Sony Corporation, Computer Division, Nationwide Preinstalled Windows OS and Software ripoff New York New York

For starters, I am tired of the sensless ego trip you are running here. One call from Sony is worth a thousand words.

For starters, if had known as much as you proclaim, you would not have used the Microsoft card as an excuse for why Sony would not supply software. Whether you like Microsoft and hate them (as I know you do), they are not the blame for a manufacturer's decision. I am quite aware of the 2 methods that Microsoft offers system builders in regards to installing Windows XP OEM (Home or Pro).

Secondly, the Sony representative admitted that information provide by Sony Support was incorrect. It is possible and it is not against company policy. Unfortunately, too many people accept that black is black and white is white.

"I did read the entire post. It is basically teh summarization of someone who has no clue about manufactured computers. He's grumbling that he can't get the OS discs. Well, by golly, WHY should he? He doesn't own the OS and he doesn't need it. Computer manufacturers do this so that they dont get involved in the reselling of MS software."

The ability to install a new hard drive on a system using SLP method of Windows XP installation is allowed. Since Sony uses that method, it is allowed. Even if it is not a Windows XP OEM copy I am receiving, it is a complete system image that is locked to my specific model of my Sony.

Am I grumbling? Maybe. Do I have a right to grumble at something I believe is unfair, yes. I almost get the feeling that you work for Sony or some other manufacturer with all your comments.

Do you know how large the book that came with a Sony, guess what, not that large. Does it state any of this information in the book? No, it does not. Maybe I could send you my book and you could outline in it where all this information is because I am just not seeing it. Maybe I could send you multiple highlighters so that you could mark this information in multiple colors so my eyes will not strain. Maybe, just maybe, I could get Dog, the Bounty Hunter to deliver it to you so I could get his autograph. This whole debate has become ridiculous.

The reason people do not know they have options are because people like you who seems to find ways to make your thoughts and beliefs to be devine truth. Since you do not know me, nor do you know what level of knowledge I have, you have already branded me as clueless and most likely stupid (Yes, I did get that idea being permeated through out your original post).

Living by your attitude, I have no real right to complain or question a companies policies. As a person who purchased a computer, I only have the right to place it on a desk and turn it on and off. I guess I should stare at the screen and be thankful for people like you who proclaim to know everything about this issue. All hail Denny, the computer god. I know I will say that when I go to bed this evening after mindlessly staring at a copy of Windows XP on my screen that I do not own.

After having read your posts and ranting, I have ultimately wasted my time. I have wasted my time in trying to bring about something that is not fair to the consumer and possibly helping someone else in my situation. No, if anyone does, you get the "Too Bad, Too Sad" attitude or "I know more then you, therefore, you are clueless".

All Hail the Tiki Computer God, Denny. We are subservient to your grand wisdom and we shall not ever question your teachings or the wisdoms of manufacturers. I am solely to blame for not being able to read invisible ink with any and all literature provided by the manufacturer. I am a senseless lemming who should just shut his mouth and jump off the imaginary cliff. These are the devine words of Tiki Computer God, Denny. Please, give me a break.

I guess the call from a Sony representative was a figment of my imagination. I guess everything we discussed was a figment of my imagination. It could not be real. Denny, you are the Tiki Computer God, and only your words are holy. When the imaginary software does arrive, and I am installing my new hard drive with software I do not own, I will think of you and chant my Tiki Computer God prayer for you.

Jonathon, thank you for your response. I am sorry I could not have been able to do so earlier. My Viewsonic 19" LCD went down for the 4th time in 2 years and had to wait for a replacement. I do appreciate your comments or rebuttals of Tiki Computer God, Denny.

If I did not say it in the prior post, I would like to take a moment to thank Sony for calling me and rectifying the situation.

After receiving a phone call today from a Sony Representative, I assured that I was able to do what I requested. He apologized for the misinformation that I was given by Sony support and gave me the option of either having some from support to assist me or to have a 7 CD set containing the image of all the original software sent to me. I, of course, choose to have the second option. I did appreciate Sony for contacting me and providing these options. I do hold a grudge or have ill feelings toward Sony. I am just happy to have this resolved.

