So I bought this comp. off craigslist....

[ejbluthx3]

So I just bought this computer off craigslist today and maybe I'm just being paranoid but I'm a little worried about identity theft..

First things.
For $365.00 It's a custom comp with an Intel E8400 CPU, 9800GT, 4gb RAM, and a 465gb hard drive.

So, guy comes over, has the strongest odor of cigarette smoke and teeth that look like he's been smoking since he was 13, he looked about 26ish. So what, I'll let that go, not a big deal.

Then talks about he's a programmer, got laid off and is now going back to School to University of Arizona, cool.

So I turn on the computer and it's like he just unplugged it and gave it to me. I think he deleted a couple .txt documents but that's it.

I check it out, turn on COD4 make sure it runs smooth, it does. Turn the comp on and off couple times and pay him after asking him about the vista disk. He says it's on this blank loooking dvd and it doesn't need a CD key cause he's a programmer and just "run's through it" or something....w/e.

It's running Windows Vista Black Edition by Benjamin? Wtf...


Well later I check out the hard-drive and it's got around 160gb of stuff on it. But the thing is I can't find where all the data is. I checked the properties of all the files in the c folder and the GBs just dont add up. The window's folder is 15gb in itself though....is that weird? Check his bookmarks in firefox and he's a member of this unKn0wn.ws/board -hacking forum-"Simply the Best Hackingboard"

So am I just being paranoid? Anything I can do to clean it up make sure it's not "rigged" haha. Sorry, I feel like the stupid conservative american thinking that everyone's out to get me..

[Nathan Scott Phillips]

sounds legit, you're fine.

[Smot]

Just reformat it? Find a bootleg copy of vista. Or just buy a new harddrive they aren't too expensive if you are worried about it.

[ejbluthx3]

Yeah, was thinking of reformatting it, but the disk is too sketchy, maybe. I mean I bought a legit copy of xp for a comp I built 2.5 years ago, but the disk got jacked...long story.

[Smot]

If it was me I would reformat it at least, but I would probably just buy a new harddrive for cheap and put xp or vista on it.

[ejbluthx3]

Would you just dl vista or xp?

[Smot]

Hmm I have never done that before, I always just borrow the cd from someone that has it. I am sure someone on here has a done that before with it though, they could help you out.

[ejbluthx3]

I mean, what's the purpose if you just reformat the HDD? Doesn't that just clear everything anyways?

[Smot]

Well it should, I am not sure if anything gets saved at all. If you did that you would have to reinstall vista, xp, linux, etc.

[DK.]

Windows Vista Black Edition is just a tweaked & cracked version of Vista. Google it. I used to have a link to a site with several hacker/gamer versions of Windows OS, but I can't find it.

[Midwestern Stylings]

I wouldn't trust pirated versions of Windows at all. Do you go to college? You could probably get Windows Vista at a discount. I got it free at my college.

[Hawk]

If you were really honestly worried about it, I'd replace the hard drive and find a copy of Windows that isn't hacked. I don't trust that stuff, myself. Too many cyber-hackers with too much time on their hands. Especially for a hacked version of Windows that you don't know much about. Seems pretty sketchy.

And all (or most, anyway) computers have some hidden files that are system files not meant to be edited or deleted that run certain parts of your machine, but not enough to be taking up 100+ gigs. They are usually fairly small from my experience. TRUST NO ONE!

[Adam]

Or you can just wipe your harddrive and get ubuntu and then you're totally fine. I've yet to require Windows to do any of my school work, and Ubuntu is intuitive now as Windows. Good job on getting a sick deal.

[JayG7582]

that, or just learn how to use linux.

[ItsHasselhoff]

don't trust pirated versions of windows? you can fine tone of copies that are totally legit. most of them are oem versions i dont know why Microsoft put so many of them out, ive been using pirated ops for years. never had a problem with updates or anything, you just cant call Microsoft for support. screw buying vista when 7 is just a few months away. download a os from pb or demonoid if your a member burn the disk and format your hdd and start from scratch the only thing you have to be careful with that is if you dont have the drivers your kinda screwed so....... no Ethernet driver means no online so you cant even get the rest of your hardware up and running