XP OEM Disc, Activation, How to go about it?

[orion23]

What is the best way to go about reparing pcs that are branded:

Dell
E-Machines
Compaq
Sony

...in terms of reinstalling the operating system? These computers usually don't come with any media, but a partition. Sometimes it is the hard drive which I am replacing.

In the past, I have installed windows to these machines using a DELL CD and although I couldn't activate over the internet (using Dell on Non Dell machines), Microsoft allowed me to activate 4 machines over the phone by explaining the whole deal to them.

Is there another type of XP Home OEM (universal?) that I can use instead?

TIA!

 

[Dahak]

the standard oem cds will allow you to install windows fine with no problems with the cdkey that is stuck to the side of the computer. If that particular key has been activated too many times you will still have to call ms to activate it. But should come across that too many times unless for some reason you are formatting the same machine very often.

I know with the hp/compaq machine you can create a recovery cd/dvd set in case the hard drive fail which allow you to even rebuild the recovery partition on it.

 

[RebateMonger]

Unfortunately, the official Microsoft stance is that a repair person should insist that the PC owner obtain his own, legitimate, Windows Install CDs from the manufacturer, or make restoration CDs from the utility on the original hard drive. The possession of original CDs is part of the proof that the owner has a license for the Windows product.

From a practical standpoint, using the OEM key on the side of the PC will result in an phone call to Microsoft for activation for many large-volume PC brands. That's because they've been using BIOS-locked versions of Windows XP, and normally require NO activation. Online activation of BIOS-locked versions of Windows XP has been denied for some time now. The only practical way to avoid having to call is to possess the version of XP that was built especially for the PC.

 

[orion23]

Calling microsoft for activation is time consuming but it is the only option most of the times and I don't have a problem with it. (Except with my own custom machine which I have activated about 15 times. I have to do a lot of explaining every time I call. I hate having to call just because I format everytime I switch between ATI and Nvidia)

What's a pain here, is that most of these manufacturers do not include any type of discs and instead use that "partition" system. By the time a system fails (HD), customers are usually out of warranty and never made a backup of their Restore system partition.

I think it should be illegal for these big companies not to include the recovery media or at least the operating system CD with the systems they sell.

When you think about the trouble this process can be, it is 1000 times easier to download a pirated copy of XP and repair a PC than trying to do it the hard way (the microsoft way)

 

[n0cmonkey]

The customers aren't demanding restore discs, so why should OEMs provide them?

 

[bendixG15]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
The customers aren't demanding restore discs, so why should OEMs provide them?

I would say that the people who buy these boxes just don't know any better.
Its a "cheap" computer and so they buy it.

I would not buy it ..would you ??

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: bendixG15

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
The customers aren't demanding restore discs, so why should OEMs provide them?

I would say that the people who buy these boxes just don't know any better.
Its a "cheap" computer and so they buy it.

I would not buy it ..would you ??

I've considered buying a Dell deal or two in the past. I've thought they would make lovely educational machines.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
The customers aren't demanding restore discs, so why should OEMs provide them?

How do you know that customers are not demanding restore discs?

It seems to be a pretty hot topic on many forums, and I've read newspaper articles (tech columns) in which the writer blasts OEM's for not including restore discs. Also, if customers are not demanding restore discs, then why is Best Buy making a killing by charging customers $29 to create restore discs for their computers that did not come with any restore discs?

 

[xolademoness]

on eMule you can easily find CD .ISOs of Windows XP with the protection removed by default.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: timswim78

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
The customers aren't demanding restore discs, so why should OEMs provide them?

How do you know that customers are not demanding restore discs?

It seems to be a pretty hot topic on many forums, and I've read newspaper articles (tech columns) in which the writer blasts OEM's for not including restore discs. Also, if customers are not demanding restore discs, then why is Best Buy making a killing by charging customers $29 to create restore discs for their computers that did not come with any restore discs?

Because if customers were demanding them OEMs would rethink their policy.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: xolademoness
on eMule you can easily find CD .ISOs of Windows XP with the protection removed by default.

That's probably a pretty dumb post on a forum that doesn't advocate piracy...

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: timswim78

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
The customers aren't demanding restore discs, so why should OEMs provide them?

How do you know that customers are not demanding restore discs?

It seems to be a pretty hot topic on many forums, and I've read newspaper articles (tech columns) in which the writer blasts OEM's for not including restore discs. Also, if customers are not demanding restore discs, then why is Best Buy making a killing by charging customers $29 to create restore discs for their computers that did not come with any restore discs?

Because if customers were demanding them OEMs would rethink their policy.

Well, it's obvious that customers do want restore discs. The OEM's just are not including them in some cases, in order to increase their margins. They know that they can probably sell restore CD's down the road at a huge markup. (Some OEM's sell restore CD's for $75 or more).

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: timswim78
Well, it's obvious that customers do want restore discs. The OEM's just are not including them, in some cases.

