Frequently asked questions:

FAQ'S

• Will this software work on my computer? What about working with the new Windows Vista or Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard?
• What should I do if I have technical issue or problem installing or using the software I buy?
• Do you have a particular piece of software?
• Do you ship outside the USA? What kind of shipping options do I have?
• What kind of payment options do I have?
• Is it legal to buy and sell used software?
• What is a license agreement?
• How do I sell my software to you? What will you buy?
• How do I know what I will get from you when I order?
• What is the difference between retail software, OEM software academic software and NFR software?
• How do I return software I have bought?
• What if my question is not listed?

Will this software work on my computer? What about working with the new Windows Vista or Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard?

We guarantee the software will arrive complete, as described in the product description, and in working order. We do not guarantee the software is compatible with your system. You need to check the system requirements for the specific software.

System Requirements:

The System Requirements are the basic technical specifications your computer must meet in order to successfully install and run the software. Most problems occur because the computer does not meet these basic requirements. Much like you wouldn’t expect those old Atari games to run on the new Wii, you cannot expect all software to run on your new computer, or newer version software working on older machines.

The number 1 source of problems arise from incompatible Operating Systems. We list the operating systems shown on the software, which were tested and found to be compatible at the time the software was published. Since we deal in mostly older version software, some of the newer operating systems were not invented when the software was produced. If the operating system you have is not listed, you have a better than average chance of operating system incompatibility.

Windows Vista and Macintosh OS X 10.5 Leopard

With these latest version Operating Systems, the million dollar question is “will old software, designed for an earlier operating system, install and run properly?” Unfortunately, the general (and safe) answer is no. We have heard from many of our customers who have unsuccessfully tried to get legacy software up and functional on these new operating systems. Like with the release of Windows XP and Mac OS X 10.0, these new operating systems are built on a different framework and pose many issues because the older version software was not designed with this new framework in mind. Prudence says, if you have a computer that is running Vista or Leopard (which almost all new computers have as their operating systems), only buy software that has these operating systems specifically listed in the system requirements to avoid compatibility issues.

If you are very determined, there are a few web resources that may be helpful determining Vista and Leopard compatibility. For Windows Vista, try Microsoft’s Windows Vista Compatibility Center: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/ or http://www.ntcompatible.com/compatibility.html. Here you can enter the title of the software in question and it tells you if the software will run on Vista. For Leopard, Apple has a support site for third party products found here: http://www.apple.com/support/leopard/thirdparty/. If you want to be 100% sure that the software you buy will run on these operating systems, visit the software publisher website or contact them and ask. For some of the later software, there may be a free download to update the old version software to be compatible with these new operating systems and/or know issues and fixes published on their sites. You can find links to many publishers websites under “What if I have a technical issue or problem installing or using the software I buy?”

Microsoft Windows XP and Mac OS X 10.x (excluding Leopard)

Windows XP: Software designed for 95/98/ME may have issues running on Windows XP. If you experience problems running a program designed for an earlier version of Windows on XP, Windows XP includes the Program Compatibility Wizard to assist users in applying compatibility fixes for software applications through the Help and Support Center. To run the wizard: start>all programs>accessories>program compatibility wizard. For more information, please view our Running Legacy Software on Windows XP page or check user submitted compatibility at http://www.ntcompatible.com/compatos1-1-1.html. Another option is to contact the software publisher's technical support to find out if there is any known compatibility problems with XP. A fix may be available.

Mac OS X 10.x (excluding Leopard): We have found that most software designed to run on Mac OS X 10.x (excluding Leopard) to be compatible to a certain degree. However, if you are running an operating system not specifically listed in the system requirements, you run a much greater risk of having compatibility problems. A good resource to check is http://www.macoscompatible.com/compatibility.html.

Legacy Operating Systems:

Windows 3.1, 95, 98 and ME software will normally work with a later Windows operating system, with the exception of Windows XP.

MAC OS 7-9 software will only run on the required MAC operating system or a level or two higher. In most cases, it will not be compatible with Mac OS X.

DOS based programs will only run under the required DOS operating system or higher.

Please note: We have no resources to assist or troubleshoot software compatibility problems. The only place to turn is the software publisher’s technical support.

Media Type is the second biggest compatibility issue. Media type is simply the type of disk the software comes on. Since we specialize in older version software, we have software that comes on DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, 3.5 inch floppy disks, and even 5.25 floppy diskettes. If you are buying a legacy software program, please pay close attention to the media type as many newer computers only have CD and DVD-ROM disk drives, and, unlike movies, most old version software was never re-released in a newer format. The media type is clearly indicated on the product pages.

