Need advice from the Pros on Windows Installs for customers!

Big_O · Dec 4, 2009

Hi friends, run a computer shop and noticing a trend of people bringing in desktop computers (and laptops) with either Windows XP Home retail and/or OEM. There's quite a widespread amount of versions for Windows (OEM, Retail, Dell, HP, Vista Home / Media etc). The clients all have license keys but no disks! Nobody wants to buy a new license and it seems that most retailers today do not include disks with the purchase. People don't think they'll ever have to format their computer - but it's now time. Have a line of people that need servicing and not sure the most economic way to proceed.

What's the best way to handle this? Where can I locate all the different Windows disks? Licenses are not required and buying them is not an option.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

DavidGP · Dec 5, 2009

Hi

Dont think that you would get away with not buying the variable disks that would be needed I'm afraid, many OEMs like Dell, HP etc may send out freely recovery disks, but in the main they will charge either for the media or the postage.

I agree its a majot problem these days in OEMs not sending out recovery CD/DVDs but relying on the end user to create the disks on initial bootup/setup of the PC (which we know folk dont do), this creates a problem as you are seeing, I dont see a way around this other than the user contacting the OEM and requesting paying for the recovery disk and having you install it for them.

Log in or Sign up

Need advice from the Pros on Windows Installs for customers!

Big_O Private E-2

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member