ASUS Tech Support: must buy a Win 7 disk

I just bought an ASUS U46E. The best laptop I have laid my hands on and I've been around Windows PCs since their inception.

I try to install ZoneAlarm and experience windows crashes that require me using the Windows Restore to get the machine operating again. Tried to install SP1 and cannot complete the install due to problems with the system.

Review of the dump file and according to Microsoft, I have some corrupt files and invalid registry entries on my machine. Especially in regards to the .Net framework (2005). Not an unusual situation. I've seen this before.

Microsoft says the fix is simple. Do an inline upgrade from the Windows 7 cd to fix the corrupt files and fix the registry entries. No need for a restore from the repair partition.

ASUS tech support responds "Sorry for your problem but we can't help you because your license doesn't include a copy of the Windows 7 CD, just the installed version." They absolutely refuse to supply me with a Windows 7 Home Premium telling me that in order to acquire an install CD, I have to buy a fresh copy at retail price from an outside vendor. if I want to fix my machine I must do a total restore. Contrary to Microsoft's instructions.

Odd... Dell support was supposedly the worst in the business and when this occurred on a Dell laptop I owned, they responded "Where do you want me to send the CD".

As it stands, ASUS makes a great notebook in the u46E but their support is non existent. I have 7 days to return my machine and am seriously looking at the Dell Inspiron 15R which get's rave reviews. And their support at least has a heart.

Any ideas or solutions? I can't even find a phone number to call other that the poor tech support people.

Note to ASUS: building a good machine is only part of the business. Providing support of similar quality completes the experience and value of said machine. So far, ASUS support is the worst i have experienced. And that includes Dell, HP, Samsung and Toshiba.

I used to man a help desk at a university...

 

If you have some spare time:

Backup Windows activation if you can still load Windows: http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...-activate-my-licence-new-hdd.html#post7889394

Download and burn Windows 7 disc: http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-digitalriver-windows-7-sp1-13-languages.html

If you can't backup the activation, you can use the key on the bottom of the notebook but you might have to do the telephone activation.

 

This is legal, will work and not conflict with my OEM install? Requiring a new activation with a new key? I'm hesitant to try anything that can result in a complete restore being needed.

Plus I'm not at SP1. My problems occurred when trying to install SP1.

Why can't ASUS just supply the disk that goes with the license on my machine? Every other major laptop manufacturer does. It would be much simpler and would make ASUS appear to want to support their customers. I paid for the license, I want the disk that goes with the license and not be tethered to ASUS by their umbilical cord.

I've been around Windows since 3.x and have never seen a manufacturer take this ridiculous position.

 

It is fine since you are installing on the same laptop.

 

You may not have noticed, but lately no major manufacturers supply windows install media. This is part of an initiative by Microsoft to drive down manufacturing costs of windows. It's been this way since Vista really.

The first thing you're supposed to do when you get a machine now is to make recovery disks that do, in fact kind of tie you to the manufacturer's install. OTOH, they'll have all the drivers and such just ready to go after a recovery.

However, this is completely legal. The windows isos are themselves legal to download. It's installing them that requires a product key, and your product key on your machine will work with a regular win7 iso.

 

Sxooter explains this very well, I agree with your statements, though. I assume they do not include it also to avoid the inevitable CS calls from newbie people (not you obviously) who pop in the DVD , load win 7 and complaint that many devices do not work. Bottom line at least one of the botique retailers here will send you one with your unit if you purchase from them.
(IT would be nice if ASUS had a hidden partition with the ISO for 7 IMO) , Not everyone has 50 Mb FIOS lines available.