it's not a corporation or a big business, because that would be even riskier than 1.


Well I have built PC for friends and family and have installed XP and office on all of them.

[Cronic]

how are you gonna get a free copy of longhorn..well anyway like everyone said..chances are very slim.


Same way I got XP CORP. and any other appz I need!!! Warez!!!!!

[Txiasaeia]

I'm surprized that nobody sudgested OpenOffice.org.

For a business, your friend can write off the expenses such as the computer. It's best to keep it legit. Buy a copy of Windows. Download a copy of OpenOffice, and be done with it.

All legit, and saves the big expense of MS Office. It may not be MS Office, but I'm sure that you can do what ever you are looking for with the spreadsheet there.

I didn't recommend Linux because of the other app (not specified). I assumed it was a Windows only app.

Another vote for openoffice. Not as fast as Office 2003, but hey, free beats $300 any time of the week. If you really must have legal versions, have you considered getting student licenses? Anybody you know a student?