Genuine Windows Scam

Don't fall prey to the Genuine Microsoft Advantage Program.

I purchased a copy of Windows XP Professional SP2 on eBay.

When It failed to validate after installation, I spent many hours trying to
talk/email the vendor and Microsoft about the problem. Microsoft eventually
emailed me and told me that I had purchased a "pirated" copy of Win XP. I
filled out the report that Microsoft wanted and then sent them the cd; in
return they would send me a "genuine" copy of Windows XP Professional. Today
I received a letter from Microsoft stating that I didn't qualify but thanks
for the info about the "pirated" software, with instructions on how to go out
and buy a full retail version of Win XP.

Thanks alot! I don't need directions on how to buy their software.

This program is BS!

Their only "hold" over you is that you won't be able to "update" their BS
software.

If theirsoftware is so great, why all the updates?

I, for one, will never again pay for Microsoft software. There are plenty of
places to find "pirated" copies that work just as well as the "retail"
versions.

Update Downloads? There are work arounds for those too!
--
Al Kinard

It is your fault, how you can buy software from peoples not accredited
by software developers?

Oh, really?

Well, the next time I buy software from Best Buy, Sam's Club, Costco, etc.,
etc., etc., I'll be sure to check their credidentials.

--
Al Kinard


"" wrote:

> It is your fault, how you can buy software from peoples not accredited
> by software developers?
>
>

If you bought it from a legitimate source in the first place, it would not
be pirated.

Did you buy an unopened, retail boxed version of XP Pro, or did you buy a
"copy" of XP Pro? Big difference. Microsoft has no responsibility in
supporting bootlegs, or even improperly distributed OEM versions. On Ebay,
you pay your money and take your chances. That's why stuff is cheap.
Complain to the seller.

"Al Kinard" <> wrote in message
news:8FF2C03A-3364-46DE-9483-...
> Oh, really?
>
> Well, the next time I buy software from Best Buy, Sam's Club, Costco,
> etc.,
> etc., etc., I'll be sure to check their credidentials.
>
> --
> Al Kinard
>
>
> "" wrote:
>
>> It is your fault, how you can buy software from peoples not accredited
>> by software developers?
>>
>>

You folks are all missing the point, but to answer your question, yes, it was
an unopened retail version in all ways legit.

As it turned out, it was pirated. I learned this after contacting MS
support, who performed a "cryptographic" analysis of the Product ID.

At their suggestion, I filled out a Pirated Software report and sent that
along with the cd, packing materials, Product ID label and a receipt showing
to whom I made payment.

Their requirement was that it had to be a "high quality" cd. The cd I bought
looked exactly like other MS cd's, i.e., holographic, wavey edges, the works.
MS even provided examples to compare mine to on their site. I doubt anyone
would have believed that this cd was not genuine.

I submitted all the above mentioned items and then MS had the audacity to
tell me that it wasn't "high quality" but that they were investigating the
vendor who sold me the product.

It seems to me that all MS wanted was information about the vendor and could
care less if they honored their offer.

Yes, just like all of you, I don't want to spend more that I have to for my
software, but if you folks would have seen the shrink-wrapped package, the
holographic Product ID label and the holographic cd you too would have
believed it to be 100% genuine.

My point is that MS did not honor their program offer as stated.
--
Al Kinard


"gw" wrote:

> If you bought it from a legitimate source in the first place, it would not
> be pirated.
>
> Did you buy an unopened, retail boxed version of XP Pro, or did you buy a
> "copy" of XP Pro? Big difference. Microsoft has no responsibility in
> supporting bootlegs, or even improperly distributed OEM versions. On Ebay,
> you pay your money and take your chances. That's why stuff is cheap.
> Complain to the seller.
>
> "Al Kinard" <> wrote in message
> news:8FF2C03A-3364-46DE-9483-...
> > Oh, really?
> >
> > Well, the next time I buy software from Best Buy, Sam's Club, Costco,
> > etc.,
> > etc., etc., I'll be sure to check their credidentials.
> >
> > --
> > Al Kinard
> >
> >
> > "" wrote:
> >
> >> It is your fault, how you can buy software from peoples not accredited
> >> by software developers?
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

