Discount Software E-Mails -- OK to Buy?

[Nhmiller]

Would like to know if I'm going to be sorry if I buy software offered at 90%
off. Been getting lots of e-mails about this. Truthfully, I am not against it
if the claims are true -- that it will keep working, though I cannot get tech
support or upgrades. Reason is that I feel many computer companies have been
greedy -- Hewlett Packard for instance would not supply an XP printer driver
for the 4ML. So I have a $1000 printer that doesn't always work right using the
generic driver. Anyway, enough of that -- would appreciate hearing what
experiences people have had with these 90% off software offers. Looks like they
all come from outside the US and are copies with keys supplied.

Neil
Cat Paintings At Carol Wilson Gallery
http://www.carolwilsongallery.com

 

[Malvern]

No actual experience but I take these offers with many grains of salt. My
philosophy: You get what you pay for and/or you have to pay (reasonably) for
what you want to get. A big part of the problem with all of these
destructive viruses is that the authors or creators of them wanted lots of
goodies on the cheap, so to speak.

Malv

 

[Tumbleweed]

Would like to know if I'm going to be sorry if I buy software offered at 90%
off. Been getting lots of e-mails about this. Truthfully, I am not against it
if the claims are true -- that it will keep working, though I cannot get tech
support or upgrades.

In what way will it 'work' if you cant get an upgrade, when (for example)
that upgrade prevents the next worm that kills your PC? No doubt you'll come
here whining that your PC keeps shutting itself down all the time or similar
and how to fix it.

Reason is that I feel many computer companies have been
greedy -- Hewlett Packard for instance would not supply an XP printer driver
for the 4ML. So I have a $1000 printer that doesn't always work right using the
generic driver.

Did you buy that after you had WinXP? Then you are a prat for buying it
without checking it would work on XP.
Did you upgrade to XP after you bought the 4ML? Then you are a prat for not
running the windows upgrade advisor first.

Anyway, enough of that -- would appreciate hearing what
experiences people have had with these 90% off software offers. Looks like they
all come from outside the US and are copies with keys supplied.

Yeh right, and if it doesnt work they no doubt offer refunds as well.

Neil
Cat Paintings At Carol Wilson Gallery

Cats are scum. What other animal licks its own arsehole in public and shits
on peoples lawns.

 

[Nhmiller]

Hewlett Packard for instance would not supply an XP printer

driver

Did you buy that after you had WinXP? Then you are a prat for buying it
without checking it would work on XP.
Did you upgrade to XP after you bought the 4ML? Then you are a prat for not
running the windows upgrade advisor first.

We're getting off topic here, but I feel obligated to answer you. I bought the
printer in 1992. I bought the computer with XP in 2001. I would call HP names,
not me. XP is a very stable OS, and I would not want to use a prior Windows OS
for the minimal problems I have with the printer. I have my workarounds for
them.

But, despite your rudeness, thanks for the heads up about virus prevention
upgrades that I would not get. My impression of those is that they are almost
always designed to work in OS software, but I suppose there are instances of
viruses or vulnerabilities in other software.

Cats are scum. What other animal licks its own arsehole in public and shits

on peoples lawns.
Just about every wild animal, as it turns out. Their digestive system handles
it (evolution at work), and their shit is great fertilizer. My wife is a
terrific cat artist, by the way. Go to her site and enjoy looking at the
paintings.

Thank you for your posting.

Neil
Cat Paintings At Carol Wilson Gallery
http://www.carolwilsongallery.com

 

[E McCann]

Well, think about it for a minute:

1. They offer "Too good to be true" prices, and
2. They have to spam you to advertise.

Does this *sound* like a reputable business? Or someone sitting in an alley
wearing a trenchcoat saying "Psst, I godda good watch fer ya, cheap!"

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Where in Russia are they located?

