www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Ah, not heard of Cybermax before......if it was a retail brand, I might have been able to help out with correct media, but alas not.

BG

Cyber Maxx is not a brand known to me, I was an engineer until ten years ago and I don't believe it a newer brand, however that's probably just a value brand tensing a generic case.

Anyway... You can if you believe you know enough about computers retrieve your serial number off the computer, then download a copy of windows off the net. And reinstall with your serial number this is not illegal as you technically own windows, just don't have a copy on disk. (Some computers have a tiny sticker with the serial key on the case. Have a look.)

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mark21lancs wrote:Cyber Maxx is not a brand known to me, I was an engineer until ten years ago and I don't believe it a newer brand, however that's probably just a value brand tensing a generic case.

Anyway... You can if you believe you know enough about computers retrieve your serial number off the computer, then download a copy of windows off the net. And reinstall with your serial number this is not illegal as you technically own windows, just don't have a copy on disk. (Some computers have a tiny sticker with the serial key on the case. Have a look.)

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It's actually made by Medion, a German OEM, but they will not support it directly as they have essentially been a TPI (third party installer) for someone else.

As for your download comment .... way to get a fresh copy of Windows, complete with pre-loaded malware, etc.

A COA does NOT constitute a valid copy of Windows, it actually forms PART of it - one of the other parts being a genuine, AR replicated set of Media for the machine in question. Downloading from an unknown torrent is just plain stupid.

BG

BG does this mean when you buy a pc from pcwonk and it goes wrong that you've had it because they don't give you the original installation disks?

Not necessarily.

It's quite complex , but the ways of looking at it are:

- If you buy a PC, it should come with a COA and a method of recovery (this can be HDD restore OR official media kit) and relevant documentation.
- If the machine comes with HDD restore, typically it will have a method of creating media FOR THE END USER (technically not an authorised set of media for sale or distribution - it's for your own use, but if it's sold with the machine in question it's not usually an issue).

If the HDD fails and the end user has not or could not create their media, then they can approach the OEM/retailer in question and request media. They will either give or charge a handling fee (it can vary depending on what comes on the disks, how it's packaged, internal procedures) for a replacement set that matches the installation of the machine, these will come from an AR (authorised replicator of Microsoft Media) and will/should never be a copied set.

Usually under 1st year it's free, but it varies by retailer.

Lots of info here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows/genuine

If a shop offers to recovery or setup, then they should have your media - if not, who knows where it's from.....

BG

There is alloy of if and but about this topic it used to be back in windows 98 era that you got an official licence on the front cover of the manual now you don't you can now legal purchase products with no licence legally over digital download. He items this product he had a serial to prove it ...... Thus more, Who the f*ck is gonna police him...? Nobody and I know 100% if you stepped foot in a court room for installing a downloaded windows when you have a authentic licence the CPS would be laughed at.

All due respect as you a valued UHM contributer BG I am not condoning piracy and this is far from UHM usual topic of discussion but I run a downloaded version of windows 7 64 bit. as my laptop when purchased came with 64 bit installed and 32 bit recovery medium so I downloaded a clean version of 64 bit and have a licence that came with the laptop for both versions and yes i got it from a well known British store. you wanna tell me I'm wrong then I'd like to see someone try taking me to court over it


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I think that's exactly what BG was saying

Presumably downloading from an official source is safe but getting it from sick beard isn't?

Deep breaths everyone it's only a forum!

Mod 6

If you were a shop or someone offering services and used a dodgy serial for installation, which they are likely to do time and time again, they would end up in court - look at the piracy examples on Microsoft's website. Here in the UK, they operate a name and shame campaign. You can proberbly find a lot of shops/people near you prosecuted for the very thing.

I was surprised to find a number of busineses near me and not so surprised at others.

At the end of the day, it's all about the experience of the end user. I'm aware there are digital purchases and downloads. Windows 8 is such a beast. You can also download linux variants too - these usually provide a MD5 sum so you can be sure the download you get is genuine. Not a paid product, but controlled none the less. Windows 8 does still provide a key too for you to activate, but that's provided during purchase and email - I'm sure the activation services would flag up a leaked or shared key, just a method of control.

I wasn't trying to police you, it's neither my job or my concern. The whole point of the thread was a poster who came on with a machine that was infected with all sorts of things. The advice given was to download a new copy and use his COA to activate.

My concern was that the media he downloads is quite likely to be compramised before he even starts. Lets me clear, this could be:

- keyloggers
- viruses
- Trojans
- Spyware
- Ransomware
- Malicious code (dormant until it detects certain sites, pages, dialogs)
- Windows updates might be blocked, leaving the machine at risk

There was a well known security company that recently downloaded 1000's of software through numerous means (shares, torrents, FTPs, etc). 7 out of 10 downloads had additional code embeded in them. As Windows 7 wasn't available (widely, at least in this country) as a digital download from a legitimate site, I'll include that in the stats. That's 70% of people that start off with the potential to have their identities stolen at worse case, down to having an annoying, poor experience on their computer - öh that damn Microsoft.

How can one tell if it's clean? Do you have another version to compare against? What if it's been modified to not allow the malware to be detected? What if the image comes with AV that's got exclusions pre-entered?

