posted on December 5, 2003 06:02:24 AM new
Ok. I am going to post something way too honest for my own pride, but I really need some imput on what to do. Ready? (bit of tall tale here.)
I purchased some windows upgrade software from a seller on ebay. He sends it to me. Nice package. Has boot disk, manual, cd rom, etc. I try to load it on my computer - it tells me its not a valid MS product code. I email seller and tell him this. Have an older (5 years) computer and almost thought it was because it came with bundled software and it was looking for original windows sn/product code. Ok. So instead of emailing me back, seller pulls contact info and calls. Gets hubby and asks for me. Doesnt want to say who he is or why he is calling. Husband gets irate, yells at the dude and hangs up. Meanwhile I have no clue this has happened. Seller emails me, tells me hubby was very rude to him and he had called me to help me because he is a supposed Ex-MS tech. I write seller and apologize for hubby (As I know how he can get on.)
Okay, now for the coup de gra: I fix my computer and forget about loading on the software purchased from seller. Dont need it now. Felt bad about whole scenario and gave seller very good FB.
Now last week, genuis that I am, go and "re-fix" something and put myself somewhere to a total crash.
Now have no operating system on my computer, it tells me. Ok, time for this handy dandy windows software I bought. Load it on,...
"yep, you got it: not a valid product code."
I paid thru my paypal account with about half of it on my CC. I was late paying my CC (Amex) and they decided I was late once too often and it was time to cancel my account. (when it rains it pours-right?)
So my question to you guys is: what do I do?
Its over 30 days I think...and since I left this stellular FB; would PP even honor a chargeback? And then there is the whole "it been delivered" and quality of merchandise issue" so I dont know if I can even go to Paypal. And I cant go thru my CC because they have cut me off.
So there ya have it: Confessions of a wacked-out buyer!
Any Suggestions? (Should I contact seller and see if even if he did give me a copied version if I can still get it on my computer?)
Thanks in advance,
Tessa
ps: right now I am on a really old computer with win95 and 32mg of memory. (It is excruciating to even try to load pages on this thing!)
posted on December 5, 2003 06:22:37 AM new
tell the seller you are having problem and you need his help.
dont mention paypal or amex.
i bet as a techie,he loves a challenge/
by the way i just watched a movie called UNFAITHFUL,may be you and him should watch it too ,together!!
-sig file -------The thrill is gone!!
posted on December 5, 2003 07:21:22 AM new
Thank you, Stop for your advice (notice I spelled it wrong in topic..haha)
Well, I just emailed him. Guess I will see what happens. (Otherwise, I am thinking of calling Microsoft.)
That movie sounds really good! Think I will mosey over to Blockbuster and rent it, as I need sorely need some distraction here.
...my main distraction shopping/buying is obviously cut off! hahaha...
As AuctionAce has so astutely and quicky discerned; I've traveled to that galaxy way beyond - investing in stuff to sell on ebay and now put myself in 'de hole.' (Cute that without a decent computer, I cant even friggin list things. "Pray tell, what are the Gods doing here?"
You know, I think I will claim the title of Wondercat (should I get myself out of this)- since our Fluffy has abandoned us for OTWA.
I am very saddened by that; I got some empathy for her. Doesnt she know that? And if she is reading this: she should cheer up, she could be me.
posted on December 5, 2003 04:51:22 PM new
Thanks Neglus for the post.
Havent heard from him since I emailed this am. Will give it a day or so, but I may be contacting EBAY and Microsoft. They may not do anything; but I will put his name out there. I really dont care anymore. I spent about 75 with shipping for a product I cant use and really couldnt afford to spend. My instincts were telling me to wait for the 'NEW IMPROVED' MS OS - Longhorn or whatever its going to be...but since I have this bundled crap with just a full restore CD...I can never extract files that have gone screwy so just thought I'd get a full version of the OS by itself.
posted on December 5, 2003 05:28:22 PM new
Is it in an original MS CD case? If so, the product code should be on an orange sticker on the back. If not, it could be a copy, but I've made copies (backups) for myself and they've worked fine. He may also have copied down the wrong code if you don't have the original CD case. Could also be that it is in the wrong CD case and some other eBay buyer is finding himself in the same situation. Hope it all works out for you!
