Is this true?

Rick0024 · 06-21-2005, 08:01 AM

When looking at laptops at Best Buy the sales person told me that whenever you buy an new computer you don't get the XP CD with it, sounds wrong to me. Is it true. Thanks Rick

**Sarkast** · 06-21-2005, 08:38 AM

Thats possible - depends on what make or where you buy.
You usually have a recovery partition or recovery CDs - but they are basically just an image of the installed XP + Applications. So you are often limited on what can be done in case you windows crashes - repair installations etc arent possible. When you recover your OS you loose all data that was on your HDD.
I say its wrong too - but common practise. If you want a "real" version of XP then you have to buy it seperately. Its better anyways as it doesnt come junked up with all the stuff that the manufacturers preinstall.
I remember the HP i bought maybe 3-4 years ago - came with XP and tons of stuff preinstalled that i never needed - even uninstalling all of it still didnt make the OS as fast as a retail version i later installed.

ebackhus · 06-21-2005, 10:41 AM

As a former B*st Buy technician I can atest to how many machines did or did not come with XP CDs. About 2%. Most came with either a recovery partition, which was no good if the drive died, or recovery CDs that brought it back to a "like-new" state but weren't just the OS. We also had a binder collection that held over 700+ recovery CDs for most makes and models of computers.

Volt-Schwibe · 06-21-2005, 04:44 PM

yes, as rediculous as it is, you don't get the xp cd most of the time...

like other people are saying, you usually get some garbage like a recovery cd, or a recovery partition.

you can always just buy a linux laptop, and then replace linux after you buy XP.

or, you can tell them that you want a computer that comes with a real cd, so you know they aren't one of the companies selling machines with pirated xp on them.

ask them how much cheaper you could buy the computer without the xp on it, and then buy an xp cd of your own.

chances are they will laugh at you, and if it was me, i'd laugh right back, and walk out.

never ever ever buy a computer without an actual xp cd.

otherwise, you won't be able to do certain things that the xp cd is needed for.

~~Johnny Faster~~ · 06-25-2005, 07:50 AM

I wouldn't EVER run a computer without a copy of a O/S installation on-hand. There is just too much critical information that can only be stored on the disc, and you need it far too often to risk trying to run a system without one.

As far as the "value" of the computer, just add $50.00 (the price of an O/S install disk) to the price of any computer that doesn't have one that comes with it you are considering buying, in order to "level" the playing field when comparison shopping.

You can also buy O/S disks used at places like garage sales and computer shows, but I wouldn't trust those without doing a back-up copy. I would back up copy ANY O/S Install Disk (as it is so important), but for a used disk it is even more important to do so.

**BrianTwigley** · 06-25-2005, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaltSide

yes, as rediculous as it is, you don't get the xp cd most of the time...

like other people are saying, you usually get some garbage like a recovery cd, or a recovery partition.

you can always just buy a linux laptop, and then replace linux after you buy XP.

or, you can tell them that you want a computer that comes with a real cd, so you know they aren't one of the companies selling machines with pirated xp on them.

ask them how much cheaper you could buy the computer without the xp on it, and then buy an xp cd of your own.

chances are they will laugh at you, and if it was me, i'd laugh right back, and walk out.

never ever ever buy a computer without an actual xp cd.

otherwise, you won't be able to do certain things that the xp cd is needed for.

DONT under any circumstances pay for linux

. Its free!

ebackhus · 06-25-2005, 08:43 AM

Best advice? DON'T BUY A PREBUILT.

