A bit of advice on OS disks.

[Wolfeymole]

This is not a question but some advice when it comes to buying a new system.
Time after time I keep seeing issues where only a Recovery disk is supplied.
To me this is a disgusting practice and one that needs to be stamped out.

Read on.

When you obtain a computer either brand new or used always make sure that the Operating System disks are with it. This may sometimes prove difficult with the latter aspect but always aske the person you are buying/getting it from if they have the disks.
Regarding a brand new pc there should be at least 2 disks and perhaps 3 sometimes.
1: Operating System disk
2: System Drivers disk, ie graphics, mobo, modem etc
3: A "Read Me" manual type disk, this is not always included but does help.
The first two are a must have and you should never buy a pc without them.
These can be full copies or OEM but not Recovery or on a partition on the hard drive.
OEM's will have the legend "For re-installation of XP (example) on a Dell (example) pc only."
If the salesman states "They are in the box", insist he open it and show you.
Be aware that some company's will keep the OS disks for the simple reason that when something goes wrong you have to take it back to them.
This is a very shoddy practice in my opinion.

[Paulst30]

OEM disks arent that bad really its still a version of the operating system and the only difference is that its on 2-3 discs.

I understand though where you are coming from because a lot of sellers (especially Ebay) dont supply the discs and if you run into trouble you are screwed.

I kept an old disc once from a compaq OEM system and i instal XP anywhere lol

[Wolfeymole]

Allegedly PC World operate in the same manner Paul.

[Wolfeymole]

"I kept an old disc once from a compaq OEM system and i instal XP anywhere lol "

And you visit Microsoft how often paul? :�)

[rojash]

There are two different kinds of OEM disk - those that are tied to s specific manufacture and/or model, and those which simple contain the legend "This OEM software may not be delivered unless accompanied by the required hardware
under the Microsoft OEM System Builder License..."

Most small to medium system builders use the latter, and these disks will work fine on any suitable machine.

[spotit3]

Dell do not automatically include the disks but if you email or phone them they are very prompt at sending out all the disks you request.

[vehelpfulguy]

Large companies who pre-install Windows (like Dell) dont actually have a copy of the Windows disk for each PC, and even if they did, Microsoft will not allow them to send it out with the PC.

Microsoft found that when a proper copy of the Windows disk was being sent out with a new PC it was then being installed on another PC.

So they stopped companies doing it, and now they can only send out a recovery CD, which can only be re-installed on that make of PC.

You usually find a small company, who do build the PC themselves from individual parts and buy the Windows OEM disk will supply the proper Windows OEM disk.

When you buy a Dell PC for example, and go through the various steps in the online order process, one of the options is to order the recovery CD and the drivers CD.

[Wolfeymole]

VHG
I don't know where you got your information mate but it is quite wrong apart from Dell.
Why do you think Microsoft put a 30 day limit on activating the software?
Ok install XP on another machine but what's the point if it's gonna die after 30 days?
You can't even get round reinstalling every 30 days either as MS will only allow a certain amount of activations.

MS allow manufacurers to provide OEM disks that come pre-installed and are tied to that particular pc only.
The system hardware that the pc contains is logged with MS
This is what I said earlier when a disk is marked up for "Reinstallation on X pc only", it will not work on any other pc.
The only other time you can install a full on copy of XP on multiple computers is when you have a Volume License.
Recovery/Repair disks are not worth the disk they are written on.
There will come a time when you need to completely do a brand new install and you are well and truly shafted if you only have a recovery disk.

[Paulst30]

So what do you want Wolfey?

You want Microsoft to give out copies of XP/Vista with every pc just so the honest folk can make illeagal copies of it and ship it to other contries??

Lets get real here, the reason we have the system thats in place is because Microsoft i protecting its investment. If i was a software programmer i'd want paid for my work, theres nothing wrong with that.

Why are you so annoyed about this any way, are you trying to instal XP somewhere and cant?

I was kidding about the unlimited instals of XP hence the lol at the end.

We have a system that is not going to change, so we have to live with it. We want a product we have to buy it. If that means we get duped into expensive technical support then thats the way it goes, or until the majority see fit to complain, however its not going to happen, because Microsoft are keepng their cards very close to their chest.

If people dont want OEM systems then learn how to build a PC its not hard, that way you'll have your own copy of the operating system with no-one to rely on.

[ACtheTROLL]

It's sad ... but the whole issue of discs boils down to money.

A large seller like Dell - if each disc costs �1.00 and dell sells 10,000 machines ... well you figure the rest out.

The os disks - are always available ... but many users wouldn't even have the imagination to use them as costers
- look at the questions (lol and some of the answers) here!!
If you do you just have to grovel a bit

as for the drivers - almost essential
half the solution is here
http://www.innovative-sol.com/drivermax/
back them up - anyone serious should also be checking the sites and d/l ing the latest anyhow

I deal mainly in bulk
It generally takes me (on and off ) about 2 days to build a machine to spec - Then test and once I'm certain I image the system - that way the system can be re-build in about 15 mins ...

For training we rebuild every course ....
and you know that its exactly as it should be.

Leaving the original discs with the customer often results in the system being completely co**ed up - you then have the dilemma of charge and risk loosing the customer ... or not charging for hours of work.

Licensing is a complete nightmare ... as is (re)activation

[Wolfeymole]

Paul, no disrespect but I was probably installing operating systems in bahgdad when you where in your dad's............:�)

My advice to anyone who is about to get a new pc is find out if it has only a recovery cd, which isn't worth a w*nk like I have said, to purchase a brand new OEM or full on copy of XP