Re: Selling Operating Systems Without Recovery Discs

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From: Jupiter Jones [MVP] (jones_jupiter_at_hotnomail.com)
Date: 04/30/04 

Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2004 19:35:06 -0600

You were told there were no CDs.
You bought knowing there were no CD.
You were informed in advance.
You were an informed buyer buying one of the cheaper brands.
This is one of the reasons it is so cheap.

Did you check your manual for restore information?
It is there. Read the manual.
The restore data is located on a hidden partition on the hard drive.
Some of the newer ones have the ability to make restore CDs for you.
Again, check your manual to see if you had this feature.

You were told "the OS had features that repaired itelf without the
need for discs whatsoever"
Pretty much true.
That is the purpose of the hidden partition.
Of course that is no help if the hard drive dies, but that is not your
concern in your post.

Microsoft is aware of this approved method.
The OEM is required to provide a way to restore the computer.
The hidden partition is only one of several methods available and is
also what was chosen by your computer manufacturer and thus by you,
the informed buyer.

I suggest you buy the CDs if you do not have the option to make them
on your computer.
Sooner or later you will need them.

Finally these newsgroups are not officially monitored by Microsoft
does stop by occasionally on their own time.
If you desire to contact Microsoft directly, this peer to peer
newsgroup is the wrong place. 

-- 
Jupiter Jones  [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/
"J. Moncrief" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:612201c42e26$d57eabe0$a401280a@phx.gbl...
> You've got to be kidding. Circuit City/Compaq actually has
> systems for sale without the recovery discs needed to
> perform routine maintenance on the operating system. When
> I asked the floor person if the machine had all the
> required software - namely the OPERATING SYSTEM - I was
> told no. I was told it didn't need it. I was told the OS
> had features that repaired itelf without the need for
> discs whatsoever. I was skeptical but I purchased the
> system anyway. It seems I should have followed my first
> instincts. A year down the road and my OS is a sad shape -
> VERY unstable! When contacting Compaq, they're ideal
> method for curing this problem is to SELL ME THE RECOVERY
> DISCS for $37 dollars and change!
>
> This business practice smacks of immoral and/or illegal
> practices.
>
> Is Microsoft aware of these practices? Does Microsoft
> think it's right to sell a new PC off the shelf with
> Windows XP loaded on it but without the recovery discs
> that are a NECESSITY?
>
> Lastly ... is this NG monitored by actual support personel?
>
> Regards,
>
>   Extremely disgruntled