What are the rules for selling laptops with windows installed?

[welcomehome2011]

Having done a search I am surprised I cannot find this topic already covered - pardon if I missed it: I bought a used Fujitsu Lifebook T731 this month and have two serious issues. Never mind that it took two weeks and $26 to get it here!

My main gripe is that I bought this specifically because it said the laptop was "excellent, complete...SSD with...fresh copy of Windows 7 pro... ready to use". This appealed because I have two others that I was turning into one very good laptop, but Fujitsu has so many proprietary bits and pieces (like software and drivers) that I wasn't able to fully use the features without an OEM operating system. They do have an auto-update function but only for Windows 8, and for Windows 7 I could download them one by one and hope for the best, but for Windows 10 they don 't offer not even one driver. The only hdd Ihad was a Windows 10, and I couldn't find an affordable and legal 8, ergo this sounded good.

Anyway, it turns out to be a Dell o/s with only 13 days left to activate it. The seller had listed all the Fujitsu apps in the description so I thought I was getting a legal version of usable software. I am just a person, not in the computer field in  any way, but have been around a little while. It never occured to me that this could happen. My question is: is this normal? Is it "kosher"? What to do?

The other issue is easier for me, it is that the computer shuts down when bumped however slightly, or when the computer is picked up. I think I could return it on that ground, though if the other issue were not there I might try trading power cords and reseating all the cards, etc. Shame is that it is otherwise a pretty nice laptop.

Can I ask for a partial refund? Or should I just send it back? What can I do, and what should I do?

Any help appreciated; time is of the essence.

[phcd1]

All (newer) computers should have a COA sticker (Certificate Of Authenticity) placed somewhere on the PC itself (typically on the bottom for laptops). This is what was shipped on the computer originally. Back in the day, computers would come with reinstall disks supplied by the manufacturer that can be used to reinstall the OS like it is fresh from the factory. Those days are long gone. Most modern computers come with a "recovery partition" which essentially does the same thing as recovery discs EXCEPT that if you have a hard driver failure (or upgrade the hard drive like in your case), that recovery partition is gone. So much for computers 101.

Now, most people want a certain OS installed on their computer, I would think most would want Windows 10 with a small minority wanting Windows 7 (no one wants NT, Vista, 8, ME, etc). Many used computers come with a bootleg version of the OS which typically works at least past the 30 eBay return period. Bootleg OS's can have a whole host if problems, the least of which is a virus.

I would either return the laptop as SNAD (after all, the listing said "fresh copy of Windows 7 pro" (which one would assume a legal copy). Or, if you like the laptop, you can BUY a copy of Windows 7 Pro (yes, some places like Fry's electronics still sells it), but that going to cost ~$100 (you can ask the seller for a partial refund to cover that). Or, you maybe able to find the OEM version that came on it (you know, the one on the COA), but I doubt that is Windows 7 Pro.

Those are your choices. The easiest way to tell if you got what you paid for in ANY computer is to install a program called belarc advisor (which is free). It will show all shoftware that is installed (with S/N's!), all hardware, patches, etc. Simply match the OS S/N up with the one on the COA and that will tell you if it has the original OS.

BTW, there is not a computer out there that I can't make operate like new with any OS. There are proprietary parts, but for the most part drivers or workarounds can be found.

[welcomehome2011]

Thanks Rockstar! 

Some of that I knew, and some I want to now, so quick questions:

First off what is SNAD? Next, why don't people want 8 (well, 8.1)? I thought I wanted it because I have these tablet PCs. I thought touch was better supported in 8.1 than in 7, and my one newer computer running 10 has left me a little cold on 10 because it is all so has-to-be-Microsoft-or-not-at-all to me. Another topic, I guess.

On this topic, I now it's not the original OS because this one has DELL all throughout. Not Fujitsu. Still I ran Belarc Advisor and it comes back as Key: None activasted and lists an OEM number which does not match the one on my COA. Belarc lists the same key for Internet Explorer.

Can I do anything with the COA? It says Fujitsu OA (not COA...?) and has a key.

See, I figured that if it came with the right 7 OS, I could update all the drivers then get the free Creator's 10. Yes; no? And yes, I definetly assumed it was a legal copy, but I never even leave neutral feedback so not sure how to send this seller a "not cool!" message.

Thanks so much!

[zmoz]

If it was described as coming with windows but you only got a trial version, then it is not as described. File a case with ebay, 99.9% chance you will win.

[welcomehome2011]

Thanks zmoz. I don't want to be a schmuck, and looking at the seller he is just a pawnshop not a computer store so maybe it was one big accident... but I am steamed up about it and feel like throwing it back at him.

Jill

[sam9876 · Accepted solution]

File a Significantly Not As Described complaint with eBay and say it doesn't have the correct operating system installed.

You will win and the seller will get to pay for return shipping.

[welcomehome2011]

Sam, that's what I will do. It was hard to select your answer as the solution because everyone has been so helpful here on my first-ever voyage to the community. So thanks to everyone, and off I go with my SNAD orders.

[phcd1]

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@welcomehome2011 wrote:

Thanks Rockstar! 

Some of that I knew, and some I want to now, so quick questions:

First off what is SNAD? Next, why don't people want 8 (well, 8.1)? I thought I wanted it because I have these tablet PCs. I thought touch was better supported in 8.1 than in 7, and my one newer computer running 10 has left me a little cold on 10 because it is all so has-to-be-Microsoft-or-not-at-all to me. Another topic, I guess.

On this topic, I now it's not the original OS because this one has DELL all throughout. Not Fujitsu. Still I ran Belarc Advisor and it comes back as Key: None activasted and lists an OEM number which does not match the one on my COA. Belarc lists the same key for Internet Explorer.

Can I do anything with the COA? It says Fujitsu OA (not COA...?) and has a key.

See, I figured that if it came with the right 7 OS, I could update all the drivers then get the free Creator's 10. Yes; no? And yes, I definetly assumed it was a legal copy, but I never even leave neutral feedback so not sure how to send this seller a "not cool!" message.

Thanks so much!

---

Well, let's work backwards. The "free" update to Windows 10 is long over. You will have to purchase that if you want it. Really, the answer is same for any legit version of Windows. 

You might see if you have a recovery partition, if you do you could try that.

You also can see if you can find the recovery disks (if there were any) or some manufacturers sell the recovery CD, but you would have to look into that and then just use the COA number to activate it. But that is not likely to get you where you want to go (Win 8).

There are other options, like try to find the original OS on the Internet (maybe a users group etc).

Win 8 is like that stepchild no one ever speaks of, same with Vista (and ME). Seems like every other MS OS is any good IMO. But, if it works for you, that's all that matters. Windows 10 is pretty darn good about drivers. I've had to do very little leg work with Windows 10 and fresh installs (which I recommend whenever possible). Windows 10 is a little hard on a laptop but should work just fine. It might be kind of slow at first, but once its up to date, it speeds up.

Good Luck

BTW, if you want to message the seller, there is a "Contact Seller" link on the item you bought AND in your "My EBay, Purchase History". As far as SNAD, that is significantly not as described, which eBay's MBG covers you for that.

[flyerfandan999]

"The other issue is easier for me, it is that the computer shuts down when bumped however slightly, or when the computer is picked up. I think I could return it on that ground, though if the other issue were not there I might try trading power cords and reseating all the cards, etc. Shame is that it is otherwise a pretty nice laptop."

Forget the problem with the legitimacy of the operating system, this alone is grounds for a SNAD return, assuming the description did not disclose this issue.  Laptops that instantly shut off when picked up or bumped have a serious issue with the internal circuitry that supplies power to the system.