How does a pre-loaded customer reload Windows with no CDs

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Guest

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me the official answer to this question please?

I own a computer repair company and find myself in this situation quite
often. When a user needs to have Windows XP re-installed on a PC that came
with Windows XP pre-loaded, but they no longer have any restore CDs but still
have their product key. How are they supposed to proceed?

Thanks in advance.

Mick
 
sounds like a good question
and i look forward to the response.

i have an idea, but it is an unofficial one....
 
Contact the manufacturer of the PC and order the appropriate
Windows XP recovery, restore or reinstallation CD designed
for the manufacturer's PC.

How to replace lost, broken, or missing Microsoft software or hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246/en-us

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

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

:

| Hi all,
|
| Can anyone tell me the official answer to this question please?
|
| I own a computer repair company and find myself in this situation quite
| often. When a user needs to have Windows XP re-installed on a PC that came
| with Windows XP pre-loaded, but they no longer have any restore CDs but still
| have their product key. How are they supposed to proceed?
|
| Thanks in advance.
|
| Mick
|
|
| --
| Don''t put the screws back in until you''ve tested it at least twice.
 
The official way is to call the pc manufacturer and order new recovery cd's.

Joe

Kemco IT Tech
 
Mick said:
Hi all,

Can anyone tell me the official answer to this question please?

I own a computer repair company and find myself in this situation
quite
often. When a user needs to have Windows XP re-installed on a PC
that came with Windows XP pre-loaded, but they no longer have any
restore CDs but still
have their product key. How are they supposed to proceed?
Click to expand...

You do like the rest of us techs and have a collection of various XP
install cd's. My tech friend and I must have two dozen various
"flavors" of XP install disks that we've collected over the years.
Every time we get the opportunity (setting up a new computer for a
client for instance), we make a copy of the recovery/install cd if we
don't have that one. It is far more likely that your clients will *not*
have made the recovery set and/or will have lost the original recovery
set than they will have them so you plan for this eventuality.

If we don't have the particular one for the customer's computer, we tell
them their best option is to contact the OEM and pay for recovery disks
because they will come with all the pre-loaded programs. We can even do
this for the client if they wish to pay for the time. If the customer
doesn't want to wait or the recovery disks aren't available from the
OEM, you can install from a generic OEM disk that is the same version
(Home, Pro, MCE). In the latter case, you will need to call MS to
activate so factor that in your time estimate.

The product key is the license, not the physical media.

My understanding is that Vista will require only one install disk that
will cover the various versions, but I expect that each OEM will have
their own flavor so while we perhaps won't need so many cd's, we'll
still need to have more than one.

Malke
 
I have a HP Pavilion and I had to order new recovery CD. I believe they cost
me $24.95 US.
 
but if i may ask...

why are the cd's not provided?

is there an assurance that the recovery cds will never be needed,
therefore not included?

could it be that the cd's are not included because the large
harddrives may have the back up/recovery files already stored on it?

i don't beleive that vendors will deliberately not let the customer
know they are buying a computer with a licensed copy of windows,
but there are "no cd's included"....

isn't this a deceptive trade practice ?
 
DatabaseBen said:
but if i may ask...

why are the cd's not provided?

is there an assurance that the recovery cds will never be needed,
therefore not included?

could it be that the cd's are not included because the large
harddrives may have the back up/recovery files already stored on it?

i don't beleive that vendors will deliberately not let the customer
know they are buying a computer with a licensed copy of windows,
but there are "no cd's included"....

isn't this a deceptive trade practice ?
Click to expand...

The Dells I have purchased over the last few years have the option when
ordering, to add recovery cds for a cost. I also had this option with a Sony
purchased within the last few years. There was also a recovery partition on
each machine at no charge.
None of the information about recovery options was hidden in any way but I
think the average user tends to think of buying a pc as being similar to
buying a small kitchen appliance and is fairly clueless about all the
details.
It is necessary for the consumer to read carefully the information provided
when ordering and purchasing so the he understands what he is getting and
what he is not getting. I also think that very few people read the
documentation materials that come with their pc and so remain clueless about
important details until it is too late.
 
