barneyjo said:
I bought my computer from an individual who built it and installed
software on it. He included backup discs of the items he installed,
such as Office 2000 premium. Unfortunately, my disc does not include
Publisher, which I'd like to use. Any good ideas on what to do?
Should I just bite the bullet and get my own copy of Publisher?
Thanks
By 'back up discs' I assume you're talking about CDRs? If that's the case
you're in possession of stolen goods. You need to go back to the seller and
demand the originals - for everything (I assume if he can give you a pirated
copy of Office, he's given you a pirated copy of Windows, too). What he's
doing is illegal and in violation of the EULA (presumably he's either kept
the originals because he wants to use them on his system, or because he
wants to copy them and sell the copies with other systems he's building).
Office cannot be installed on more than one system of the same type and even
if the machine types are different they must be owned by the person to whom
the software is registered (i.e. the original purchaser). Where did you find
this individual? Did you receive an installation key with the software?
Please note that latter versions of 2000 required activation and, if (or as
I suspect, as) he's got it installed and activated, then you'll have to use
the phone method and suspicions might be aroused.
You need to pursue this with the seller - MS won't assist you with stolen
software.