Other basic requirements for the computer include free hard drive space, the speed required from the processor and the amount of Random Access Memory (RAM) available. Most computers these days have an overabundance of all of these so we won’t dwell on them here. If you think you may have an issue with one of these requirements, complete descriptions and system requirements can be requested by using our Online Support Request. Please include the Retro Part number.

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Online Support Request

What if I have a technical issue or problem installing or using the software I buy?

We would like to support and troubleshoot all the software we sell, however, this is not possible. We are a software retailer and like all software retailers, we can not offer support for third party products. We don't make the software and in most cases we know very little about it. You need to contact the software publisher.

The first place to turn is the help/troubleshooting section included with the software. You may be able register the software and be eligible for support from the publisher. Check the help files or technical support section of the manual. A word of caution, there is no guarantee that older version software and/or used software can be registered in your name and be eligible for technical support. The primary reason for this is most manufacturers no longer support software that is three or more years old. If technical support is important to you, we suggest buying the latest version or contact the publisher to determine if support is still available for the product you are considering. Here is a short list of the major software publisher’s tech support websites:

 

If you can not get your software installed and running properly, you have the option of returning it under our 30 day money back guarantee (opened new software can not be returned). Please refer to our return policy for details. We stand behind the software we sell 100%.

Do you have a particular piece of software?

If you have tried a search and checked the the A-Z index, it is very likely we do not currently have the software. The index is a complete alphabetical listing of all the software currently in our catalog. If you do not see it in the list, we do not currently have it. EVERYTHING we have appears in the catalog which we update weekly.

If we do not have the software, or you are looking for quantities of software we do not have, including items currently not listed in our catalog, allow us to check our resources. To do this, contact Customer Service and select the option "help me find software" from the drop down menu. Be specific in describing the software including version, condition (new or used) and quantity. We will do our best to find the software for you. Please understand that we are under no obligation (nor are you) and in many cases will not be able to locate the software. If we are successful in finding your software we will contact you.

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Online Support Request

Do you ship outside the USA? What kind of shipping options do I have?

If you are looking to ship outside the United States, please see our Shipping Policy for information regarding import/export charges, fees, and eligibility. Basically, the software must be eligible to be exported and the order must be pre-approved through customer service. For international orders (outside of the US & Canada) click here. Domestic and Canadian orders can proceed through the secure shopping cart and check out system. All shipping options will be presented to you during checkout.

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Online Support Request

What kind of payment options do I have?

Credit/Debit cards: We have a secure server that processes the following major credit/debit cards: Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover.

PayPal: You can pay using your PayPal account.

Purchase orders: Accepted for businesses and municipalities only and can be arranged through Customer Support by using our Online Support Request. Please submit the following information:

• Business name, shipping address, phone number and credit references
• Contact persons Name, Title, phone number and email address
• Purchase Order number, Software Title, Retro Part # and Quantity

Customer service will then contact the contact person with approval and the order will be shipped with an invoice. TERMS: net 30 days. Accounts over 30 days past due may be subject to a late charge at a rate of 1.5% per month.

We do not accept personal checks, money orders, COD, or any other form of payment.

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Online Support Request

Is it legal to buy and sell used software?

In most cases, yes, it is legal to buy and sell used software. But, to be sure, we need to read the license agreement. The license agreement spells out your right to transfer ownership. Retrosoftware goes to great lengths to ensure the software we sell is genuine and legally transferred to a new owner. We make every reasonable attempt to abide by the manufacturers license and only deal in software that allows its transfer to a new user.

A word of caution, there is no guarantee that older version software and/or used software can be registered in your name and be eligible for technical support. The primary reason for this is most manufacturers no longer support software that is three or more years old. If technical support is important to you, we suggest buying the latest version or contact the manufacturer to determine if support is still available for the product you are considering.

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Online Support Request

What is a license agreement?

Your "handshake" with the software manufacturer. The license agreement, in some form, is normally included with software. It may be the unread small print at the beginning of the user manual or it could be the official looking script that we don't read, but agree to during installation of the software. Whatever the form, it describes your rights to the software. For instance, most license agreements allow you to "install and use one copy of the software product on a single computer." In a sense, we don't actually own the software but are given the right to install and use a copy of it. Most license agreements will specifically address your ability to transfer your rights (hence, sell your software) under the agreement. The following is an excerpt from a Microsoft license agreement:

Software Transfer: You may permanently transfer all of your rights under this agreement, provided you retain no copies, you transfer all of the software product (including all component parts, the media and printed materials, any upgrades, this license agreement and, if applicable, the Certificate of Authenticity) and the recipient agrees to the terms of this license agreement. If the software product is an upgrade, any transfer must include all prior versions of the software product.

