Do manufacturers include operating system cd

Dear All:

I wanna ask that do the manufacturers include operating system cd with laptops. I am looking to buy a laptop with vista premium. I own a copy of windows xp which i have installed on my desktop and was wondering if i could swap operating system between the two i.e. my desktop and laptop.


Thanx

 

Legally, you cannot swap it as any Windows copy is an OEM license that is permanently tied to the purchasing PC. Even if you try, activation will most likely fail.

Manufacturers enforce the OEM requirements typically by either providing a custom made CD that will not run in a non-'that vendor' PC, or you can make your own discs (they'll provide a utility to do it) that will only work on that vendor's PCs.

 

Most of the manufacturers that still do provide discs, provide the OS along with all the other "stuff" (read: junk/bloatware) originally installed. But, some offer the option of installing only the OS (am cleaning up an old Powerbook as this is being typed and this is the case); the "stuff" is the option and doesn't necessarily need to be installed.

 

Yea I agree with the people above. I know like certain companies nowadays don't even bother giving out disks (possibly to prevent privacy?). But if they do give you the cds there are probably two possibilities...

1. It is one of those OEM cds which you could install on almost any computer with the same brand that it came from. For example you got a Dell WinXP, the most likely all the Dell's will be able to install from that cd without the cd key. (This is supposedly be illegal).

2. You have what bmwrob said which the Windows is with the bloatware crap.

 

Well, 2 side of a coin. I do hate it that mostly all you get is a recovery cd/dvd nowadays but I do understand it in a customer support point of view. It's a lot easier to walk some newbie thru the recovery CD than installing the plain OS than having to walk them thru all the other driver install. Yes, I wish they'll provide both but in these days of cut throat competition, you need to save every penny that you can.

 

Gateway offers both. One OEM clean install vista dvd and one recovery dvd with bloatware. I like that they give me a choice.

 

I know my way around computers so i think i shall be able to handle the uninstall of bloatware/crapware as well as uninstalling the wrong driver issues etc.

The big question is that would i be able to install windows vista on my desktop or not. If yes would i be able to activate that windows as a genuine copy.

Also can someone specify which of the following provide a dvd/cd which i can install on other pc and which one does not.....gateway, compaq, dell or acer. Thanx

 

Some manufacturers includes the operating system CD, but it is rare. In most cases they have a recovery disc/recovery partition (or prompt you to make one yourself), together with the drivers CD and other software CDs.

 

If you have not used the CD key to reinstall it, you should be able to activate it on any other PC. Both Dell and HP/Compaq CD keys will work this way. Once it go through the activation, MS will have your hardware information and you need to call them to explain if you use it on a different PC.

 

The key thing is to have a valid CD key. With it you can simply borrow a disc of that OS version. the OS CDs should be similar.