Help us buy a new computer!

[LC EFA]

Unfortunately, companies aren't always including the discs for the operating systems anymore.  We got this computer a few years ago and never got any XP discs with it.  I kind of wonder if they stopped doing that so people wouldn't be able to do what you suggest.

I don't know about in the US, but over here the manufacturer of the machine is required by law to provide some mechanism to reload the OS after a major crash or HDD failure.

HP/compaq and Packard Bell for example do this by providing a partition on the HDD that will perform an automated recovery of the OS and software. They also have an app loaded that will ask you to create a recovery disk set for the machine that can be used to recreate this partition in case of a major fail.

Toshiba supplies a "recovery CD"

We weren't the Dell agent and haven't had to recover one, so I'm not sure about them but would assume they have a similar system.

By law they don't "need" to include actual XP media, just a mechanism to return the system (OS and bundled software) to a factory condition.

Often (I'm looking at HP here) technical support people will demand that you run their recovery and return the machine to factory condition as part of their troubleshooting and before authorizing any repair.

[thundley4]

With the Dells we have gotten the complete set of software on disks, even the Norton anti virus,6 month trial, and MSN and AOL crap. Everything installed on the computer was included, which is a good thing.  I've reformatted all of our computers at least once and some 5-6 times.

[JohnMatrix]

Ummm, how about just use an alternative program that doesn't hog as many resources, doesn't conflict with so much, and is otherwise a better program?

But back to the point.

For me, Vista was/is a pain in the ass. Your mileage may vary.

Then simply install that program instead of saying "oh, it sucks" and calling software people to your house to fix simple things.

[JohnMatrix]

The problem with that is having to BUY a copy of Windows so it will run right. The major manufacturers never include a virgin copy of Windows with their systems. Since I typically build my own systems, which have run great, the biggest cost is finding a reasonably priced legitimate copy of Windows. Ebay & Pricewatch have them, but still, it's over $100.

You don't need to buy a new copy of windows.  You can buy the installation disk with no license cheaply.  Just use the serial on the windows sticker that's on the computer's case somewhere.

[Eupher]

Then simply install that program instead of saying "oh, it sucks" and calling software people to your house to fix simple things.

Thanks, John, for your wonderfully valuable recommendation. I think I'll run down and spend an hour and a half doing just what you're saying.

Gosh, what would I do without your fabulous words of wisdom? I'm just gushing with gratitude, John!

You're the best!

 

On a less sarcastic note, I'll let you know when I'm done calling software people to my house to fix "simple things." When you're paying the bill, you might have something to say. Until then, why don't you go **** yourself?

Have a nice day!

[Chris]

Often (I'm looking at HP here) technical support people will demand that you run their recovery and return the machine to factory condition as part of their troubleshooting and before authorizing any repair.

When I worked for HP, that was SOP.  Instead of diagnosing any Windows errors, unless the customer specifically stated that they did not wish to have their data erased, a reformat & reinstall was done.

[LC EFA]

When I worked for HP, that was SOP.  Instead of diagnosing any Windows errors, unless the customer specifically stated that they did not wish to have their data erased, a reformat & reinstall was done.

HP considered user data to be expendable, They'd give a half ass attempt at resolving the problem and then demand that it have a destructive restore before continuing. I guess as they're only really responsible for the hardware this is the most pragmatic step, but it sure did annoy the hell out of a lot of our customers.

[JohnMatrix]

Thanks, John, for your wonderfully valuable recommendation. I think I'll run down and spend an hour and a half doing just what you're saying.

Gosh, what would I do without your fabulous words of wisdom? I'm just gushing with gratitude, John!

You're the best!

 

On a less sarcastic note, I'll let you know when I'm done calling software people to my house to fix "simple things." When you're paying the bill, you might have something to say. Until then, why don't you go **** yourself?

Have a nice day!

lol.  I would feel pretty bad if i called people to my house to turn off the UAC too.

[Thor]

Hey Matrix, why don't you go **** yourself ??

[Chris_]

Hey Matrix, why don't you go **** yourself ??

He'll have to buy Windows Vista FU -- $245.75 with an upgrade certificate and a Certified Gates Windows Blowjob Photograph.

