closed

[T2urtle]

closed closed closed

 

[Jassi]

First its 7422GZ. Secondly, its wrong and despicable. I know many people will jump on this chance but I have given up better deals because I am an honest person. All logic about (1- it doesnt hurt anyone and 2- its already stolen and someone else will buy it) is flawed and nothing can change tha fact that it is wrong.

Edit - I didnt buy a $1k+ digital camera (the kind pros use) for ~ $150 for the same reasons.

 

[WackyDan]

We configure all of our laptops in our project at work with Computrace by absolute software. There are numerous companies offering this type of solution and there are numerous threads here on AT discussing the Computrace product specifically.

While earlier versions of CT could be circumnavigated, the newer versions are resistant to removal even upon a format.

It is a growing risk in buying a hot product that it could have this type of software installed. Worst case, you get nailed for knowingly bying a hot item or they recover the item from you for it's true owner..... and you are now out what you paid for it. --They don't get that back for you.

It's a moral issue you need to decide for yourself. But as someone who has had several stolen from my Dept. over the years, I say buy new, get the warrantee, and clear mind.

 

[T2urtle]

True on the honestly factor. That is the biggest reason to why i kinda asked first. What are the odds of the computers that are brand new out the box having software such as CT. The worst case is that i get the laptop taken away right? I could always say i picked it up at a silly sale or something like a garage sale.


I assume CT is more of a 3rd party software/hardware.

 

[fbrdphreak]

If you take it, you're a craphead.
My $0.02

 

[edspag2000]

who r u to judge lol. its his choice

 

[T2urtle]

some people can't afford to get things the legal way

are there any other down sides in me doing it.

 

[fintheman]

I'd take it personally

 

[T2urtle]

^ one of the first truthful people out there.

Do you see any other downsides? Can they track me down? Since its right out the box and anything there isn't any stuff like the CT software above, i plan on reformating it instantly after i get it. And possibly swap out the hard-drive just in case. But still thinking about getting it or not.

 

[karna]

I would not buy it from the *theif* but if someone just said it had originally been stolen, then I would buy it then turn around and sell it so i dont get caught with it down the line.

the new buyer would not have any guilt issue since he/she would not know it had been stolen.

either way, SOMEBODY is going to buy it eventually. you can't just return it up the line and ask the theif to return it to the proper owner. gimme a break.

 

[IvanAndreevich]

>>While earlier versions of CT could be circumnavigated, the newer versions are resistant to removal even upon a format

ROFL? Nothing stands a low-level format.

Don't buy it!

 

[T2urtle]

^^ well with that being said. what are the odds of gateway haviny something in the lines of CT being installed directly from the factory?


i figured SOMEONE will profit from this and i just said might as well be me.

 

[roguerower]

Is he selling it to you? If they are just giving it to you, take it, look up the serial number on Gateway, give the owner a call and tell him that someone gave you the laptop. If they're selling it to you, I think the owner would reimburse you for however much you paid. What did it cost originally 1.5k+?

 

[trikster2]

Originally posted by: T2urtle
some people can't afford to get things the legal way

are there any other down sides in me doing it.

Nothing is anonymous on the internet.

You posted here on anandtech that you think it is probably stolen and know it is not legal to buy it. Gotta affect your sentencing some how I would imagine.....

 

[beyoku]

mod please move this to the "hot deals" forum

It all depends on you. If you do shady things then buy it. If you are pure legit then dont. I paid all cash for my laptop at BB and it is warez free. If you plan to put warez on a legit laptop then why wouldnt you wantto buya hot one?

 

[inhotep]

I once returned an "opened" laptop back to bestbuy with Photoshop, Office xp, and some personal pictures, etc. sounds good for the next buyer right? I also forgot to blank the bios password :0
Another time, I purchase a desktop from best buy, my first computer, the one i can call mine. Anyway, the salesmen told me it was a floor demo so i took it. When i got home, i found old settings/info of some girl I called the phone number that was saved in the computer, her dad told me that she returned to best buy.
Conclusion, salesmen blows.

