XP voids warrenty

i just got off the phone from ordering my dell, and long story short the rep said if i want to run XP they will not be able to warranty the computer, i have to use VISTA. this was for a 1520 but i would imagine its the same on all their PCs that come with vista.

i have used vista basic and and preferred XP over it so i upgraded to premium because the rep was telling me its alot better the basic and has some cool features and stuff. hope i made the right choice.

 

That's so freaking stupid. Just install XP and then when you need to send it in reformat and install vista

 

It wont void the warranty from a hardware perspective i.e. hard drive failure etc. but they won't give you OS support since it shipped with Vista.

 

yah it doesn't void the warranty at all, man dell reps really scare me with their stupidity

 

I can only think they mean you can not get technical support if you install XP? I can not see how installing XP should void your hardware warranty. You probably just got another retarded Dell sales person.

I am planning on installing Linux on my system, and if they try and say that voids my 2 year warranty I will be pissed.

 

A warranty normally applies to the computer with the hardware and software configuration in which is shipped. If you hit a problem and want warranty service then you may need to restore the computer to the condition in which it was supplied. If you install XP then don't call Dell if something doesn't work properly.

for example, if you get a BSOD can you be sure whether it is caused by a driver problem or some bad RAM?

John

 

yeah i though it was really stage, maybe he did just mean the tech support. you could always re install vista if you have to send it back but if something on the PC breaks where it wont boot for you to put vista back on you may be screwed. maybe someone else can get some more info.

YOJR do you know anything about this since you work in the repair center?

 

Don't be forced to use an OS you don't want to,or do Dell and Microsoft own you because you bought a new pc ?.
The other alternative is to order the cheapest smallest hard drive from dell and then buy another hard drive and install what you want,if there is a problem,just put the original hard drive back in.

 

My D630 was customized by my school and approved by Dell on the Dell Premier page with a 3 year complete warranty and Windows XP. The Dell rep gave you wrong information.

 

XP is an option on the business line of laptops though I believe. The consumer line have removed XP as an option now if I am not mistaken.

 

Thats crazy. Call back and get a second opinion

 

sounds like he was wrong, im going to talk to someone tomorrow about it. i was just looking into giving ubuntu a try too.

 

I talked to a sales rep yesterday morning. I asked her to give me a supervisor to double check on this, to which she said, "I've already been asked this question, several times, and my managers has not changed his mind." I ask if Dell cares that it is going to lose another customer do to this bs. I ask what the OS has to do with the hardware, or accidental coverage, to which she tried to cover it up with some kind of half assed excuse mixed with a third graders computer jargon. So I ask again, What the hell does Vista have to do with hardware failure, short of my copy of XP transforming into the boogie man and taking a dump on my processor..( i didnt say that per se) to which she said "honestly, I dont know why this is, I'm sorry I didnt make the policy."

Indeed, uninstalled Vista voids ALL warranties. I am not kidding here. It voids software, AND hardware, including that sweet accidental protection plan I was going to get. I had been waiting for 8 months to drop somewhere around $2500 on a laptop, and Dell killed it for me.

 

That is absolute nonsense.

if they do make such a big fuss about it.. Dual boot it with the original vista install and XP. Or just buy a different hard drive which a lot of people are doing anyway and stick xp on that one.

 

If this is true, I'll be cancelling my order. Very simple, I don't like to forced to do things and I'm shure I'm not alone on this one.

 

sooooo..Did we as the consumers ASK DELL to use vista EXCLUSIVELY? AND NOT GIVE US ANY OPTION FOR XP? I think not on that one. How can they ask you to pay $1000+..THAN have the audacity to say we cannot use it FREE to our abilities? It's not like we're renting the system..its OURS. I OWN this.

So Dell USED to use XP EXCLUSIVELY..but now are in a sense acting biased toward the operating system? and proving so by voiding our warranties? That's like saying.."I just bought a new mustang, Ford said to use 93 unleaded..they used to say I could use 87, but now if I fill up with 87 they will void the warranty on my car and will not repair it." Makes no sense..I may cancel for this reason.

 

HP support told me the same bullcrap. I talked to a supervisor and he told me that it was ONLY software support I couldn't get.

I'm sure it's the same with DELL.

 

You could get better computer related answers talking to a horse salesman than one of Dell's 'trained and knowledgeable' reps.

 

I must agree that Dell's "Trained and Knowledgeable" reps are a few fries short of a happy meal, to say the very least. Although, in the "I'll give you stuff free" department, they stack up well against the competition.

 

Agreed, since I do have a 1520 remote on the way at no cost to me.

 

I would try constructing a well worded e-mail, or chat session. Clearly explain why it is ridiculously that using any OS should void an hardware warranty, and you would like a clear explanation why installing a different OS than Vista should void any of your warranties.

Then you will have an electronic paper trail. Post on a consumer watchdog website (the consumerist comes to mind) and that might be able to get something done about it.

 

I doubt you have an order for a mini remote. Critic slipped his rep a roofie and thats how hes getting hooked up since obviously that part # does not exist in america because it is a dell canada part. You probably have the media center remote.

 

You mean like the well worded emails and chat sessions they brew up to send us? lol.

 

Read through this thread. A hardware warranty cannot be voided based on the operating system installed. They could, however, not support an operating system other than that which was delivered with the PC.

 

This is nonsense. I'm dual-booting Vista and XP Pro the minute I receive my laptop. And they better honor my 3-year warranty should anything go wrong hardware-wise.