[JohnMatrix]

Hey Matrix, why don't you go **** yourself ??

I'm fine.  You're welcome to do so, however.

[Eupher]

lol.  I would feel pretty bad if i called people to my house to turn off the UAC too.

I suppose that might be the case if you were a whiz-bang purveyor of all things Vista. Glad you worship that particular program so much. Perhaps you could be a Bill Gates spokesperson when you grow up.

Here's the thing, dipshit:

I don't profess to be said whiz-bang purveyor of all things Vista, unlike yourself. Therefore, I don't feel "bad" when I call on professional help to help me with a problem. (I can afford it, but that's neither here nor there.)

You'll note that I never once called on you to assist me with that problem. Therefore, any comment you make on this thread relating to me is unwanted, irrelevant, and pointless.

So why do you pursue this? Because you pride yourself in being an asshat?

On that score, you're doing a wonderful job.

Because it's pretty clear to me that you're a dipshit and an asswipe, I tend to flush said materials down the crapper.

I'll be the 4th person to put your ass on ignore.

And I don't need your capable assistance to help me with that. M-kay?

Don't bother letting me know when you grow up. At the rate you're going, it'll take a couple of decades.

[Wineslob]

In my brief experience w/ Vista (out of the box - the GPO didn't allow any system changes) it only ran decently if you had a good (2.8 Ghz) dual-core processor and at least 2 Gb of ram (preferably more).  Anything less, and it ran like crap.

Rescource Pig anyone??   

[JohnMatrix]

I suppose that might be the case if you were a whiz-bang purveyor of all things Vista. Glad you worship that particular program so much. Perhaps you could be a Bill Gates spokesperson when you grow up.

Here's the thing, dipshit:

I don't profess to be said whiz-bang purveyor of all things Vista, unlike yourself. Therefore, I don't feel "bad" when I call on professional help to help me with a problem. (I can afford it, but that's neither here nor there.)

You'll note that I never once called on you to assist me with that problem. Therefore, any comment you make on this thread relating to me is unwanted, irrelevant, and pointless.

So why do you pursue this? Because you pride yourself in being an asshat?

On that score, you're doing a wonderful job.

Because it's pretty clear to me that you're a dipshit and an ***wipe, I tend to flush said materials down the crapper.

I'll be the 4th person to put your ass on ignore.

And I don't need your capable assistance to help me with that. M-kay?

Don't bother letting me know when you grow up. At the rate you're going, it'll take a couple of decades.

Well congratulations, you wasted your money on a problem that you could have fixed yourself in 5 minutes.  Call more people to your house next time you forget how to turn your monitor on too. 

[LC EFA]

This topic is drifting a bit too far from it's original intent.

If you want to provide worthwhile assistance to the OP do so. If you wanna have a fight - there are more suitable venues.

Just Sayin'

[Sam Adams]

Does anyone know when MS will release Windows 7? Do you think it will be better than Vista and XP?

[Thor]

The beta is out now. M$ is saying that it will be around 2010 before it's released.

http://www.winvistaclub.com/e57.html

[LC EFA]

They seem to be putting out a similar version model as they did with vista, which should prove entertaining.

Remember when Vista was announced, and Microsoft decided to release six different versions of the operating system, much to the confusion, disappointment, and ridicule of potential buyers? Well guess what? Microsoft is back with the Windows 7 strategy. What has it learned in the last three years? Pretty much nothing.

While Microsoft is touting the "two primary editions" of Windows 7 -- a Home Premium edition and a Professional (intended for business) edition -- the fact is it's sticking with the same six different versions (or SKUs, stock-keeping units) that it had for Vista.

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/118401

[rich_t]

I haven't had any problems with Vista.  Yet...

[Thor]

I haven't had any problems with Vista.  Yet...

Do you have a home network, a shared printer, or anything other than that one computer with Vista ?? If it's a standalone system, Vista is ok, at best. It's STILL a resource hog.

[rich_t]

Do you have a home network, a shared printer, or anything other than that one computer with Vista ?? If it's a standalone system, Vista is ok, at best. It's STILL a resource hog.

I have it on a stand alone and yes it is a bit of a resource hog, but my PC can handle it.