Dell and Windows license questions
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So I finally decided to buy a computer :) My friend's mother is in the US and I will be asking her to lug a Dell laptop back to India for me. I have some questions about the licenses. I'm new at this, so I'm sorry if my questions seem a bit... naive. :-O 1. Can I get a Dell without any OS installed? Will it be cheaper? 2. If I buy a Dell with Windows XP/Vista, will I get a CD-ROM for the OS installation, or do they put it on a hidden partition? 3. If they take the hidden partition route, what happens when the hard disk dies on me? :suss: I read somewhere that Vista business comes with a key that can be used to install XP Pro. 4. I do not have any XP install media. Can I borrow somebody's XP install disc and use my key to install it? :~ 5. Does the above feature cover OEM editions as well? 6. Indian blokes who've taken this route before - anything else I should be aware of? Thanks in advance! :)
Cheers, Vıkram.
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byalmightybob -
So I finally decided to buy a computer :) My friend's mother is in the US and I will be asking her to lug a Dell laptop back to India for me. I have some questions about the licenses. I'm new at this, so I'm sorry if my questions seem a bit... naive. :-O 1. Can I get a Dell without any OS installed? Will it be cheaper? 2. If I buy a Dell with Windows XP/Vista, will I get a CD-ROM for the OS installation, or do they put it on a hidden partition? 3. If they take the hidden partition route, what happens when the hard disk dies on me? :suss: I read somewhere that Vista business comes with a key that can be used to install XP Pro. 4. I do not have any XP install media. Can I borrow somebody's XP install disc and use my key to install it? :~ 5. Does the above feature cover OEM editions as well? 6. Indian blokes who've taken this route before - anything else I should be aware of? Thanks in advance! :)
Cheers, Vıkram.
Déjà moo - The feeling that you've seen this bull before. Join the CP group at NationStates. Password:
byalmightybob1 - it would be close to impossible. Why, do you own ( REALLY own ) windows already ? 2 - it will come with DVDs 3 - see 2 4 - No, that would be stealing. I don't think that's true, anyhow 5 - if it exists at all, it can't cover OEM, an OEM edition is only licensed to the computer it was bought with
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ Metal Musings - Rex and my new metal blog "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
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So I finally decided to buy a computer :) My friend's mother is in the US and I will be asking her to lug a Dell laptop back to India for me. I have some questions about the licenses. I'm new at this, so I'm sorry if my questions seem a bit... naive. :-O 1. Can I get a Dell without any OS installed? Will it be cheaper? 2. If I buy a Dell with Windows XP/Vista, will I get a CD-ROM for the OS installation, or do they put it on a hidden partition? 3. If they take the hidden partition route, what happens when the hard disk dies on me? :suss: I read somewhere that Vista business comes with a key that can be used to install XP Pro. 4. I do not have any XP install media. Can I borrow somebody's XP install disc and use my key to install it? :~ 5. Does the above feature cover OEM editions as well? 6. Indian blokes who've taken this route before - anything else I should be aware of? Thanks in advance! :)
Cheers, Vıkram.
Déjà moo - The feeling that you've seen this bull before. Join the CP group at NationStates. Password:
byalmightybobHi, I recently bought a Dell Inspiron 6400 Notebook, but from the Indian web-site. 1. No, the customization page did not provide an option of not having an OS pre-installed. 2. Yes, the laptop came with a comprehensive collection of DVDs & CDs for all the products you choose - Vista, Office, Roxio (which was free), etc. Not sure regarding the Vista-XP thing... My purchase was a birthday gift for my wife, so I opted for Vista Home Premium & the MS-Office pack. The service was great, Dell had somebody call me up & "advise" me on the options available, & the laptop was delivered on time. They also had a support engineer visit me a couple of days later to ensure that the laptop was fine. Everything was sooo hassle-free ! Thinking of getting one of their 22" LCD monitors next ! :) Have a nice day, Srini
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1 - it would be close to impossible. Why, do you own ( REALLY own ) windows already ? 2 - it will come with DVDs 3 - see 2 4 - No, that would be stealing. I don't think that's true, anyhow 5 - if it exists at all, it can't cover OEM, an OEM edition is only licensed to the computer it was bought with
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ Metal Musings - Rex and my new metal blog "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
Thanks for the response, CG. I have a few questions, though.
