XP OEM re-install

[Darryl Conlan]

Sorry guys for seemingly posting the same problem over and
over, I have read your responses to the previous queries,
however I have found what I believe lies at the crux of
the issue. Summary of problem. OEM copy of Win xp on
hidden partition of hard drive. Cannot re-install witout
a reload CD from Time Computers, who sold the PC with XP
pre-installed. They charge about $100 for the CD. This
is from the Time computers website and I am just wondering
where Microsoft would stand on this. I am of the opinion
that I should be able to re-install XP whenever I like. I
paid for my OEM version, yet Time want to charge me more
money for the privilege of re-installing. This is from
their website and I would be curious to see how Microsoft
stand on the issue;
TIME GROUP RELOAD DISK POLICY

Changes in our mutual agreement with Microsoft to reduce
piracy mean that the Time Group now pre-installs the OEM
(Original Equipment Manufacturer) version of Windows onto
its computers but cannot supply a separate Windows XP
recovery CD (this is only available to those who purchase
the full retail version of Windows).
The Time Group understands that some customers may require
a facility to easily restore their computers back to the
original factory settings by completely reloading all of
the pre-installed software.
Over the past year, we have invested in a software
development team that has developed a patented process of
doing this from a completely hidden partition on the hard
disk. This process is unique and the facility is enabled
via a RELOAD CD that is bundled FREE with all time support
packages. The reload CD does not include any Windows XP
software programs and is different to a Backup CD (which
includes a copy of the preloaded software including
Windows XP).
One of the advantages of this reload CD approach is that,
because there is no Windows software on the CD itself, the
risk of piracy is eliminated. The CD simply includes
software that enables the hidden software on the hard disk
to be re-installed. The old Backup CD mechanism limits the
software bundle size to just what could be restored by one
CD and is more prone to piracy. For example, a backup CD
can be used to install a pirate copy of Windows on the
same make of PC even when it is encrypted.
The CD is available to purchase separately when a support
package is not taken and we hope to build additional
features into this product in the future. Over 85% of our
customers take up some sort of support package. Some of
the revenue from the support packs and reload CD are put
back into further software and product development.
Overall we feel the benefits of this reload system are
sufficient to justify this cost, whilst at the same time
allowing us to work with Microsoft to reduce the risk of
Piracy. Using our re-load CD it is impossible to copy
Windows XP onto any other PC.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Since this is a peer-to-peer newsgroup, you would get your
best response by contacting:

Microsoft Corporate and Legal Affairs
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-6399
USA


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

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


| Sorry guys for seemingly posting the same problem over and
| over, I have read your responses to the previous queries,
| however I have found what I believe lies at the crux of
| the issue. Summary of problem. OEM copy of Win xp on
| hidden partition of hard drive. Cannot re-install witout
| a reload CD from Time Computers, who sold the PC with XP
| pre-installed. They charge about $100 for the CD. This
| is from the Time computers website and I am just wondering
| where Microsoft would stand on this. I am of the opinion
| that I should be able to re-install XP whenever I like. I
| paid for my OEM version, yet Time want to charge me more
| money for the privilege of re-installing. This is from
| their website and I would be curious to see how Microsoft
| stand on the issue;
| TIME GROUP RELOAD DISK POLICY
|
| Changes in our mutual agreement with Microsoft to reduce
| piracy mean that the Time Group now pre-installs the OEM
| (Original Equipment Manufacturer) version of Windows onto
| its computers but cannot supply a separate Windows XP
| recovery CD (this is only available to those who purchase
| the full retail version of Windows).
| The Time Group understands that some customers may require
| a facility to easily restore their computers back to the
| original factory settings by completely reloading all of
| the pre-installed software.
| Over the past year, we have invested in a software
| development team that has developed a patented process of
| doing this from a completely hidden partition on the hard
| disk. This process is unique and the facility is enabled
| via a RELOAD CD that is bundled FREE with all time support
| packages. The reload CD does not include any Windows XP
| software programs and is different to a Backup CD (which
| includes a copy of the preloaded software including
| Windows XP).
| One of the advantages of this reload CD approach is that,
| because there is no Windows software on the CD itself, the
| risk of piracy is eliminated. The CD simply includes
| software that enables the hidden software on the hard disk
| to be re-installed. The old Backup CD mechanism limits the
| software bundle size to just what could be restored by one
| CD and is more prone to piracy. For example, a backup CD
| can be used to install a pirate copy of Windows on the
| same make of PC even when it is encrypted.
| The CD is available to purchase separately when a support
| package is not taken and we hope to build additional
| features into this product in the future. Over 85% of our
| customers take up some sort of support package. Some of
| the revenue from the support packs and reload CD are put
| back into further software and product development.
| Overall we feel the benefits of this reload system are
| sufficient to justify this cost, whilst at the same time
| allowing us to work with Microsoft to reduce the risk of
| Piracy. Using our re-load CD it is impossible to copy
| Windows XP onto any other PC.
|
|

 

[Tom Pepper Willett]

All of our Dell PCs that came installed with WinXP have the cds with them.