I know what you mean about CC's. I've canceled all of mine. Had to. I'm filing bankruptcy. I lost a high paying job (layoff) and the job I have now can no way support the debt. Now I will stick strictly to debit cards!
posted on December 5, 2003 05:28:48 PM new
Tessa, it realy, really sounds like you're ready for a new computer & O/S anyway. You can but a great computer without the monitor for a few hundred bucks these days. ( may be a tax deduction too ).
As some possible revenge you can turn the seller in to Micro$oft.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
posted on December 5, 2003 07:05:31 PM new
Hi all,
Tessa, I wonder if the code is a legitimate registration code that's been used already, making it "not valid" as far as Microsoft is concerned. Even if the software is sealed in the original case, someone could have used it to register a copy.
Reason I say this is one time my son phoned me. He needed the code for some Windows system he was reinstalling. Couldn't find his copy and wanted the code from another set.
Just a thought - might not mean anything...
Lucy
P.S. Cheryl, what kinda bird? I have an Indian Ringneck.
I grow old...I grow old...I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled. T.S. Eliot
I have a Cockateil named Mac. That's short for Mac Adamia Nut. He's a real nut case. Once he starts whistling the Andy Griffith show theme song, you can't get him to stop. He whistles the entire song. We haven't watched that show is almost a year and he still remembers it! Noisy, too! We love him anyway.
You used to be able to get codes on Kazaa for just about every program in the book. I don't know if you still can. You can get all sorts of programs there. Word of warning, though, make sure you have a very up-to-date antivirus program!
posted on December 5, 2003 07:43:24 PM new
Cheryl, it does have the orange sticker pn# on the back, but the CD is definately a burned copy. It would be nice if thats all it is - wrong case & pn#. That would be a quick fix! (*btw, I wanted to file bancrupcy, too; hubby doesnt want to do it. Feels this NEED to have credit. Meanwhile you drown in payments and they never get paid off ::shrug:
I just checked his listings. He's got more positive FB than since this trans. Not one neg. But I wonder if he is shilling his own sh** and fb.(just always suspecious and somebody on this board told me software/electronics/computers were the worst on ebay for fraud, shilling etc.)
Ace, my friend, yes, me thinks I needs a new one, too. Went looking. E-Machines at 400 or so. Dont need monitor. But of course, ya know, ya see them now with USB flash ports, media card readers and all this stuff...and if your gonna buy a new one...I think its best to 'keep up' with the technology or get the giga-byte hard drive or whatever in consideration that you may not buy another one for a few years, and those aren't the $400 ones, lol. (I mean, dont you think?) But then this technology changes so fast youre outdated the day after you have the machine, anyway.
Lucy, Hey!
Yeah, I would think even a "valid" registered copy should still work.
My very first ebay purchase back in 97 or 98, was a bootleg copy of office. Of course, I didnt know it was a copy, I thought it legit. It loaded, worked great. I only figured it out when I referred someone to ebay (and I guess that seller - I dont remember) and then they started cracking down on the copies.
Well, we'll see. I'll let you guys know what happens. I dont think the bozo will answer me. Livinjeans is rights. paid. fb done - why bother? But if it bothers me enough, I'll call microsoft 300 times!! (See pays to be obsessive/compulsive in that way..lol...) Thanks for *listening*
posted on December 5, 2003 07:54:29 PM new
Burned copy? It would be in his own best interest to contact you. Big MS no no! I believe there's jail time involved? Maybe he thinks you'll just go away. There is one thing I will never do (well, there are several that I can't talk about here) and that's burn a copy of MS software and sell it.
posted on December 5, 2003 08:04:04 PM new
There's no jail time unless he sold 10,000 copies but they could make his life interesting with a few emails or registered letters.
