OEM purchase- no Disc

Hi, all!
Just bought a HP desktop with Vista preinstalled. A separate install / boot
device (disk) was not included in the package. I am not up to date with my
customers rights - nor the licensing policy of Microsoft, but I feel uneasy
without the disc separate from the HDD.
(The PC-box (HP - Pavilion) has the authenticity-labels in order)
Can anyone adivice me as to whether I am entiteled to a disc, and make a
claim about this towards the shop?


--
Jan Kåre

The documentation that came with your PC shows you how to create System
Recovery Disks. Most likely you also have a built-in Recovery Partition (D
drive)

"Jan Kåre" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi, all!
> Just bought a HP desktop with Vista preinstalled. A separate install /
> boot device (disk) was not included in the package. I am not up to date
> with my customers rights - nor the licensing policy of Microsoft, but I
> feel uneasy without the disc separate from the HDD.
> (The PC-box (HP - Pavilion) has the authenticity-labels in order)
> Can anyone adivice me as to whether I am entiteled to a disc, and make a
> claim about this towards the shop?
>
>
> --
> Jan Kåre
>

Jan Kåre wrote:
> Hi, all!
> Just bought a HP desktop with Vista preinstalled. A separate install / boot
> device (disk) was not included in the package. I am not up to date with my
> customers rights - nor the licensing policy of Microsoft, but I feel uneasy
> without the disc separate from the HDD.
> (The PC-box (HP - Pavilion) has the authenticity-labels in order)
> Can anyone adivice me as to whether I am entiteled to a disc, and make a
> claim about this towards the shop?
>
>

All computers nowadays leave the installation files on a separate
partition... it is not an uncommon practice. Chances are you will find
reinstallation through the seperate partition to be easier, not harder,
than through a disc.

>"Bob" <> wrote in message
>news: ...
> The documentation that came with your PC shows you how to create System
> Recovery Disks. Most likely you also have a built-in Recovery Partition (D
> drive)

I'm sure his will.

However, if his is like most people's, all it does is restore an exact
image.

Not a good solution if you have a problem and need to reinstall or repair.
(Even Microsoft's advice for the latest pre-sp1 requisite fiasco requires
you to use a real Vista dvd.)

Better to get a real Vista dvd (they are cheap from Microsoft) and learn how
to reinstall your OEM version.

>
> "Jan Kåre" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Hi, all!
>> Just bought a HP desktop with Vista preinstalled. A separate install /
>> boot device (disk) was not included in the package. I am not up to date
>> with my customers rights - nor the licensing policy of Microsoft, but I
>> feel uneasy without the disc separate from the HDD.
>> (The PC-box (HP - Pavilion) has the authenticity-labels in order)
>> Can anyone adivice me as to whether I am entiteled to a disc, and make a
>> claim about this towards the shop?
>>
>>
>> --
>> Jan Kåre
>>
>

"Andre Matuch" <> wrote in message
news:ub$...
> Jan Kåre wrote:
>> Hi, all!
>> Just bought a HP desktop with Vista preinstalled. A separate install /
>> boot device (disk) was not included in the package. I am not up to date
>> with my customers rights - nor the licensing policy of Microsoft, but I
>> feel uneasy without the disc separate from the HDD.
>> (The PC-box (HP - Pavilion) has the authenticity-labels in order)
>> Can anyone adivice me as to whether I am entiteled to a disc, and make a
>> claim about this towards the shop?
>>
>>
>
> All computers nowadays leave the installation files on a separate
> partition... it is not an uncommon practice. Chances are you will find
> reinstallation through the seperate partition to be easier, not harder,
> than through a disc.

But reinstall partitions are utterly worthless if you have a windows problem
and need to repair.

Plus, you are still bogged down with half a gig of useless trialware that
often actually interefers with Window's operation and may crash the system
if you try to uninstall it.

No, Microsoft strongly strongly discourages vendors from including a disk
with Windows XP or Vista. In spite of the benifits and security it entails.

Although you might be able to obtain a copy from your vendor, expect to pay
big $$$ for it. Mine wants to charge me $40 for it. Just a regular
Microsoft disk.

Just obtain a regular 32 bit Windows Vista dvd. Even an 'anytime upgrade'
dvd will do. (You can buy one directly from Microsoft for just a few
dollars.) They are all the same.

Then all you need is the digital cert (probably ends with an xrm-ms
extension) that activates the OEM version, and your OEM Vista key. (You'll
need a key viewer, since it is *not* what is on the sticker on your
computer. The key on your computer is permanently deactivated and will
never work.)

Then you can use slmgr.vbs to reactivate it after you reinstall.

Or you can even use one of the 'save & restore vista activation' programs
that will take care of the reactivation for you.

(Note, the reactivation is entirely on the computer and is done based on the
OEM bios you have. Microsoft is not contacted.)

Just do a web search for this kind of stuff. The details are all over the
place.

Anyway, just obtain a copy of any real Vista dvd. If you know anybody with
a retail copy, that will do. Or you can buy a disk from Microsoft for just
a few dollars. Last time I checked, you could get one through the
AnytimeUpgrade thing for I think $7. Just order the disk without the
Anytime upgrade.


