Dilema

[Zysoclaplem]

Here is the deal, I have done alot of computer work for this family that is a friend of a friend I have.
I've gone over about 6 times and reformatted and repaired their PCs and set up a bunch of computer stuff for them. But their kids kept deleting the Anti-Virus software and system files thinking it would hide their porn surfing (idiots). Lots of viruses, lots of missing files.
But anyway, they decided to go with a computer shop in town here instead of calling me to fix whatever their stupid kids had done this time. That's fine. I don't ask for much. In fact, I tell them not to worry about paying me, I did it as a favor. But they always insist.
But I installed my Windows XP, for free on their PCs, and they don't have the disk, I do.
Now they are calling me and wanting the disk because the computer shop is going to charge them $180 for a Windows XP disk. If they were going to stop using me to fix their stuff, should they still get freebies from me?
These people are just aquaintances. Friends of my friends.
Should I lend these people my windows xp disc to help them out, or tell them to fvck off for trying to use me to save $180?
I don't want to be a jerk, but I don't like being used.



Cliff Notes:

1. People I worked for used my help to fix PCs
2. People I worked for no longer want my help fixing PCs
3. But people I worked for still wants to use my stuff to save them money

---

If your friends do not have an original XP disk, they need to buy one. End of story. They should be able to find a legal copy for less than $180.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[Gibson486]

This is a dilemma? Dude, just lend them the disk....

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
This is a dilemma? Dude, just lend them the disk....

I'm thinking about lending them the disk, for repairs. But not giving them the key. I paid for that key and I don't think they should have it if they aren't going to use me to fix their stuff.
May'be I am a jerk. I dunno.

 

[Wahsapa]

ha... fcuk that, let them buy their own XP cds...

and if they have a problem with it tell them to switch to linux...

cheapskates will do anything to save a buck

:evil:

 

[olds]

I don't follow. It's a pirated version on their PC?

 

[FoBoT]

you should get the computer from them one more time and install Linux on it

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: Wahsapa
ha... fcuk that, let them buy their own XP cds...

and if they have a problem with it tell them to switch to linux...

cheapskates will do anything to save a buck

:evil:

Well you see, if they aren't going to use me anymore, why should they get the benefits of the free stuff they got when they did?

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
I don't follow. It's a pirated version on their PC?

I prefer the word backup. But I would let them use the legal copy I have. Not the pirated copy. I would not let them give that to some computer shop.

 

[Yossarian]

tell them to suck it.

 

[Mojoed]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

I'm thinking about lending them the disk, for repairs. But not giving them the key. I paid for that key and I don't think they should have it if they aren't going to use me to fix their stuff.
May'be I am a jerk. I dunno.

They don't need you to give them the code. It's easily retrievable with this well-known utility. Any computer repair shop worth their salt knows how to retrieve CD keys. Most shops that I know of WILL use their own disks when reinstalling OS's on the condition there is a valid CD key available. I'm assuming the XP install is healthy enough to at least boot up. Sounds like the shop doesn't know how to pull CD keys from windows installs.

Anyway, this is one of the many reasons I stopped building and maintaining PC's for family and friends. You become a lifetime tech support slave, and in most cases it's "user incompetence/abuse", rather than legitimate hardware/software issues.

Anyway, just give them the disk and or CD key and be done with it.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
I don't follow. It's a pirated version on their PC?

I prefer the word backup. But I would let them use the legal copy I have. Not the pirated copy. I would not let them give that to some computer shop.

If they own a legal copy your are holding their disk hostage.

If not, why are you even asking what's right now? You stole the OS, and the other shop is trying to be legit. If this is true I also find it interesting that you hold the OS CD hostage (even though YOU don't own it either) based on who they call for service.

Basically no matter how you slice it, you are wrong.

However I'd bet you most likely installed a pirated copy on thier system, received money, and are screwing them for going elsewhere. Gee I wonder why they are going somewhere else, if your as cheap as they say...

Those that make $$ of off pirated software are the lowest form of pirate scum. Sure you may not have charged for the OS (though you might have), but you still made money off of the services you provided when you installed the OS, and work since.

:thumbsdown:

 

[notfred]

So, basically, you installed pirated copies of XP without telling them, they think they have legit operating systems, and you don't want to give them your own personal legit copy of XP, right?

Tell them that you installed pirated software on thier PCs.

 

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: Mojoed

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

I'm thinking about lending them the disk, for repairs. But not giving them the key. I paid for that key and I don't think they should have it if they aren't going to use me to fix their stuff.
May'be I am a jerk. I dunno.

They don't need you to give them the code. It's easily retrievable with this well-known utility. Any computer repair shop worth their salt knows how to retrieve CD keys. Most shops that I know of WILL use their own disks when reinstalling OS's on the condition there is a valid CD key available. I'm assuming the XP install is healthy enough to at least boot up. Sounds like the shop doesn't know how to pull CD keys from windows installs.

Anyway, this is one of the many reasons I stopped building and maintaining PC's for family and friends. You become a lifetime tech support slave, and in most cases it's "user incompetence/abuse", rather than legitimate hardware/software issues.

Anyway, just give them the disk and or CD key and be done with it.

Listen to this man. Couldn't have said that better myself.

