"Bundled" Software

[xoreu]

While passively scanning through sites offering used Macs, I've found that many sellers (especially those on eBay and craigslist) will, to make their offer look more attractive, include Adobe Creative Suite and, even more often, Microsoft Office. However, in almost every case, these applications are installed on the computer, but a disk for them isn't provided.

My question is: suppose I buy one of these computers. Is there any way to retain these programs when I decide to reinstall OS X? I know there's an 'upgrade' form of installation that will keep some of the old data - will that do the trick?

Also, what does the lack of installation disks say about the legality of the programs?

 

[Blackheart]

The programs are installed illegally. You won't be able to reinstall these without outright pirating them yourself which is what the sellers are likely doing. It disgusts me that ebay and craigslist sellers engage in distribution of pirated software in order to sell their hardware.

 

[apfhex]

Also, what does the lack of installation disks say about the legality of the programs?

It says they're probably illegal copies.

MS Office is pretty self contained. As for the Creative Suit, it *should* be as well but I swear Adobe installs some things in strange places, things that you may or may not need to have the apps work. I can't say for sure, but I think I attempted a drag-n-drop install of Photoshop once and it got messed up. YMMV.