The world has gone mad!

[mcmuffy]

I did myself a favour and bought a nice Dell widescreen monitor instead

[M3ta7h3ad]

I called into my local PC World today as I wanted to try out a few laptops for compatability with Breezy. This should not be too hard with the shiney new live disc that was sent to me in the post by Ubuntu. Wrong.
The guy that worked the laptop section would not let me use the disc as I was not allowed to install anything on the pc's. Fair enough but I explained how live discs work and nothing would be installed. No joy.
I asked him why I could not use the disc since nothing was installed to which I was told it was to avoid and copywrite issues! At this point I think he took offence at my burst of laughter.
The outcome was that I could test a machine to see if it worked to my liking as long as I bought it first BUT since no cd's come with the machine (a restore image is on a partition of the HDD) if I removed windows and repartitioned the machines warranty would be voided. Since when did the warranty of a piece of hardware have anything to do with what OS was installed on the HDD or did I miss a memo?
In the end I left without a laptop but I did leave several Ubuntu discs around the store

Regarding the warranty.

I got told the same when I called packard bell support regarding a problem. I mentioned that I had changed the partitions on my system and BANG.. instant "im sorry sir, but you have voided your warranty by doing that."

Naturally it led to a heated discussion.

Finally the supervisor on the end of the line (I had to ask to speak to them as the one I was speaking to was a complete idiot), said that...

"By installing software and modifying the installation of your computer system you've voided any warranty you have with us"

"So.. if I saved a text file using notepad, which is part of what you provided... I've voided my warranty"

resulted in a long silence and a "nooooooooo, obviously not"

had them back pedalling their crap faster than ever then once I had them on the retreat it was easy to see that they were talking rubbish!.

Your warranty is on the software provided, and the hardware provided. If you are not using that software then obviously you cant be helped.. but if a problem occurs due to their software then you are covered. It doesnt void your warranty.. it just means you cant call them up saying "I need to use super user access on my computer"

As for the "not being able to test" pc's... Its doubtful the laptop would be set up for cd-rom booting, the local curry's by me learnt that to their demise back when I was a 16yr old trouble maker. Quick run in with a floppy containing dos, and quick basic.

Had all the machines in the building beeping and printing expletives on the screens repetatively. Rather humourous for me

[Malphas]

This guy did it:

http://www.netcraft.com.au/geoffrey/toshiba.html

Fun read.

If more people do this next time they buy a computer, retailers may actually seriously consider offering systems without Windows pre-installed to avoid the hassle and cost.

[endersshadow]

I wonder if this could be applied today in the US? If I had seen this when I bought my Dells I would have done the same thing.

Anyone know where there is a current MS EULA?

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/eula.mspx

First paragraph of the EULA--the clause still exists

[krusbjorn]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/eula.mspx

First paragraph of the EULA--the clause still exists

But they added a , "IF APPLICABLE." in the WinXp Home EULA.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/eula.mspx

That sucks

[prizrak]

If more people do this next time they buy a computer, retailers may actually seriously consider offering systems without Windows pre-installed to avoid the hassle and cost.

There was a really big thing about it some time ago, alot of Linux users were trying to exercize the right given by the EULA clause and were generally given the run around. So it didn't really do anything. One good way to escape the OEM installs is getting machines from smaller retailers. I found an online store based out of New York State that sells ASUS laptops with a no-OS option. I think the reason they can do that is ASUS offers barebone systems so they just build them right there and they don't have an OEM agreement with MS cine a license for XP was in the retail range (OEM Windows is usually pretty cheap).

[windowsrefund]

http://windowsrefund.info

I am looking for people to get involved with the OEM/Microsoft Tax Survey. Please let me know if you are interested.

Best,

Adam Kosmin

[YourSurrogateGod]

I called into my local PC World today as I wanted to try out a few laptops for compatability with Breezy. This should not be too hard with the shiney new live disc that was sent to me in the post by Ubuntu. Wrong.
The guy that worked the laptop section would not let me use the disc as I was not allowed to install anything on the pc's. Fair enough but I explained how live discs work and nothing would be installed. No joy.
I asked him why I could not use the disc since nothing was installed to which I was told it was to avoid and copywrite issues! At this point I think he took offence at my burst of laughter.
The outcome was that I could test a machine to see if it worked to my liking as long as I bought it first BUT since no cd's come with the machine (a restore image is on a partition of the HDD) if I removed windows and repartitioned the machines warranty would be voided. Since when did the warranty of a piece of hardware have anything to do with what OS was installed on the HDD or did I miss a memo?
In the end I left without a laptop but I did leave several Ubuntu discs around the store

That's when you need to tell them that you'll buy a machine from one of their competitors unless you get a chance to mess with it. If they're smart, they'll buckle and let you play around...

[aysiu]

I wouldn't ask permission.
I know a live CD doesn't damage the computer.
If I wanted to know how well it worked on a PC for sale, I'd just waltz in the store, pop my live CD in and reboot.

[ubuntu27]

If more people do this next time they buy a computer, retailers may actually seriously consider offering systems without Windows pre-installed to avoid the hassle and cost.

Yeah we should all do that