Oem Vista - No disk provided

[texeter]

I've just bought a new Acer computer from PC World and find that there is no
Vista backup disk or serial/licence number provided. Vista has been
pre-installed and I am supposed to create my own backup disk after starting
the system for the first time.

Are OEMs now allowed to supply computers without providing "genuine"
Microsoft software disks? And what happens if my hard disk no longer
functions? Am I supposed to buy a new Vista licence in order to do a
reinstall?

 

[Mick Murphy]

They have been doing it for years.

Acer is one of the worst. Even in XP, they provided 3 Cds! full of their
crap, not genuine ! Now, they don't even do that.

There is a "hidden" partition on your hard drive containig the recovery files.
You have to make the copy yourself.

 

[Wim Hekken ;-)]

I've just bought a new Acer computer from PC World and find that there is no
Vista backup disk or serial/licence number provided. Vista has been
pre-installed and I am supposed to create my own backup disk after starting
the system for the first time.

Make that backup disk and you will be fine.

Are OEMs now allowed to supply computers without providing "genuine"
Microsoft software disks?

Yes, they are allowed to do so. It saves them and you a lot of money.

And what happens if my hard disk no longer functions?

Install a new hard disk, install the backup and reactivate Vista (may be
you have to do it by a 5-minute phonecall to Microsoft)

Am I supposed to buy a new Vista licence in order to do a
reinstall?

NO!

 

[Alias]

Make that backup disk and you will be fine.

Without a product key?

Yes, they are allowed to do so. It saves them and you a lot of money.

DVDs are that expensive? Since when?

Install a new hard disk, install the backup and reactivate Vista (may be
you have to do it by a 5-minute phonecall to Microsoft)

How does the OP do that without a product key?

NO!

Funny how so many people think this is true. I wonder why. MS FUD per
chance?

Alias

 

[Stevey]

HP/Compaq does the same thing - I think it's pretty common nowadays.

SV

 

[Wim Hekken ;-)]

Alias stated the following:

Without a product key?

The productkey is on a sticker at the PC/laptop.

DVDs are that expensive? Since when?

It's easier for the Acer to play a pre-installed version of an OS and
cheaper.

How does the OP do that without a product key?

He has one on a sticker on his machine or in that very tiny book that's
called:

"MANUEL"

"Que"?

"Manual"

Funny how so many people think this is true. I wonder why. MS FUD per
chance?

Good heavens, NO!

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

Its unfortunate OEMs continue to do this, Dell provides install disk for
Windows on their most basic systems, I don't know why it should be so hard
for either Acer or HP.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Regardless of which company manufacturers your PC they have to provide an
option by which you can recover should you have problems with your system.
The two main ways are :

1/ Recovery Partition on your hard drive
2/ Set of Recovery Disks
(there is another option and that is a OEM copy of Vista, but that only
applies to small businesses, like your local PC repair man who has built a
PC for you. In this instance he must give you the OEM copy of Vista, but it
only applies in this instance, no other.)

Acer like HP, Packard Bell etc install the recovery software on a hidden
partition on your hard drive. It is then up to you to create a set of
recovery DVDs from this partition. You should find details of how to do this
in your computer's manual.


--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Alias]

Alias stated the following:

The productkey is on a sticker at the PC/laptop.

Not according to the OP. Reading comprehension problem, Wim?

It's easier for the Acer to play a pre-installed version of an OS and
cheaper.

Play? Yeah, no DVD is what, a couple bucks cheaper? How much does the
lost PR cost?

He has one on a sticker on his machine or in that very tiny book that's
called:

"MANUEL"

"Que"?

"Manual"

Not according to the OP. Please read what you reply to, thanks.

Good heavens, NO!

I'm afraid so as many Windows users think that is the case.

Alias

 

[Alias]

Its unfortunate OEMs continue to do this, Dell provides install disk for
Windows on their most basic systems, I don't know why it should be so hard
for either Acer or HP.

That would require caring for one's paying customers. Microsoft, with
their activation/licensing scam and the big OEMs with their no restore
disk crap/bundled crap ware prove they don't care one iota for their
paying customers and ONLY care about the bottom line. The ironic thing
is that this lack of caring will eventually affect the bottom line
dramatically in a negative way.