Tom
| Sorry guys for seemingly posting the same problem over and
| over, I have read your responses to the previous queries,
| however I have found what I believe lies at the crux of
| the issue. Summary of problem. OEM copy of Win xp on
| hidden partition of hard drive. Cannot re-install witout
| a reload CD from Time Computers, who sold the PC with XP
| pre-installed. They charge about $100 for the CD. This
| is from the Time computers website and I am just wondering
| where Microsoft would stand on this. I am of the opinion
| that I should be able to re-install XP whenever I like. I
| paid for my OEM version, yet Time want to charge me more
| money for the privilege of re-installing. This is from
| their website and I would be curious to see how Microsoft
| stand on the issue;
| TIME GROUP RELOAD DISK POLICY
|
| Changes in our mutual agreement with Microsoft to reduce
| piracy mean that the Time Group now pre-installs the OEM
| (Original Equipment Manufacturer) version of Windows onto
| its computers but cannot supply a separate Windows XP
| recovery CD (this is only available to those who purchase
| the full retail version of Windows).
| The Time Group understands that some customers may require
| a facility to easily restore their computers back to the
| original factory settings by completely reloading all of
| the pre-installed software.
| Over the past year, we have invested in a software
| development team that has developed a patented process of
| doing this from a completely hidden partition on the hard
| disk. This process is unique and the facility is enabled
| via a RELOAD CD that is bundled FREE with all time support
| packages. The reload CD does not include any Windows XP
| software programs and is different to a Backup CD (which
| includes a copy of the preloaded software including
| Windows XP).
| One of the advantages of this reload CD approach is that,
| because there is no Windows software on the CD itself, the
| risk of piracy is eliminated. The CD simply includes
| software that enables the hidden software on the hard disk
| to be re-installed. The old Backup CD mechanism limits the
| software bundle size to just what could be restored by one
| CD and is more prone to piracy. For example, a backup CD
| can be used to install a pirate copy of Windows on the
| same make of PC even when it is encrypted.
| The CD is available to purchase separately when a support
| package is not taken and we hope to build additional
| features into this product in the future. Over 85% of our
| customers take up some sort of support package. Some of
| the revenue from the support packs and reload CD are put
| back into further software and product development.
| Overall we feel the benefits of this reload system are
| sufficient to justify this cost, whilst at the same time
| allowing us to work with Microsoft to reduce the risk of
| Piracy. Using our re-load CD it is impossible to copy
| Windows XP onto any other PC.
|
|

 

[Guest]

To Reach the hidden partition on a HP you press F 10
during bootup

 

[Pemo]

My view of this unconscionable practice is:

1. The OEM mode of software purchase is a ploy by MS to sell software
without the bother of backup or support. I wouldn't touch OEM software with
a barge-pole.

2. The notion of loading the software installation files on the HDD - hidden
partition or not - is nuts and irresponsible. HDDs are known to die; PCs
are known to be bumped, etc.

3. When one buys software one is entitled to the original disks/discs.
Anything less is utterly unacceptable

Examples:
6 months ago I bought an assembled clone. It was delivered with all
hardware and software original media - as it should be.
A year ago our son bought a Dell. It was delivered with all hardware and
software original media - as it should be.
There is no reason for it not to be always thus.

I don't know who this Time Group is - not sure if we have them in Australia,
but if that's their business plan they can shove it where the monkey shoved
the nut. May the fleas of a thousand filthy camels infest their armpits;
may all their chooks turn into emus and kick their dunnies down.

Of course, if M$ want to minimise piracy, it is so simple I'll tell them the
secret: Sell software at a reasonable price and treat the customers with
fairness, instead of charging obscene prices and treating customers like
shit.

Just consider - MS carved its place, its name and its software empire in
spite of - indeed because of - its ability to be pirated and distributed.
To now play the mealy-mouth about piracy in disingenuous at best.

When the M$ gnomes saw the "Gordon Gecko" (Greed is Good!) movie, didn't
they realise it was NOT a corporate training video??????

Pemo

--
,-._|\
/ Oz \ Melbourne
\_,--.x/ Australia
v

Sorry guys for seemingly posting the same problem over and
over, I have read your responses to the previous queries,
however I have found what I believe lies at the crux of
the issue. Summary of problem. OEM copy of Win xp on
hidden partition of hard drive. Cannot re-install witout
a reload CD from Time Computers, who sold the PC with XP
pre-installed. They charge about $100 for the CD. This
is from the Time computers website and I am just wondering
where Microsoft would stand on this. I am of the opinion
that I should be able to re-install XP whenever I like. I
paid for my OEM version, yet Time want to charge me more
money for the privilege of re-installing. This is from
their website and I would be curious to see how Microsoft
stand on the issue;
TIME GROUP RELOAD DISK POLICY

(disgusting frog-crap snipped)

 

[Dave Rondini]

Did you ever have to reinstall using that F10 recovery program on that HP?
It wouldn't
work for me. Would say that install was complete and to reboot. On reboot
it would just take itself back to the recovery program. I tried both full
and non destructive reinstalls and eventually just fdisk and reinstalled xp
loosing the bundled software (wasn't my machine I'm glad to say). Also as
the guy from Australia who responded notes, hard drives die, so this
practice is BS even if the damned thing worked (witch in my case it didn't).
Also I just have to say that HP tech support on the web sucks. Drivers
should be there without having to go to the MB website only to find out they
don't support there board because HP is supposed to and then having to go to
the chipset manufacturers site to find a video driver. I'll stick with
clones !! Dave

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

What are you going on about? Just use the free "Reload CD" your
quoted document mentions, and get on with it.

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

 

[Danny Mingledorff]

It sounds like in order to get the "free" CD you have to purchase a service
contract.