XP CD

[Joe]

Can anyone tell me if a person buys a computer and it is a system where you
have a recovery disk, is the vendor under any obligation to supply an XP CD?

If not, how is the owner supposed to be able to run the repair tools without
using the recovery disk, which I believe is restricted to one use.

Can someone enlighten me please. (it's not my computer)

--

Regards
Joe
Tasmania
(remove.not to reply)

 

[Guest]

If you are running the software on a box sold to you then
you must have license to run it. Ie a key code if is
windows. Now how it gets on the computer or wutever is a
different question. Restore cds you can use as often as
you like. Now if they do what you want them to is a
different question. Most computer manufactures put image
cds that toast everything on the computer and just copy an
image to the hard drive. They usually dont ship true
installtion media. If you have a cd key just borrow the
media. Most vendors cant supply replacment media without
encuring costs ie a key code. They also get in trouble
for burning copies.

 

[Donald McDaniel]

Can anyone tell me if a person buys a computer and it is a system
where you have a recovery disk, is the vendor under any obligation to
supply an XP CD?

If not, how is the owner supposed to be able to run the repair tools
without using the recovery disk, which I believe is restricted to one
use.

Can someone enlighten me please. (it's not my computer)

The fact is, it is completely up to the OEM if an OS disk is provided. All
Microsoft requires of OEMs is that they (the OEMs) provide a means of
restoring the OS in the event of a system failure.

More and more, this is in the form of a hidden partition on the primary HD
containing the OS files. This partition may or may not include access to
the XP Recovery Console. A few OEMs (such as Dell) provide both a FULL OEM
CDs and a Restore CD. One of the best reasons, in my opinion, for buying a
Dell.

If your system builder decided not to give you a FULL OEM cd(they make much
of their money on technical support, and don't trust their customers to be
able to repair their own computers if needed), you are going to be out of
luck, unless you purchase a FULL OEM or Retail CD, or can cajole your system
builder into giving you or selling you a FULL OEM CD. On top of which, if
you fail to use THEIR tech support in the event of a breakdown, you will
almost always void your warranty.

If you choose to purchase a FULL OEM or Retail CD, it will be up to you to
make sure all device drivers are obtained by you and properly installed. In
some cases (eg: in the case of laptops), proprietary drivers will only be
provided on the recovery partition or a special driver disk they may or may
not provide you.

It will serve you best if you are proactive with the system builder, and
insist on at least a FULL OEM CD, whether they give it to you, or you pay a
nominal fee for it.

--
Donald L McDaniel
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[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

PC manufacturers who sell PCs with an OEM version of any Windows
operating system are required by their licensing agreement with
Microsoft to provide a means for the consumer to restore the PC to the
condition it was in when it left the factory. The specific means by
which this "restoration" is to be accomplished is left _entirely_ to
the discretion of each OEM.

Some manufacturers, generally the same ones who use lower quality
components in their products, elect to provide no CDs at all, but
rather rely upon a hidden hard drive partition. HP and Compaq's
consumer products divisions (their business-class systems are a
different story) are well-known examples of this type manufacturer.
Other manufacturers provide a Restore or Recovery CD that contain a
proprietary image of the factory configured hard drive and that can be
used to return the PC to its ex-factory condition. A few respectable,
customer-service aware, consumer-class PC manufacturers, such as Dell
or Gateway, provide BIOS-locked, full installation CDs.

It all boils down to "You get what you pay for."

Bruce Chambers

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[Joe]

Thank you all for your input, I now have something concrete to tell people.

Very much appreciated.

--

Regards
Joe
Tasmania
(remove.not to reply)

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

You're welcome.

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