Re: OEM Reinstall

cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user) wrote:



Well, that hasn't been my mileage, perhaps because the context is
rarely a showroom with stock on hand.  So I ask, the sales droid
replies with an answer that could mean anything ("yes, you get a
genuine Windows CD") and then you play cat-and-mouse.



So why do business with such a store? Take your money to a reputable vendor, instead.




It's on laptops that the fun starts, because there usually aren't any
generic alternatives where you specify the parts.




That's true. And laptops are the only sort of computer with which I buy OEM software. But I still won't buy one that doesn't have a full installation CD.





There's that aspect, but really, the OS is a product that can and
should have minimum standards.


And who would set these "standards?" Are you advocating more government interference and/or hand-holding?


After all, if you are not allowed to
ship Windows with Netscape instead of IE, why should you be able to
ship Windows without a custom-installable CD?




And just where is one prohibited from including Netscape on an OEM installation? One of the biggest chores of setting up a new computer (with an OEM software bundle) is removing the extraneous trash, that the manufacturer was paid to include. This often means cleaning out AOL products (which includes Netscape).





It's not.  You may be obliged to have an Intel Inside sticker on a PC
with an Intel processor it it - it's one of those "company writes
their own law as per EULA/NDA" things - but not only are not obliged
to disclose the completeness of the OS media, you may not be allowed
to disclose details of what is provided.  At one time, you weren't
even allowed to quote the cost of an OEM OS, as a component of a
system spec; it was supposed to be included in the total pricem, even
if every other component had price specified.



Are these bizarre rules the result of local (i.e., South African) laws, Chris? I've never encountered anything like this in the U.S.





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. 


Oh please.  MS threatens to cut off an OEM's supply because they
install Netscape instead of IE,...


Where has this happened? Granted IE can't be removed, but I know of nothing to stop the OEM from loading Netscape along with the other AOL, McAfee, Norton, and/or Intuit trash they bundle with computers.




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