"Al Kinard" <> wrote in message
news:75B673CD-2E94-4584-9C62-...
> You folks are all missing the point, but to answer your question, yes, it
> was
> an unopened retail version in all ways legit.
>
> As it turned out, it was pirated. I learned this after contacting MS
> support, who performed a "cryptographic" analysis of the Product ID.
>
> At their suggestion, I filled out a Pirated Software report and sent that
> along with the cd, packing materials, Product ID label and a receipt
> showing
> to whom I made payment.
>
> Their requirement was that it had to be a "high quality" cd. The cd I
> bought
> looked exactly like other MS cd's, i.e., holographic, wavey edges, the
> works.
> MS even provided examples to compare mine to on their site. I doubt anyone
> would have believed that this cd was not genuine.
>
> I submitted all the above mentioned items and then MS had the audacity to
> tell me that it wasn't "high quality" but that they were investigating the
> vendor who sold me the product.
>
> It seems to me that all MS wanted was information about the vendor and
> could
> care less if they honored their offer.
>
> Yes, just like all of you, I don't want to spend more that I have to for
> my
> software, but if you folks would have seen the shrink-wrapped package, the
> holographic Product ID label and the holographic cd you too would have
> believed it to be 100% genuine.
>
> My point is that MS did not honor their program offer as stated.
> --
> Al Kinard

WPA and WGA are proof positive that MS has no regard for their paying
customers. Peru just joined the open source band wagon, joining a number of
countries and US states. What was it Ritz said about PR, oh, yeah, "The
customer is always right". My, how that philosophy got sunk in vast sea of
greed and globalization.

Alias
>
>
> "gw" wrote:
>
>> If you bought it from a legitimate source in the first place, it would
>> not
>> be pirated.
>>
>> Did you buy an unopened, retail boxed version of XP Pro, or did you buy a
>> "copy" of XP Pro? Big difference. Microsoft has no responsibility in
>> supporting bootlegs, or even improperly distributed OEM versions. On
>> Ebay,
>> you pay your money and take your chances. That's why stuff is cheap.
>> Complain to the seller.
>>
>> "Al Kinard" <> wrote in message
>> news:8FF2C03A-3364-46DE-9483-...
>> > Oh, really?
>> >
>> > Well, the next time I buy software from Best Buy, Sam's Club, Costco,
>> > etc.,
>> > etc., etc., I'll be sure to check their credidentials.
>> >
>> > --
>> > Al Kinard
>> >
>> >
>> > "" wrote:
>> >
>> >> It is your fault, how you can buy software from peoples not accredited
>> >> by software developers?
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>

Are you really that biog of an idiot?

You buy software of unknown origin from an unknown source on eBay, and you
have the gall to
complain when Microsoft does not honor an exchange for the crap you bought,
and then you blame Microsoft and call their product crap....the very product
you bought and tried to exchange a pirated copy for?

Get a life.

"Al Kinard" <> wrote in message
news:8FF2C03A-3364-46DE-9483-...
> Oh, really?
>
> Well, the next time I buy software from Best Buy, Sam's Club, Costco,
> etc.,
> etc., etc., I'll be sure to check their credidentials.
>
> --
> Al Kinard
>
>
> "" wrote:
>
>> It is your fault, how you can buy software from peoples not accredited
>> by software developers?
>>
>>

I see you read all of the posts in this thread...looks like you're the idiot
NoNoBadAin'tGotALifeAsshole
--
Al Kinard


"NoNoBadDog!" wrote:

> Are you really that biog of an idiot?
>
> You buy software of unknown origin from an unknown source on eBay, and you
> have the gall to
> complain when Microsoft does not honor an exchange for the crap you bought,
> and then you blame Microsoft and call their product crap....the very product
> you bought and tried to exchange a pirated copy for?
>
> Get a life.
>
> "Al Kinard" <> wrote in message
> news:8FF2C03A-3364-46DE-9483-...
> > Oh, really?
> >
> > Well, the next time I buy software from Best Buy, Sam's Club, Costco,
> > etc.,
> > etc., etc., I'll be sure to check their credidentials.
> >
> > --
> > Al Kinard
> >
> >
> > "" wrote:
> >
> >> It is your fault, how you can buy software from peoples not accredited
> >> by software developers?
> >>
> >>
>
>
>