Windows XP OEM Re-install

[Darryl]

Hi guys and gals,
First off I apologise as I posted this a few days ago,
however cannot now find the topic.
Basically this is my problem. I bought a PC from Time
Computers in Ireland about 18 months ago. It came with
Windows XP home edition pre-installed. I don't believe
that I received a reload/reboot CD at the on purchase.
Now, I am suffering some random crashes, etc., and
generally just want to do a clean wipe of the C drive.
However I can't re-install XP without a CD which Time
computers distribute, which they call a reload CD. They
sell this for UK£59.99. They have told me that their OEM
license states they are under obligation to provide a way
to reboot XP either A)at a cost to the user, or b) as part
of a support package, however a tech support chap in
Microsoft tells me that they should have supplied this on
purchase. Can anyone suggest a course of action?

 

[Alex.Stanton]

With some OEM setups, you are suppost to make the recovery
disks yourself i know that with my old Pc that i had to, i
dont know if this applys for you as well though.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

OEM computer manufacturers who preinstall Windows XP
are required to provide a means to restore the operating system
to its original factory configuration. The OEM has several options
to comply with this requirement:

-- Provide a "Restore or Reinstallation CD"
-- Provide an original Microsoft "OEM CD"
-- Provide a "hidden partition" containing the O/S

Chances are Times Computers installed a "hidden partition"
on your hard drive. Contact them and ask how to access
it and reinstall Windows XP.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

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


Hi guys and gals,
First off I apologise as I posted this a few days ago,
however cannot now find the topic.
Basically this is my problem. I bought a PC from Time
Computers in Ireland about 18 months ago. It came with
Windows XP home edition pre-installed. I don't believe
that I received a reload/reboot CD at the on purchase.
Now, I am suffering some random crashes, etc., and
generally just want to do a clean wipe of the C drive.
However I can't re-install XP without a CD which Time
computers distribute, which they call a reload CD. They
sell this for UK£59.99. They have told me that their OEM
license states they are under obligation to provide a way
to reboot XP either A)at a cost to the user, or b) as part
of a support package, however a tech support chap in
Microsoft tells me that they should have supplied this on
purchase. Can anyone suggest a course of action?

 

[Fmiller]

With HP as an OEM provider I created a Recovery Disc
under the HP heading in All Programs Folder. Perhaps you
have a similar situation, only the OEM would be different.

F Miller

 

[Darryl Conlan]

That's the problem, they want to charge me £UK60 for this
disc which will access the hidden partition.
Can they do that, or should I be able to access it without
the disc.

 

[John Marion]

You should be able to access the hidden partition without a disk. Somewhere
on your computer there is a recovery program. Look in Start: Programs and
see if there is a TIMES group. If you don't find it there look in
C:\Program Files.

I hope Times hasn't cheated you.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

There is no other way to access the hidden partition without
the Time Computers "Reload CD". Call them and ask to speak
with a supervisor.

Time Support User Guides
http://www.timesupport.com/timesupport/manuals/manuals/index.html

Reload Procedure
http://www.timesupport.com/timesupport/tech/software/reload/index.htm

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

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


That's the problem, they want to charge me £UK60 for this
disc which will access the hidden partition.
Can they do that, or should I be able to access it without
the disc.

 

[Willit]

here is how you do a HP it might help you:


http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/cposupport/get_doc.pl?
SNI=pvpc&LC=personal_computing&Tfile=bph07145&Smplr=Y#P6_12
98

 

[Guest]

You ever try this ???????? They have a re-load CD

http://www.timesupport.com/

 

[John Marion]

Having read parts of the manual that Carey posted links for, I sure was
impressed with how well written they are. Very well written.

But if a restore CD is available for a "small" charge, I don't see how £60
can be considered "small". £10 would be way more reasonable.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

If you lost the Reload CD that originally came with the PC, then
yes, they're completely within their rights to charge you for a
replacement. If no Reload CD came with the PC originally, and it was
invoiced as being included with your purchase, you probably had 30
days (check the specific laws in your locality) to notify them that it
was missing. If that time period passed, and you didn't tell Time
that the CD wasn't shipped with the PC, then they're, once again,
within their rights to now charge you for another CD. (Without you're
having notified them otherwise, the presumption is that you've already
received one.) Of course, it may also be that the "fine print" of
your purchase contract has already informed you that, in order to
"pass the savings on to you, the consumer," no CD is provided unless
you're willing to pay extra for it.

The bottom line is that you need to very carefully peruse your
purchase agreement and invoice to determine exactly what level of
support you're entitled to receive.


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


That's the problem, they want to charge me £UK60 for this
disc which will access the hidden partition.
Can they do that, or should I be able to access it without
the disc.

 

[Andrew Madigan]

Greetings --

If you lost the Reload CD that originally came with the PC, then
yes, they're completely within their rights to charge you for a
replacement. If no Reload CD came with the PC originally, and it was
invoiced as being included with your purchase, you probably had 30
days (check the specific laws in your locality) to notify them that it
was missing. If that time period passed, and you didn't tell Time
that the CD wasn't shipped with the PC, then they're, once again,
within their rights to now charge you for another CD. (Without you're
having notified them otherwise, the presumption is that you've already
received one.) Of course, it may also be that the "fine print" of
your purchase contract has already informed you that, in order to
"pass the savings on to you, the consumer," no CD is provided unless
you're willing to pay extra for it.

The bottom line is that you need to very carefully peruse your
purchase agreement and invoice to determine exactly what level of
support you're entitled to receive.


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


That's the problem, they want to charge me £UK60 for this
disc which will access the hidden partition.
Can they do that, or should I be able to access it without
the disc.

Just in case none of the above works:

If you can't "see" the partition in Windows, you can get a Live Linux CD
(available at www.knoppix.net). It you don't want to download this, you
can pay aprox. $5 to have one sent to you. Using this CD (very simple to
use, insert and press enter), you can open the hidden partition. Within
the partition you will find either:
A) A copy of the OS itself, already installed or
B) A copy of the files from the CD

Either way, copy the files to your main partition, make some boot
floppies (available online) and start the computer. You should get an
option to to start a recovery or install. If you find the "hidden" files
are copied from the CD (there should folders such as "i386" and
"WINNTMIG") run Setup. If you find the files are from a clean install,
run recovery, select recovery console, and type FIXMBR and FIXBOOT. This
should get the system working. If you need any help ata ll, feel free to
e-mail me at the address above.