Can I time-bomb a computer I've built for a slow pay no pay customer?

[bupkus]

Can I time-bomb a computer I've built for a slow pay no pay customer?

I find myself in a position where I must deliver a computer to a customer before they can pay me. However, I don't entirely trust this person to be prompt or even honest. Now I know you can easily say, "don't do business with this person," but he has my car and he's supposed to do repairs on it (his payment). If he fails to do the work and do it properly I would like the OS (unless I intervene) to come to a screeching halt in 30 days. I'm not talking about a virus, although that is probably what he would deserve, but something less destructive.

EDIT: The only thing I can think of is to download and install trial versions of Norton Internet Security before delivery so when they expire the Internet will do the rest.

 

[Allanv]

install windows with activation but do not give him the key then advance the date forward

or summat like that

 

[BigPete]

I dont think you would need a virus. I know a little java and some other stuff but I would imagine you could easily write a command line script that can do some damage. You could set the script up as a "scheduled task" for 30 days. Of course, if the fellow does come through with his end of the deal, you will need to remember to disable this... or anything else you might decide on.

 

[Genx87]

You could just not activate his windows for him.
After 30 days he probably wont know wtf to do and lock him out.

 

[Erasertone]

A remote bomb would be good and search for hacker's sites...they offer some logic-bomb & they're free to download.

 

[DidlySquat]

Originally posted by: Allanv
install windows with activation but do not give him the key then advance the date forward

or summat like that

but OP could be SOL if he sells a PC with windows installed but no product key sticker affixed.

 

[bersl2]

 

[spyordie007]

Aside from not activating it I dont know that a technical means of breaking it would be the best idea. There's just too much opportunity for him to claim you did damage to him, etc. and bring on a lawsuit.

I like the escrow idea, charge him a little bit extra to use the service and than it's not your problem if he doesnt pay. Here is a service I found by a quick web search that'll do it for you:
https://www.escrow.com/index.asp

Dont know what you're charging but if the machine is ~$1500 their fee is less than $50

Good Luck,
Erik

 

[ValuedCustomer]

Originally posted by: DidlySquat

Originally posted by: Allanv
install windows with activation but do not give him the key then advance the date forward

or summat like that

but OP could be SOL if he sells a PC with windows installed but no product key sticker affixed.

why? do you really think the sticker-police are gonna come bust this guy's door down and start asking questions? :roll:

IMO, w/hold the activation-key in lieu of the bum-in-question fulfilling his end of the bargain; when he takes care of his end you finish the work on your end. - easy-breezy covergirl

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: bupkus
Can I time-bomb a computer I've built for a slow pay no pay customer?

I find myself in a position where I must deliver a computer to a customer before they can pay me. However, I don't entirely trust this person to be prompt or even honest. Now I know you can easily say, "don't do business with this person," but he has my car and he's supposed to do repairs on it (his payment). If he fails to do the work and do it properly I would like the OS (unless I intervene) to come to a screeching halt in 30 days. I'm not talking about a virus, although that is probably what he would deserve, but something less destructive.

EDIT: The only thing I can think of is to download and install trial versions of Norton Internet Security before delivery so when they expire the Internet will do the rest.

Is he gonna skip town or something?

Write out a simple contract ("You fix car, me give you computer. Ugh.") and have it notarized. If he doesn't fix your car, take him to small claims court. If you are THIS concerned that he will not be holding up his end of the bargain, maybe you shouldn't have given him your car...

As suggested, you could simply not activate Windows or give him the product key until you are satisfied with the work. Just tell him it will stop working after 30 days without the product key. Trying to put a virus or something on it seems like more trouble than it is really worth.

IMO, this whole thing seems like a bad idea, but hey, it's your car.

 

[bupkus]

I don't understand why everyone is suggesting the activation approach.
The product key is required during the installation of the OS. The activation is delayed for 30 days with a nag pop-up. Anyone can attempt an activation by simply clicking on the pop-up's button to "activate now."

 

[insename2]

you can easily write a batch file and plant it in his registries

 

[ValuedCustomer]

Originally posted by: bupkus
I don't understand why everyone is suggesting the activation approach.
The product key is required during the installation of the OS. The activation is delayed for 30 days with a nag pop-up. Anyone can attempt an activation by simply clicking on the pop-up's button to "activate now."

