Lenovo wants to charge $50 for a XP recovery CD

umm, thought it was free

 

As far as I know, it's only free when you ordered your laptop with Vista Business already loaded on it, because some businesses might need XP to run certain software.

 

Did you call Tech Support or Customer Support to request the discs? Tech Support is recommended.

 

I called them last week about this before I ordered a R61. I recently read a post in which somebody stated that the restore CD was free.

I called to verify. I was told it wasn't free. I was told it was $45. So the price has gone up.

I ended up ordering a R61 with XP Pro, because I didn't want to mess with Vista Business unless I got the XP Pro recovery for free.

 

Sales told me the same thing ~$45-50, but based on the number of posts about VistaBusiness getting the XPPRo recovery CDs, I crossed my fingers and went with Vista hoping for the best.

 

funny thing is customer service is the one who says tech support should give one free, but a tech guy says its $50

 

I talked to sales today about the order I just placed. I got vista ultimate, and the guy told me I will recieve xp recovery discs with my computer. Whether or not that happens we will see.

 

Not to be negative but I don't think you will. Unless you paid extra money for it.

 

If you have XP preinstalled in the laptop, then use this guide to set up your own XP disc. I tried it and it worked as a charm.

 

I ordered my T61p with Vista Ultimate, and it came with XP Pro restore CDs for free

 

How long ago?

 

I think Lonewolf15(sp?) got XP recovery discs for free with his 32 bit Vista Business purchase made a few weeks ago. I just can't seem to get an answer from ANYBODY about whether the discs come with Vista Business x64.

 

If you pay for Vista Business or Ultimate, you will.

I ordered my laptop with Vista Business. I had to create my own Vista restore discs, but Lenovo included a set of XP Pro restore discs with my system. This order was placed a little over a month ago.

Microsoft's policy is that if you order Vista Business or Ultimate, you are entitled to freely and legally downgrade to XP. Lenovo just takes this one step further by including the XP discs. Vista Home, however, does not qualify for this.

 

I received my T61p about 2 weeks ago (March 27).

 

Then why is Lenovo saying that some people have to pay for the XP discs? Lets say you buy Ultimate or Business and Lenovo does not give you the disc, i.e. says you will be charged. Can you get these XP discs for free from Microsoft if you show proof of purchase? There is a lot of confusion over this whole issue. I know about the whole Buy Business or Ultimate and you get downgrade rights. But do rights equate to paid XP or Free XP? It seems even Lenovo is confused on this.

 

i ordered R61 with vista business 64 and I did not received the xp recovery disc.. im not sure if the xp disc is only free if you get the t61's.

 

That I cannot tell you, but my understanding is that at least with the 32-bit versions, the discs are provided (I didn't buy a 64-bit OS, and in my case, I am fortunate enough to have an XP corporate license I could have used if they did not come with). I can only speak to my own experiences.

Here is the link to Microsoft's (admittedly sparse) documentation on the subject:

http://download.microsoft.com/downl...cbd-699b0c164182/royaltyoemreferencesheet.pdf

If Lenovo does not provide you with XP discs, and you have purchased Vista Business or Ultimate, you are within your rights to obtain an OS disc (minus the software license, so if you have a retail or OEM XP Pro disc lying around, it ought to work) of XP or XP x64, and downgrade to it. You may need to call Microsoft's Product Activation line, and provide them with your Windows Vista key; they should be able to issue an XP key for you.

The downgrade rights do not allow you (according to license) to dual-boot between Vista and XP; you may run one or the other.

I know, this is a complicated process; Microsoft doesn't make it as easy as I think they ought to. If you are concerned you won't get the replacement XP media with your system, you may wish to order over the phone instead of online, and see if you cannot get a commitment to make sure they are provided.

 

Thanks Lonewolf15 ! You are always very helpful and I love reading your posts, very good logic. +1 rep for you.

I hate microsoft. You pay them a ton of money for their broken crappy OS and they still cause you problems. Dual booting was exactly what I wanted to do, Damn. I think I will order my system online. If I get the XP discs, all well and good. But if not, I will call Lenovo and argue with them about the downgrade rights I have. If they won't budge about charging me, I will call Microsoft about getting another XP licence.

If MS gives me a license number, are you saying I can use an old XP disc I already have to install it onto the laptop?

 

The reason I asked is because as of last week when I called I was told that Lenovo no longer sends out XP for free with VISTA Busines 64bit. I was told I could order it later on for $45.

 

Microsoft does say you're entitled to a downgrade, but it's my understanding it's up to the individual PC seller as to if they will charge for it or not. Lenovo's official policy statement is that fees may be charged and may vary. Posts still seem to indicate they are getting shipped, so that's what I'm hoping for as it's one of the reasons I switched from XPPro to VistaBusiness.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=VSTA-DWNGRD

Here's another article from last month
http://windowssecrets.com/2008/03/06/02-Get-yourself-an-XP-system-while-you-still-can