~~Johnny Faster~~ · 06-25-2005, 05:20 PM

Don't buy a pre-built, for sure. You might save a few bucks here, and save a little time there, but in the end you'll wind up with a limited system. Limited on a variety of unknowable (until it's too late) levels.

tarrok · 06-26-2005, 03:18 PM

i got a pre built hp and just like stated above i did not recieve a actual windows xp cd in my case i got a recovery partition. which made me unpleased because not too long after someone created an exploit in many viruses that deleted or corrupted or even infected that partition so i told hp i want cd's at least and after 5 phone calls i got them

however yes it simply sets my pc back to the original stuff it had when i bought it and all their useless applications that i feel are just another way for hp to make money by offering trials and suggesting software (basically advertising inadvertently or so they think)

not to mention it installs a type of spyware called backweb. im not entirely sure what backweb is but the fact that if you remove it, you have to reformat again using hps recorvery partitions or recovery discs and thus putting backweb back on your pc.

and last but not least when i purchased from HP this custom built pc i told them i wanted DDR ram, and they gave me sd ram and when i questioned them they said it is DDR because 2 sd ram chips at 133 mhz = 233 mhz = DDR

which is BS they got away with it too because by the time i figured it out my little 90 days was over.

and so what did i learn? build my own pc next time which is what i will do

~~Johnny Faster~~ · 06-26-2005, 08:21 PM

To represent one hardware as being something else is fraud, and they don't get to determine a 90 day period in which to discover it and prosecute for it.

They can call it a "Warranty" if they like, but the right word is "Statute of Limitations".

Nariaco · 06-27-2005, 05:34 AM

I know the horrors of prebuilt computers... Owning one myself, which I got about 6 years ago, and it was made by HP aswell. The computer came prepacked with many programs that I didn't need/use, and worst of all, it only came with recovery disk. Needless to say, it got infected with all sorts of nasty spyware, adware, and other malicious software. After several attempts at "recovering" my system using their disk, it didn't get rid of any of the malware.

Eventually, I was able to get a XP disk from one of my friends after I got a custom made computer (yay for me... But unfortunately it built with faulty parts, and now is awaiting new ones). So, I installed the REAL windows XP on the HP, and its truthfully never ran faster (But it still runs horribly slow).

~~Johnny Faster~~ · 06-27-2005, 07:13 AM

Custom Computers in the "pre-built" sense can be just as bad as the junk HP an others throw out. Inferior components are inferior components. Save a dollar here and save a little time there can still cost you much more in the long run, no matter WHO assembled the junk.

crazijoe · 06-27-2005, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Faster

Don't buy a pre-built, for sure. You might save a few bucks here, and save a little time there, but in the end you'll wind up with a limited system. Limited on a variety of unknowable (until it's too late) levels.

It's kinda hard to find a "build your own" laptop. There are companies out there now that will custom build them to your specs. The only thing closest I have seen to building you own laptop is a barebones model that is minus CPU, HDD, memory, and OS.

As far as not getting the OS CD with a new computer. Our company just bought 35 Gateway tablet PCs. M275 http://products.gateway.com/products...wym275b&clv=Pt
These computers did not come with a OS CD or a recovery CD. The HDD had a recovery partition that was created with an app called PCAngel by softthink.
http://www.softthinks.com/us/pcangel.php
Very nice recovery setup, if you were going to sell computers to a home user. (Not good for a business) They give you 5 blank CDs with the computer for you to burn a recovery CD set just incase the HDD fails. If you want the actual recovery CDs, you have to purchase them from Gateway for $30.
Well to say the least, we use Ghost Corporate edition to push an image for the tablet PCs with all the Gateway extra software striped and our apps on it. Well the recovery partition is playing havoc with Ghost. Ghost even corrupts the recovery partition and we end up having to use the recovery CDs to redo the computers. We are now at the point of wiping the drive and using a standard XP install CD.

crazijoe · 06-27-2005, 08:55 AM

Just another note. I would not try and sell one of these new computers on Ebay if you don't have the actual recovery CDs. Ebay rules state that these are prohibited for sell.
"Software loaded onto a hard drive that is not being sold with the original media (disks, manuals, etc.)"

Even if you make the recovery CDs as Gateway wants you to this would still be prohibited for sell.
""Backup" or "archival" copies of software programs"

These are actual statements from ebay's rules.

