They get no actual disk... So when they need to re-install their OS becasue of a virus, they screw it up, or an HD vailure.. THey are screwed...
I have to say if MS came knocking on my door and told me that if I shipped my laptop to them to have them install WIn7 for free, with no media... I would just give them the finger, and slam the door on their face.
Unfortunately TavisJohn has a point. The average user is not gonna know how to burn an ISO to disc even with instructions. Therefore, when they do get a virus, their HD crashes, or they feel it's time to reinstall their OS, they have nothing to use except to buy/find another copy of Windows 7. I work at a college Help Desk, which isn't fancy, I'm just a student myself, but our top issue is viruses. We offer free cleanup to all students and have a constant stream of them. The viruses they receive are usually because of their own stupidity (file sharing, clicking yes to install a video codec, not have anti-virus, etc.). And at the Help Desk, we don't do OS reinstalls (just our policy) or provide OS discs.
I think Windows 7 is great, but because of the importance of the OS, direct download should not be a common/default option (maybe an advanced one). I've been telling all students that buy Windows 7 for $29 to purchase the extra DVD for $15 or at least the extended download period for $5.
@Mark Yes cause nobody gets virus's ever. Which is why i certainly dont have a weekend full of clients with the new super awesome disable all your protections and pretend to be an anti virus virus. Get over yourself, people get virus's on windows and they have to hire people like me to fix them, in case you didnt know there is still a thriving industry behind virus protection for windows cause not everyone spends 90 hours a week down ranking people on engadget.
@Gimboa - I am sorry but that analogy fails. An "oil change" is nothing like original media.
Also if MS is going to install it for you, are they going to guarantee your data from loss during the upgrade? I doubt it. Would any of you trust MS enough to send them your computer for them to install a new OS on it? I doubt it.
As far as an "Image Backup" If I were to image my HD, it would NOT fit onto a DVD... (Over 200gig on my boot drive) Besides I would rather install my OS from scratch. And I do NOT trust MS to do that properly.
There is no mention that these lucky "winners" will even get an ISO of the install disk... So even if they know HOW to burn it, they will have nothing to burn from.
And what happens when you take the machine to a shop for service? Many shops check if you have a valid OS install. No sticker of authenticity, no service.
To me this sounds like MS is going to just install Windows7 on their machines. Not give them a free copy of Win7... Could these "legit" copies of Win7 be flagged as pirated later? (Like my last legal copy of XP was when MS started the WGA crap)
And if MS is going to "Give" me an OS, then WHY IO SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT LATER? It is like winning a $40,000 car, then you scratch the paint and BAM you now have to pay for the car as well.
Most of the readers here would have no problem backing up and such. However MOST computer users would be totally SOL. If most computer users were that smart, then there would not be soo many computer repair shops, and there would not be any need for Geek Squad.
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They get no actual disk... So when they need to re-install their OS becasue of a virus, they screw it up, or an HD vailure.. THey are screwed...
I have to say if MS came knocking on my door and told me that if I shipped my laptop to them to have them install WIn7 for free, with no media... I would just give them the finger, and slam the door on their face.
Great. No-one cares.
Seriosuly "Get a virus'? What is this? 2006?
@Mark
Unfortunately TavisJohn has a point. The average user is not gonna know how to burn an ISO to disc even with instructions. Therefore, when they do get a virus, their HD crashes, or they feel it's time to reinstall their OS, they have nothing to use except to buy/find another copy of Windows 7. I work at a college Help Desk, which isn't fancy, I'm just a student myself, but our top issue is viruses. We offer free cleanup to all students and have a constant stream of them. The viruses they receive are usually because of their own stupidity (file sharing, clicking yes to install a video codec, not have anti-virus, etc.). And at the Help Desk, we don't do OS reinstalls (just our policy) or provide OS discs.
I think Windows 7 is great, but because of the importance of the OS, direct download should not be a common/default option (maybe an advanced one). I've been telling all students that buy Windows 7 for $29 to purchase the extra DVD for $15 or at least the extended download period for $5.
They aren't screwed, per se, they just need to pay for the new OS, or prevent this problem from occurring by making a proper backup image.
When Oprah gave me a Pontiac, I was screwed when I didn't change the oil in it.
@Mark Yes cause nobody gets virus's ever. Which is why i certainly dont have a weekend full of clients with the new super awesome disable all your protections and pretend to be an anti virus virus. Get over yourself, people get virus's on windows and they have to hire people like me to fix them, in case you didnt know there is still a thriving industry behind virus protection for windows cause not everyone spends 90 hours a week down ranking people on engadget.
You could:
Do a backup.
Find out the serial key and save it somewhere so you can restore it with any Win7 dvd.
Stop being a total idiot.
@Gimboa - I am sorry but that analogy fails. An "oil change" is nothing like original media.
Also if MS is going to install it for you, are they going to guarantee your data from loss during the upgrade? I doubt it.
Would any of you trust MS enough to send them your computer for them to install a new OS on it? I doubt it.
As far as an "Image Backup" If I were to image my HD, it would NOT fit onto a DVD... (Over 200gig on my boot drive) Besides I would rather install my OS from scratch. And I do NOT trust MS to do that properly.
There is no mention that these lucky "winners" will even get an ISO of the install disk... So even if they know HOW to burn it, they will have nothing to burn from.
And what happens when you take the machine to a shop for service? Many shops check if you have a valid OS install. No sticker of authenticity, no service.
To me this sounds like MS is going to just install Windows7 on their machines. Not give them a free copy of Win7... Could these "legit" copies of Win7 be flagged as pirated later? (Like my last legal copy of XP was when MS started the WGA crap)
And if MS is going to "Give" me an OS, then WHY IO SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT LATER? It is like winning a $40,000 car, then you scratch the paint and BAM you now have to pay for the car as well.
Most of the readers here would have no problem backing up and such. However MOST computer users would be totally SOL.
If most computer users were that smart, then there would not be soo many computer repair shops, and there would not be any need for Geek Squad.
It's a free gift, you jackass. Stop complaining.
Everyone needs something to complain about... =\
I get it. I must be one of the few people who can see that not all FREE things are really free, or worth it. :p