Windows 7 - Extreme Situation- Did someone try to steal my computer?

I simply have every bad luck with computers. Today I called Toshiba to learn about options for upgrading or buying a computer that can play HD videos. My computer has the bare minimums but isn't having much success with many videos.

This computer was brought in September and should have a one year warranty. It was brought at Wal-Mart. I was informed by support that the warranty ended in May. I was lost and confused when I heard this. I informed support about when this computer was actually brought. Support told me to call Wal-Mart.

I called Wal-Mart and management is going to call me soon. I think someone tried to steal this computer and whatever their plans were the plans went wrong. I don't know if they're going to give me a new computer because most companies will NOT accept stolen or attempted stolen products that have been purchased.

Does anyone have any idea what may happen in this situation?

Maybe it was just a return. What happened when you tried to register the PC?
I would take it up with Walmart.

I spoke to the tech, warranty, and sales departments at Toshiba. Their systems indicated every time that it was brought in May 2011.

It could be a return and they made an error by reselling it. I doubt it is a return because this computer does not have problems except that it has the minimum requirements to play HD videos. When I brought I had to set the initial settings like I do for any new computer.

I can't explain why Toshiba's system says the computer was purchased in May instead of September (maybe another computer with a similar serial number had numbers transposed during registration or something like that) but I don't see any way that the date mix up would indicate someone tried to steal the computer. How can you possibly arrive at that conclusion?

I was told by support that someone may had tried or did register the the computer. The only people who have that access are employes. However another possibility is that someone returned the computer and it was resold.

If it was a return which was sold as new your only remedy is with Walmart not Toshiba. Do you still have the receipt?

I don't have the receipt. However, I do have my bank statement stating the price and that I brought it at Wal-Mart. Some stores do keep track of your information with you use a debit card like Best Buy.

Does anyone know what stores do in this type of situation?

Most reputable stores should treat your situation sympathetically. i would have thought that Wallmart would be in that category. I don't know what the legal situation is where you are but in the UK the manufacturers warranty does not absolve the retailer from any rights you may have against them regarding the sale.

Walmart should have the info on their system.
This is to keep people from trying to return items not bought at Walmart to Walmart.

Hopefully all goes well. If it takes a few hours or a day to get sorted be patient. Just in case they need to track things down.

If you still have the box it came in take it with you. It has the bar scan code which will help Walmart track it since you have no receipt.
It will speed things up dramatically.

That's why I advise people not to buy technology from non-tech vendors. Very often, at these large storages, a laptop will sit on the shelves for months, while it's warranty ticks away, and you have very little recourse. For computers, I usually try to get people to buy from Dell or HP Direct, or at least from a reputable store, like MicroCenter or Fry's.

I'm still not sure of the issue though, because if you showed proof of purchase to Toshiba, and you didn't buy it as a return or refurb, they should honor the warranty.