If the cost of the O/S was under $50 I'd simply chalk it up to expierence and move on. A lot of the software on ebay is illegit and as Buzzon/RB use to remind us all constantly, much of the DVDs at ebay are illegit too.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
posted on December 5, 2003 08:27:06 PM new
Tessa..about emachines...probably depends on what you're going to do on your puter. If you are just going to list on ebay and surf the internet etc emachines are more than adequate. I am still thrilled with the one I got 2 years ago at the after thankx sale at BestBuy..plenty fast with cable connection and not a minute of trouble. If you are going to find the square root of pi on the other hand....
Another interim solution would be to camp out at the library and use the computers there to do your eBay listings..just a thought anyway..better than going INSANE with a slowwwwwwwwwwww puter.
If they are really going to have FLD on DEc 26th you'll want to list as much as possible for FREE and have them ready to launch on DDAY!
posted on December 5, 2003 09:51:39 PM new
Hi all,
Tessa, what I was getting at is I *think* *maybe* the registration number is only accepted once by Microsoft. As in if it's already been used to register it can't be used again. Whatever - LOL! I'm prolly just having another senior moment.
Good luck - I think I'd be phoning Microsoft about now.
Cheryl, we had a cockatiel. His name was Marlow. A fine and talkative birdie he was. Completely in love with himself and his image. There was a mirror over the sink - curtains were on a rod that was mounted in front of the mirror - what that bird was doing with/to those curtains was unbelievable! Amazing he lived to be almost 18, considering my kids would put him on the ceiling fan and turn it on. Poor bird!
Lucy
I grow old...I grow old...I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled. T.S. Eliot
posted on December 6, 2003 12:14:21 AM new
New computer check out Dell on the Web, usually free shipping. A electronics store just had a sale on computers. HP with all the junk, printer etc. $399.00. With what we do on the computer now a days just a basic one will work.
I think lots of us are deep in debt and hoping that our ship will come in but it never does. Good luck to you Cheryl. At least you will be able to sleep at night now.
Back to your problem nerpter. Didn't you get a restore CD with your computer? BTW the code for your PC is on the small windows book you get with your computer, at least it is with mine. I have had to do it a couple of times but since I don't download anything it is very easy. Believe it or not I have no downloads on my computer. Just a basic to do eBay and read. No music or nothing.
posted on December 6, 2003 03:31:53 AM new
Yeah, you guys are right. A basic one will do and Neglus, I might just hit the library, because need to get my stuff on ebay. Wonder if they have a time limit? They used to.
Libra, I do have the restore CD. But something happened between restoring and trying to put on this new OS because the restore runs, gets to about 80%, then says:
Error reading Volume Label zero, please insert disk number 11!!! lol. I took it to best buy to see if the hard drive is fried, or they could restore it.
All this started with that stupid swen.a virus. (totally paranoid about it getting into my system files and admitedly, I may have deleted something I should'nt have.) I also had a recovery disk that it was asking me to 'offload' to something else. The floppy drive wouldnt hold all the sys files and I dont have two computers networked so to do any of that - is way too complicated for my life. So.....
Sounds like I am buying a new computer. I am going to keep looking and see if there is a good deal to be had. But I am pretty sure I won't be buying on EBAY!!! lol.
Lucy, I wonder if now, you cannot even load software with an invalid ms code. If I remember right, you could load a version you had on one computer and register it; and then put it on another and just not register it - but it still would work and be on your computer. I am a little confused about the differences myself, maybe its different with an operating system. I dont know.
posted on December 6, 2003 04:28:36 AM new
Nero-
If you are buying a new computer you should see what is available at Gateway in Sioux City. Somewhere I have an 800# for them. They sell all the refurbs. You can get an awesome computer w/ some of the bells & whistles you may want to have for a song. They told me most of the computers they sell are returns that were never even taken out of the box. They just can't sell them as new. Refurbs are 100% inspected...new computers are not.
