What installation media is included with laptops?

[VorpalBunny]

I've not bought from retailers like this before, but I'm looking into getting a laptop in the near future. I haven't decided on a brand, but I'm pretty sure it will be Lenovo.

I was wondering if when you buy directly from the manufacturer whether or not you got the original software media along with the system. I know these systems typically get loaded with bloatware and I'm thinking as one of my first acts would be to just format the drive and install a bare copy like Windows. I'm also thinking about running something like Ubuntu (dual boot configuration)

Do they give you just recovery media or do they actually ship with the windows disk? Is it hard or does it cost a lot to order the full media? Thanks.

 

[Chapbass]

Most of the time you get no media (depending on manufacturer). A lot of companies just give you a partition with recovery media, and you can burn the discs if you want. A stock windows disc isn't gonna happen (in most cases).

I know dell hung onto the stock disc for a while, so did gateway. I'm sure someone like lenovo may as well. Honestly not sure since I got out of the retail market.

 

[CurseTheSky]

I don't know of any manufacturers that ship laptops with actual Windows discs anymore. You'll be lucky to get a set of recovery discs (Windows + all of the preinstalled programs and bloatware), though most simply make a separate partition on the hard drive and either allow you to burn your own discs, or only allow you to recover from the partition / their useless tools.

Your best bet is to simply make an ISO copy of a friend's disc of that operating system and reinstall using the key on the bottom of the laptop. Since you're only coping the install files and still using your own, legal key, there shouldn't be any legal issues doing this. I don't know about Windows Xp, but Vista and Windows 7 installations can be modified to allow a single ISO to install any flavor (home premium, professional, ultimate, etc.) by selecting an option during the install process. Google for directions.

 

[xSauronx]

i dont believe OEM keys can be used with retail software and such...could be wrong but im pretty sure that has been the case even with xp for a while now.

 

[corkyg]

Just got a new Lenovo T510. No restore media except for a partition on the HDD. I copied that partition to an external HDD and moved on from there.

 

[VorpalBunny]

I decided to do a quick chat with a Lenovo rep this afternoon. He said that Lenovo will sell a restoration DVD but only on certain models. I didn't get information on which model, but I did find out that they will not distribute a Windows disk or Office disk should you need to reinstall from scratch.

Bummer. I don't really like the idea of a restoration partition. It eats up what limited drive space you have. It also puts the responsibility on the owner to take extra steps to backup that partition on separate media should your drive konk out.

I can't imagine why manufacturers won't pass along OEM disks. Makes me wonder why. I can only suspect doing this cuts down on support needs for their customers. It creates a one platform for support or a know starting point. I guess it's also easier for them to say "contact the software vendor."