08-14-2007, 11:42 PM

am not saying i have a illegal software and whatever
(so dont say am breaking the forum rules)

am just wondering if there is a way to find out if its legal or an illegal copy.

why? I bought a computer from Ebay, and it dint came with the disk, so am just wondering if its real.

(the windows xp version came with disk, and the genuine key, so am going towards my copy of Mac is legal)

08-15-2007, 01:51 AM

umm.. yeah sorry to say, if you didn't buy the Operating System disk with your own money, it's illegal.

08-15-2007, 03:27 AM

Originally Posted by bam1234567

umm.. yeah sorry to say, if you didn't buy the Operating System disk with your own money, it's illegal.

Not necessarily. That doesn't mean anything.

I think we discussed this before in another thread. I'm not sure. I remember people saying that Apple OS X didn't come with like an genuine sticker/key thing. I don't see a serial number for my OS anywhere. The seller should of included the CDs for you to use though.

You could have a valid install or not. If your really paranoid you could request replacement CDs from Apple.

08-15-2007, 05:46 AM

Didn't you have to register it when you first turned it on?

08-15-2007, 05:57 AM

Didn't you have to register it when you first turned it on?

since he said he bought it from ebay im guessing its second hand

08-15-2007, 06:14 AM

The Mac being second-hand means nothing: if the seller did the right thing, he wiped the hard drive to delete all his personal info. In that case, yes, on the first boot you are prompted to register.

08-15-2007, 06:55 AM

If the computer is a mid 2005 or later model, then it's legal (that system would have shipped with Tiger); if it's older than that, then there's no way to tell.


Saying that I've not read the exact terms of the license agreement, so it might be that transferring the computer without the software license is illegal (but nothing you or the seller would end up in the naughty book for... it's just an inconvenience to you rather than a real crime).

08-15-2007, 07:01 AM

Schweb has said this many times and I agree. People on Ebay should include the Media with the machine. Otherwise besides any legal issues, you can reinstall if you need to and also know that the OS is legal for that machine.

Also unless you own a copy of OSX, if something goes wrong and you have no media, you are out of luck.

Another thing that bugs me is so many people seem to loose the install media that comes with their computer. What happens if you have to reinstall? Keep the Media! Will come in handy and if you sell the machine, you can give it to the next owner and make life easy for them!!

08-15-2007, 07:23 AM

Schweb has said this many times and I agree. People on Ebay should include the Media with the machine. Otherwise besides any legal issues, you can reinstall if you need to and also know that the OS is legal for that machine.

Also unless you own a copy of OSX, if something goes wrong and you have no media, you are out of luck.

Another thing that bugs me is so many people seem to loose the install media that comes with their computer. What happens if you have to reinstall? Keep the Media! Will come in handy and if you sell the machine, you can give it to the next owner and make life easy for them!!

Very good advice.

08-15-2007, 10:23 PM

well when i recceived the computer it was registered under bronx jargon or something like that. is that mean its a legal copy? and yes it came with tiger version

08-15-2007, 10:47 PM

thats just the name he sued to registr

08-16-2007, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by ric0h

well when i recceived the computer it was registered under bronx jargon or something like that. is that mean its a legal copy? and yes it came with tiger version

What model is it, and what processor (and clock speed) does it have? Then we can tell when it was made and whether Tiger is the original OS.

08-16-2007, 06:56 PM

what model? no idea, it was custom built.

08-16-2007, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by ric0h

what model? no idea, it was custom built.

There has never been an option to custom build a Mac from purchased parts.
The machine you have may have been upgraded, but it has to be some sort of Mac type.
What are your machine's specs?

08-16-2007, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by Levi

What model is it, and what processor (and clock speed) does it have? Then we can tell when it was made and whether Tiger is the original OS.

OS can always be upgraded though.