As you can see, under this agreement, it is completely legal to sell or buy used Microsoft software provided you follow the terms provided in the clause "software transfer". This verbiage, allowing the "transfer of rights" or buying and selling of used software, is usually the norm in most software manufacturers license agreements.

The following is a second example of a license agreement from 7th Level Software which restricts your transfer rights:

You are entitled to use this product for your own use. You may not sell, rent or lease the software or the manual to others, nor reproduce the software or the manual, without prior written permission of 7th Level, Inc. You may use only one copy of the software at one time. You may not use this software on a network or on more than one computer at the same time.

This second example specifically prohibits you from reselling the software without permission from the publisher. While it is uncommon for a software maker to not allow you to transfer the rights of the software, the bottom line is we need to read the license agreement to be sure.

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Online Support Request

How do I sell my software to you? What do you buy?

Specific information to sell your software can be found here. We currently buy most types of software, new and used, that can be legally resold. Here is a short list of what we do not buy:

• Software that does not include the box manual & media (with a very few exceptions).
• Microsoft software that does not include a Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) Example
• OEM or Not For Retail (NFR) software Example
• Academic software
• Duplicated software
• Any software which prohibits it's resale based on the license agreement
• Component parts of a larger software suite. An example would be a Microsoft SQL Server from a Microsoft Backoffice Server Suite. (It is only legal to sell the entire suite of software.)

Note: It is not legal to sell software you have upgraded if you continue to use the upgrade. If the upgrade is un-installed, you can then sell both the full version and the upgrade.

Note: Adobe & Macromedia software needs to include a Transfer Of License Form (TOL) if the software has been registered. The original registration information must be included. To access these forms use the following links: Adobe: AdobeTOL.pdf Macromedia: MacromediaTOL.pdf

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Online Support Request

How do I know what I will get from you when I order?

Unlike a lot of what you will find on the web, all pictures of software in our showrooms are the pictures of the software for sale. If you see a picture of a retail box, you will receive a retail box. It is also clearly marked NEW or USED and is described in one of three ways: RETAIL BOX, FLAT PACKAGE, or a JEWEL CASE. The RETAIL BOX is complete software including the original box. The FLAT PACKAGE is everything you need to use the software (but no retail box)and covers all combinations between the RETAIL BOX and the JEWEL CASE. JEWEL CASE software is a CD-ROM in a plastic box with the instructions on an insert.

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Online Support Request

What is the difference between retail software, OEM software, academic software and NFR software?

Good question! The primary difference is in the license agreement. Retail software is licensed to "end users", you and me, who install and use the software on our computers. If we choose, we can uninstall the software and sell or transfer our rights to use the software to another user (sometimes).

OEM software, on the other hand, is licensed to be sold with a computer or computer hardware. For example, if you buy a new computer, the software that comes preinstalled on the system would be OEM software. You generally can not sell this type of software unless you sell the computer with it. OEM software for sale on this web site (you will not find much, we avoid it like the plague) is clearly labeled as OEM software and is NOT LICENSED FOR END USERS. If you read an OEM end user license agreement (EULA) you will find statements such as "If the software product is not accompanied by a new computer system or computer system component, you may not use or copy the software product". OEM software is licensed to be installed on a computer and then be sold to the end user as a packaged deal. Other differences between retail and OEM software include:

• No technical support
• Installation manual and cd-rom only
• Can not be used to upgrade from a previous version

Academic software is full version software which is licensed for use by students, faculty, and educational institutions. Both academic and OEM software are sold at significantly discounted prices because of the restrictions on how they can be used and resold.

Finally, NFR stands for "Not For Resale" is usually promotional software, that is given on a trial basis, to businesses, schools, and institutions and in most instances can not be bought or sold under any circumstances. Example of the above mentioned software.

Retrosoftware makes every effort to clearly label our software for what it is, no games, no gimmicks! We also urge our customers abide by the license agreement. Failure to abide by the license agreement could constitute copyright infringement and make one eligible for prosecution.

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How do I return software I have bought?

Please refer to our return policy for details.

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Online Support Request

What if my question is not listed?

Please use the Online Support Request. We will make every attempt to answer your question and if we can't, we will just make something up;-) Thank you for your visit!