If you are aware of the risks, go for it. That was my point, I was trying to make the OP aware. Ultimately, he'll do as he pleases - which again is fine by me.

It's not all about making money for the big guys, sometimes there is thought that goes into the madness.

BG

I'm new to posting mainly use this site for browsing DIY hints and tips which I find very useful.

I have to say I have stumbled across this topic and can not believe what some people are saying on here. Number one 'mark21lancs' yes it is ILLEGAL to obtain windows by these means regardless of wether or not you have a license. It is very illegal in fact -, because you are downloading it. Even though you do technically own a license to windows. When you have download it you are also uploading it to other people that may not own a license to it. So you will be breaking the copyright law by distributing it to other people! It is also very unsafe.

I work for the police and know very well what the legalities are for this matter. You have to be very careful with this type of activity. Sounds like you need to know all of the facts first.

HandyAndyLondon

Would the Police actually investigate something like copyright Law, or would it depend how high profile the case was. Just wondered only round here, if they have to get out of the motor they're in a bad mood for weeks.

Playing Sherlock Holmes is not in the job title.

You couldn't make it up

Sherlocks Great grandson Ian Holmes is our newest member.

HandyAndyLondon wrote:I'm new to posting mainly use this site for browsing DIY hints and tips which I find very useful.

I have to say I have stumbled across this topic and can not believe what some people are saying on here. Number one 'mark21lancs' yes it is ILLEGAL to obtain windows by these means regardless of wether or not you have a license. It is very illegal in fact -, because you are downloading it. Even though you do technically own a license to windows. When you have download it you are also uploading it to other people that may not own a license to it. So you will be breaking the copyright law by distributing it to other people! It is also very unsafe.

I work for the police and know very well what the legalities are for this matter. You have to be very careful with this type of activity. Sounds like you need to know all of the facts first.

You sound like a typical bobby.,. Jumping to conclusions. It would only upload if indeed you used something like torrent. Which I never once said. This is getting rather daft now. If you wanna to discuss legalities with me further I suggest you pm me so we don't go further of topic

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thescruff wrote: HandyAndyLondon

Would the Police actually investigate something like copyright Law, or would it depend how high profile the case was. Just wondered only round here, if they have to get out of the motor they're in a bad mood for weeks.

Playing Sherlock Holmes is not in the job title.

No they wouldn't. It would be HMRC

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mark21lancs wrote:

HandyAndyLondon wrote:I'm new to posting mainly use this site for browsing DIY hints and tips which I find very useful.

I have to say I have stumbled across this topic and can not believe what some people are saying on here. Number one 'mark21lancs' yes it is ILLEGAL to obtain windows by these means regardless of wether or not you have a license. It is very illegal in fact -, because you are downloading it. Even though you do technically own a license to windows. When you have download it you are also uploading it to other people that may not own a license to it. So you will be breaking the copyright law by distributing it to other people! It is also very unsafe.

I work for the police and know very well what the legalities are for this matter. You have to be very careful with this type of activity. Sounds like you need to know all of the facts first.

You sound like a typical bobby.,. Jumping to conclusions. It would only upload if indeed you used something like torrent. Which I never once said. This is getting rather daft now. If you wanna to discuss legalities with me further I suggest you pm me so we don't go further of topic

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I`m with you Mark,I also thought that Jo Bloggs was legally ok installing.
I must have met more crooks in my time than I`d thought

Thanks for the stark warnings BG,yes found the stickers on the back from the German manufacturer and Microsoft ,with their product key no.

I will resume my head scratching on my return tonight.

Thanks all.

Chemfree wrote:

mark21lancs wrote:

HandyAndyLondon wrote:I'm new to posting mainly use this site for browsing DIY hints and tips which I find very useful.

I have to say I have stumbled across this topic and can not believe what some people are saying on here. Number one 'mark21lancs' yes it is ILLEGAL to obtain windows by these means regardless of wether or not you have a license. It is very illegal in fact -, because you are downloading it. Even though you do technically own a license to windows. When you have download it you are also uploading it to other people that may not own a license to it. So you will be breaking the copyright law by distributing it to other people! It is also very unsafe.

I work for the police and know very well what the legalities are for this matter. You have to be very careful with this type of activity. Sounds like you need to know all of the facts first.

You sound like a typical bobby.,. Jumping to conclusions. It would only upload if indeed you used something like torrent. Which I never once said. This is getting rather daft now. If you wanna to discuss legalities with me further I suggest you pm me so we don't go further of topic

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

I`m with you Mark,I also thought that Jo Bloggs was legally ok installing.
I must have met more crooks in my time than I`d thought

Thanks for the stark warnings BG,yes found the stickers on the back from the German manufacturer and Microsoft ,with their product key no.

I will resume my head scratching on my return tonight.

Thanks all.

***REMOVED*** i have a very good knowledge on piracy and legal stuff too. you can quite happily have a discussion on it on this forum but you may not do as you just posted. - RichAndo

As for engineers installing dodgy copies in shops etc BG. When I was working as an engineer we used to install windows with our key. Then delete it out of the registry once that the install was complete. Then when the customer started up the comp they had a windows prompt for a key to be entered before allowing access to user accounts. This was legal. Unless laws have changed this is what engineers should be doing.

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