Mike Brannigan wrote:[color=blue]
> "Alias" <aka@mascaradoyanónimo.cat> wrote in message
> news:g6c5b2$bnk$1@aioe.org...[color=green]
>> Munchichic wrote:[color=darkred]
>>> Hi Everyone. I realize this may be a "touchy" subject but I need to
>>> ask. After a massive computer failure I just bought a new Dell XPS
>>> 420 desktop PC. My first Dell purchase. It came preloaded with
>>> Microsoft Vista Home Premium. I asked Dell for an original Microsoft
>>> installation CD as a backup. They refused. I have several friends and
>>> relatives who purchased Dell computers and many of them requested the
>>> same disc from Dell and received it without incident (some within the
>>> last 2 months). I think I should be entitled to a copy of the
>>> installation CD and not one that is from Dell preloaded with a bunch
>>> of Dell crap on it. Why can't I receive an original Windows CD like
>>> everyone else has requested? Am I asking the wrong person? What am I
>>> doing wrong? Any help is appreciated. I just spent $1000 on this new
>>> computer and think that should entitle me to the Windows OS disc (and
>>> I expect it will have the same product key that was used to install
>>> on my new Dell). Thank you.[/color]
>>
>> My question is why you forked over the cash when they wouldn't give
>> you what you wanted. Now that they have your money, you're not really
>> in a good bargaining position. Next time, get a white box.
>>
>> Alias[/color]
>
> They gave him exactly what he ordered and it will include a method of
> recovery to as shipped.
> There is no reason to expect or assume you would be provided with a
> generic OEM Windows DVD - why would Dell want to ship these? since as
> the OEM they are responsible for support of both the hardware and
> OS/software as shipped to you. So as regards reinstallation they must
> be able to guarantee a known state and that is the one of their image
> they provide on the recovery media. If they gave you a generic OEM DVD
> they would be helping you mess up your machine then have to deal with
> all the people who may call for support expecting it as they used "the
> disk Dell supplied" - but that machine is in an unknown state. This is
> why reinstallation by any means other then the recovery media puts you
> outside of the warrantee and support for your Dell device.
>
> Now you and many others may be happy to provide you own support for your
> own machine and want to install your own operating system - in that case
> you need to supply your own license and media etc. The average man in
> the street is not interest din OS installations etc and a recovery
> system that gets them back to as shipped is fine for over 99% of the
> regular PC users. If you want to be a special case then you expect that
> and do whatever you want but there is no point in blaming Microsoft or
> Dell for supporting the majority of the PC buying general public in
> preference to the actually tiny percentage that want to build there own
> system etc,. Remember the vast majority of home PC users these days want
> it to be like a toaster - they just power it on and it works. The after
> three years they replace it with another one. That is the market the
> OEMs are in - which is why as often cited retail sales of Vista or any
> other OS including even upgrades is actually remarkably small - the over
> whelming majority of users buy a device add some peripherals then
> replace it after a few years.
>
>[/color]

Your disdain for computer users is right up there with MS and the boys.
The buying public doesn't know any better so let's take advantage of
them and sell them a "restore" method that reloads the Norton, McAfee
type trial crap that is a royal PIA to remove. There's no reason why
Dell, HP, etc. can't provide a DVD that restores Windows and the Drivers
with no crapware included.

I don't know who you've been hanging out with but I know very few people
who replace their computers every three years.

Alias