Do any PC manufacturers actually include a Windows disc?

[kivatech]

The hard disk on my Fujitsu laptop went out, and the only backup of the
system was on a partition on the disk that crashed. It's out of
warranty, and it didn't come with a Windows XP disc, so I can't
re-install the OS on a new drive. How frustrating.

Anyone know of a computer manufacturer that actually includes the
Windows disc with the computer? If so, that's who I'm buying my
computers from. I paid $1400 for the laptop, which I thought included
a copy of Windows, especially since it has the Product Key on a sticker
on it. I even tried to install from another copy of Windows XP I had,
using the product key on the bottom of my laptop, but it wouldn't
accept it!

Does Microsoft give a lower price to vendors who don't include the
disc? I could see some logic in this. If a consumer bought a computer
with the Windows XP disc, then eventually threw the old computer away,
they could buy a new computer without an operating system on it and use
their old copy of XP. All of this is because they are trying to reduce
piracy.

It seems the more difficult they make it for piracy, the more difficult
it is for legitimate users. This is probably a good time to try Linux
on the laptop.

I wonder, if all this piracy protection is working, are they going to
lower the cost of the software? Or will it just add to their margin?

 

[Kerry Brown]

The hard disk on my Fujitsu laptop went out, and the only backup of
the system was on a partition on the disk that crashed. It's out of
warranty, and it didn't come with a Windows XP disc, so I can't
re-install the OS on a new drive. How frustrating.

Anyone know of a computer manufacturer that actually includes the
Windows disc with the computer? If so, that's who I'm buying my
computers from. I paid $1400 for the laptop, which I thought included
a copy of Windows, especially since it has the Product Key on a
sticker on it. I even tried to install from another copy of Windows
XP I had, using the product key on the bottom of my laptop, but it
wouldn't accept it!

Does Microsoft give a lower price to vendors who don't include the
disc? I could see some logic in this. If a consumer bought a
computer with the Windows XP disc, then eventually threw the old
computer away, they could buy a new computer without an operating
system on it and use their old copy of XP. All of this is because
they are trying to reduce piracy.

It seems the more difficult they make it for piracy, the more
difficult it is for legitimate users. This is probably a good time
to try Linux on the laptop.

I wonder, if all this piracy protection is working, are they going to
lower the cost of the software? Or will it just add to their margin?

The only notebooks I know of that come with a full OEM Windows CD are
"whitebox" notebooks. These are generic notebooks configured by a reseller
to your specifications. Most notebooks have a utility to make a backup of
the restore partition to DVD or CD. I think this is done for a few reasons.
Number one is cost. Even at a cost of $0.50 to include the media if you sell
a million units that's a significant saving. Indirectly they also save on
support costs. Their first line of support is to have you perform a reset to
factory condition which will solve all software problems as it erases the
offending software.

Kerry

 

[Plato]

Anyone know of a computer manufacturer that actually includes the
Windows disc with the computer? If so, that's who I'm buying my

There are about 30 local companies within a few miles of where I live
that do so. Look in your phone book.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Anyone know of a computer manufacturer that actually includes the
Windows disc with the computer?

Many, if not most, small local builders do. Most large OEMs do not.

If so, that's who I'm buying my
computers from. I paid $1400 for the laptop, which I thought included
a copy of Windows, especially since it has the Product Key on a
sticker on it.

Unfortunately laptops are a different story. Small local builders don't
build laptops, and your choices are generally limited to the larger OEMs.
Most don't provide CDs, but the last I looked, Dell would for an additional
$10.

 

[Guest]

The hard disk on my Fujitsu laptop went out, and the only backup of the
system was on a partition on the disk that crashed. It's out of
warranty, and it didn't come with a Windows XP disc, so I can't
re-install the OS on a new drive. How frustrating.

Anyone know of a computer manufacturer that actually includes the
Windows disc with the computer? If so, that's who I'm buying my
computers from. I paid $1400 for the laptop, which I thought included
a copy of Windows, especially since it has the Product Key on a sticker
on it. I even tried to install from another copy of Windows XP I had,
using the product key on the bottom of my laptop, but it wouldn't
accept it!

Does Microsoft give a lower price to vendors who don't include the
disc? I could see some logic in this. If a consumer bought a computer
with the Windows XP disc, then eventually threw the old computer away,
they could buy a new computer without an operating system on it and use
their old copy of XP. All of this is because they are trying to reduce
piracy.

It seems the more difficult they make it for piracy, the more difficult
it is for legitimate users. This is probably a good time to try Linux
on the laptop.

I wonder, if all this piracy protection is working, are they going to
lower the cost of the software? Or will it just add to their margin?

There are ways to install your copy of XP w/o getting the CD-Key window.
Check this website: http://techrepublic.com.com/5102-6270-5034981.html for
the answer. Your posted replies were not much in helping you fix your problem.

 

[Talahasee]

The hard disk on my Fujitsu laptop went out, and the only backup of the
system was on a partition on the disk that crashed. It's out of
warranty, and it didn't come with a Windows XP disc, so I can't
re-install the OS on a new drive. How frustrating.

Anyone know of a computer manufacturer that actually includes the
Windows disc with the computer? If so, that's who I'm buying my
computers from. I paid $1400 for the laptop, which I thought included
a copy of Windows, especially since it has the Product Key on a sticker
on it. I even tried to install from another copy of Windows XP I had,
using the product key on the bottom of my laptop, but it wouldn't
accept it!

Does Microsoft give a lower price to vendors who don't include the
disc? I could see some logic in this. If a consumer bought a computer
with the Windows XP disc, then eventually threw the old computer away,
they could buy a new computer without an operating system on it and use
their old copy of XP. All of this is because they are trying to reduce
piracy.

