OEM support and System Preparation Tool active from OEM

[Guest]

received a new system without any system disks or printed information from
Microsoft. 1) The OEM has failed numerous attempts by me to respond to my
questions. The system starts and has a "System Preparation Tool 2.0" Box
open. Which option should I choose? "Factory" "Audit" and "Reseal" buttons,
With some options "Don't reset >> grace..", "Use Mini Setup", "Don't
Regenerate System"
2) How am I suppose to register?
3)When buying a system from an OEM what am I suppose to receive?
4) If I decide to add new hardware (new video card or capture card) will I
need a system disk?
5) How do I make a recovery disk?

Thanks, Mark

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You are entitled to a Windows XP CD and Product Key.
Contact the PC manufacturer and request these items.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| received a new system without any system disks or printed information from
| Microsoft. 1) The OEM has failed numerous attempts by me to respond to my
| questions. The system starts and has a "System Preparation Tool 2.0" Box
| open. Which option should I choose? "Factory" "Audit" and "Reseal" buttons,
| With some options "Don't reset >> grace..", "Use Mini Setup", "Don't
| Regenerate System"
| 2) How am I suppose to register?
| 3)When buying a system from an OEM what am I suppose to receive?
| 4) If I decide to add new hardware (new video card or capture card) will I
| need a system disk?
| 5) How do I make a recovery disk?
|
| Thanks, Mark
|

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Mark;
The OEM is required to furnish a method of restoring the computer to factory
settings.
Sometimes a CD is furnished but a Hidden partition on the hard drive is
often also used for that purpose.

It sounds like the OEM did not finish the installation of Windows.

The OEM is the one to answer your questions.
If the OEM is unable or unwilling to answer your questions, I suggest you
immediately return the computer.

 

[Guest]

Whenever you buy a computer from an OEM the operating system should be fully
installed with recovery options set. If this is not the case then as Mark
says return the goods. Personally I find recovery discs about as useful as
chocolate teapots. They only give you the system back configured as it left
the factory, any other information is lost. I prefer to build my own for that
reason alone. So do not hestate to return the machine if it did not boot into
windows when it arrived.