~~Johnny Faster~~ · 06-27-2005, 09:43 AM

Missed the part from the first post about this thread being about LAPTOPS.

Heh.

Pre-built computers and Norton are the two biggest "hot buttons" on this forum, and we got both rants running here.

06-21-2005, 08:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
Rick0024 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 167 OS: xp	Is this true? When looking at laptops at Best Buy the sales person told me that whenever you buy an new computer you don't get the XP CD with it, sounds wrong to me. Is it true. Thanks Rick

06-21-2005, 08:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
Sarkast TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY Posts: 2,715 OS: WinXP	Thats possible - depends on what make or where you buy. You usually have a recovery partition or recovery CDs - but they are basically just an image of the installed XP + Applications. So you are often limited on what can be done in case you windows crashes - repair installations etc arent possible. When you recover your OS you loose all data that was on your HDD. I say its wrong too - but common practise. If you want a "real" version of XP then you have to buy it seperately. Its better anyways as it doesnt come junked up with all the stuff that the manufacturers preinstall. I remember the HP i bought maybe 3-4 years ago - came with XP and tons of stuff preinstalled that i never needed - even uninstalling all of it still didnt make the OS as fast as a retail version i later installed. __________________ P4 2.4@2.9 / XP-90 / Albatron PX865PE Pro V2.0 / Kingston Hyper-X 512MB Dual Channel CL2-2-2-5 / Geforce4 MX440x8 64MB / WD80GB 7200RPM 8MB / Thermaltake 420W PSU --> SEE IT ALL GLOW <-- MBM5 - SpeedFan - PSU Calculator - MemTest86 - ThrottleWatch Last edited by Sarkast; 06-21-2005 at 08:39 AM. Reason: spelling

06-21-2005, 10:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,303 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	As a former B*st Buy technician I can atest to how many machines did or did not come with XP CDs. About 2%. Most came with either a recovery partition, which was no good if the drive died, or recovery CDs that brought it back to a "like-new" state but weren't just the OS. We also had a binder collection that held over 700+ recovery CDs for most makes and models of computers. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

06-21-2005, 04:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
Volt-Schwibe Asst. Manager, Automotive Forums; HJT Trainee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Behind you, watching you as you type. Posts: 7,372 OS: Click "My System" to view details My System	yes, as rediculous as it is, you don't get the xp cd most of the time... like other people are saying, you usually get some garbage like a recovery cd, or a recovery partition. you can always just buy a linux laptop, and then replace linux after you buy XP. or, you can tell them that you want a computer that comes with a real cd, so you know they aren't one of the companies selling machines with pirated xp on them. ask them how much cheaper you could buy the computer without the xp on it, and then buy an xp cd of your own. chances are they will laugh at you, and if it was me, i'd laugh right back, and walk out. never ever ever buy a computer without an actual xp cd. otherwise, you won't be able to do certain things that the xp cd is needed for. __________________ <signature> TSF is funded by our Admin's pocket, care to help? Power Tip: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. New Members: Creating a single new thread in the correct section is the best way to assure your thread will receive a reply. </signature>

06-25-2005, 07:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
~~Johnny Faster~~ Register user Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 517 OS: WinXP	I wouldn't Ever... I wouldn't EVER run a computer without a copy of a O/S installation on-hand. There is just too much critical information that can only be stored on the disc, and you need it far too often to risk trying to run a system without one. As far as the "value" of the computer, just add $50.00 (the price of an O/S install disk) to the price of any computer that doesn't have one that comes with it you are considering buying, in order to "level" the playing field when comparison shopping. You can also buy O/S disks used at places like garage sales and computer shows, but I wouldn't trust those without doing a back-up copy. I would back up copy ANY O/S Install Disk (as it is so important), but for a used disk it is even more important to do so.

