The great OS problem

[bg.graf]

It happens all the time. A user comes in and either wants to start out fresh on their machine, or their pc is so Virus-ridden that its the smartest thing to do (wipe it and start over)

OH WAIT! THEY DONT HAVE A WINDOWS OS DISK! Where is their product key?
Oh, now the manufacturer can send you a disk but its $50?! really??

What has been your experience at these times? do you buy several copies of an OS to have on hand and then charge them for it? do you have extra disks laying around? how do you solve this issue, especially when a user says "Why do I have to pay for it again? I already had it on my computer!"

 

[djaburg]

I usually will explain that there's nothing I can do if they don't have a COA on the disk packaging or the computer. I explain that as a MS Partner my hands are tied and I could be legally responsible if I violate any licensing agreements. I have offered to purchase a legit copy for them and leave it to them to make the decision. Sure it's tough, but you have your business and reputation to uphold. I want my clients to realize that I play by the rules and won't compromise...even for them. I'd say I've had 2 clients in 10+ years that got so upset they didn't give me their business, but likely that customer would be one that would expect me to support their bootleg version of office too when it wouldn't run updates or pass validation.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I get their key...and install again.
Ways to get their key....look for the COA on their computer case. If not...slave their hard drive and use an installation key finder utility. We have all sorts of OS install disks..OEM, retail, volume, brand specific.

 

[Appleby]

If they have a legit key on the case (in 6 years I've only had maybe 5-6 who didn't) and the machine is a name brand, ie: not home/custom built, then I use my OEM OS disk that matches their OS and install. If I don't have the disk, such as in the case of new OS's, I tell them I will have to order one for them if they don't have it. I order from restsoredisks.com and it takes 2-3 days to arrive and cost about $30. Then, if they don't want the disk, which they usually don't, I keep them so I have an OEM copy of the disk on hand for my collection.

I know this might not be exactly to Microsoft's terms, but I'm sorry. I am NOT pirating anything nor doing anything that prevents MS from making one penny they should have. I am installing their OS on the customer's machine who had a legit copy installed and has a legit COA key.

 

[mobomojo]

Ordered restore disks from HP yesterday morning, shipped that afternoon. Toasted hardrive in a dv5. Cost a whole $16.04. He won't notice it's price at all compared to the new harddrive (or the install charge). He gets disk I get copy. Win win situation.

 

[Appleby]

Ordered restore disks from HP yesterday morning, shipped that afternoon. Toasted hardrive in a dv5. Cost a whole $16.04. He won't notice it's price at all compared to the new harddrive (or the install charge). He gets disk I get copy. Win win situation.

Excellent! Very well played.