It seems the more difficult they make it for piracy, the more difficult
it is for legitimate users. This is probably a good time to try Linux
on the laptop.

I wonder, if all this piracy protection is working, are they going to
lower the cost of the software? Or will it just add to their margin?

The one solution I can suggest -- it worked for me.

No, I do not know of a computer reseller who includes
Windows XP on disk.


What I HAVE discovered is that you can buy a "real" copy of
Windows XP on eBay and save yourself a small fortune. I
recently purchased a good copy of XP Pro (no SP 2) for under
$100.

The trick is to go to eBay, type in "Windows XP", and then
look for one that's for sale (stateside) and has the option
of "Buy Me Now". While dozens of others are haggling over
$10, you can walk away with a registerable copy of Windows
for $75 or less.

I got mine for under $60, registered it IMMEDIATELY (to be
sure it was legal), and then when it came time to "validate"
it for downloads/updates, it validated just fine.

And last I heard, while you cannot legally install the XP on
more than one computer at a time, if your computer fails,
you CAN legally install your XP on your NEXT computer.


Hope that helps.


Good luck!


Tallahassee

 

[Guest]

Did you even try contacting Fujitsu support and ask them
if you could order their Windows XP reinstallation or
recovery CD?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

What I HAVE discovered is that you can buy a "real" copy of
Windows XP on eBay and save yourself a small fortune. I
recently purchased a good copy of XP Pro (no SP 2) for under
$100.

Regardless of the experience you or any individual may have had, there are
lots of phony software offers on eBay. Anybody who buys a copy of Windows
there for a price "too good to be true" should think very carefully about
whether it's worth risking your money..

When a price is too good to be true, there's usually a reason.

 

[Guest]

The hard disk on my Fujitsu laptop went out, and the only backup of the
system was on a partition on the disk that crashed. It's out of
warranty, and it didn't come with a Windows XP disc, so I can't
re-install the OS on a new drive. How frustrating.

Anyone know of a computer manufacturer that actually includes the
Windows disc with the computer? If so, that's who I'm buying my
computers from. I paid $1400 for the laptop, which I thought included
a copy of Windows, especially since it has the Product Key on a sticker
on it. I even tried to install from another copy of Windows XP I had,
using the product key on the bottom of my laptop, but it wouldn't
accept it!

Does Microsoft give a lower price to vendors who don't include the
disc? I could see some logic in this. If a consumer bought a computer
with the Windows XP disc, then eventually threw the old computer away,
they could buy a new computer without an operating system on it and use
their old copy of XP. All of this is because they are trying to reduce
piracy.

It seems the more difficult they make it for piracy, the more difficult
it is for legitimate users. This is probably a good time to try Linux
on the laptop.

I wonder, if all this piracy protection is working, are they going to
lower the cost of the software? Or will it just add to their margin?

Hello, You may want to check some of the computer builders that put together
computers for gamers, such as "Morelpc". They sell laptops which usually
include the Windows CD and a Restore CD that will have the OS and all the
drivers for a quick reinstall plus CD's for any softwear that they install.
The poster "Talahasee" had the same experience that I did on "E-Bay". My
cost was $68.00 US plus shipping. Activation was no problem, took under 2
minutes.

take care
beamish

 

[Louis Rost]

Anyone know of a computer manufacturer that actually includes the
Windows disc with the computer?

Dell. Purchased an Inspiron 9300 about 9 months ago and paid $10 for
the Windows disc. Purchased a Latitude d610 about 3 months ago and
got the Windows disc free. For the Latitude I had the option of
gettting the Windows disc or not and the price for the system was the
same regardless of my choice.

Lou

 

[Leythos]

Dell. Purchased an Inspiron 9300 about 9 months ago and paid $10 for
the Windows disc. Purchased a Latitude d610 about 3 months ago and
got the Windows disc free. For the Latitude I had the option of
gettting the Windows disc or not and the price for the system was the
same regardless of my choice.

Just bought and had delivered today, Latitude D810, with XP Prof + SP2
on CD.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

The hard disk on my Fujitsu laptop went out, and the only backup of the
system was on a partition on the disk that crashed. It's out of
warranty, and it didn't come with a Windows XP disc, so I can't
re-install the OS on a new drive. How frustrating.

Anyone know of a computer manufacturer that actually includes the
Windows disc with the computer? If so, that's who I'm buying my
computers from. I paid $1400 for the laptop, which I thought included
a copy of Windows, especially since it has the Product Key on a sticker
on it. I even tried to install from another copy of Windows XP I had,
using the product key on the bottom of my laptop, but it wouldn't
accept it!

Does Microsoft give a lower price to vendors who don't include the
disc? I could see some logic in this. If a consumer bought a computer
with the Windows XP disc, then eventually threw the old computer away,
they could buy a new computer without an operating system on it and use
their old copy of XP. All of this is because they are trying to reduce
piracy.

It seems the more difficult they make it for piracy, the more difficult
it is for legitimate users. This is probably a good time to try Linux
on the laptop.

I wonder, if all this piracy protection is working, are they going to
lower the cost of the software? Or will it just add to their margin?

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."



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of
chains and slavery? .... I know not what course others may take, but as
for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -Patrick Henry

 

[Bruce Chambers]

No, I do not know of a computer reseller who includes
Windows XP on disk.

Then you obviously haven't done even a few seconds of product research....

The trick is to go to eBay,

As you've been told countless times, that's very bad advice.

One should be very careful buying any software on eBay, as eBay makes
no prior effort to ensure that such sales are legitimate; they react
only when someone files a complaint. (And then all that really happens
is the seller of the pirated software returns using a different alias,
to continue selling illegitimate licenses.)


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of
chains and slavery? .... I know not what course others may take, but as
for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -Patrick Henry