06-25-2005, 08:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,303 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Best advice? DON'T BUY A PREBUILT. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

06-25-2005, 05:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
~~Johnny Faster~~ Register user Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 517 OS: WinXP	Yep, that's the best advice! Don't buy a pre-built, for sure. You might save a few bucks here, and save a little time there, but in the end you'll wind up with a limited system. Limited on a variety of unknowable (until it's too late) levels.

06-26-2005, 03:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
tarrok Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6 OS: WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION	heh prebuilt pcs are my enemy i got a pre built hp and just like stated above i did not recieve a actual windows xp cd in my case i got a recovery partition. which made me unpleased because not too long after someone created an exploit in many viruses that deleted or corrupted or even infected that partition so i told hp i want cd's at least and after 5 phone calls i got them however yes it simply sets my pc back to the original stuff it had when i bought it and all their useless applications that i feel are just another way for hp to make money by offering trials and suggesting software (basically advertising inadvertently or so they think) not to mention it installs a type of spyware called backweb. im not entirely sure what backweb is but the fact that if you remove it, you have to reformat again using hps recorvery partitions or recovery discs and thus putting backweb back on your pc. and last but not least when i purchased from HP this custom built pc i told them i wanted DDR ram, and they gave me sd ram and when i questioned them they said it is DDR because 2 sd ram chips at 133 mhz = 233 mhz = DDR which is BS they got away with it too because by the time i figured it out my little 90 days was over. and so what did i learn? build my own pc next time which is what i will do Last edited by tarrok; 06-26-2005 at 03:20 PM.

06-26-2005, 08:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
~~Johnny Faster~~ Register user Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 517 OS: WinXP	Sounds more like Fraud To represent one hardware as being something else is fraud, and they don't get to determine a 90 day period in which to discover it and prosecute for it. They can call it a "Warranty" if they like, but the right word is "Statute of Limitations".

06-27-2005, 05:34 AM	#11 (permalink)
Nariaco Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Usa/Florida Posts: 20 OS: Windows XP	I know the horrors of prebuilt computers... Owning one myself, which I got about 6 years ago, and it was made by HP aswell. The computer came prepacked with many programs that I didn't need/use, and worst of all, it only came with recovery disk. Needless to say, it got infected with all sorts of nasty spyware, adware, and other malicious software. After several attempts at "recovering" my system using their disk, it didn't get rid of any of the malware. Eventually, I was able to get a XP disk from one of my friends after I got a custom made computer (yay for me... But unfortunately it built with faulty parts, and now is awaiting new ones). So, I installed the REAL windows XP on the HP, and its truthfully never ran faster (But it still runs horribly slow).

06-27-2005, 07:13 AM	#12 (permalink)
~~Johnny Faster~~ Register user Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 517 OS: WinXP	"Custom Computers" Custom Computers in the "pre-built" sense can be just as bad as the junk HP an others throw out. Inferior components are inferior components. Save a dollar here and save a little time there can still cost you much more in the long run, no matter WHO assembled the junk.

06-27-2005, 08:55 AM	#14 (permalink)
crazijoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Omaha, The Center of the Universe Posts: 7,632 OS: WinXP, Win2K3 My System	Just another note. I would not try and sell one of these new computers on Ebay if you don't have the actual recovery CDs. Ebay rules state that these are prohibited for sell. "Software loaded onto a hard drive that is not being sold with the original media (disks, manuals, etc.)" Even if you make the recovery CDs as Gateway wants you to this would still be prohibited for sell. ""Backup" or "archival" copies of software programs" These are actual statements from ebay's rules. __________________ Microsoft MCSA + Messaging, MVP, A+, Network+ http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...other/Help.jpg Do you want a real Republican? HDD diagnostic tools / HDD data recovery software

06-27-2005, 09:43 AM	#15 (permalink)
~~Johnny Faster~~ Register user Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 517 OS: WinXP	Oops Missed the part from the first post about this thread being about LAPTOPS. Heh. Pre-built computers and Norton are the two biggest "hot buttons" on this forum, and we got both rants running here.