 

[t.cruise]

Rule of thumb: You get what you pay for. It's either pirated, has
spyware/malware etc., or your email address will be harvested for more spam,
or you might then be a candidate for identity theft if you give personal
information and a credit card number. There are many reputable U.S. web
sites, where you can get 30%-40% off. At least if something goes wrong with
the transaction, you'd have legal recourse if it's a domestic purchase.

As for your HP problem: When you purchased the printer, it was supplied
with the software/drivers for the operating system that you were using at
that time. If 3 or 4 years later, a new operating system is released, it is
not HP's responsibility to make older hardware compatible with that new
operating system. You should be content with the fact that the native
Windows XP driver gives you at least some use. I have peripheral components
that don't have any Windows XP drivers. It's like saying I bought a VHS
film 5 years ago, and it won't play on a DVD player. The Windows XP
operating system is a newer technology than Windows 98, just as VHS is to
DVD. You purchased the printer to be compatible with the operating system
that you were using at the time, and it functioned as you expected with that
operating system. It was your choice to upgrade to a new operating system,
that had newer technology, and that doesn't allow your printer to function
as it did with the older technology. As Judge Judy would say, it's not a
$1000 printer. That was the purchase price. What's the value of a 4 or 5
year old printer, or any older PC peripheral component? If having THAT
printer function is important to you:

1. You can go back to Windows 98

2. You can set up a dual boot system of Windows 98 and Windows XP, and boot
to Windows 98 when you want to print something.

3. You can sell the printer to someone who still uses Windows 98, and then
buy a new Windows XP compatible printer.


Be prepared that when "Longhorn" (the next major version of Windows) is
released, that you might have to buy a new system to run it, and perhaps all
new peripheral components. Upgrading is a choice. You weren't forced to
upgrade to Windows XP. Nor, should a peripheral manufacturer (e.g. HP) be
forced make their older components compatible with each new operating
system. I concede that if a printer or scanner is not older than 2 years,
then the maker should make an effort, if the hardware itself is capable of
running using the new version of the operating system, to supply compatible
drivers/software. It isn't greed. It's free market capitalism.

 

[CS]

Would like to know if I'm going to be sorry if I buy software offered at 90%
off. Been getting lots of e-mails about this. Truthfully, I am not against it
if the claims are true -- that it will keep working, though I cannot get tech
support or upgrades. Reason is that I feel many computer companies have been
greedy -- Hewlett Packard for instance would not supply an XP printer driver
for the 4ML. So I have a $1000 printer that doesn't always work right using the
generic driver. Anyway, enough of that -- would appreciate hearing what
experiences people have had with these 90% off software offers. Looks like they
all come from outside the US and are copies with keys supplied.

Neil
Cat Paintings At Carol Wilson Gallery
http://www.carolwilsongallery.com

I buy software off the web quite often. However, the prices are
generally in line with street prices that are quoted on sites such as
"Pricewatch", "PriceGrabber", etc. I also look up each company to
make sure they're legitimate.

Usually, but not always, if prices are way below street prices and the
seller is off shore, you should be suspect. Let's face it, when
someone offers you a copy of XP Pro full for $50.00, something ain't
right!

 

[Jock]

Where in Russia are they located?

Or where in America, more likely?

 

[R. McCarty]

The other consideration is privacy. Many countries outside of the
US have very lax standards with regards to purchases with a
credit card. Here in the US, many companies now require the
unique card identifier code (4-digits) to verify the account. Also,
some credit card accounts cannot be used Internationally unless
you specifically authorize it.
With Identity Theft so widespread, I wouldn't take that risk just
to save a few dollars.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Did you read the OP??

[[Looks like they
all come from outside the US and are copies with keys supplied.]]

 

[Black Beard]

errrmm, dogs, for one.

Cats are scum. What other animal licks its own arsehole in public and shits
on peoples lawns.

 

[Jose Ferrer]

The other consideration is privacy. Many countries outside of the
US have very lax standards with regards to purchases with a
credit card. Here in the US, many companies now require the
unique card identifier code (4-digits) to verify the account. Also,
some credit card accounts cannot be used Internationally unless
you specifically authorize it.
With Identity Theft so widespread, I wouldn't take that risk just
to save a few dollars.

