? Requirement for media for OEM builders?

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Is there a requirement that OEM builders (small businesses - not Dell,
Gateway, etc) must provide some sort of "copy" of the media used to install
XP on customer's systems (either a CD/DVD or a partition on the hard drive)?

I ask because a recent lighting strike necessitated a repair install on one
of my systems - and there was no repair option available, couldn't even run
SFC.EXE. Had to take the system back to the manufacturere in order to get it
repaired.
 
usasma said:
Is there a requirement that OEM builders (small businesses - not Dell,
Gateway, etc) must provide some sort of "copy" of the media used to install
XP on customer's systems (either a CD/DVD or a partition on the hard drive)?

I ask because a recent lighting strike necessitated a repair install on one
of my systems - and there was no repair option available, couldn't even run
SFC.EXE. Had to take the system back to the manufacturere in order to get it
repaired.
Click to expand...

The requirement by Microsoft is that the OEMs must provide *a method*
by which the operating system can be restored to the way it was when
it left the factory. Provision of an actual installation CD is not
necessary, according to the Microsoft licensing requirements for OEMs.

This means that OEM versions do not necessarily have the ability to
perform certain repair and recovery operations such as doing a repair
install, booting to the recovery console, or replacing damaged system
files by using SFC /SCANNOW. Some OEMs do provide at least some of
these capabilities or equivalent functionality, but doing so is not
mandated by Microsoft.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."
 
Ron Martell said:
This means that OEM versions do not necessarily have the ability to
perform certain repair and recovery operations such as doing a repair
install, booting to the recovery console, or replacing damaged system
files by using SFC /SCANNOW. Some OEMs do provide at least some of
these capabilities or equivalent functionality, but doing so is not
mandated by Microsoft.
Click to expand...

Tell me about it. I've just installed a couple of business computers for
which I had to spend 3-4 extra very frustrating hours trying to find a way to
get a clean copy of XP onto them. Preinstalled copy loaded with foistware, No
SATA driver, no media, no website entry for the model at all. The HD had an
i386 folder but even that reported missing files when an install was done
from it . Worst of all, it bluescreened well-into the setup, meaning a lot of
time and several repeats spent trying to figure-out why. I was on the point
of giving up and returning the computers as unusable when I found a reference
to someone in a similar situation having success with the SATA driver from
another model. It worked. But honestly, I shouldn't have had to do _ANY_ of
that!

What really takes the biscuit is that we paid extra for a 'business' model
with XP Pro, thinking that would mean a computer ready for domain use.
Instead we got a computer set-up to _advertise_ the products of Symantec et.
al. to us. We need that about as much as we need a free copy of the Blaster
Worm. Or a hole in the head.

This is the 'other side' of software piracy. If the customer has paid for
Windows, is he/she entitled to a copy of _Windows_ .. Or not?

Or should they be faced with a bill for engineer's time, and supply of
proper Windows CD, to sort out the mess left by the OEM?

Or should the engineer treat it as a 'loss leader' and not charge the
customer for the wasted time?

Unfortunately the latter is becoming all-too-common a scenario with new PCs,
and I have to cover my time-costs somehow. The customers find this hard to
understand, though, and I sympathise with them.
 
The OEM has to provide some restoration method.
If a hidden partition is used, no CD may be necessary.
If you question whether what you were sold is legitimate, check with
Microsoft directly:
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/Resources_Action.mspx

If the OEM has done the job correctly, there is no need to return to them to
reinstall Windows.
If it is necessary to return the computer to the OEM for reinstallation,
something is very wrong.

As for the extras you got etc, next time you may need to research more and
assume less.
A business computer does not necessarily join a domain and in fact many
small businesses have no need to join a domain.
 
Jupiter Jones said:
As for the extras you got etc, next time you may need to research more and
assume less.
Click to expand...

Why the hell should I?!? There is no up-front declaration of what's been
preinstalled. It's not up to me to be a detective. Their claim of supplying
Genuine Windows XP Pro is untruthful. The installed-program count is
non-zero. It is a used copy of XP. It is neither new, nor genuine.