RA said:
The Dells I have purchased over the last few years have the option when
ordering, to add recovery cds for a cost. I also had this option with a Sony
purchased within the last few years. There was also a recovery partition on
each machine at no charge.
None of the information about recovery options was hidden in any way but I
think the average user tends to think of buying a pc as being similar to
buying a small kitchen appliance and is fairly clueless about all the
details.
It is necessary for the consumer to read carefully the information provided
when ordering and purchasing so the he understands what he is getting and
what he is not getting. I also think that very few people read the
documentation materials that come with their pc and so remain clueless about
important details until it is too late.
Click to expand...
The OEM recovery CD's or files on a separate HD partition are almost
useless. They will return the computer to its as-shipped condition and
then the user will have to reinstall all his programs and data. A
Windows CD, on the other hand, generally lets you fix a damaged Windows
installation without the need to reinstall all other programs.

Bill
 
Bill said:
The OEM recovery CD's or files on a separate HD partition are almost
useless. They will return the computer to its as-shipped condition and
then the user will have to reinstall all his programs and data. A
Windows CD, on the other hand, generally lets you fix a damaged
Windows installation without the need to reinstall all other programs.

Bill
Click to expand...

I don't agree that they are useless because at least you can get it back to
as-shipped. If you have no CDs or recovery partition, you have nothing
except to go purchase XP and then you still have to reinstall programs and
data.
I do agree wholeheartedly that a Windows CD would be great to have with
every PC because of the repair issue. Does anyone, aside from select small
PC builders, ship with a Windows CD? I have never had that option.
 
it seems unreasonable that additional cd's are not included with the
systems.

since Microsoft windows is a separate corporation and provides a product and
provides a unique product key for the consumer and the consumer has paid
a good amount of money for having a genuine copy of windows, it seems that
the
genuine copy should be provided and apart from the computer/product.

I think that somehow the rules have changed and the computer dealer, with
the help
of Microsoft have / are conspiring to cheat the consumer, knowing that a
disaster is
possible and there is no recovery without an additional cost. Between
malicious virus's and
blackmail by the computer company, the innocent consumer is the victim.


I would not buy any pc selling itself off as a windows machine and having
windows installed but marketed with
a disclaimer stating that a copy of the setup cd's are not included as part
of the package deal...

Seemingly, the manufacturer's do not disclose this on their
advertisements....

I think it would be fair for the department of justice to look into this....
 
RA said:
I don't agree that they are useless because at least you can get it back to
as-shipped. If you have no CDs or recovery partition, you have nothing
except to go purchase XP and then you still have to reinstall programs and
data.
I do agree wholeheartedly that a Windows CD would be great to have with
every PC because of the repair issue. Does anyone, aside from select small
PC builders, ship with a Windows CD? I have never had that option.
Click to expand...
Note I said the OEM CD recovery disks were "almost useless."
And, yes, my Dell laptop purchased two years ago shipped with a Windows CD.

Bill
 
DatabaseBen said:
it seems unreasonable that additional cd's are not included with the
systems.

since Microsoft windows is a separate corporation and provides a product and
provides a unique product key for the consumer and the consumer has paid
a good amount of money for having a genuine copy of windows, it seems that
the
genuine copy should be provided and apart from the computer/product.

I think that somehow the rules have changed and the computer dealer, with
the help
of Microsoft have / are conspiring to cheat the consumer, knowing that a
disaster is
possible and there is no recovery without an additional cost. Between
malicious virus's and
blackmail by the computer company, the innocent consumer is the victim.


I would not buy any pc selling itself off as a windows machine and having
windows installed but marketed with
a disclaimer stating that a copy of the setup cd's are not included as part
of the package deal...

Seemingly, the manufacturer's do not disclose this on their
advertisements....