Christian Graus wrote:
Why, do you own ( REALLY own ) windows already ?
Because if the answer to #2 had been "It is installed on a hidden partition", I would have got a retail copy and installed it.
Christian Graus wrote:
I don't think that's true, anyhow
I found this[^] though it's somewhat confusing.
Christian Graus wrote:
an OEM edition is only licensed to the computer it was bought with
I think my #5 question was confusing. I wanted to know if I can wipe out Vista OEM and install XP Pro.
Christian Graus wrote:
No, that would be stealing.
Is it stealing if I have a valid XP pro key but borrow the media? :confused: :~
Cheers, Vıkram.
Déjà moo - The feeling that you've seen this bull before. Join the CP group at NationStates. Password:
byalmightybob -
Hi, I recently bought a Dell Inspiron 6400 Notebook, but from the Indian web-site. 1. No, the customization page did not provide an option of not having an OS pre-installed. 2. Yes, the laptop came with a comprehensive collection of DVDs & CDs for all the products you choose - Vista, Office, Roxio (which was free), etc. Not sure regarding the Vista-XP thing... My purchase was a birthday gift for my wife, so I opted for Vista Home Premium & the MS-Office pack. The service was great, Dell had somebody call me up & "advise" me on the options available, & the laptop was delivered on time. They also had a support engineer visit me a couple of days later to ensure that the laptop was fine. Everything was sooo hassle-free ! Thinking of getting one of their 22" LCD monitors next ! :) Have a nice day, Srini
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So I finally decided to buy a computer :) My friend's mother is in the US and I will be asking her to lug a Dell laptop back to India for me. I have some questions about the licenses. I'm new at this, so I'm sorry if my questions seem a bit... naive. :-O 1. Can I get a Dell without any OS installed? Will it be cheaper? 2. If I buy a Dell with Windows XP/Vista, will I get a CD-ROM for the OS installation, or do they put it on a hidden partition? 3. If they take the hidden partition route, what happens when the hard disk dies on me? :suss: I read somewhere that Vista business comes with a key that can be used to install XP Pro. 4. I do not have any XP install media. Can I borrow somebody's XP install disc and use my key to install it? :~ 5. Does the above feature cover OEM editions as well? 6. Indian blokes who've taken this route before - anything else I should be aware of? Thanks in advance! :)
Cheers, Vıkram.
Déjà moo - The feeling that you've seen this bull before. Join the CP group at NationStates. Password:
byalmightybobVikram A Punathambekar wrote:
1. Can I get a Dell without any OS installed? Will it be cheaper?
See: http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000870.html[^]
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Thanks for the response, CG. I have a few questions, though.
Christian Graus wrote:
Why, do you own ( REALLY own ) windows already ?
Because if the answer to #2 had been "It is installed on a hidden partition", I would have got a retail copy and installed it.
Christian Graus wrote:
I don't think that's true, anyhow
I found this[^] though it's somewhat confusing.
Christian Graus wrote:
an OEM edition is only licensed to the computer it was bought with
I think my #5 question was confusing. I wanted to know if I can wipe out Vista OEM and install XP Pro.
Christian Graus wrote:
No, that would be stealing.
Is it stealing if I have a valid XP pro key but borrow the media? :confused: :~
Cheers, Vıkram.
Déjà moo - The feeling that you've seen this bull before. Join the CP group at NationStates. Password:
byalmightybobVikram A Punathambekar wrote:
I found this[^] though it's somewhat confusing.
Looks like you're right, for OEM only, and that you have to go through a difficult process to get your XP license.
Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:
I think my #5 question was confusing. I wanted to know if I can wipe out Vista OEM and install XP Pro.
