Re: OEM Reinstall

On Sun, 1 Jan 2006 19:24:49 -0800, "guestuser" <guestuser@xxxxxxxxx>

>An OEM "recovery" disk will only do a "recovery" installation. Now if you
>had an OEM operating system disk, as opposed to a recovery disk, you'd be in
>business.

It should be easier to determine which PCs come with a proper
custom-installable OS CD, vs. those that come with one of these
useless "recovery" CDs, or even nil at all.

Frankly, I see this as a possibly illegal cartel issue, hinging on
MS's dominant position as the sole legal source of the OS.

There's plenty of info on how to verify that Windows is "genuine",
i.e. that MS has been paid for it - but absolutely no committment to
assessing whether you will get a proper installation disk, or be
fobbed off with the "golden handcuffs" approach of instant restore CD,
or even no CD at all and "call PC vendor for repair".

If OEMs are to be allowed to choose to gouge users through providing
less value in the interests of simplifying support (OEM's agenda) and
using the CD on other PCs more difficult (MS's agenda), then this
should be visible to the user - otherwise how else can market forces
be applied on this issue?

As it is, it is VERY difficult to get straight answers from PC disties
or resellers on these matters. Invariably one gets fobbed off with
"yes, it's genuine", and the pretence that the sales droid doesn't
understand what you are asking.

IMO, the "genuine advantage" concept is cynically value-free, as long
as this disgusting state of affairs is allowed to continue.



>---------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - -
Don't pay malware vendors - boycott Sony
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