I think it would be fair for the department of justice to look into this....
Click to expand...
Actually the payment that ORM's make to MS for installing Windows on
their machines is much, much less than what you pay for Windows -- on
the order of five to ten bucks per machine. Still a CD would only cost
them pennies(well, maybe dimes) to ship with their hardware.

Bill

Bill
 
yeh, your right

let's see, a number of years ago the cost for Microsoft was around 60 cents
per each physical cd,
according to a secret report leaked out. Today, i'm sure that cost is about
90% less. But it doesn't
prevent Microsoft for selling its software for around 100.00 (99 dollar
profit) and proportional on their
sales plan/profit strategy

then the other company (e.g., computer reseller) holds the customers
licensed copy for
an additional charge, when the customer is the most vulnerable and in dire
straits....

but i seems that Microsoft is to blame here for letting the pc company do
this with
their so called "Genuine" software

i need to do some more research before i file this concern, do you have any
ideas..?.
..
..
..
 
but if i may ask...

why are the cd's not provided?

is there an assurance that the recovery cds will never be needed,
therefore not included?

could it be that the cd's are not included because the large
harddrives may have the back up/recovery files already stored on it?

i don't beleive that vendors will deliberately not let the customer
know they are buying a computer with a licensed copy of windows,
but there are "no cd's included"....

isn't this a deceptive trade practice ?
Click to expand...

The vendor has to provide some means to restore the system. They have 3
choices, and which one they choose is up to them.

1. XP installation CD with a drivers CD and CDs for the bundled software
2. Recovery CDs
3. Hidden partition on the hard drive with an image of the drive as
received from the factory.

Some recovery CDs allow for non destructive recovery, some don't. Vendors
have been going to 2 and 3 because it reduces overall support costs.
Customer calls with a problem, tech replies, restore the computer, end of
call.

The customer sometimes has the option of ordering a recovery CD at time of
purchase if one is not otherwise included. Some systems with the hidden
partition nag the user the first few times they boot up to create a set of
recovery CDs.

It's up to the customer to know what they are getting. I recommend that any
computer purchase come with the full XP installation CD. If they won't
provide that go elsewhere.
 
DatabaseBen said:
but if i may ask...

why are the cd's not provided?
Click to expand...

So the OEM can save a few pennies....

is there an assurance that the recovery cds will never be needed,
therefore not included?

could it be that the cd's are not included because the large
harddrives may have the back up/recovery files already stored on it?
Click to expand...


If dealing with a legitimate OEM, yes, that's usually the case.

i don't beleive that vendors will deliberately not let the customer
know they are buying a computer with a licensed copy of windows,
but there are "no cd's included"....

isn't this a deceptive trade practice ?
Click to expand...

Not really; it's mostly the consumer not knowing enough to ask the
right questions at the time of the purchase, and that's no one's fault
but the consumer's.

Legally, the OEM will have 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 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

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell
 
DatabaseBen said:
yeh, your right

let's see, a number of years ago the cost for Microsoft was around 60 cents
per each physical cd,
according to a secret report leaked out. Today, i'm sure that cost is about
90% less. But it doesn't
prevent Microsoft for selling its software for around 100.00 (99 dollar
profit) ...
Click to expand...

you forgot the development costs, the overhead/administrative cost, the
fixed asset/depreciation costs...

John
 
| yeh, your right
|
| let's see, a number of years ago the cost for Microsoft was around 60 cents
| per each physical cd,
| according to a secret report leaked out. Today, i'm sure that cost is about
| 90% less. But it doesn't
| prevent Microsoft for selling its software for around 100.00 (99 dollar
| profit) and proportional on their
| sales plan/profit strategy
|
| then the other company (e.g., computer reseller) holds the customers
| licensed copy for
| an additional charge, when the customer is the most vulnerable and in dire
| straits....
|
| but i seems that Microsoft is to blame here for letting the pc company do
| this with
| their so called "Genuine" software
|
| i need to do some more research before i file this concern, do you have any
| ideas..?.
| .
| .

Federal Class Action Lawsuit to require OS system CD's be supplied in addition
to Recovery Disks.
 
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