"Jan Kåre" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Hi, all!
> Just bought a HP desktop with Vista preinstalled. A separate install /
> boot device (disk) was not included in the package. I am not up to date
> with my customers rights - nor the licensing policy of Microsoft, but I
> feel uneasy without the disc separate from the HDD.
> (The PC-box (HP - Pavilion) has the authenticity-labels in order)
> Can anyone adivice me as to whether I am entiteled to a disc, and make a
> claim about this towards the shop?
>
>
> --
> Jan Kåre
>

On Fri, 22 Feb 2008 18:33:36 -0500, Andre Matuch wrote:

> Jan KÃ¥re wrote:
>> Hi, all!
>> Just bought a HP desktop with Vista preinstalled. A separate install /
>> boot device (disk) was not included in the package. I am not up to date
>> with my customers rights - nor the licensing policy of Microsoft, but
>> I feel uneasy without the disc separate from the HDD. (The PC-box (HP -
>> Pavilion) has the authenticity-labels in order) Can anyone adivice me
>> as to whether I am entiteled to a disc, and make a claim about this
>> towards the shop?
>>
>>
>>
> All computers nowadays leave the installation files on a separate
> partition... it is not an uncommon practice. Chances are you will find
> reinstallation through the seperate partition to be easier, not harder,
> than through a disc.

Unless the disc dies.

Jan Kåre wrote:
> Hi, all!
> Just bought a HP desktop with Vista preinstalled. A separate install / boot
> device (disk) was not included in the package. I am not up to date with my
> customers rights - nor the licensing policy of Microsoft, but I feel uneasy
> without the disc separate from the HDD.
> (The PC-box (HP - Pavilion) has the authenticity-labels in order)
> Can anyone adivice me as to whether I am entiteled to a disc, and make a
> claim about this towards the shop?
>
>


Microsoft requires its licensed OEM computer manufacturers to
provide a means of returning the computer to its original, ex-factory
state. The particular method of recovery, however, is left entirely to
the discretion of each individual computer manufacturer.

Legally, the OEM has met it's contractual obligation to Microsoft
by providing a means of returning the PC to its ex-factory state,
whether it's a Recovery CD or a Recovery Partition. They are not
legally obliged to provide a true installation CD as part of the sale.
Reputable, customer-service aware OEMs, like Dell and Gateway, do
provide a full OEM installation CD, that does permit custom
installations and repairs. However, many uncaring OEMs, such as
eMachines, Compaq, HP, and Sony, in an effort to save pennies and reduce
their support costs by having to hire support people that need only say
"Boot from the Recovery CD to return your PC to its original condition,"
provide only a CD bearing a disk image of the hard drive as it left the
factory.

Essentially, it boils down to "You get what you pay for."

The computer's manufacturer will have provided you some means of
returning the computer to it's original, ex-factory state. Read the
documentation that came with the computer, or check the manufacturer's
support web site, and follow the instructions/procedures provided.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

Guest wrote:
> No, Microsoft strongly strongly discourages vendors from including a disk
> with Windows XP or Vista.



Please provide some sort of documentation to support this otherwise
absurd assertion.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

"Bruce Chambers" <3t> wrote in message
news:OS%...
> Guest wrote:
>> No, Microsoft strongly strongly discourages vendors from including a disk
>> with Windows XP or Vista.
>
>
>
> Please provide some sort of documentation to support this otherwise absurd
> assertion.

I'm not going to go hunt up the references because right off the top of my
head I don't have them. A quick web search should turn them up, though.

BUT, when XP came out, they publicly stated then that they wanted computer
makers to provide recovery disks (or partitions), rather than installation
disks.

After XP had been out for quite some time, they insisted that OEM makers
preactivate XP. They required all manufacturers to modify the BIOS so it
could preactivate, so they would not have to ship installation disks, but
only recovery disks. (They also deactivated all the existing OEM product
keys on all the stickers of the existing mass market OEM systems.) They did
these things in the name of antipiracy. Without product keys and
installation disks, people couldn't try to use them elsewhere.

When Vista was being developed, they stated they wanted manufacturers to
provide recovery partitions instead of disks. They also developed (and
documented on their website), the way to do the hidden partition for the
recovery files. They also documented how OEM bios manufacturers were to
modify their BIOS'es to detect that hidden partition flag and to determine
whether to boot into that partition (for recovery) or into the regular
partition for normal booting.

They also modified Vista to specifically exclude detection of that hidden
partition, so the OS would not detect the hidden partition and think it was
corrupted. They also instructed disk utility companies (Norton, etc.) to
modify their tools so they would also not detect the hidden recovery
partition and offer to 'fix' it.

All of those things were done by Microsoft in the name of antipiracy. And
all of them were publicly stated by Microsoft. And many of them (the oem
keys, the hidden partition stuff, for example) are still documented on their
website. (I saw them just a few weeks ago. They even post OEM keys for XP
for people to use because they had deactivated all the sticker keys.)

Also, if you ask an OEM computer maker about obtaining a real instalation
disk, instead of a recovery disk, some will tell you they can't do it
because Microsoft wont allow it. That you will actually have to buy a new
OEM copy of Vista from them, before they can give you a disk.

>
>
> --
>
> Bruce Chambers
>
> Help us help you:
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375
>
> They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
> safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin
>
> Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand
> Russell
>
> The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
> killed a great many philosophers.
> ~ Denis Diderot