Windows End User Agreement

[drsaamah]

So I bought a Dell M1330 today, and no matter how much I fought over the phone with the representative they refused to send me a computer without Vista or discount me the money for it.
So my question is this. Considering that the Windows Vista License Terms (http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/useterms/default.aspx) specifically states:

"If you do not accept them [the terms], do not use the software. Instead, return it to the retailer for a refund or credit. If you cannot obtain a refund there, contact Microsoft or the Microsoft affiliate serving your country for information about Microsoft's refund policies."

Then I should be able to go through a bit of a hassle and get my Vista money reimbursed eventually...right? Anyone ever tried this, or know of any body's experience with trying this?

[agtownz]

Microsoft will probably dance around it and take a crap on its policies, just like it does for everything else. You will not buy a computer without Vista, better yet to get a discount for it. Maybe they'll be nice enough to format the hard drive, but don't expect much more.

[t20racerman]

You CAN get the Windows tax refunded, but it takes some effort. Someone did it last year and it was on all the forums. Sue Dell in the small claims court.

It is appaling isn't it that you HAVE to pay Microsoft money to buy a PC you wish to run Linux on.

[truckster]

I'm brand new to the linux community and will never go back to windoze. I own a toshiba laptop and I think it's awful that these computers, especially dell are sold with all this proprietary software.

[MJN]

Then I should be able to go through a bit of a hassle and get my Vista money reimbursed eventually...right? Anyone ever tried this, or know of any body's experience with trying this?

There's a whole load of stuff surrounding this issue on't Interweb - Google for something like 'dell without windows' for people's experiences. It seems you'll get around £30 back which, to me, is hardly worth it. Given the Vista install is not an itemised aspect of your contract there's little you can do to debate that figure (hence why most are doing it as a matter of principle, not a means to get a PC cheaper).

Mathew

[drsaamah]

well if that's the case I think I'm going to go through with it. 30 pounds is roughly 60 US dollars which is fine with me. And it gives Dell an initiative to to rethink to thier practice. For the 30 minutes I spend on the phone with their operator getting my refund, plus the 20 minutes EXTRA i spent on the phone the other day trying to get a refund adds up to almost on hour of extra labor the company has to pay that individual. So not only will they see first hand that we're serious about not wanting Windows, but they'll start losing money themselves as a result.
Look at how many of us here use dell. Think about it:
(ten dollar/hr pay rate) * (the # dells we own) * (the one hour that operator deal with each of us) = Dell getting a message.

[MJN]

Sure, I can understand.

Do Dell not sell PCs without Windows in the US?

Mathew

[Lord Illidan]

Bloody ignorant of the operator if you ask me. The first thing I did when I got this Sony was wipe Windows Vista off.

[drsaamah]

Actually, I found an article regarding a British guy who pulled it off:
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2006/110706-dell-windows.html
He got a total of 59 Pounds, which the article says is 105 USD.

[drsaamah]

MJN, they do sell Dell's without Windows in the US, but only a few select models. I think the operator told me the ONLY laptop they sell right now without windows is the Inspiron 1490n. It really doesn't make sense. Even their argument that all the driver testing is done on Windows makes zero sense considering the fact that we wont be using those drivers!

[Shay Stephens]

I bought the 1420N from dell preloaded with ubuntu. No need for a refund when windows was never supplied in the first place :-)

[DrOni]

I was just in the market for a laptop and knew that Dell shipped laptops with Ubuntu in the US. I had heard they did it for desktops over here in Aus, but it turns out they don't with laptops. If they do, they don't make it very obvious.

I ended up getting a 6400 and chucking Ubuntu on it, I might one day make use of that copy of Windows I had to pay for.

[PhilOSparta]

So I'm ready to buy a Dell which is on sale at Costco here in the US. I'm sure it has MS Vista pre installed. How do I go about getting the Microsoft Tax rebate?

I understand that when you power up for the first time you are requested to accept the end user agreement. If I decline, how do I prove that I didn't accept it? etc.

Would the retail store have a procedure, or do I go straight to MS?

Does anyone have any experience in this?

Thanks.

Phil

[supermikey]

I would avoid buying from Cosco. My cousin (who works there) has said that the systems are not stored properly, e.g. in high humidity/ damp store rooms without HVAC. They have a high rate or return for damaged hardware components. If you strip the winsucks off it, they might balk at returning it, even if it's their fault. Try getting a 1420n from dell or buying a clean toshiba. It won't be much more, and you won't have to deal with returns @ crapco.

[drsaamah]

IF however you decide to but it anyways, you would contact Dell regarding the rebate. I haven't done it yet (my computer should be arriving in the next two or three days) but it seems you need to call Dell and be VERY patient. In addition, the people who have pulled it off so far have done a VERY meticulous job of recording they're refusal to accept the EULA (ie digital photographs of them turning on computer, rejecting terms, etc).
Here's the link (http://www.networkworld.com/news/2006/110706-dell-windows.html) I posted before regarding the British guy who pulled it off.
And Here's another link (http://www.linux.com/articles/59381) to an article written by an individual who managed to get his money back from Dell USA.
As for myself, I'll make sure to post on this very thread my own experience (hopefully successful) with Dell.

[ghost_ryder35]

hope you can get the rebate. I just said screw it and sold my licence to my Windows friend for $55 US. I realize its againsnt their "policy" but come on I was never going to use it in the first place :)

[p_quarles]

Moved from Dell Ubuntu Support to Windows Discussions.

[MJN]

Moved from Dell Ubuntu Support to Windows Discussions.

Bad move IMHO!

People are wanting to buy these machines in order to (presumably) install Ubuntu on them. I know if I was in such a position I'd be looking in the Dell forum and not Windows...

Just my 2p worth. :)

Mathew

[darrelljon]

I just found a company called Zepto (http://www.zepto.com) who sell laptops cheaply without an operating system.

[drsaamah]

hm, they don't sell in the USA. Looks interesting though.