topic TWO QUESTIONS ABOUT BUYING LAPTOPS WITH RETURN POLICIES in Electronics

TWO QUESTIONS ABOUT BUYING LAPTOPS WITH RETURN POLICIES

tends2dogs — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 14:29:46 GMT

I am sure there is a simple answer to both of these questions, but since I don't know the answer I came here to ask:

1) If you decide to return the computer after using it for the trial period, what do you do about everything you have loaded on, entered, personal info, etc? Would it really be safe to return it?

2) If you have an old computer that came with Microsoft office downloaded on it and you have the disc, what would stop someone from downloading it on to the new computer? Is that even possible? My old computer came with lifetime office. This new gimmick of it being free for one year and then paying is ridicules. How much does that cost?

Thanks to anyone that takes the time to answer.

Re: TWO QUESTIONS ABOUT BUYING LAPTOPS WITH RETURN POLICIES

hckynutjohn — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 16:25:03 GMT

@tends2dogs

First I suggest you do not put "personal info" on any computer until you are positive you are going to keep it.

1) You should be able to find Factory Reset and follow all the steps to remove whatever you put on that hard drive.

2) Lost me here. How did someone get your old computer?

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: TWO QUESTIONS ABOUT BUYING LAPTOPS WITH RETURN POLICIES

tends2dogs — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 17:22:35 GMT

I have my old computer, @hckynutjohn . It has office downloaded on in it without an expiration date. I just wondered since I have the disc, why couldn't I download it on to a new computer when I finally give in and buy one.

Factory settings is a good thing to remember. Thanks!

Re: TWO QUESTIONS ABOUT BUYING LAPTOPS WITH RETURN POLICIES

hckynutjohn — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 19:01:58 GMT

@tends2dogswrote:
I have my old computer, @hckynutjohn . It has office downloaded on in it without an expiration date. I just wondered since I have the disc, why couldn't I download it on to a new computer when I finally give in and buy one.
Factory settings is a good thing to remember. Thanks!
@tends2dogs
As far as your disc! I haven't bought a computer for years, still using Windows 7. I hear that CD/DVD Drives are now pretty much an option on them, they do not come standard, like they used to.
I know when I upgraded ages ago, some of the software discs I had would not load onto my Win 7. That might be the same issue you could run into with a newer computer version.
Maybe someone that visits here is more up to date than I am, will give you more updated information. Best I can do for ya,
hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: TWO QUESTIONS ABOUT BUYING LAPTOPS WITH RETURN POLICIES

gadgetgal613 — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 20:29:29 GMT

@tends2dogswrote:
I have my old computer, @hckynutjohn . It has office downloaded on in it without an expiration date. I just wondered since I have the disc, why couldn't I download it on to a new computer when I finally give in and buy one.
Factory settings is a good thing to remember. Thanks!

First of all, you don't download the software from the CD. You install it and there is a huge difference between the two terms. If the version of office is compatible and you have the installations disk and product key number, you should be able to install it on the new computer. If the new computer doesn't have a disk drive, you'll have to either download a new copy from Microsoft, use an external CD player or transfer the information from the CD to a thumb drive. The second most important question is, is the old software compatible with your new computer's operating system? My guess would be no.

Microsoft, as well as many companies, are using the subscription service with yearly renewals for their software products. It is not going to change. There are Office like or generic suites available for free download and use but, there can be compatibility issues. Open Office and Libre Office are two I have used. Good luck.

Re: TWO QUESTIONS ABOUT BUYING LAPTOPS WITH RETURN POLICIES

gardenman — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 13:38:17 GMT

In general, with software, you don't "own" the software. You own a license to use the software. Even if the license is good for your lifetime, that license doesn't mean that the software must be kept up-to-date and functional for all new operating systems. It's entirely possible your old software will install and run just fine on a new computer. It's also possible that it won't. And there's not a lot you can do about it. In most cases, older software will look for files and drivers that aren't on newer operating systems. If the newer OS doesn't have the files the software thinks it needs, it won't run. Windows has a compatibility mode that should let your older programs still install and work, but it's not perfect. If you Google "Windows compatibility mode" you can learn more.

Re: TWO QUESTIONS ABOUT BUYING LAPTOPS WITH RETURN POLICIES

gardenman — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 15:17:22 GMT

As to removing personal stuff from a computer, it's not so easy these days. With older clunky hard drives, it was pretty easy to just rip them out and toss them in a closet. Newer computers typically use solid-state drives. Depending on the motherboard those can either be soldered into place (mostly on laptops) or tucked away where they're harder to find. Some desktop motherboards have slots for NVMe drive slots tucked away behind the motherboard. The computer I'm typing this on has two NVMe drives in it (each one terabyte.) My old 1 terabyte and 320 GB mechanical drives, and a 128 GB SSD. If I were to get rid of this computer, I'd need to remember to remove them all. It used to be easy. Look for the hard drive and remove it. Modern computers make it a lot more challenging, and in some cases impossible.

***

The good news is that a simple factory reset/restore should wipe most of the data well enough that it's harder to retrieve. And the bad guys/gals of the world tend to prefer not to have to work hard. If you're very wealthy or famous, you should use extra care. You can be more tempting to the bad guys/gals, but for most people, we're just not worth the trouble to extract the data.

Re: TWO QUESTIONS ABOUT BUYING LAPTOPS WITH RETURN POLICIES

Imaoldhippie — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 18:28:48 GMT

The moral of the story here is to not buy a computer that you think you might want to return.