Circuit City Desktop conerning backup cds

I just got a desktop from Circuit City, a Hp and I bought a backup Cd, for the heck of it. I then opened it at home tried to make a backup and it stated one had already been completed or made on this system. So, my question is if anyone knows whether CC opens these pc's and makes backups to charge extra or is it just a one time thing with this desktop. I kinda wanted to make my own to control the bloatware on this thing, but doesn't look like it's gonna happen. I wonder if it does happen at CC whether Best Buy pulls this stuff too. I ask cause I have never bought a Pc from a retail store only from the direct main company of the PC brand.

 

wow they charged you for the cd/dvd ?? they should not have!
Is this the hp disc that says all this software currently installed on your machine?
anyway..when it tells you a BU has been installed it is refering to a partition/hard drive that contains data that returns the machine to factory defaults(bloat etc included

I use Acronis true image,once I have my system the way I want it (choice of programs installed and stable system)and before I start screwing around with it.

free trial here at MG http://www.majorgeeks.com/Acronis_True_Image_d2236.html

 

Hi. I have a fairly new hp desktop, too. It has a hidden restore partition instead of recovery discs. I think hp/Compaq has been doing that for some time on new pcs. Also, the factory xp installation allows you to burn one set of recovery discs. Your system should have prompted you to do this after the original setup procedure was complete. Since you bought a recovery disc (set), you may have inadvertently tricked your system into thinking you have already burned your set of recovery discs. I guess the good news in all of this is that at least you have some means to recover. Don't feel bad, though. I did a similar thing with my system. We all make mistakes. That is how you learn. Good night and good luck.

 

Thanks for both of your replies, I really was kinda unsure. I think they open the freakin system boxes there at CC and make copies from each one or it could be what Sloppy99 said happened, did happen. Yet, I am leaning more toward the former in this one. Yeah, they charged me and from the looks of things I had no choice if I am correct that they are opening the system boxes. I took a $30 dollar hit on it, and I knew I could make my own but was not sure if it would be hard as it was on my old system. I did find it strange that they kept hinting that I couldn't make a backup but had to buy one. Now, I'm wondering if it is just my store or all CC stores. Oh, well. Thanks for the Acronis info Petaluma cause I will need that since I do have the extra partition which is really the backup - and it's in fat 32 format while the primary is in ntfs. It takes up 8GBs and I do have bloatware cause while everything is pretty fast it is so slow when I go on-line and I keep getting no connections to ie due to this stuff. Thanks for all the info, it is very much appreciated!

 

This is kind of off topic.... I recently had a friend purchase a retail box of a WinXP Home Upgrade to install over Win98. The install went smooth but when we went to activate, we got the message: "The software has exceeded the number of activations..... or the product key has been entered incorrectly... please enter a new product key." Or something like that. Anyway, I've NEVER seen a brand new XP CD not activate via internet. Upon close examination of the XP package, we noticed the sticker that seals the bottom flap had been torn and there was a fingerprint on the sticky side of it. Long story short: someone had either purchased the XP, installed/activated it and returned it to the store, or someone at the store is opening XP boxes and copying the product keys. We returned it (my friend knows the manager) and got a NEW one (after checking the stickers!). So, BE CAREFUL at these chain stores!

hopperdave2000

 

Funny you mentioned that cause that's a second problem I just had when I tried to install a zonealarm suite I got from Best Buy. I got two cause they were cheap and I thought I would get a laptop, which I decided was pointless for now. When I installed the first one it said the key had been used and then I was PO, but the second worked. So, I totally agree that this is becoming crazy. I recall when they were sealed better, why the heck aren't these guys sealing them like they used too, like video game makers do. If I can't take it back once I open it then seal the freakin thing up to make sure I don't get robbed.