By analogy, would you accept a 'new' car which had the ghost-outline of
manufacturer's adverts on the doors from when it was lying in the sun on the
forecourt? Would you accept this as normal and pay for a respray, or would
you return it as 'Not new' ?

The simple fact is, the OEMs could supply the 'bonus software' as setup
files on the desktop. If these were scripted setups then they would be very
easy for a customer to install - if they wish. This is hardly rocket science,
IIRC Windows 95 had the AOL client supplied like this.

The reason they don't do so is simple- the software-vendor wants to
F_O_I_S_T the software onto the user, so they have no choice but to try it.
A business computer does not necessarily join a domain and in fact many
small businesses have no need to join a domain.
Click to expand...

This is being pedantic. I gave 'domain' as an example. It might reasonably
be assumed that any sensible business will have an antivirus subscription and
therefore will not want 'Brand X' foisted onto them.

Though if the machine is a domain-member, then it may well crash when the
site policy automatically installs the network's AV product on top of Norton.

The site may also have specialist software which will not function if the OS
is not as it should be. This is the case on the site in question, and
knowing that this sofware is sensitive to OS alterations, I decided to
reformat rather than risk obscure and perplexing problems later.

Ian.
 
"Why the hell should I?!?"
Because you are expending your resources (limited to some degree I assume)
and you are the only one who can determine your precise needs.
Without research, you let the salesman determine your needs.

If the seller is abiding by the agreements (most probably), what you
received was genuine and new Windows XP.
The packaging may not be what you expected but it is normal for OEM.
Quick research will turn up a lot about this common OEM method of
distribution as well as options to get what you need.

As for the car analogy...
If I got it at a discount acceptable to me, possibly.
You paid less for your OEM than I paid for retail.
There are many reasons OEM is cheaper and you are seeing some of them.
If you want retail features, you need to pay the premium for retail.

"It might reasonably be assumed..."
By who? You? Someone else? The seller?
Everyone may make different assumptions without researching in advance.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org
 
Jupiter said:
The packaging may not be what you expected but it is normal for OEM.
Click to expand...

Normal doesn't mean right or honest. It just means it's a widespread
practice.
Quick research will turn up a lot about this common OEM method of
distribution as well as options to get what you need.
Click to expand...

Not so. OEMs are extremely reluctant to state clearly which bundled software
is preinstalled. The reasons are obvious - they get commission for
preinstalling trial software, but they don't want to put customers off by
candidly admitting it's preinstalled and will pop registration-nags as soon
as they switch on.
If you want retail features, you need to pay the premium for retail.
Click to expand...

Retail or OEM- or Linux for that matter- it makes no difference. If there
are no drivers supplied or available, owning a retail copy of Windows (or
corporate copy for that matter) is academic. Without drivers it's another
coaster.
 
If I had a sales person who was "extremely reluctant" or even less than open
when asked for the facts, I would choose to spend my $ elsewhere.
What do you choose to do when a sales rep is less than you feel your $ is
worth?

You the customer has control since they can not force you to buy anything.
You have the power of choice, exert your power.
 
It is my intent to approach the maker of these systems and ask for a copy of
the restore medium - citing the relevant parts of the OEM agreement to them.
Hopefully this will persuade them to work with me.

My alternative is to wipe the hard drives and install purchased copies of XP
on them - and terminate my service contract with their business.

Thanks for the advice!

- John
 
usasma said:
It is my intent to approach the maker of these systems and ask for a copy of
the restore medium - citing the relevant parts of the OEM agreement to them.
Hopefully this will persuade them to work with me.
Click to expand...

Yes, I think that's the best starting point. If it doesn't lead anywhere,
then I'd see if I can beg/borrow an OEM CD. With this you should be able to
install using the existing licence key from the sticker. If it won't
activate, telephone the MS Activation people and explain the situation. In
the past I've found they will usually issue a new key in such circumstances.

Note that the OEM CD needs to be the same Service-Pack level as the
original. It'll be SP2 if the computer is reasonably new.

That leaves the issue of drivers, which you might be able to find on the
OEM's website. Although if you're lucky and the hardware is bog-standard
there may be no problems here, as the XP CD does include a lot of standard
drivers.

Ian.
 
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