My in-laws have bought a pc from a major retail outlet and I was very surprised when they said that altho the system came with Windows XP Home Edition and Norton Anti Virus installed, they didn't get any discs. My father in law went back at my suggestion to ask about this (particularly the XP disc) and was told "it's all installed on the system - you don't need the discs". This doesn't sound right - especially with regard to the Win XP disc.
Does anyone know if there's some licencing arrangement that large retail chains might have with Microsoft that enables them to ship computers without including the Windows installation disc?
Depends where he brought the computer from. By the sounds of it hes got it from Harvey Norman or somthing and hes brought the whole package including software (I dont think u can buy a PC any other way from a major retailer) He would have got the CDs in the package but there will most likely NOT be an actual Windows CD, just a CD or CD set that will restore the computer back to factory settings. Its not the Store with the licencing ageement with Microsoft but the PC manufacturer, Be it Compaq or HP or Dell.
Yep, it was Harvey Norman - but they got absolutely no CD's - all they got was the computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse and printer - not even any manuals!! To be perfectly blunt I'm doing some homework before I dob the bastards at Harvey Norman into the department of fair trading.
My father in law was very clear in his queery to them about original XP and Norton discs as well as any discs that might be needed for drivers etc. - and they clearly answered that "it's all installed on the system - you don't need any discs".
Yep, I've sent an email enquiry to the microsoft piracy team (didn't mention names at this stage) - waiting to hear back from them.
How this all came up is that their system has got a virus in it (because they didn't know about updating Norton etc.) and in preparation for sorting it I warned them to have the XP disc/s on hand and that they might even have to do a clean reinstall etc. - to which they responded with "what discs?" - which made me think: WTF!!!
You wont Nessecarily get a Windows CD as such, with alot of Brand Name PCs all you will get is a CD to restore Factory settings (wich includes Windows and all needed drivers. If you got nothing then Id be back the Harassing the manager and making a scene!
Would have been Win XP OEM version, but that still includes the discs, even if it's a Dell or IBM version.
What is he supposed to do when he installs a piece on equipment and get asked to insert the windows CD to find a driver.
Go back and tell them you want discs, check out what Microsoft have to say as well, they get real shirty this sort of stuff.
I agree. I believe it's law (or at least Microsofts licensing strategy) that all pre-installed OEM version of anything must include the original discs. The disc normally has the product key (or it's on a sticker on the PC) but basically the CD (and certificate of authenticity) is your proof that you own a legal copy.
Not only that, but how are you supposed to re-install stuff when it all goes pear shaped?
Go back and tell them to give you all discs for all the software on your computer, otherwise get your money back and take your business elsewhere.
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i agree with brendan and 3toed. you should have got the software. what they have done is illegal. basically what they have done is got one disc and installed it on many pc's. This breaks the license agreement with microsoft. i would assume its like a compaq or dell, where you would get a restore disc (like a ghost of the machine) and all the drivers. if they still disagree then take it up with the anti piracy place. I cannot remember the number.
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