Scan.co.uk - Problem with laptop and blackmail

DCFC79

drspa44 wrote: »

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:

but they are pirated copies that you put on there, whats 3d mark,

drspa44

DCFC79 wrote: »

but they are pirated copies that you put on there, whats 3d mark,

I can't see what your point is...

http://www.futuremark.com/

Chimpofdoom

Well it's the fact that you have pirated software on your laptop, that's his point.

What I do find interesting however is that they haven't already reported you to the police. I mean they appear so high in their morales that they will threaten to report you instead of just doing it.

As for the legal stand point.. I don't think there is anything scan can do. Fair enough they can report you to the police as it is a criminal offence, but what would the police do?

Not any real help I will admit, tricky situation. I know people who have sent laptops into PC world loaded with dodgy movies and they've never batted an eyelid (as it's seen as personal files and if PC world went looking, then it could be classed as snooping through personal files).

But for the future.. buy a mac

drspa44

Chimpofdoom wrote: »

Well it's the fact that you have pirated software on your laptop, that's his point.

What I do find interesting however is that they haven't already reported you to the police. I mean they appear so high in their morales that they will threaten to report you instead of just doing it.

As for the legal stand point.. I don't think there is anything scan can do. Fair enough they can report you to the police as it is a criminal offence, but what would the police do?

Not any real help I will admit, tricky situation. I know people who have sent laptops into PC world loaded with dodgy movies and they've never batted an eyelid (as it's seen as personal files and if PC world went looking, then it could be classed as snooping through personal files).

But for the future.. buy a mac

By the way, I've got a Mac and this laptop was bought as a secondary machine. My 2008 iMac does everything I need it to do, so it will be a while before I buy a new one.

I'm pretty sure the police can't/wouldn't get involved, firstly because it is a civil dispute for the courtroom to rule on copyright infringement and secondly because Scan isn't the other party (ie. Electronic Arts). It'd be a different story if Scan found terrorism-related activity, because then it would be criminal. Scan obviously have been looking in my documents folder, as they were stored there. I'm quite sure they were looking for anything to dismiss my case.

Fiddlestick

drspa44 wrote: »

I shouldn't have used the word software, as apart from WinRar and 3DMark, they were all games. The better ones, I had bought previously but as games like Audiosurf, GTA San Andreas, World of Goo, Penumbra etc etc are much easier to try out when you're using a cracked copy, why should I bother with all of the DRM and disc swapping?

I bought GTA San Andreas, World of Goo and Audiosurf.

They are good games and I want to give the developers my money.

You seem intent on stealing from them.

Fiddlestick

protector wrote: »

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

I don't think it's fair at all.

Having mixtapes in the stereo cannot cause the engine to fail or the car's electrical system to develop a fault.

Frozenace

Put your experience on Twitter @ScanComputers

Just talk about faulty hardware, because the software won't help you very much.

Also, speak to someone else and say that unless they do put you through to someone else, you'll take them to small claims.

Chimpofdoom

drspa44 wrote: »

I'm pretty sure the police can't/wouldn't get involved, firstly because it is a civil dispute for the courtroom to rule on copyright infringement and secondly because Scan isn't the other party (ie. Electronic Arts). It'd be a different story if Scan found terrorism-related activity, because then it would be criminal. Scan obviously have been looking in my documents folder, as they were stored there. I'm quite sure they were looking for anything to dismiss my case.

Don't get me wrong, I do agree that it's a civil matter.

Out of curiosity was it a scan (3xs) manufactured laptop or another brand?

neilmcl

Frozenace wrote: »

Put your experience on Twitter @ScanComputers

Just talk about faulty hardware, because the software won't help you very much.

Also, speak to someone else and say that unless they do put you through to someone else, you'll take them to small claims.

Even though that is the relevant part about all this. Good advice - rolleyes.

dan_l

neilmcl wrote: »

Even though that is the relevant part about all this. Good advice - rolleyes.

I've just read the thread and there are 2 issues here. One is the fact the laptop has pirated software on it, the other issue is that the hardware on the laptop is faulty.

Programs like memtest run independently of windows so regardless of what software is on the laptop it won't affect the results of memtest so if that is showing a fault then that means the laptop has a hardware fault and should be repaired/replaced.

If Scan want to pursue the fact that there is pirated software on there, then in my opinion that should be treated as a separate issue.

Also I don’t think the car analogy is too far off the mark, the mechanic could remove the tape from the tape player and still be left with a faulty car, just like scan could remove the hard drive from the laptop and they would still be left with a faulty laptop.