"To the person who was wondering if this person is clueless... it is obvious you didn't read a word he said."

I did read the entire post. It is basically teh summarization of someone who has no clue about manufactured computers. He's grumbling that he can't get the OS discs. Well, by golly, WHY should he? He doesn't own the OS and he doesn't need it. Computer manufacturers do this so that they dont get involved in the reselling of MS software.


"New computer manufacturers are now not even giving a copy of the restore CD for customers to restore their computer if they need to."

Not entirely true. the manufactuers now make a partition on the hard drive that stores the restore options for a person to do so when needed.



" All they do is create a separate partition on the main hard drive and allow the customer to overwrite the main partition with the extra "restore partition". This is a horribly poor idea, and forces the customer to

A) Use the computer manufacturers priority software for everything. Meaning they cannot change out any hardware themselves or upgrade."


Well too bad. So sad, go cry about it to someone else. That's the way the cookie crumbles. Dont like it? Go build your own computer.

You can upgrade harware (audio card, video card, ram) easily in manufactured computers (i've already done that to my existing computer and put in a 200gB hard drive ).




"B) If the customer has a virus, or any type of hard drive damage, power failure, etc. the hard drive can easily become completely inoperable and both partitions would easily be lost. This would leave the customer incapable of restoring their operating system back to the default."

That's what warranty is for, and that's what backing up is for. And a harddrive can be rescued by installing it into another computer and slave it to retrieve important data.




"C) The customer will generally have to purchase a separate restore CD, if the manufacturer even sells it, in case of a hard drive crash, or if they just need a separate CD copy of the OS and drivers (which should of been provided in the first place)"

Purchase? My computer's hard drive failed and they sent me a restore disc for free.


"The reason they do this is not because M$ is scared of people selling their software. Even when a Windows CD came with a computer, it was written ONLY to work on that computer, or a computer of the same brand. I know all of this for a fact, because I am a former employee of CompUSA technical support and had to support HPs, Compaqs, Sony Vaios, and all the other brand name computers CompUSA sold, as well as all their accessories. I walked customers through the restore process many times."


Or they didn't bother to read the book that came with the computer....CompUSA? you know what we call compUSA techs?

"When they started putting the restore on separate partitions, we had a big meeting and basically said that this is a major problem, and is going to make our job much harder because of the reasons mentioned above. It's just completely absurd and the whole point of doing it is not to benefit the consumer in anyway, but benefit the company selling the hardware and M$."

Yup, too bad so sad. Go build your own comp if you dont like it.

"I recommend building your own computer and have the freedom and ability to use whatever operating system and hardware you like."

And dont forget that even when building your own comp, you have all the different warranties to worry about and hardware/software issues that can make your computer unstable.

To the person who was wondering if this person is clueless... it is obvious you didn't read a word he said.

New computer manufacturers are now not even giving a copy of the restore CD for customers to restore their computer if they need to. All they do is create a separate partition on the main hard drive and allow the customer to overwrite the main partition with the extra "restore partition". This is a horribly poor idea, and forces the customer to

A) Use the computer manufacturers priority software for everything. Meaning they cannot change out any hardware themselves or upgrade.

B) If the customer has a virus, or any type of hard drive damage, power failure, etc. the hard drive can easily become completely inoperable and both partitions would easily be lost. This would leave the customer incapable of restoring their operating system back to the default.

C) The customer will generally have to purchase a separate restore CD, if the manufacturer even sells it, in case of a hard drive crash, or if they just need a separate CD copy of the OS and drivers (which should of been provided in the first place)

The reason they do this is not because M$ is scared of people selling their software. Even when a Windows CD came with a computer, it was written ONLY to work on that computer, or a computer of the same brand. I know all of this for a fact, because I am a former employee of CompUSA technical support and had to support HPs, Compaqs, Sony Vaios, and all the other brand name computers CompUSA sold, as well as all their accessories. I walked customers through the restore process many times.

When they started putting the restore on separate partitions, we had a big meeting and basically said that this is a major problem, and is going to make our job much harder because of the reasons mentioned above. It's just completely absurd and the whole point of doing it is not to benefit the consumer in anyway, but benefit the company selling the hardware and M$.