We are delighted with ours!
posted on December 6, 2003 06:41:54 AM new
aol is selling pc with printer for 299 if you sign up with them.
but then AOL is a big pain.
why are all you sensible,entreprenuer women in so much debt??
if a married woman files for bankruptcy,how is hubby affected??
-sig file -------The thrill is gone!!
posted on December 6, 2003 09:04:02 AM new
I forgot to mention the refurbished computer came w/ free AOL for new subscribers. We alsready use AOL so I called & instead of 1 year free they gave us 10 free months. I had to go in monthly & claim a service award for another $300 savings.
posted on December 6, 2003 10:35:04 AM new
Thankyou Chatham Sue; I will look into that.
I dont mind a refurbished long as everything works right.
Stop, I dont think you can do bancruptcy for one if account are in joint names? I dont know... btw..didnt get that movie yet. the bb i went to didnt have it.
posted on December 6, 2003 11:38:29 AM new
You can get a great new computer for half the price of a Gateway. You can get a great used computer without a monitor for $150 or less. Computers are now like VCR's where you get a new one rather than repair and old one. The older computers are everywhere and they have very little resale value so you can buy one for a song. Shop around locally and avoid ebay when buying a computer.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
posted on December 6, 2003 12:38:27 PM new
call MS and tell them you need an alternate product code. It happens all the time. "room mate installed software, gave to me to use and program won't accept duplicate activation code."
They'll hook you up with another "skeleton key" code.
The other option, if you are not concerned with using pirated software, is going to kaazaa and downloading a generic key for your software.
posted on December 6, 2003 04:09:01 PM new
Tell your hubby that filing bankruptcy is not the end of the world credit wise. My boyfriend did it about 3 months ago and already has two credit cards again. (not even gonna go there ) It really doesn't take long at all to build things back up, and in this day and age, sometimes a bankruptcy is not as bad on your credit report as being overextended and having constant late payments.
As far as filing if you are married, I believe you can do that, but anything you have in both of your names will still be owed by him when it's done, so there's not much point if most of your bills are joint. Don't quote me on that though..not a bankruptcy lawyer, just witness to enough of them to have a general idea.
At any rate, my sympathy on your struggles..we're struggling here too. Nothing like not being able to sleep because you're too busy adding up numbers in your head. It's not a fun place to be.
posted on December 6, 2003 05:08:50 PM new
Deana, ty for the post. I think we are like most - overextended on the credit, but making it through albeit just barely.
It is the juggling between pay periods and not much being left over when all gets done, that wracks my nerves. I've made some money on ebay...not a lot or anything to brag about, but I managed to re-spend it thinking it was 'extra'. When I first lost my job we didnt really feel it and thus didnt make the lifestyle adjustments for it. Then a few emergencies came up; and you do the expedient thing...throw it on a card, so six months later you're sitten in it, going "oh sh**!!"
Not spending what I make on ebay and putting it toward some bills is one resolution for myself. And not buying anything else for resale for a good while (although that is gonna kill me; cause thats the fun part to me!)
I think you gotta just find a certain peace or acceptance about it, you know? I dont like the prospect of living without credit either. Take this computer thing...how would I buy a new/used one with out it right now? But I could give it up and adjust with ease at this point. Just gotta convince the hard-head its the best thing to do.
Good luck to you too, Deana! I Hope your ebay sales do good this Christmas(if your running any.) Was it you mentioned in another thread you were getting out? Or was that Paloma? Im sorry, I forget sometimes. but either way hope you hit on some luck!
Roundwood: Thanks for that piece of info. I didnt know they did that. Was hoping something like that would be the case. Its not like I havent paid for MS Software. (I only have three versions..unuseable except this 95 right now...hahah)