From ScamBusters:
....
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Credit Card Fraud and Identity Theft -- A New Spin
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Identity thieves are now calling credit card holders and posing as
fraud troubleshooters for major credit card providers.

They tell unsuspecting victims that they are investigating a potential
fraudulent charge that has been made to their account, and they offer
to help the card holder reverse the charge and get a credit.

All you have to do is 'verify' your credit card information.

Of course, these scammers then use that information to do the very
thing they claim someone else already did -- make fraudulent charges
against your card, or steal your identity!

Here's an example: The scamster calls to find out if you purchased a
particular piece of hardware, and sometimes they mention a specific
company. They say that there has been a lot of fraud related to this
item.

When you say you haven't purchased the item, they scammer lets you
know that a fraud investigation has been started, and that you'll
receive credit for the purchase. Some scammers sound so legitimate
they actually offer up a 'case number' for your records.

The scamsters goal is to gain your trust. They then ask to 'verify'
your billing address. Next, they may ask if you still have the card in
your possession, and if so, if you could read back the account number
and expiration date.

Once again, our advice is: NEVER give your credit card details -- or
other personal information -- to strangers over the phone or via
email. Your credit card company already knows them!
....

Jose Ferrer
Ultimate Identity Theft Guide

Get the inside story on how identity thieves work, what makes you a
target, and how you can protect yourself from the crime of the 21st
century!

Get it FREE:
http://ultimateidentitytheftguide.com

 

[Alex Nichol]

Looks like they
all come from outside the US and are copies with keys supplied.

OTOH that does not say they are legitimate keys. In the case of Windows
they very probably are not; they will install but will result in any
attempt to install Service Pack 1 being rejected. There is an *awful*
lot of pirated software around, especially in the Far East - buyers must
beware that they are not buying lemons

BTW if you go to
http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html
and enter Laserjet 4ML
you can select Windows XP as the OS (at the bottom) and there is a
driver to download

 

[Jim Macklin]

NEVER buy anything from SPAM email, it just makes it
profitable and creates more SPAM.

On top of that, most cheap software sold by SPAM is pirated.
You can find real software at 40% off retail, but 80% is
just too much of a discount for legal software.


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.


message | Nhmiller wrote:
|
| > Looks like they
| >all come from outside the US and are copies with keys
supplied.
|
| OTOH that does not say they are legitimate keys. In the
case of Windows
| they very probably are not; they will install but will
result in any
| attempt to install Service Pack 1 being rejected. There
is an *awful*
| lot of pirated software around, especially in the Far
East - buyers must
| beware that they are not buying lemons
|
| BTW if you go to
| http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html
| and enter Laserjet 4ML
| you can select Windows XP as the OS (at the bottom) and
there is a
| driver to download
|
|
| --
| Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
| Bournemouth, U.K. (e-mail address removed)8E8L.org (remove the D8
bit)

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Actually, if you had clicked the links provided and then read that
site's self-contradictory,broken English "FAQ," you'd probably have
known it was a scam.

Full OEM CDs that are full retail versions that are legal as backup
media? Shipped from eastern Europe? All CDs shipped with the serial
number included in a text file? Definitely not legitimate CDs.


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:




You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Nhmiller]

BTW if you go to

http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html
and enter Laserjet 4ML
you can select Windows XP as the OS (at the bottom) and there is a
driver to download

Strangely, that one is not signed for XP. I need a driver that has a font
download feature -- that's been the problem, not that there is no driver at all
-- my confusion.

Neil
Cat Paintings At Carol Wilson Gallery
http://www.carolwilsongallery.com

 

[Alex Nichol]

Strangely, that one is not signed for XP. I need a driver that has a font
download feature -- that's been the problem, not that there is no driver at all
-- my confusion.

A lot of maker's drivers are not signed/certified by MSoft Quality labs.
It is a fairly expensive, long winded process, and the big makers often
prefer to rest on their own reputation