Some friends of mine have a computer which is showing them the dreaded “Blue Screen of Death”. Yup, they got virused, and now they want their computer fixed.
My ex works on computers in her spare time, and is stymied because my friends cannot provide her with the software to re-format.
They say that they bought the computer new with Windows ME loaded already and the salesperson did not provide them with any software. I told them they had better go back to the store with their paperwork and demand the software.
Small, independent computer shop or a chain store? “Software” as in Office, or the Windows ME disc? Did they just lost the discs, which are often provided in flimsy paper cases along with the documentation?
Big chain store. The Windows ME disc. The system restore files were not included. They have had the computer for 2 years. They claim they were never given any discs.
I’d bet money that they lost the disc, and that is probably what the store would say after a two year wait (it would probably be covered under the return policy).
Tell them to have fun feeling justified pirating WinME and convincing themselves it is legal (if they care. If not, they should just get a copy of WinXP Corporate Edition. :-p)
Can they contact Microsoft, pull the OEE number and read it off to them, and see if it’s a legitimate copy? I’ve never heard of this - even if the system disks are on the HD, they usually give a CD as well.
My MIL bought a beige box off some warehouse dock. When the PC got screwed up a few months later she asked me to take a look at it. I dedcided it would be best to re-install the OS but low and behold she was not given any disks. I made here march right back there and tell them that she wanted the disk. They had the nerve to tell her that they couldn’t do that but would be happy to re-install the OS for a small fee. Feeling she had no choice, and against my protests, she went ahead and did it. The PC crapped out again a few months later and she ended up buying a retail version of 98SE. I called the MS Piracy hotline and reported the guys. Never found out what became of it though.
Selling computer systems with installed software and no accompanying CDs is now quite common. The install files are often located on a hidden partition of the hard drive. This is being done more and more to reduce software privacy. The practice is legal.
However, if the hard drive is reformatted to where the partitions are destroyed in the process, one is up the proverbial creek …
The better computer systems dealers will provide either the original disks upon request – preferably when you are buying the system – or, have specially made product recovery disk made available later on.
The key is to ask questions and read the fine print before buying a new system.
On one of our older machines, win95 was preloaded and we were given the serial number Windows registration for our copy but not the cd so it is practiced by some sellers. (It was a clone if that matters)
Normally, retail purchasers get no help from MS directly, they’re supposed to go to the place they bought the PC, and the store has already refused to help.
Soooo…
Get somebody on a high-speed connection to burn you a copy. Burning a copy will take maybe 20 minutes, getting any help out of Microsoft could take forever. The serial number protection system for XP is strong enough to be annoying, but the earlier OS’s don’t do any checking at all, so (AFAIK) you can use any install CD with any valid serial number. And you have a legit user license, so technically what you’re doing isn’t illegal.
~
As a previous reseller of software and having gone through many MS workshops, generally, you will need a CD for it to be legal. If a computer reseller doesn’t at least provide a CD with your computer purchase, something isn’t quite right. Keep in mind this was in 1998-1999.
A hard drive can go bad, so having a partition that houses the OS, seems a little silly to me. If the party didnt’ get at least, a sticker of MS authenticity, then the reseller is putting highjakced software on the computers they sell.
Anyhow, as with most software programs I own, I register them so if I have a problem, I can easily get a replacement cheap.
I’m with techchick68. A system bought with Windows installed and which did not have with it a Disk or a certificate sounds exactly like pirated software until I see proof to the contrary.
Will this partition be visible using Disk Administrator or fdisk or whatever they’re calling it now, or is it hidden even better than that? Is there an easy way to back up this partition (assume a CD burner) and be able to restore onto a different drive in case the hard drive goes south?
The Acer laptop I got has the install files in a regular folder in the Windows folder but I still got a CDROM and a certificate of authenticity.
When I built myself this computer and installed Windows I also copied the installation files to a folder because it saves me time whenever I install or reinstall anything.
I cannot speak for all computer system sellers. I purchased two identical hardware systems late last year, one Win XP Professional and the other Win 2000 Professional. Neither hidden install partition is visible from Disk Administrator. The hidden partition cannot be seen so it cannot backed up by burning a CD.
However, the manufacturer provides Product Recovery Disks, but only if you ask.