Scan.co.uk - Problem with laptop and blackmail

DVardysShadow

GillsMan7 wrote: »

You should probably buy legitimate software rather than engaging in software piracy. Or, you know, just go without if you can't afford it. I'm kinda on Scan's side on this one.

memtest86 is quite definitive. If it shows a problem, it is nowt to do with viruses or dodgy software.

neilmcl

drspa44 wrote: »

I can't do this because Scan will be unwilling to send back the laptop and then accept the laptop back again for return.

They'd have no choice. If is indeed faulty then they have a legal obligation to remedy.

drspa44

neilmcl wrote: »

They'd have no choice. If is indeed faulty then they have a legal obligation to remedy.

They have a legal obligation now though. I've tried to tell them this:

I can't believe that a firm with numerous awards for customer service would resort to blackmail, in an attempt to avoid your contractual obligations towards me by the Sales of Goods Act 1979. Your refusal to return an inherently faulty product that is not of satisfactory quality or fit for purpose is unacceptable.

Unless required, I will no longer be communicating with yourself. Only with the bank.

However they couldn't see the RAM fault at first (so I'm told) and they're unwilling to look at the microphone. If the bank find in their favour, I guess plan B would to be to insist to get the PC back, then ask MSI (the manufacturer) for advice, then try to send it back with an empty hard drive. If they refuse, then it may be small claims court.

protector

drspa44 wrote: »

If I am just trialling a new game, why would I pay £20+ for a game I don't even know will engage me at all?

1 word...

Demo.

Hope this helps.

I don't buy into the whole "piracy=theft" argument and think copyright is somewhat missing the point these days... but when demo levels are so widely and readily available for most games trialing is a seriously lame justification for installing a pirated copy. When you consider the security risks (virus etc) involved it's even worse.

Apart from that it sounds like you're being given the runaround. Personally I'd never send a computer in for work without removing the HD or jumping through the more reasonable data erasing steps to make sure there was nothing personal on there at all... and I'd be even more that way inclined with counterfeit software on there... but that aside I think your analogy of mixtapes in a car is pretty fair.

drspa44

protector wrote: »

1 word...

Demo.

Hope this helps.

I don't buy into the whole "piracy=theft" argument and think copyright is somewhat missing the point these days... but when demo levels are so widely and readily available for most games trialing is a seriously lame justification for installing a pirated copy. When you consider the security risks (virus etc) involved it's even worse.

Apart from that it sounds like you're being given the runaround. Personally I'd never send a computer in for work without removing the HD or jumping through the more reasonable data erasing steps to make sure there was nothing personal on there at all... and I'd be even more that way inclined with counterfeit software on there... but that aside I think your analogy of mixtapes in a car is pretty fair.

That is true and a few years ago before I knew about torrents I had hundreds of demos of games. However imo, they're too short to get a good grasp of the game or they're non-existent, especially for the new releases. They're also not that much smaller and unlike torrents, one has to download a multi GB file from a single server, often in the USA and it will take a lot longer to receive a game that is more limited and basically just an advert. Any progress I make on the game will be lost as well. I think I'll stick with torrents, but if I see a good deal on a game or I see it used, I'll buy it to have a hard copy. I've never had a problem with security or malware on one of my own systems and I don't buy into the hype that everyone is at risk. Even with torrents, it's just a case of common sense and an anti-virus.

The reason I didn't wipe the machine completely was just in case Scan insisted they repair it, where in that case, I would have to reinstall everything. I am kicking myself for not installing software called Prey, which sends back screenshots and geolocation of the system. I did wipe all of my personal data, though there was hardly any of it.

wealdroam

drspa44 wrote: »

If you buy a car and send it in under warranty for an engine issue and during testing, the engineer finds illegal home made mixtapes in the stereo, would he refuse to refund or repair? Would he tell the customer to take back the faulty car otherwise I'll "call the feds on you".

protector wrote: »

... but that aside I think your analogy of mixtapes in a car is pretty fair.

How easy is it to remove a tape from a car stereo?

Come on... its not the same thing at all.

neilmcl

wealdroam wrote: »

How easy is it to remove a tape from a car stereo?

Come on... its not the same thing at all.

Exactly. If anything it's more like making an authorised mod to the car's ECU, in which case any dealer would be entitled to leave well alone.

drspa44

People are expected to put files on their PC's hard drive, just as people are expected to use a car's stereo. One can just as easily delete files from one's hard drive, just as one can remove CDs from the glove compartment. I haven't made any modifications to the hardware.

DCFC79

Hang on, mnaybe im missing something here but exactly what pirated software have you or did you put on the laptop

drspa44

DCFC79 wrote: »

Hang on, mnaybe im missing something here but exactly what pirated software have you or did you put on the laptop

It's not very relevant - it's just what Scan are using to create excuses. They're not anything dodgy, just a few games and applications to test out the hardware, like 3DMark and Crysis. Not anything like pirated Windows 7 or unsigned drivers etc, which wouldn't have affecting the hardware anyway.

Frankly, it's surprising that Scan found them. They'd have to be nosing around in my documents folder. :mad: