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Buying used MBP. Possibly to check for pirated apps before hand?

F

felch

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 18, 2010
66
0
Im buying a used MBP and Im worried that there may be pirated software on it. Its coming with the latest OSX and Aperture 3 installed, but no discs.

This will be my first time using OSX so Im not familiar with how things work. I know on my PC when I connect to windows update I am able to see if the operating system is genuine or not. Since both Aperture 3 and OSX are Apple products is there a way I can connect to the internet and verify they are not pirated before purchasing?
 
A new or used MBP will never come with aperture 3 pre installed without the actual discs being somewhere in that package. This is not specific to aperture or a Mac, its common sense. Software installed on a machine without install discs is pirated software.
 
Im buying from a coworker whos apartment burned down a few weeks back so I can understand why he would not have the discs but I would still like to make sure.

My biggest concern is signing in my my Apple ID and having Apple detect pirated software and flagging my account. I wasnt aware that a new OSX disc would be so cheap and Aperture isnt all that important to me since I already have Lightroom 3.
 
felch said:
Im buying from a coworker whos apartment burned down a few weeks back so I can understand why he would not have the discs but I would still like to make sure.

My biggest concern is signing in my my Apple ID and having Apple detect pirated software and flagging my account. I wasnt aware that a new OSX disc would be so cheap and Aperture isnt all that important to me since I already have Lightroom 3.
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It doesn't work like that. They aren't going to come busting your doors down. if you are worried, I would just buy a new SL disc. Did you ask your coworker if the software is legit? I would assume they would tell you the truth.
 
Definely purchase the Snow Leopard disc just in case you have to restore as that is always good to have!
 
Don't even fret. Apple doesn't care about pirated software, hence why they don't even bother with serial numbers.
 
yellowmuffins said:
Don't even fret. Apple doesn't care about pirated software, hence why they don't even bother with serial numbers.
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Apple does care about pirated software, but so far they have not resorted to serial numbers. Apple does go after places that sell illegal copies of OSx, but it's not worth it to go after individuals who have copies and don't resell.
 
Don't worry about it. I had lost a disk for a program a while back but since I needed to use it right away and the demo wouldn't suffice, I installed a pirated copy until the replacement disk arrived. I thought I heard someone outside my window the night I pirated the program, though. Was a balding guy in a turtleneck...hmm.
 
felch said:
Im buying from a coworker whos apartment burned down a few weeks back so I can understand why he would not have the discs but I would still like to make sure.
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Wow. I'll bet this coworker would withdraw the offer and stop talking to you if he/she knew you were thinking along these lines.
 
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wow chill out.. he just didn't want to be ripped off. Just because you work with someone doesn't mean you should trust them
 
DVD9 said:
Wow. I'll bet this coworker would withdraw the offer and stop talking to you if he/she knew you were thinking along these lines.
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Im 6'5 and 270lbs so I highly doubt anyone is going to punch me in the mouth for a legitimate concern. Nobody has ever gotten upset when I requested to run the VIN number on every used car I have purchased either.





Thanks to those who helped.
 
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felch said:
Nobody has ever gotten upset when I requested to run the VIN number on every used car I have purchased either.
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Yes, but I hate it when someone asks for the VIN number on the phone before even looking at the car first. Sorry, your post just reminded me of that.

Back on topic... nothing wrong with asking if your coworker has the software install discs. I always reinstall the OS and other software whenever I get a 2nd hand Mac.
 
If you know the person you should be able to rely on their representations. If you do not know the person, if there are no disks, anything is possible and you need to ask what happened to them. Most people keep the discs if they are paying $200 for a program.
 
DanMacApple said:
Definely purchase the Snow Leopard disc just in case you have to restore as that is always good to have!
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Nuts to "just in case". If I were the seller, I'd knock the price down by the cost of a copy of Snow Leopard and wipe the machine. Alternatively, as the buyer, I'd be writing off the copy of Aperture and wiping the machine myself, for the peace of mind of starting from a factory state and not having to deal with someone else's accumulated cruft.

I understand that by getting rid of Aperture, one is destroying value, but in the absence of any way to reinstall it, one is possibly only using it on borrowed time to begin with.
 
i Cant believe no one has pointed this out yet.

What if the Apreture 3 is purchased through APPSTORE? Hence no disk?
 
Jmouse said:
i Cant believe no one has pointed this out yet.

What if the Apreture 3 is purchased through APPSTORE? Hence no disk?
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They haven't mentioned it because this older thread was posted before the Mac App Store existed.
 
Some people try to inflate the price of their Mac by "disk loading" software without providing the actual license. I see a lot of this on Craigslist.

You will see a base model MacBook or MacBook Pro but also installed with CS5, Microsoft Office, etc.

These people think that by doing this actually "adds" value to their machine. When I shop around for used Mac hardware, I always knock their asking price down unless they are providing me the original proof of license and or install disc.

Even a purchase from the Mac App store such as Aperture would be tied to a users account the same as iTunes content wouldn't it?
 
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