I recommend building your own computer and have the freedom and ability to use whatever operating system and hardware you like.

I am not here to slam you as you have appartently decided to do at this time. If you want proof of the Microsoft hoax hardware companies use as an excuse, I am more then willing to offer it to you. I am not going to get into a flame war and attack you for what I believe to be incorrect. I have enough proof how things do work in regards to who makes the decision on how the operating system is installed on your machine. Whether or not I have a clue is beyond the scope of this discussion and is in poor taste. If you wish to discuss the merits of what I am saying, I do not have a problem with it. If you choose slamming what I say based on your beliefs, I would suggest not wasting my time or yours. And one last thing Denny, I am sorry you wasted your time in reading it. Granted, I did not force you to do so nor did I force you to respond.

In regards to an activation key, I do have one. Oh, that is right. The activation key was provided as a sticker decoration and has little or no purpose to my computer other then decoration. By golly, you are right. How foolish am I to believe that the specific key on my computer had any value or merit.

In regards to the paperwork that was included with the computer, I am sorry to state that none of the issues raised with the OS are stated in such paperwork.

Since I would hate to waste your time and infinitely waste your time even more, please do not bother to respond. I believe I will find a resolve to this issue. If I do not, I will more then gracefully admit I am wrong. However, if I do, then expect a diatribe of my own venom in response to all the venomous statements listed in your response.

In regards to Linux, I am probably going to convert my XBOX to a Linux box as soon as I find an original copy of MechAssault. I no longer use the XBOX other then as a dust collecting object.

Screw Microsoft. They are the best advertisement for Linux that ever existed. Microsoft wants you to pay for something you already own. Most builds of Linux want to give you an operating system for free.

All computer manfuacturers do this because of the rampant issues of piracy. MS no longer allows computer manufacturers to distribute the OEM software for the operating systen because one could turn around and sell it ( against MS's license agreements )

Dell, HP, Compaq, IBM, Sony, eMachines and more. OS discs haven't been offered with manufacturered computers since the release of Windows Millenium. IT was to cut back on owners trying to sell off their OEM copies.

Why dont you just put your new bigger hard drive as a slave? Or install the new OS on the new hard drive and make the current one a slave?

Not only do you show that you do not understand software licenses ( which I can guarantee that you haven't read) but by your post, you have no idea what you are doing.

Your statement:

"I stated to the invidual that when I purchased their computer system, turned it on, and activated my copy of Windows XP, the software belonged to me. I was then told that when I purchased the computer that I agreed to not be able to backup software I owned and that the only method of reinstalling Windows is using the their Recovery Wizard. I do not recall any information or any agreement stating these terms when I purchased the product."

WRONG. YOU are licensed to use the software, which is revokable by MS At any time. YOU do not own the software, and WILL never own the software. YOU only own a license, basically, a statement by MS to allow you to use their software on your computer. The instruction booklets that came with the Computer has this all explained, along with the information about the OS you are using.

Dont like it? Then you pay MS $20 trillion to own the OS.

Your Statement:

"I requested a copy of the Windows XP and I was told that Sony does not provide that software for their consumers. I was told the only way I would be able to get a copy of the software is to purchase a copy of Windows XP. I find this unacceptable."

So, you rather be cheap and just not go out and buy the upgrade which would only cost you $125 to upgrade to Windows Xp from your current OS? More like a case of you just dont like a company making money off of its products.

Your statement:

"Why should I purchase something I already own and is unique to my computer via the authentication key?"

YOU DO NOT OWN the software, and you will never own the software. YOU own a license. That's all you own. The only thing you own is the computer case, motherboard, monitor, kebyboard, mouse and speakers. Software is not something you can own. And if you knew anything, you would know that Xp would need its own authentication key to activate.

Your statement:

"Why do computer companies not tell consumers upfront about these policies?"

They do. its the paperwork that comes with the computer. A computer that already has software loaded is alreayd accepted by the PUBLIC that that software is licensed.

You want something that you can put your own stuff on? Then build a computer from scratch.

The only time you wasted, was writing this report.