Compuapps virus like activity dishonest fraudulent ripoff business scam Santa Clara, CA Santa Clara California *UPDATE ..apparent forced apology
Background:
I had a defective hard drive in my computer. My computer manufacturer sent me a new hard drive but my only option was to re-install all my programs and data. I searched the web for a utility that would mirror (identically copy all data) from one hard drive to the other. I found Drive Wizard from Compuapps.com. It did the job. I sent the old hard drive back to the manufacturer.
I made one use of the program and I was done with it. I investigated the other functions of the software and deemed them unnecessary. I did not wish to purchase a piece of software I was never going to use again.
Problem:
I did not immediately un-install the software, but never used it again. When the demo period ran out I began getting a Nag Screen (window that pops up whenever I start the computer asking me to purchase the software) The nag screen states: (Verbatim. Grammar, and all)
IMPORTANT!!!! This dialog is displayed because you have used DriveWizard to Upgrade or Mirror with a Trial Version or product is not activated. If you activate this product, this message will disappear. Do not un-install DriveWizard from this hard drive without activation. DriveWizard will lock and it will not allow to use this hard drive, if you are using without activation beyond 30 days from the date of installation of the software. If you are satisfied with our product, buy our product from online store. You can send your valued comments to support@compuapps.com
I am un-satisfied and upset, but feet that if I only had to close the nag screen and use my system as usual the penalty was not so great. This was not the case. After closing the nag screen my computer began functioning erratically; shutting down on its own, programs not responding (including my virus checking software) and worrying me greatly. I was sure I had a massively destructive virus and went through copious tech support just to find no virus. Now I am running with the nag screen always open, for fear of more damage to my system.
Complaint:
The Compuapps Company made no indication when I downloaded, installed or used the software (irreversibly) that this virus like activity would occur after the demo portion of the program was up. If I had known that this would occur I would have never downloaded the program.
I have sent a letter of complaint to support@compuapps.com and have not heard back from them. I will attempt to post this message to as many places as possible in an attempt to make the Compuapps Company change their practices and get this damaging software off of my computer.
Thank you.
Alex
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Jay
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
These are good people
#7Consumer Suggestion
Sun, October 17, 2004
These people give you a full version of their product to use for free.
If you want to keep it, you pay....simple as that.
You can simply reformat the new drive and deinstall from your computer's old drive and you are right back where you were.
Or, you can pay the modest amount and have hassle-free data migration. It was a breeze.
True one click stuff.
So, stop ya b***chin.
Jay
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
These are good people
#7Consumer Suggestion
Sun, October 17, 2004
These people give you a full version of their product to use for free.
If you want to keep it, you pay....simple as that.
You can simply reformat the new drive and deinstall from your computer's old drive and you are right back where you were.
Or, you can pay the modest amount and have hassle-free data migration. It was a breeze.
True one click stuff.
So, stop ya b***chin.
Jay
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
These are good people
#7Consumer Suggestion
Sun, October 17, 2004
These people give you a full version of their product to use for free.
If you want to keep it, you pay....simple as that.
You can simply reformat the new drive and deinstall from your computer's old drive and you are right back where you were.
Or, you can pay the modest amount and have hassle-free data migration. It was a breeze.
True one click stuff.
So, stop ya b***chin.
Jay
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
These are good people
#7Consumer Suggestion
Sun, October 17, 2004
These people give you a full version of their product to use for free.
If you want to keep it, you pay....simple as that.
You can simply reformat the new drive and deinstall from your computer's old drive and you are right back where you were.
Or, you can pay the modest amount and have hassle-free data migration. It was a breeze.
True one click stuff.
So, stop ya b***chin.
EDiotr's Opinion: apparent forced apology below.
#70
Fri, March 22, 2002
I have had very good consumer relations with the Compapps Company and they were able to help me in understanding the license agreement and exactly what their intentions were.
In exchange for my comments on how they could make their license agreement and trial period conditions clearer I was able to remove the software with no harm.
They have updated their website to let customers know exactlu what will happen to their machine if they do not purchase a license.
I was not trying to get free software, instead I was asking for a clearer, more upfront declaration of what would happen if the demo period ran out.
Please note my apologies to the Compuapps company for any harm this report may have caused.
Terry
Lake Elsinore,California,
Get real.
#7Consumer Suggestion
Thu, March 21, 2002
So you used their product, it did what you wanted, and you don't want to pay for it? Do you work for free? They developed their programs TO MAKE MONEY.
Read the following from their FAQ page:
------------
Is DriveWizard/DriveBackup is a free program?
No, DriveWizard or DriveBackup is not a free program. End products or the results of the program will not be useable after 30 day trial period. If license is not purchased.
------------
They're not hiding anything. There are other statements on the same page that tell you what will happen if you don't register/pay. To see the full FAQ page, go to:
http://www.compuapps.com/support/trialfaq.htm
I'd suggest you activate your product.