Windows XP and Gateway

[Guest]

I have a Gateway computer that came loaded with Windows XP. I am the
registered owner of this computer.

Recently I needed to reformat my hard-drive. In doing so I found out that I
did not have the 'blue' disk from Gateway that contains my operating system
software. (I have the red and orange disks, but no blue.)

My product key is on the side of the CPU.

Gateway acknowledges I am the registered owner of this computer, but tells
me that because I did let them know within 30 days of purchase that I was
missing the blue disk that I will have to buy a new copy of Windows XP. Is
that correct?

If not can you tell me how - and who - I can contact within Microsoft to
resolve this issue.

Thanks for your time and help.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a Gateway computer that came loaded with Windows XP. I am the
registered owner of this computer.

Recently I needed to reformat my hard-drive. In doing so I found out that I
did not have the 'blue' disk from Gateway that contains my operating system
software. (I have the red and orange disks, but no blue.)

My product key is on the side of the CPU.

Gateway acknowledges I am the registered owner of this computer, but tells
me that because I did let them know within 30 days of purchase that I was
missing the blue disk that I will have to buy a new copy of Windows XP. Is
that correct?

That's pretty much a standard business practice, regardless of the
industry.

You accepted delivery of the computer and, by your silence up to this
point, acknowledged that you had received everything that you were
supposed to have received. You should have inventoried the package upon
delivery, and notified Gateway of any missing items immediately; by
failing to do so, you, in effect, told Gateway that all was well.
They've now no reason to believe that you did not subsequently lose,
damage (common occurrences, both), or sell on eBay (another common
practice, by the way) the original OS installation CD.

If not can you tell me how - and who - I can contact within Microsoft to
resolve this issue.

Microsoft cannot and will not provide support for OEM software media
replacement. You'll have to either deal with Gateway, or purchase
another license and CD from another source. Gateway should be able to
provide a replacement CD for a nominal cost (and will, if they care
about customer service), but they'd certainly be under no legal
obligation to do so. After all, if you forgot where you parked your
car, would you expect Ford to give you a new one?


--

Bruce Chambers

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

 

[Guest]

Well if I knew I had a car in the parking lot I doubt I would lose it.

Back to the XP question.

I just went the Windows site, and found where I can download software that
will allow me to reload XP from a set of floppy disks.

Here is the url:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...t.com/?scid=kb;en-us;310994&spid=1173&sid=182

Is this indeed the software I would need to reboot XP?
(I am the only person who has my product key.)

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Well if I knew I had a car in the parking lot I doubt I would lose it.

Back to the XP question.

I just went the Windows site, and found where I can download software that
will allow me to reload XP from a set of floppy disks.

Here is the url:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...t.com/?scid=kb;en-us;310994&spid=1173&sid=182

Is this indeed the software I would need to reboot XP?
(I am the only person who has my product key.)

No, those floppies are, as the website makes clear, useful in starting
the installation process on those few computers that cannot, for
whatever reason, boot from the installation CD. The CD is still
required to perform the installation of the OS.

"SUMMARY
Microsoft Windows XP Setup boot disks are available only by download
from Microsoft. The Setup boot disks are available so that you can run
the Setup program on computers that cannot use a bootable CD-ROM.

"If your computer does support booting from a CD-ROM, or if
network-based installation is available, Microsoft recommends that you
use those installations methods instead."



--

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