Getting a free Windows XP CD?

[WastePotato]

Hi.

I am in need of dire help. Recently, I sent my computer to a computer repair
guy for a hardware upgrade. He said he'd need the OEM Repair CD's, so we gave
them to him. When we got our computer back, he lied to us and said that he'd
put Vista on the computer. No. He just wiped our HD, without backing up our
data, installed a non-genuine edition of XP Professional and changed the
background picture. ¬¬ How dumb did he think we were?

Anyway, when we asked for the Repair CD's back, he suddenly stopped
returning our calls. I would've just asked my OEM for another Repair CD, but
they went into administration. D:

Yesterday, XP failed to start and now we have no way of restoring our
computer. Is there anyway to get a free CD? I have a genuine COA, so surely
getting a CD wouldn't be hard, right?

I'm desperate for help.

Thanks,
Ellis

 

[neil]

Your OEM disk came from the computer manufacturer. You say they went into
administration, what company was it. You won't be able to get one from MS
and they have stopped manufacturing. Your only option may be to purchase a
copy from a supplier.
Neil

 

[WastePotato]

The OEM was called Time / Tiny Computers.

While looking around the Microsoft Website, I stumbled across this page:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=326246

It appears that MS will send you a CD, as long as your pay for shipping
fees. Should I go for this option?

 

[neil]

I don't think it applies where the software was supplied by an OEM.

However looking at
"Media Replacement for End Users of System Builders"
it does seem to suggest they will replace the media. Worth a try.
Neil

 

[WastePotato]

OK, I'll give it a try.

Thanks.

I don't think it applies where the software was supplied by an OEM.

However looking at
"Media Replacement for End Users of System Builders"
it does seem to suggest they will replace the media. Worth a try.
Neil

 

[Bob Lucas]

OK, I'll give it a try.

Thanks.

This information is probably out of date. However, you may find that a
phoenix company has risen from the ashes and has taken over the business
of Time Computers.

Have a look at http://pcs.timeuk.com/aboutus/5/. There is no indication
from the website that the new company is in administration.

You could also click on the webcheck service at
http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/, to obtain further information about
the company.

 

[Bob Lucas]

OK, I'll give it a try.

Thanks.

Also, have a look at http://myaccount.totalcaresupport.com/aboutus.php.

 

[ju.c]

Isn't that a Police matter?


ju.c

 

[Bob Lucas]

Isn't that a Police matter?


ju.c

Although the repairer's actions might be fraudulent, I doubt whether the
British police would be interested in taking action against the
"repairer". The police would say that proceedings (if any) should be
taken in the civil courts. Legal action would cost money - and the
complainant might not recover costs or damages. Furthermore, legal
action would be unlikely to recover the original recovery disks.

However, the Trading Standards Department of the local Council might be
prepared to take action against the repairer. Again, that won't resolve
the immediate problem of restoring the computer to working order.

 

[WastePotato]

I don't have the knowledge and the time to go through the courts for a couple
of CD's, although I will report this @$$ to the Trading Standards Department.

Anyway, there's not much I can do now as I already paid for a replacement CD
from Microsoft, and I don't think they'll really be all that interested in my
story.

Nevertheless, I thank all of you for your interest and support.

Ellis.

 

[Bob Lucas]

I don't have the knowledge and the time to go through the courts for a
couple
of CD's, although I will report this @$$ to the Trading Standards
Department.

Anyway, there's not much I can do now as I already paid for a
replacement CD
from Microsoft, and I don't think they'll really be all that
interested in my
story.

Nevertheless, I thank all of you for your interest and support.

Ellis.

A wise decision.

I'm glad Microsoft are able to provide a replacement CD. A clean
re-install of Windows XP from a genuine Microsoft disk should work
wonders - provided your computer failure was not caused by a hardware
fault.

I hope the CD was not too costly.

 

[WastePotato]

I ordered another CD.

Just under £20 ($40) and there was no debit card option.

Tomorrow I shall go to the bank and pay via Wire Transfer.

 

[WastePotato]

Thanks.

The CD wasn't too much (Just under £20/$40), and the failure was caused by
vgaoem.fon going corrupt due to my parents physically turning off the
computer (I'm going to guess that they held down the power button for a few
seconds.) while I was running Disk Cleanup.