OK - looks like you have to contact Microsoft to do this, and it sounds like a PITA.
Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:
Is it stealing if I have a valid XP pro key but borrow the media?
It probably wouldn't work, there's more than one key, you need the right key for the media you have.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ Metal Musings - Rex and my new metal blog "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
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So I finally decided to buy a computer :) My friend's mother is in the US and I will be asking her to lug a Dell laptop back to India for me. I have some questions about the licenses. I'm new at this, so I'm sorry if my questions seem a bit... naive. :-O 1. Can I get a Dell without any OS installed? Will it be cheaper? 2. If I buy a Dell with Windows XP/Vista, will I get a CD-ROM for the OS installation, or do they put it on a hidden partition? 3. If they take the hidden partition route, what happens when the hard disk dies on me? :suss: I read somewhere that Vista business comes with a key that can be used to install XP Pro. 4. I do not have any XP install media. Can I borrow somebody's XP install disc and use my key to install it? :~ 5. Does the above feature cover OEM editions as well? 6. Indian blokes who've taken this route before - anything else I should be aware of? Thanks in advance! :)
Cheers, Vıkram.
Déjà moo - The feeling that you've seen this bull before. Join the CP group at NationStates. Password:
byalmightybobVikram A Punathambekar wrote:
1. Can I get a Dell without any OS installed? Will it be cheaper?
I read that Dell is now selling some desktops with Linux .. so you can go that route. Note I dont know if you have to go thru the business website as compared to the home\home-office website. btw, here is a link to the dell site where you can choose models with Ubuntu Linux or FreeDos http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/ubuntu?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs[^] looks like there are two desktops and one laptop. HTH, Dave
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So I finally decided to buy a computer :) My friend's mother is in the US and I will be asking her to lug a Dell laptop back to India for me. I have some questions about the licenses. I'm new at this, so I'm sorry if my questions seem a bit... naive. :-O 1. Can I get a Dell without any OS installed? Will it be cheaper? 2. If I buy a Dell with Windows XP/Vista, will I get a CD-ROM for the OS installation, or do they put it on a hidden partition? 3. If they take the hidden partition route, what happens when the hard disk dies on me? :suss: I read somewhere that Vista business comes with a key that can be used to install XP Pro. 4. I do not have any XP install media. Can I borrow somebody's XP install disc and use my key to install it? :~ 5. Does the above feature cover OEM editions as well? 6. Indian blokes who've taken this route before - anything else I should be aware of? Thanks in advance! :)
Cheers, Vıkram.
Déjà moo - The feeling that you've seen this bull before. Join the CP group at NationStates. Password:
byalmightybobVikram A Punathambekar wrote:
2. If I buy a Dell with Windows XP/Vista, will I get a CD-ROM for the OS installation, or do they put it on a hidden partition?
You'll always get a recovery CD/DVD that basically zaps everything in the disk and loads the OS + all the crapware that comes as part of the new laptop. When I bought my laptop, I had to get the installation media for the OS separately, and it cost around $10 extra. Don't know if that's the case now.
Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:
6. Indian blokes who've taken this route before - anything else I should be aware of?
The warranty details. The Dell website has two sections; Home and Business. The same notebook would have different names depending on the section (Inspiron E1505 and 6400, for example). I bought it from the business section and had a warranty that could be transferred internationally, so I transferred my warranty from Dell US to Dell India. One of my friends bought it from the Home section and found that the warranty is not transferable. Also, pay attention to the type of warranty. Mail-in will be cheaper but that means you'll have to ship the laptop to the service center. On-site will be more expensive but you get on-site service - Dell will send service guys to your home/office. FWIW, extending the warranty is more expensive than buying a longer warranty period up front. OT, but make sure that you get an LCD with a good resolution. 1280*800 is standard for wide screens, but I've found it inadequate for writing code. Just remember that a larger screen doesn't necessarily mean a higher resolution.
Regards Senthil [MVP - Visual C#] _____________________________ My Blog | My Articles | My Flickr | WinMacro