I haven't installed a non-enterprise edition in eons but if I remember correctly it's a 2-part operation. You'll need the l-key for the final step of activation. No key, no dice.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: ValuedCustomer

Originally posted by: bupkus
I don't understand why everyone is suggesting the activation approach.
The product key is required during the installation of the OS. The activation is delayed for 30 days with a nag pop-up. Anyone can attempt an activation by simply clicking on the pop-up's button to "activate now."

I haven't installed a non-enterprise edition in eons but if I remember correctly it's a 2-part operation. You'll need the l-key for the final step of activation. No key, no dice.

I don't think so. It'll activate with the key used to install windows.

 

[DidlySquat]

Originally posted by: bupkus
I don't understand why everyone is suggesting the activation approach.
The product key is required during the installation of the OS. The activation is delayed for 30 days with a nag pop-up. Anyone can attempt an activation by simply clicking on the pop-up's button to "activate now."

ROFLMAO !!!!!! no the product key is NOT REQUIRED during installation of XP Home. It is only required when activating XP Home. XP Pro does require the product key during installation.


Still, I think you can get in trouble for selling a machine with windows installed and no COA and product key, especially if the buyer complains to piracy@microsoft.com

 

[RebateMonger]

The activation ruse won't work.
Small claims court will.

 

[bupkus]

Originally posted by: insename2
you can easily write a batch file and plant it in his registries

I suppose I could if I knew how to write a batch file. I've just been too lazy to learn that skill.

 

[bupkus]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
The activation ruse won't work.
Small claims court will.

The reason this came about was that this auto mechanic is a friend of my brother. My brother promised him a computer by me if he did this work for me. Currently, my brother is out of the country and this guy is stalling, doing little work and trying to exaggerate the complexity of his efforts. Now, he just may be afraid he's gonna get screwed to the point that he's coming across as untrustworthy.

The problem with the contract and claims approach is this is a trade of services/products and a dollar value was never agreed upon. To make matters worse, my attempts to meet with this fellow face to face have been frustrated by him not being home at the time I told him I was coming over. IOW, he hasn't seen my list of needed repairs. On my side is the fact that this car is an 87 Cadillac and isn't worth a whole lot. If he can patch it together for a computer I never use we both win.

So this Sunday I'll just give him the 1GHz TBird and VIA KT133A machine which for web surfing and email is just fine. If he's disappointed he can fix the suspension and I'll give him a better machine. Hell, I've got a bunch here of varying vintage.

 

[cubby1223]

It's obvious that nothing is every going to work out as long as neither of you trust each other.

So either give him a computer, or don't give him a computer at all. It's that simple. Somebody has to make the leap of faith, and I don't think it will go over too well if you openly demand him to make the leap.

 

[daniel49]

was just at autoforums.com where someguy was asking about putting a time bomb under the seat. Is that your mechanic?

 

[networkman]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
It's obvious that nothing is every going to work out as long as neither of you trust each other.

So either give him a computer, or don't give him a computer at all. It's that simple. Somebody has to make the leap of faith, and I don't think it will go over too well if you openly demand him to make the leap.

Exactly! Best post I've seen this whole thread.

He hands you the money, you provide the computer. That's how it works just about everywhere in the world. If he balks at paying up front, have him go elsewhere - you don't need the hassle.

NET terms are sometimes allowed for businesses and such, but usually not right from the beginning - usually for customers with established reps and good business history.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Create a non-privileged user account, and give the Admin account a hella strong password. Withhold Admin password until payment is received in full.

 

[bupkus]

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser
Create a non-privileged user account, and give the Admin account a hella strong password. Withhold Admin password until payment is received in full.

The password "cat" would be strong enough for this guy. But I like your idea as it gives me one more layer of control.
Like I said earlier, I'm going to give him the pc this sunday and hope he fixes everything I need. If not then, well, so it goes. It's a pc I would have given away anyway.

 

[halw]

Pay for the auto repairs. Cash that is. If the guy wants a computer make him pay for it.

 

[RebateMonger]

HOWEVER, you COULD use a 30-day trial version of XP and not deliver a valid XP key until payment is completed. Without a full key, the XP trial will expire after 30 days. Microsoft publishes trial keys that expire after 30 days.