Buying off ebay?

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AK P

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Sep 24, 2013
30
0
10,530
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Latest-Microsoft-Windows-7-Ultimate-64-bit-Full-Version-SP1-2013-Top-Seller-/161045359648

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microsoft-Windows-7-Professional-64bit-Full-Program-with-SP1-W7P64MSP1-/190821616983?pt=UK_Computing_Software_Software_SR&hash=item2c6ddacd57

Will this copy of windows 7 work? and is it legal for me to install it?

Initially I thought it was dodgy but the first seller has a 99.8% satisfaction rating and the second seller has a 99.9% rating, with both of them having sold more than 7000 units.

Surely if these were fakes they couldn't post those figures?
 
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J


I'd advise against it for a couple reasons :

1.) It isn't legitimate - the MS EULA states that once installed it can only be used on that MOBO unless the MOBO dies and there is no exact model replacement available - so by using it for a new system you are not following the EULA (Yes in most cases it will work since the OEM never actually enters the key as they have a SLP key that they use for the initial installs that activates using code from the BIOS and thus the key has never actually...
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JDFan

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Jan 5, 2010
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IF you look at the disk it is an OEM DELL branded disk that clearly states it is already installed on your system --- this means that the product key is already tied to the MOBO of the system that this refurbisher purchased from DELL and can not "Legally" be installed on a new system -- Will it work on a new system probably as MS is fairly lenient with reusing an OEM product on a new system but it is clearly in violation of their EULA and they do certainly have the right to not activate the product -- So in purchasing you are taking a chance that it may not work or may eventually be deactivated by MS (at which point it becomes useless) -- SO buy at your own risk and at the price they are asking you have to ask yourself whether the savings is worth that risk !!

Note : They are not fakes just reused OEM product that is in violation of the MS EULA that states the product activation key is tied to the first MOBO the software is installed on (thus the notification on the restore disk that it has already been installed on your system thus is no longer transferable to a new product and must be used on the DELL system it originally came with !!
 
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Javik

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Jul 29, 2006
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This is from the very bottom of that ebay page. What the--??

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Latest-Microsoft-Windows-7-Ultimate-64-bit-Full-Version-SP1-2013-Top-Seller-/161045359648

AS PER EBAY RULES ON OEM SOFTWARE "Original equipment manufacturer (OEM), bundled, or recovery software, is included with the purchase of new computer hardware. It is eBay policy that sellers can't list these types of software unless they are selling it with the original hardware." THE ORIGINAL MACHINE IS INCLUDED IN THE SALE.
please arrange to collect computer
Click to expand...


The same weirdness is present in the other listing:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microsoft-Windows-7-Professional-64bit-Full-Program-with-SP1-W7P64MSP1-/190821616983?pt=UK_Computing_Software_Software_SR&hash=item2c6ddacd57

Ebay Policy States:
OEM, bundled, or recovery software may be listed only if it is included along with the original hardware, such as the motherboard, hard drive, or computer sold with the OEM software.
The original (and non-working) motherboard is included in the sale.

Due to size, weight and low value, decomissioned/damaged/burned computer and/or board is available for collection only.

Models vary and all are damaged beyond economical repair.
Click to expand...


In other words they are claiming that hardware is included as per ebay policy, but
* they are going to make it extra work for you to get the hardware
* the shipping terms for the included hardware is unstated
* the second seller is trying to dissuade you from requesting hardware and they may send you nonfunctional garbage anyway.

This is just skirting the edge of eBay's rules and could be delisted if someone buying the software made a stink over the lack of included hardware.
 
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JDFan

Splendid
Jan 5, 2010
3,254
1
21,460


Yep this is EBAY's way of letting these vendors list the item for sale even though it is technically in violation of MS's EULA to resell -- Since it is OK for a vendor to sell the OEM OS with the system it was installed on (ie. the system MOBO) EBAY allows them to sell the OS even though it is supposed to only be used on that MOBO and is not supposed to be transferred to a new system (Since they technically can not police what an end user does with the OS once it is sold so by included the original MOBO in the purchase they skirt the edge of the legalities by saying they thought the purchaser would use it with the included MOBO (even though the MOBO must be picked up or arranged to be sent). And since MS is fairly lenient with their policy and does usually allow reactivation of the OEM license even though they shouldn't many people take a chance and purchase copies this way even though it is in violation of the EULA. But the buyer needs to be ware that if they ever do run into problems activating and have to contact MS there is a good chance that MS will require they purchase a legitimate license at that point and refuse to reactivate that key since it was sold with a DELL or other branded PC and is not transferrable to any system that does not contain the DELL bios. So while it may work for awhile it may also be invalidated at any time by the activation server with any update that is installed.

 
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A

AK P

Honorable
Sep 24, 2013
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So would you advise against buying the OEM disk even though it is legitimate? Also say the key didn't work couldn't you just claim that your motherboard was faulty and you had to get it replaced, then they would activate it for you anyway?
 
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JDFan

Splendid
Jan 5, 2010
3,254
1
21,460


I'd advise against it for a couple reasons :

1.) It isn't legitimate - the MS EULA states that once installed it can only be used on that MOBO unless the MOBO dies and there is no exact model replacement available - so by using it for a new system you are not following the EULA (Yes in most cases it will work since the OEM never actually enters the key as they have a SLP key that they use for the initial installs that activates using code from the BIOS and thus the key has never actually been used on the activation server in most cases but you can not be sure the specific key you get has not been used (which is why some people have problems getting the key to activate and must hope the company they bought it from will provide another key - If they are still operating under the same name !!)

2. If you ever do have problems MS will tell you to contact the OEM as they are responsible for providing support for th OEM versions not MS so MS will not reactivate it for you.

3. Dell will not reactivate it for you since the system that you are using it is not one of theirs and they do not provide support for the remanufacturer that they sold it to - (they will ask for the serial # and product model before providing support) and since you never actually picked up the system you will not have the serial or model # so they will not support it.

So you have to ask yourself whether it is worth the small savings to take a chance that it may eventually (could be a day or a year that it does work for but you will always have to worry about the day when you boot and the activation says it is no longer valid ) -- If you feel it is worth chancing for the small savings then that is up to you but personally I'd spend the extra $20-$30 and get a legitimate copy from a reputable authorized reseller. Or If you are going to use an illegitimate install that could be deactivated at any time why pay for it when there are plenty of places to get it for free if you feel taking that type of gamble is worth it !
 
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