Windows XP Pro COA but No disk

R

Rob Rich

Hi,

I have a COA attached to my gateway PC but no recovery disk.

I have contacted Gateway (MPC) and was told that they cannot help me because
I am not the original owner of the computer and its now out of warranty. I'm
not asking for support with this pc, I just want the recovery disks for
Windows XP. I'm even willing to purchase them.

Are they responsible for providing support for Windows XP that they
installed on one of their PC's? Just because its out of warranty, shouldn't
negate the fact that they provided the PC with windows XP. On the OEM System
Buidlers version, it specifically states that the builder of the pc is
responsible for providing support.

So can they refuse me support on this microsoft software?

Thanks
 
J

John

Rob Rich said:
I have a COA attached to my gateway PC but no recovery disk.

You may not need one. There may be a recovery partition on the HD. Take a
look at the following:
http://support.gateway.com/s/SOFTWARE/Medialess/FAQ/SUPPAGE01su44.shtml
I just want the recovery disks for
Windows XP. I'm even willing to purchase them.

You should be able to purchase recovery discs. Have you checked their site?
So can they refuse me support on this microsoft software?

Sure if it's out of warranty.
 
R

Rob Rich

Yeah there is no recovery partition on the HD.

So what is the minimum amount of time that a computer builder has to offer
support to the end user for the operating system license?

Or is that just not required? Can these large PC manufacturers just build a
PC, install windows xp with their volume licensing and then turn around and
not provide any end user support for the operating system?
 
H

HeyBub

Rob said:
Yeah there is no recovery partition on the HD.

So what is the minimum amount of time that a computer builder has to
offer support to the end user for the operating system license?

Or is that just not required? Can these large PC manufacturers just
build a PC, install windows xp with their volume licensing and then
turn around and not provide any end user support for the operating
system?

Sure. Why not?

Their only commitment is to provide the original purchaser with the ability
to restore the system to its pristine state.

You should have insisted on the same deal from the guy from whom you bought
the machine.

You should be able to pick up XP Home for a couple of hundred bucks. No
biggie.
 
D

Daave

HeyBub said:
You should be able to pick up XP Home for a couple of hundred bucks.
No biggie.

A couple hundred bucks may be no biggie to you, but I'm sure it's a big
deal to most other people.
 
D

Daave

Yeah there is no recovery partition on the HD.

So what is the minimum amount of time that a computer builder has to
offer support to the end user for the operating system license?

Gateway's responsibility is to provide the original purchaser with a
means to restore the PC to its original state. If there is no recovery
partition on the hard drive, then there should be a recovery or
installation disk (unless the original owner wiped the recovery
partition for some reason). If you purchased a used PC with XP, then you
need to make sure the person selling you the PC gives you the same means
to restore the PC to its original state; that is, you should have
demanded the seller give you the disk(s). This is not and should be
Gateway's responsibility at this point.
Or is that just not required? Can these large PC manufacturers just
build a PC, install windows xp with their volume licensing and then
turn around and not provide any end user support for the operating
system?

AFAIK, no one is required to provide support at all for free, just the
means to restore the PC to its original state. Since you stated that you
don't mind paying for the recovery disk, if Gateway won't sell you one,
you should be able to find one for a reasonable price at
http://www.restoredisks.com .
 
B

Bill in Co.

And the XP Upgrade CD is half that, at $100 (that might be an option, if he
has a previous qualifying version of MS Windows).
 
R

Rob Rich

I always thought the reason the OEM System Builder version of Windows XP was
cheaper is because the system builder is responsible for providing support.

Microsoft does not provide support on the OEM versions of Windows XP. It is
the responsibility of the system builder. In exchange for a discount price
on the license.

So that doesn't make sense that the system builder is not responsible. They
are responisble for providing support in exchange for the discount on the
software. Otherwise they need to be installing retail versions, so microsoft
can properly support the product.




A System
 
D

Daave

Rob said:
I always thought the reason the OEM System Builder version of Windows
XP was cheaper is because the system builder is responsible for
providing support.

The reason it is cheaper is because it isn't transferrable. Once an OEM
version is installed on a particular machine, it's there for good. That
is, the license is tied to that particular machine. A retail version,
OTOH, may be transferred to other PCs. I think the word "support" here
is used in a very narrow sense. I'll let others more familiar with it
chime in if they wish.
 
D

Daave

Daave said:
The reason it is cheaper is because it isn't transferrable. Once an
OEM version is installed on a particular machine, it's there for
good. That is, the license is tied to that particular machine. A
retail version, OTOH, may be transferred to other PCs. I think the
word "support" here is used in a very narrow sense. I'll let others
more familiar with it chime in if they wish.

Here's something:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/kelly96.mspx

"If you have a retail version of Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP
Professional, you are eligible for unlimited no-charge installation
support (for versions of Windows XP not preinstalled on your computer)
and two no-charge personal support incidents by phone or online."
 
A

Avi Greenbury

I always thought the reason the OEM System Builder version of Windows XP
was cheaper is because the system builder is responsible for providing
support.

I'd always thought it was like that to make it less worth buying the box
without Windows, and/or with a different OS.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top