I'm a new resident of Bangkok/Thailand (retirement visa), and will be buying my new computer system in mid-August. Right now looking around and have settled on a high-end HP system. I do have two questions.

First, although I have long been aware of the problem of counterfeit software here, I assumed it was still possible to buy legal software. Is that wrong? Is legal software virtually unavailable? Or am I just not looking in the right place? Or is my only real option to buy online from overseas?

Second, in the US we have several companies now (Geek Squad, for example) that come to your home and do computer repairs or solve software and virus issues. Any such company here in Bangkok?

Thanks!

I'm a new resident of Bangkok/Thailand (retirement visa), and will be buying my new computer system in mid-August. Right now looking around and have settled on a high-end HP system. I do have two questions.

First, although I have long been aware of the problem of counterfeit software here, I assumed it was still possible to buy legal software. Is that wrong? Is legal software virtually unavailable? Or am I just not looking in the right place? Or is my only real option to buy online from overseas?

Second, in the US we have several companies now (Geek Squad, for example) that come to your home and do computer repairs or solve software and virus issues. Any such company here in Bangkok?

Thanks!

Most software is legally available in Thailand.

A high end HP will come with an original Windows OS so that's one worry less. The better PC shops will stock legal software.

Do try out some of the excellent freeware around, for example OpenOffice in replacement for Microsoft office (which costs a whopping 14,000 Baht for the full 2007 OEM version), GIMP in replacement of photoshop and many others!

With Windows operating system and other software companies using on line verification its easy. With windows just go to the update page and if the software is not genuine simply click the resolve now box. You then pay Microsoft and they send you a legal copy and give you a serial key via email. The same goes for a lot of other software

I'm a new resident of Bangkok/Thailand (retirement visa), and will be buying my new computer system in mid-August. Right now looking around and have settled on a high-end HP system. I do have two questions.

First, although I have long been aware of the problem of counterfeit software here, I assumed it was still possible to buy legal software. Is that wrong? Is legal software virtually unavailable? Or am I just not looking in the right place? Or is my only real option to buy online from overseas?

Second, in the US we have several companies now (Geek Squad, for example) that come to your home and do computer repairs or solve software and virus issues. Any such company here in Bangkok?

Thanks!

You should buy directly from HP Thailand, and use their support service.

You should buy directly from HP Thailand, and use their support service.

Their website (which is quite good) simply takes me to a Thai reseller.

First, although I have long been aware of the problem of counterfeit software here, I assumed it was still possible to buy legal software. Is that wrong? Is legal software virtually unavailable? Or am I just not looking in the right place? Or is my only real option to buy online from overseas?

No legal software is available, should whatever reason your windows comes up counterfeit and you bought this machine from HP themselves I would go discuss with HP Themselves. If worse case happens you pay microsoft 5000 baht for a license which is ok, If you happen to be getting XP, you should know updates are only gonna last so long because its being phased out. 2 other ideas are using a free copy of windows 7 you can download its very similiar to vista and will run most programs that vista could. The other less viable option should you really have to go down is switching to linx. Linux isn't hard or complicated if your willing to keep an open mind

Second, in the US we have several companies now (Geek Squad, for example) that come to your home and do computer repairs or solve software and virus issues. Any such company here in Bangkok? Most little shops I see can do repairs or software fixing. Although you should have some idea on the problem yourself or come on here and ask and see about letting someone get you some idea on the problem. Most problems I see are either hardware or software related. As long as you are keeping updates, a good anti virus and firewall you should be ok.

On that note of counterfeit software weither or not you use it just be aware that it could contain malware, virus etc so you take your chances in what you get

Hi.

Why don't you get a box custom built? You will be able to get a computer that outperforms your HP Dream Machine and will cost less than half, with your choice of operating system. Most of the parts inside a typical PC have warranties between 1 to 5 years, some (RAM) life-time. Buying a branded PC you don't know what you get, i have seen expensive branded PC's with unlabeled no-name mainboards, no-name RAM, crappy PSU's and "refurbished" HDD's (happened with HP, Dell and Compaq).

Yes, pretty much all software is available legally but most of it costs an arm and a leg and certainly more than in the U.S. Windows XP Professional for example still beyond 150 USD for the OEM (!) version, XP Home just below 100 USD, again OEM.

Best regards....

Thanh