You think it's a majority of customers or just a select few? I would bet that most people don't know WTF a restore disc is. And that was my point, most people out there are ignorant and don't know what they should be getting.

 

[xolademoness]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: xolademoness
on eMule you can easily find CD .ISOs of Windows XP with the protection removed by default.

That's probably a pretty dumb post on a forum that doesn't advocate piracy...

It's not piracy if you have a legit license for Windows, just have lost the copy from the hard disk..... If you actually tried READING the first post you'd see.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: xolademoness

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: xolademoness
on eMule you can easily find CD .ISOs of Windows XP with the protection removed by default.

That's probably a pretty dumb post on a forum that doesn't advocate piracy...

It's not piracy if you have a legit license for Windows, just have lost the copy from the hard disk..... If you actually tried READING the first post you'd see.

I did read the first post. How about, instead of piracy, violation of the user agreement?

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: timswim78
Well, it's obvious that customers do want restore discs. The OEM's just are not including them, in some cases.

You think it's a majority of customers or just a select few? I would bet that most people don't know WTF a restore disc is. And that was my point, most people out there are ignorant and don't know what they should be getting.

That's sort of my point, too. At the time of purchase, most consumers do not know what a restore disc is, or why they would want one. They just want their shiny, new computer.

Months down the road, when they are plagued with some type of malware, they will quickly learn what a restore disc is and why they would want one. At this point, they become pretty mad they do not have a restore disc.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: timswim78
That's sort of my point, too. At the time of purchase, most consumers do not know what a restore disc is, or why they would want one. They just want their shiny, new computer.

Months down the road, when they are plagued with some type of malware, they will quickly learn what a restore disc is and why they would want one. At this point, they become pretty mad they do not have a restore disc.

They should ask for one when they order their computer, or create one through the utilities provided by the OEM. Until they start demanding them to be included in the big-ole-box it probably won't happen. OEMs should be expected to do what businesses do: try to make money. Sometimes this comes at the expense of customers when customers won't educate themselves.

 

[erikistired]

Originally posted by: orion23
Calling microsoft for activation is time consuming but it is the only option most of the times and I don't have a problem with it. (Except with my own custom machine which I have activated about 15 times. I have to do a lot of explaining every time I call. I hate having to call just because I format everytime I switch between ATI and Nvidia)

What's a pain here, is that most of these manufacturers do not include any type of discs and instead use that "partition" system. By the time a system fails (HD), customers are usually out of warranty and never made a backup of their Restore system partition.

I think it should be illegal for these big companies not to include the recovery media or at least the operating system CD with the systems they sell.

When you think about the trouble this process can be, it is 1000 times easier to download a pirated copy of XP and repair a PC than trying to do it the hard way (the microsoft way)

i always just say "windows corruption had to reinstall" and i've never been questioned, regardless of why i'm reinstalling (yes i own a legit copy).

also i know with dell for a few bucks extra you can purchase xp media. not sure how it works with others. with my wife's dell laptop it had a utility to easily make an xp restore cd, but yeah i realize most people are smart enough to do that before problems start.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: xolademoness
on eMule you can easily find CD .ISOs of Windows XP with the protection removed by default.

It's not what's been removed that would worry me. It's what COULD have been just as easily ADDED to the software.

 

[daddyo]

After about 10 installs on the same system over the course of 3 years, my Dell OEM XP finally stopped being able to validate, even over the phone.

Would anyone have an explanation for that?

 

[orion23]

This really sucks.

I don't have a problem fixing Dell PCs because I have a few DELL XP CDs to work with.

Now, E-machines does not even exist anymore, it's owned by GAteway now and I really don't know which will be taking care of this and how much they will charge for the OS CD.

I woudn't mind buying another copy of XP OEM that would allow me to work on these systems and accept their legit keys, regardless of brand (SONY, DELL, HP/COMPAQ, GATEWAY)

I'm seriously considering using a "magic" disc at this time until I can fix it the right way.

What's ironic, is that people in the U.S. usually sue companies for very stupid reasons (like labeling hot coffee cops......HOT) but nobody seems to have a problem with this stupid OS CD practices by OEM Giants.

Thanks everyone for the help!

 

[Kappo]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: timswim78

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
The customers aren't demanding restore discs, so why should OEMs provide them?

How do you know that customers are not demanding restore discs?

It seems to be a pretty hot topic on many forums, and I've read newspaper articles (tech columns) in which the writer blasts OEM's for not including restore discs. Also, if customers are not demanding restore discs, then why is Best Buy making a killing by charging customers $29 to create restore discs for their computers that did not come with any restore discs?

Because if customers were demanding them OEMs would rethink their policy.

With Dell, you have the option to have the media included. You just have to select the option, which is off by default.

[edit]

My Compaq V2000 came with an OS restore disk by default

[/edit]