Frank said:
I don't think that it is _right_ to sell a PC with software installed
without providing
a separate media for the installed software. If enough people would
not buy a PC
without separate media for their software (installed) this would soon
stop.
Legally, the OEM has met it's contractual obligation to Microsoft
by providing a means of returning the PC to its ex-factory state,
whether it's a Recovery CD or a Recovery Partition. They are not
legally obliged to provide a true installation CD as part of the sale.
Reputable, customer-service aware OEMs, like Dell, MPC, and Gateway, do
provide a full OEM installation CD, that does permit custom
installations and repairs. Many uncaring OEMs, especially those who
sell their computers through department stores and chain outlets, such
as Compaq, HP, eMachines, and Sony, however, in an effort to save
pennies and reduce their support costs by having to hire support people
that can only say "Boot from the Recovery CD to return your PC to its
original condition," provide only a CD bearing a disk image of the hard
drive as it left the factory. These Recovery/Restore CDs cannot perform
normal installations, nor can they be used to do any sort of customizations.
Essentially, it boils down to "You get what you pay for."
Another point is why are the stickers on the outside of the box. All
they would
have to do is put it inside or better yet place it with the paperwork.
Which would probably get promptly lost, if the thousands of posts on
that very subject are any indication. Fortunately, people are much less
likely to lose the PC case.
People cannot
use a number if they can't see it.
Which is why the Product Key is on the *outside* of the PC. Do you
expect people to have to open the PC's case, just so they can get the
Product Key when they reinstall? That's not a particularly good idea.
Ten numbers will give you ten
installs from one
OEM CD disk.
Yes, if one has 10 separate licenses, as represented by 10 separate
Product Keys, then 10 separate installations could be performed using a
single CD. This is also true of the retail CDs. Was there a particular
point you were trying to make by restating the obvious?
--
Bruce Chambers
Help us help you:
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
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for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -Patrick Henry