What if your system comes with a restore CD instead of WinXP?

[germangreek]

Love all the great ideas for creating bootable CDs and slipstreaming the service packs, but what if your machine only came with a restore CD instead of an install of Windows XP? Thanks, I'd rather not shell out the $$ for a backup.

Since I'm on it, can I do this with my Win98SE also? Which also only has a restore CD?

germangreek

[BAM!]

the restoration cd from computer manufactures are an actual image of a already installed windows burnt onto a cd. so there really is nothing much you can do in regard of choices of installtion. it'll wipe out everything you have and put on a new copy of windows that's preconfiged. and you'll lose all your files.

consumers have went to court about this countless times, since when they buy a system, they also bought a copy of windows, so they should be getting an actual copy of it. it's still an ongoing debate in the court.

[Zefram]

Another disadvantage of getting those manufacturer-edition of Windows is that it normally came with all the junk and extra software from the manufacturers..........
Thus, it is adviseable to get a OEM/Retail Windows XP instead of buying from the manufacturer (DELL, IBM, etc).
Try asking the manufacturer for the full version of Windows XP. I got mine from DELL, just keep arguing and they'll send you a OEM-full copy of Windows XP instead of a lame restore CD :D

[germangreek]

Thanks to both of you. I pretty much figured that, but didn't realize that manufacturers were receptive to being badgered into providing a REAL copy of WinXP. I'll try it.

germangreek

[Justin]

Same with any other company, just badger the hell out of them

[ADRAMELK]

http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com

[stlouis1]

dell's newer cd's arent like that, they're just an oem with a dell label on it