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8 Posts

4603

March 6th, 2000 01:00

Dell OS discussion

I phoned dell tech support last night with a minor problem with my dell p2 400, during our discussion it came up that the original dell OS (win 98) that came with the machine had been replaced by me with a more recent version of win 98 SE. He asked where I got the other version from. I replied that it came with the new dell I had just purchased, my p3 550. So he says that I am violating my Microsoft users agreement because I am running an illegal OS now on the p2 400 and dell cannot give me support anymore, even though I was promised lifetime support.
I pointed out to him that i had purchased both dells and had paid for both operating systems and that it was up to me where I use these operating systems. He then reminded me that I am only allowed to use this os on one machine according to the licence agreement. He then asked me which OS i was using on my new machine. I told him this was none of his business as I wasn't having any problems with that machine and i needed no technical assitance with it.. This is disgracefull customer service, I buy $12,000 worth of dells in 16 months and this guy is telling me they wont give me support because he assumes I am running an illegal OS, i could be running linux or nt or nothing at all in my new p3 for that matter. So he assumed that because I was using a new os from my new dell that i was breaking the law. Now , who do dell think they are the " Microsoft Police"?? This tech certainly has a lot of nerve with this line of questioning, whether or not I am continuing to use that copy of se on both computers is noones busisness as far as I am concerned, and he has no right to ask. so I was refused technical support on these grounds. I used to have alot of respect for dell , I thought they made excellent products and gave excellent support, although I have delt with many techs and most where very capable ,this latest episode however really leaves a bad taste in my mouth, the fact that my tech question had nothing to do with my os and his decission to ignore my problem and decide to refuse me assistance and pursue this illegal os crap. Who the heck does he think he is??....is DELL doing independent investigations for microsoft? Or is it that this tech hates his job so much that he is just looking for ways to refuse service?. Well DELL , all I can say is that I am dissgusted by your triviality, and concerned about what motivates your techs to pursue these lines of qustioning.

837 Posts

March 6th, 2000 01:00

Yes, it is. It is licensed to be run on the computer it came installed on only.

This is why Microsoft is starting to demand that PC manufacturers, like Dell, no longer provide a Windows CD-ROM with the PCs they sell.

Erik
B3JR9, UKMBH & 07C0D

837 Posts

March 6th, 2000 01:00

There is no way you can expect a company to put themselves in jeopardy by providing technical support for an illegally installed operating system.

Erik
B3JR9, UKMBH & 07C0D

250 Posts

March 6th, 2000 01:00

Sounds like you are mad at yourself for not thinking of this problem before you called Dell Tech support. The Dell tech was correct and only doing what he is supposed to do. Why should Dell jeopardize their agreement with Microsoft for you? Sorry, but in this case I have to side with Dell.

Ron

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8 Posts

March 6th, 2000 01:00

my os is is not illegal eric , this is my point. just because It came with a differant machine doesnt mean that i cannot use it on another, understand? geez

189 Posts

March 6th, 2000 02:00

Sorry to say, but the license agreement that you agree to before using the OS, clearly states that it can only be used on one system. If it is ever installed on another, you must remove it from any others...That is why the Tech asked what you were running on the new Dell! Dell is just trying to protect their interest and ours...We would be extremely upset consumers if we didn't get an OS CD!
Try to understand even though it is hard...

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8 Posts

March 6th, 2000 02:00

ERIK you show me where it says my os is non transferable and i will appoligize, lol...thats ridiculas, microsoft cant do that, its my os to do as i like with on as many machines as i wish as long as its one at a time (which is also ridiculas)

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8 Posts

March 6th, 2000 02:00

but my point is what gives dell the right to ask me what os is on the new computer that i used the os from?

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8 Posts

March 6th, 2000 02:00

lol i dont speak latin but hey I guess it should read " LIFETIME SUPPORT WITH DELL! (or till you upgrade your os) whichever comes first! : )
no biggie LINUX will crush in five years anyway..the kernal knows!

189 Posts

March 6th, 2000 02:00

Sorry again, It is not your OS! It also states that it remains property of MS, and you just have license to operate it on one system! If you install it on another, it has to be removed from previous system(s)

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8 Posts

March 6th, 2000 02:00

excuse me???...hehe i have done nothing wrong.....this is very interesting indeed

189 Posts

March 6th, 2000 02:00

Because they have agreed to uphold their agreement with MS! Once you told them that it was an OEM license, he was obligated to ask. I know you don't appreciate the answer, but those are the facts...Sorry!

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250 Posts

March 6th, 2000 02:00

alldeth,

I guess we could argue ethics ad infinitum, but it would do no good.

Conceiveably you could remove Win98se from your old system, install it on your new system, and you would not be committing a crime. Fine.

The point you seem to miss is this: Dell is not required to support an OS or any other software you install that you did not buy from Dell on that particular system. Period. Like it or not.

It doesn't matter that the OS came on another Dell system. They only support it on the system it came on.

Ron

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8 Posts

March 6th, 2000 02:00

hehe ok thanks for your input steph, i do value all opinionshowever dell cant force me to disclose what i replaced the os with if anything, that's the bottom line here.Sound like the nazis are comin!

189 Posts

March 6th, 2000 02:00

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250 Posts

March 6th, 2000 03:00

alldeth,

I hope you're right. I'm ready for something more reliable. Take care.

Ron

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