Alias

 

[Wim Hekken ;-)]

Alias schreef:

Not according to the OP. Reading comprehension problem, Wim?

The OP threw it into the garbage.
Its either at the bottom/side of the computer or as a sticker in the manual.
Acer does provide a sticker with the license number. My Acer 9920 has
one at the bottom.
The OP should return the computer to PC World. They have to resolve it.

 

[Wim Hekken ;-)]

Regardless of which company manufacturers your PC they have to provide
an option by which you can recover should you have problems with your
system. The two main ways are :

1/ Recovery Partition on your hard drive
2/ Set of Recovery Disks
(there is another option and that is a OEM copy of Vista, but that only
applies to small businesses, like your local PC repair man who has built
a PC for you. In this instance he must give you the OEM copy of Vista,
but it only applies in this instance, no other.)

Acer like HP, Packard Bell etc install the recovery software on a hidden
partition on your hard drive. It is then up to you to create a set of
recovery DVDs from this partition. You should find details of how to do
this in your computer's manual.

Yes, Acer does tells you so and HP too.
The OP didn't RTFM :-(

 

[Alias]

Alias schreef:

The OP threw it into the garbage.

One possibility. The OP didn't say so you're guessing.

Its either at the bottom/side of the computer or as a sticker in the
manual.
Acer does provide a sticker with the license number. My Acer 9920 has
one at the bottom.
The OP should return the computer to PC World. They have to resolve it.

Another reason for white boxes. Either build your own or, if you can't,
get someone to build it for you.

Alias

 

[Too Old]

Why do people act so politely towards Vista and make excuses for it. It is
just junk. Vista is not friendly or easy to use. Microsoft will probably
dump it soon because many of us are over 50 and don't want to have to learn
to use something new every time we use our computer. Bill Gates ought to be
ashamed of taking a perfectly good product and allowing his mindless software
junkies to screw it up.

 

[Dave]

I don't have to make excuses for Vista, as it works very well for me. And I
didn't find it hard to get used to..
I can't imagine going back to XP. If you don't adjust now, the learning
curve for the next OS will be much steeper.

Retired, and will be 57 in a month.

 

[Nicholas Hall]

One mans junk is another mans gold.

I myself love it (is it because I am under 50).

I think there is enough people out there to make vista a success.

NIK

Why do people act so politely towards Vista and make excuses for it. It
is
just junk. Vista is not friendly or easy to use. Microsoft will probably
dump it soon because many of us are over 50 and don't want to have to
learn
to use something new every time we use our computer. Bill Gates ought to
be
ashamed of taking a perfectly good product and allowing his mindless
software
junkies to screw it up.

 

[Guest]

Next Time Buy A Dell Computer From Dell.Com Instead, All Dell Windows Vista
RTM OEM Computer's Come With The Operating System Restore Disks, Just FYI.
P.S. Dell Will Even Sell You A Windows XP Service Pack 2 OEM Computer If
That Is What You Are Looking For, Also Just FYI.

 

[Frank]

That would require caring for one's paying customers. Microsoft, with
their activation/licensing scam and the big OEMs with their no restore
disk crap/bundled crap ware prove they don't care one iota for their
paying customers and ONLY care about the bottom line. The ironic thing
is that this lack of caring will eventually affect the bottom line
dramatically in a negative way.

Alias

Don't quit you're day job (if you even have one) as you have absolutely
no marketing acumen at all.
Frank

 

[Frank]

Why do people act so politely towards Vista and make excuses for it.

Those of us who ACTUALLY USE VISTA know how to use it and we don't have
any need to make excuse for it.

It is

just junk.

Wrong! It's the best OS available today!

Vista is not friendly or easy to use.

You have to get to know it just like any new OS.

Microsoft will probably

dump it soon because many of us are over 50 and don't want to have to learn
to use something new every time we use our computer.

Then don't use it. Get a typewriter...a manual one.

Bill Gates ought to be

ashamed of taking a perfectly good product and allowing his mindless software
junkies to screw it up.

You just one confused old person aren't you.
Frank

 

[Kurt Herman]

Hey, I'm 51, and I love Vista. I've been using Windows since 3.1. Each new
version required you to learn new ways of using the OS, and I did.

If I ever get to the point in my life where I am unwilling or unable to
learn new things, I hope I die soon after!

Kurt