Re: OEM Reinstall
- From: Bruce Chambers <bchambers@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 02 Jan 2006 07:22:34 -0700
cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user) wrote:
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.
I've always found it quite easy and effective to ask the person selling the computer. If the computer in question doesn't come with a proper installation CD, I walk away. If the sales clerk claims to not know, and can't be bothered to examine the contents of the box the computer comes in, I walk away. Works every time. (I also make it known that I'll be telling anyone who asks that they shouldn't make any computer purchases from that store.) Remember, this despicable practice of OEMs providing only a Recovery CD has been common for several years, now; it shouldn't catch anyone by surprise.
Frankly, I see this as a possibly illegal cartel issue, hinging on MS's dominant position as the sole legal source of the OS.
I don't see how, as the choice of recovery method is left entirely to the manufacturer. Microsoft cannot dictate what specific recovery method the OEM chooses (as such a business decision can have some effect upon the manufacturer's bottom line) without the company running to the courts, crying "That mean old Microsoft is making me provide decent customer support! Monopoly! Monopoly!"
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?
It is perfectly visible, and any responsible adult consumer can do a few minutes of product research and then ask the necessary questions before making a purchase. (Mind you, I'm not defending the practice - I won't buy a computer from a company that doesn't provide a real installation CD, nor will I ever recommend that anyone else do business with such a company.)
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.
If a particular store or vendor is engaging in deceptive business practices, that is an issue to be taken up with local law enforcement agencies. It's well beyond Microsoft's purview to act as a law enforcement or consumer protection agency.
IMO, the "genuine advantage" concept is cynically value-free, as long as this disgusting state of affairs is allowed to continue.
It is that, particularly as it doesn't work very well, to start with. But "this disgusting state of affairs" will continue until consumers start taking responsibility for their own purchasing decisions, and start "voting with their wallets" by patronizing only those computer manufacturers who provide true installation CDs.
--
Bruce Chambers
Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once. - RAH
.
- Follow-Ups:
- Re: OEM Reinstall
- From: Ken Blake, MVP
- Re: OEM Reinstall
- From: cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)
- Re: OEM Reinstall
- References:
- OEM Reinstall
- From: Dapper Dan
- Re: OEM Reinstall
- From: guestuser
- Re: OEM Reinstall
- From: cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)
- OEM Reinstall
- Prev by Date: Re: Signing onto groups
- Next by Date: Re: Name folder with "con"
- Previous by thread: Re: OEM Reinstall
- Next by thread: Re: OEM Reinstall
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