 

[PanzerIV]

I will leave the moral dilemna to your judgement but as for the price of the software that company is charging what a f^cking ripoff. You can get XP Home for $89 and XP Pro for $146 at Newegg. I sure as hell hope they are charging that much for Pro.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: notfred
So, basically, you installed pirated copies of XP without telling them, they think they have legit operating systems, and you don't want to give them your own personal legit copy of XP, right?

Tell them that you installed pirated software on thier PCs.

They were notified of this before I did it. I would not have done it otherwise. They didn't care because they were saving alot of money. And I didn't ask to be paid. That was their thing.

Second of all, I did alot more that install windows xp. Alot more.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: PanzerIV
I will leave the moral dilemna to your judgement but as for the price of the software that company is charging what a f^cking ripoff. You can get XP Home for $89 and XP Pro for $146 at Newegg. I sure as hell they are charging that much for Pro.

He could have installed retail (requiring a retail disk for the repair), heck, could be VLA and the shop is trying to sell retail since they aren't selling new hardware with it...

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: notfred
So, basically, you installed pirated copies of XP without telling them, they think they have legit operating systems, and you don't want to give them your own personal legit copy of XP, right?

Tell them that you installed pirated software on thier PCs.

They were notified of this before I did it. I would not have done it otherwise. They didn't care because they were saving alot of money. And I didn't ask to be paid. That was their thing.

Second of all, I did alot more that install windows xp. Alot more.

And the lesson, as always, is: Don't install pirated software.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
I don't follow. It's a pirated version on their PC?

I prefer the word backup. But I would let them use the legal copy I have. Not the pirated copy. I would not let them give that to some computer shop.

If they own a legal copy your are holding their disk hostage.

If not, why are you even asking what's right now? You stole the OS, and the other shop is trying to be legit. If this is true I also find it interesting that you hold the OS CD hostage (even though YOU don't own it either) based on who they call for service.

Basically no matter how you slice it, you are wrong.

However I'd bet you most likely installed a pirated copy on thier system, received money, and are screwing them for going elsewhere. Gee I wonder why they are going somewhere else, if your as cheap as they say...

Those that make $$ of off pirated software are the lowest form of pirate scum. Sure you may not have charged for the OS (though you might have), but you still made money off of the services you provided when you installed the OS, and work since.

:thumbsdown:

They do not own a legal copy of anything but 98. I told them that they could go back to 98, but they like XP better.
I didn't ask for money, nor did I expect it. I just don't like being used.
They are going someplace else because their children keep fvcking their pc up, and they probably blame me.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: notfred
So, basically, you installed pirated copies of XP without telling them, they think they have legit operating systems, and you don't want to give them your own personal legit copy of XP, right?

Tell them that you installed pirated software on thier PCs.

They were notified of this before I did it. I would not have done it otherwise. They didn't care because they were saving alot of money. And I didn't ask to be paid. That was their thing.

Second of all, I did alot more that install windows xp. Alot more.

You shouldn't have installed it, no matter what they said. You also broke the law, making you liable, for a grand total of... $0.00

I'm sure they didn't say "hey, I 'found' this XP disk and key, can you install it?" I'd bet it went like this "I have a free copy of XP, it's not quite legal, but it'll work. Do you want it, or do you want to pay $XXX.xx for the real deal?"

You screwed them over SERIOUSLY when you installed a pirated copy.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplembut they like XP better.
I didn't ask for money, nor did I expect it. I just don't like being used.
They are going someplace else because their children keep fvcking their pc up, and they probably blame me.

I like Ferrari's over my car, now go steal one for me. I won't complain 6 months later either.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem

Originally posted by: notfred
So, basically, you installed pirated copies of XP without telling them, they think they have legit operating systems, and you don't want to give them your own personal legit copy of XP, right?

Tell them that you installed pirated software on thier PCs.

They were notified of this before I did it. I would not have done it otherwise. They didn't care because they were saving alot of money. And I didn't ask to be paid. That was their thing.

Second of all, I did alot more that install windows xp. Alot more.

You shouldn't have installed it, no matter what they said. You also broke the law, making you liable, for a grand total of... $0.00

I'm sure they didn't say "hey, I 'found' this XP disk and key, can you install it?" I'd bet it went like this "I have a free copy of XP, it's not quite legal, but it'll work. Do you want it, or do you want to pay $XXX.xx for the real deal?"

You screwed them over SERIOUSLY when you installed a pirated copy.

I disagree. I can fix it for them. FOR FREE. And told him I would do so since it would benefit us both.
He said no. He just needed the CD. So I will give him my legal copy to repair whatever it is he needs. Otherwise he can go back to 98. I've got no problem with going over there and installing a legal copy for free. And he should have no problem just going back to 98 if he thinks I screwed him over. He did not pay me for installing XP, he paid me for fixing his PC. And I did. I could have done it with the 98, and still can.
I was trying to be nice.

 

[FoBoT]

the trout is going to jail!

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
the trout is going to jail!

NOOOOOOOOO!!
*covers his cornhole*

 

[dirtboy]

Maybe you should stop pirating software.

And it's not legal to install your version on other people's computer, even if you paid for your copy.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

I'm glad to know that everyone who mentioned something about pirated software in this thread had never used any type of pirated anything in their lives.
And no, I didn't make any money for the software. I didn't sell it. I was just trying to be nice by helping them out. I guess I should try to be more careful when I do that from now on.