 

[T2urtle]

The guy is selling it to me brand new in the box. meaning no one has had it before. yea i figure posting here at some point they can trace it back to me thru IP and info and emails and w/e else. Oh well. 99.999% sure no one will be under the serial.

My question is how can you say someone stole the laptop if they have all the documents, box and registartion cards with them. The store can't really prove that i took it and want not. Just that they are missing this serial laptop ( if they do notice it) and that i happen to have it. Thats not enough to connect anything to anyone. But w/e i guess i got the info that i wanted to get from this thread. I'll probaly stay away from it due the amount the worries i might have to go to.

 

[Jeff7]

Of course, the mods here do have full access to your IP address; if there is some sort of investigation, and Anandtech is ordered to hand over any evidence they have, they are required to do so.
And if your own PC is seized, they can check the hard drive. All the evidence is stored there too.

As for the laptop, two things about it that you can't change - the serial number and the onboard NIC's MAC address. Granted, the former might just be a sticker, but the latter is hard-coded into the network card, which is likely integrated into the motherboard.

I once returned an "opened" laptop back to bestbuy with Photoshop, Office xp, and some personal pictures, etc. sounds good for the next buyer right? I also forgot to blank the bios password :0
Another time, I purchase a desktop from best buy, my first computer, the one i can call mine. Anyway, the salesmen told me it was a floor demo so i took it. When i got home, i found old settings/info of some girl I called the phone number that was saved in the computer, her dad told me that she returned to best buy.
Conclusion, salesmen blows.

Where I work (good ol' Wallyworld), our customer service folk took back a PC that was empty. The ex-owner apparently gutted the system, and returned just the case (and the retail box of course).

They should have put it out on the floor to demo the newest "lightweight" model.

 

[T2urtle]

interesting stuff. yea but i'm not going to get it since i gotta this info against me. It isn't a crime for researching what to do with stolen objects


lol new lightweight model, hahaha. good stuff. Hows wallyworld going to handle that.

 

[DragonMasterAlex]

Originally posted by: T2urtle
some people can't afford to get things the legal way

are there any other down sides in me doing it.

Well, the fact that you'll look at that laptop every day and know it's stolen. The fact that now that you have announced it to us means some won't deal with you here anymore, etc. Personally, I say bide your time, save your money and keep your eyes peeled for a deal. In the end you'll be glad that you did. A cheap laptop deal feels good for awhile, but the knowledge of being a dishonest person and an accomplice to a theft lasts a lifetime.

Jason

 

[DragonMasterAlex]

Originally posted by: inhotep
I once returned an "opened" laptop back to bestbuy with Photoshop, Office xp, and some personal pictures, etc. sounds good for the next buyer right? I also forgot to blank the bios password :0
Another time, I purchase a desktop from best buy, my first computer, the one i can call mine. Anyway, the salesmen told me it was a floor demo so i took it. When i got home, i found old settings/info of some girl I called the phone number that was saved in the computer, her dad told me that she returned to best buy.
Conclusion, salesmen blows.

Ah, but did the GIRL? Now *that* is the real question, my friend!

Jason

 

[intogamer]

On tv I saw that if the person installs this program on their laptop. When it is lost you then tell the company and when the laptop connects to the internet it secretly tells the company. A great way to protech your lappy. Not sure what will happen if you format. Most likey the theif will go on the internet and check out the comp first hehe.

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: T2urtle
True on the honestly factor. That is the biggest reason to why i kinda asked first. What are the odds of the computers that are brand new out the box having software such as CT. The worst case is that i get the laptop taken away right? I could always say i picked it up at a silly sale or something like a garage sale.


I assume CT is more of a 3rd party software/hardware.

no--worst case is you get to go to court if they can prove you knowingly bought a hot property... state laws may vary on that.

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: IvanAndreevich
>>While earlier versions of CT could be circumnavigated, the newer versions are resistant to removal even upon a format

ROFL? Nothing stands a low-level format.

Don't buy it!

Suggest you get familiar with the solution before you ROFL. CT is a serious piece of software. We're already testing the firmware version of it... try low level formatting that.

 

Originally posted by: edspag2000
who r u to judge lol. its his choice

Knowingly receiving and concealing (R&C) stolen property is a felony if interstate commerce is involved.