Buying oem computer on Ebay without hard drive....coa sticker included

[wasamicron]

I would like to buy a computer off Ebay, but many owners remove hard drive to protect their privacy.
If the computer has a coa sticker, what would be the best way to obtain legal copy of o.s. Can I purchase a disk from company such as HP, Dell, etc.? Many listings point out that "COA is included".

 

[Aberforth]

OEM licenses are non-transferable and only minor hardware upgrades are possible.

 

[pcgeek11]

If I am not too far off base the license is assigned to the motherboard and case ( as the COA sticker is required to be attached to the case by the oem after installation ) when the OS is installed and activated. I would say that as long as it comes with the original licensed motherboard and the case has the oem sticker attached it is legal.

Note: this is MY interpretation of the oem licese terms. Not submitted for critique.

pcgeek11

 

[Aberforth]

^ I think the licenses are non-transferable, i.e, you cannot resale or transfer the ownership.

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: Aberforth
^ I think the licenses are non-transferable, i.e, you cannot resale or transfer the ownership.

I'm pretty sure that only applies to selling the license itself. Care to point out the spot in the joke, er i mean EULA that states you can't sell the computer and include the OEM license (which according to the eula, can't be used on any other computer!)


Edit: OP, the OEM should be able to give you a copy of the original install disks, for a small fee (usually shipping or $10-$15).

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: Raduque

Originally posted by: Aberforth
^ I think the licenses are non-transferable, i.e, you cannot resale or transfer the ownership.

I'm pretty sure that only applies to selling the license itself. Care to point out the spot in the joke, er i mean EULA that states you can't sell the computer and include the OEM license (which according to the eula, can't be used on any other computer!)


Edit: OP, the OEM should be able to give you a copy of the original install disks, for a small fee (usually shipping or $10-$15).

You made me laugh. Thank you for that.
:laugh:
:thumbsup:

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Aberforth
^ I think the licenses are non-transferable, i.e, you cannot resale or transfer the ownership.

That is incorrect, as long as the motherboard and COA are included he's good.

 

[RebateMonger]

Yeah, if you transfer the case (with COA attached) and the motherboard, it's legal. But it'd probably be safer for the ORIGINAL OWNER to acquire a replacement OS Install CD. I don't know for sure if Dell or HP will send a CD to a second party.

 

[nordloewelabs]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
I don't know for sure if Dell or HP will send a CD to a second party.

HP does. i got a Tablet PC from eBay and upon receiving the device, i called HP and ordered the Tablet's discs. i told them the device's serial number and *maybe* the COA too (sticker was inside battery compartment, but i cant remember if they requested it). it all costed me $10....shipping included.

i think that, with or without the COA, the OP will have a hard time with the replacement disc once he tries to install the OS on a new hard drive....(?)


EDIT: original text was too confusing due to hurry....

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: nordloewelabs
i think that, with or without the COA, the OP will have a hard time with the replacement disc once he tries to install the OS on a new hard drive....(?)

Nah. That won't be a problem at all. The customized Install CD looks at the BIOS to ensure the motherboard is a "Dell" or "HP" and proceeds with the install.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Aberforth
OEM licenses are non-transferable and only minor hardware upgrades are possible.

OEM licenses are "married" to the hardware (motherboard). If someone sells the hardware, the OEM license transfers WITH IT.

So if someone has hardware that has an associated OEM license, and sells that hardware to you, that license is also legally yours and you may use it.

So in this case, all he needs is appropriate install media to use the key on the COA.

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
But it'd probably be safer for the ORIGINAL OWNER to acquire a replacement OS Install CD. I don't know for sure if Dell or HP will send a CD to a second party.

I've done it several times. I just tell them I'm a technician ordering on behalf a client whose machine is in for repair. Pay the shipping, handling, or whatever charges and its all good. One thing to watch out for, though...

I did get into a little run-around with Gateway one time about the shipping address not matching the address on file for the system's registered owner. I'm like, "I don't fix computers in exchange for room and board at the client's home." Apparently, their recovery/restore media ordering system is tied to the registered owner's information. So make sure your restore discs are not going to the owner's address, unless that is acceptable.

I had to ask for the supervisor and he said it wasn't a problem, but he would need to go into the system and change the order manually so that it would be shipped to my address. It is possible other OEMs could put a similar system in place or have already done so.