Should Microsoft permit their customers to download Windows
if they own a valid KEY but lose the CD?
Seems strange that a company such as Microsoft would sell a
product (Windows) for $200 - $300 (which as every one knows covers the cost of
developing the software itself and a small percentage goes to the Manufacturing
of the CD's and Boxing of the Product. I think it's great that they've spent so
much time and effort into making windows xp so hard to COPY or simply LOAN to a
friend.
Service seems fine, updates, patches, .... such an integrated
part of our lives now...
BUT, about a month ago I bought a new HP laptop with Windows
MEDIA CENTER EDITION (2005). It didn't come with a copy of it on cd though. I
wasn't too worried, I know HOW to fix computer. I do it for a living (currently
earning college money). My laptop crashed after a WINDOWS UPDATE, 3 weeks after
I bought it. Bummer! I called HP, (
I wrote microsoft, (EMAILS BELOW!!!) explained the
situation, sent several emails explaining my "SITUATION" but the
"SUPPORT" that microsoft gave was NOT ANYTHING AT ALL. "Sorry
windows cannot be downloaded from our servers" WHY NOT? Bandwidth? -
NO. Piracy, CANT BE, this is why they
spent so much time to FIX that problem, So people couldn't just loan their CD
to their neighbors. SO WHY?
Stated in the email also: "You will have to buy another
copy of windows" WHAT? ME, AGAIN? PURCHASE SOFTWARE THAT I ALREADY OWNED?
Something is seriously wrong with that!
I was stuck without an OS on my Laptop, HP wasn't helping, Microsoft
wasn't. So I told them I would download an "ALTERNATIVE COPY" if no
support was given. No support was given by Microsoft.
Everyone knows that on LimeWire and other sharing programs
you can download ANYTHING!
Below is a copy of the emails that were sent back between Microsoft and I.
-----Original Message-----
From: darowley80@hotmail.com
(darowley80@hotmail.com)
Date:
To: CS
(msconus@microsoft.com)
Subject: obtaining a
copy of Windows Media Center 2005
CONTACT INFORMATION
First Name: Derek
Last Name: Rowley
CUSTOMER PROVIDED SYSTEM PROPERTIES
O/S: Windows XP Media Center 2005
Country/Region:
PRODUCT
OtherWindows XP Media Center 2005
SYSTEM PROPERTIES
Ref URL: http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=mscom
O/S: windows nt 5.1
O/S Lang: en-us
Br: msie 6.0
Br lang: en-us
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
Message:
I recently Bought a new laptop. It gave lots of problems,
Windows needs to be re-installed. I don't have any CD's to re-install it. I
Called my computer manufacture, talked to some guy in India, talked to MANY
People in India, they all told me "because your computer is so new, we
don't have the reinstallation cd's ready to be sent YET."
I would like to obtain a copy of windows XP Media Center
2005 (Preferably by downloading it)
My Windows XP Media
Center 2005 KEY is: XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
Thank you,
Derek Rowley
Date: Sat,
From: msconus@microsoft.com
Subject: RE:'RTCProd=012-917-929'
To: darowley80@hotmail.com
Hello Derek,
Thank you for contacting Microsoft Online Customer Service.
I understand you are in need of a Replacement disk for your
copy of Windows XP Media Center 2005. I realize the importance of the issue.
As your software was pre-installed on your computer, the
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or computer manufacturer is your best
resource for support including Replacement disks.
For your convenience, I have included a web link below that
contains a list of all OEM telephone numbers and other contact information:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;en-us;oemphone
Derek, I hope the above information is helpful. If you have
additional questions or concerns, please write back to us.
Thank you for using Microsoft Products and Services.
Keerthikar
Microsoft Online Customer Service Representative
If you have any feedback about your Online Customer Service experience, please e-mail my manager, Sujith Sadasivan, at managers@microsoft.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Derek Rowley
(darowley80@hotmail.com)
Date:
To: Microsoft
Contact
Subject: RE:
I LEGALLY own the rights to a copy of Windows XP Media
Center 2005, Why cant i Just download it? My Computer manufacture at this time,
as they informed me "do not have the discs ready yet."
I know it is possible.
Thanks for your help.
Derek
Date:
From: msconus@microsoft.com
Subject: RE:'RTCProd=012-917-929'
To: darowley80@hotmail.com
Hello Derek,
Thank you for contacting Microsoft Online Customer Service.
I apologize for any delay in our response to your issue. Due
to an increase in requests, our response time may be longer than usual. We
appreciate your patience.
I appreciate the time you have taken to provide us with the
information . I understand the importance of the issue.
However, I would like to inform you that, Microsoft Windows
XP Media Center Edition is not a download, you have to purchase the software to
use it. It lets you do everything other Windows XP PCs do, and a whole lot
more. Browse the Web, play your favorite PC games, e-mail and instant message
your friends, and install and use programs designed for Windows XP. Media
Center also delivers a powerful yet familiar way to enjoy all of your digital
entertainment, photos, music, TV, movies, home videos, radio, and a world of
applications and services whether you're sitting in front of your Windows
desktop or across the room with a remote control.
For more information please visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/features.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/hardware.mspx
To purchase Windows XP Media Center edition, please visit
the following link:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/howtobuy/default.mspx
However, if you wish
to know more about the Microsoft products, please contact our Product
Information Team at: (800) 426-9400, Monday - Friday 6:00 am - 6:00 pm Pacific
time.
However, if you wish to download the Microsoft Windows XP
Media Center Edition 2005 Software Development Kit, please refer to the
following link:
Microsoft Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=33839D15-FD6E-46BE-A3B3-EEB7A62D1B20&displaylang=en
Please note that, as this product is marketed through the
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), I have included a web link below that
contains a list of all OEM telephone numbers and other contact information:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;en-us;oemphone
Derek, I hope the above information is helpful. If you have
any questions regarding any Microsoft products, please do not hesitate to
contact us.
Thank you for using Microsoft products and services.
Nivedita
Microsoft Online Customer Service Representative
If you have any feedback about your Online Customer Service experience, please e-mail my manager, Sujith Sadasivan, at managers@microsoft.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Derek Rowley
(darowley80@hotmail.com)
Date:
To: Microsoft
Contact
Subject: RE:
You know, that is really rude, to tell me that i have to
PURCHASE another copy of something that I already own. A legal copy of
Like i noted in the first email "My Windows XP Media
Center 2005 KEY is: XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX" If i already own the legal
rights, i should have the rights to put it back on.
I am asking one last time for a copy of something I HAVE
paid for. If microsoft is unwilling to give support to their customers, I will
be forced to use an "alternative copy", which is much easier to
obtain on the internet as of right now.
*** With a desire to do what is right,
Derek Rowley
Microsoft Contact
To: Derek Rowley (darowley80@hotmail.com)
Subject: RE: 'RTCProd=012-917-929'
Hello Derek,
Thank you for
contacting Microsoft Online Customer Service.
I apologize for the delay in our response to your issue. Due
to an increase in requests, our response time may be longer than usual. We
appreciate your patience.
I appreciate the time taken to write back to us and regret
that your issue is not resolved. I realize the importance of your concern.
Please be informed that, Microsoft Windows Media Center
Edition is only available pre-installed on computers and sold by PC
manufacturers. Your manufacturer may have customized the installation with
unique components such as specific device drivers and optional settings to
maximize the performance of that manufacturer's hardware. If you require
technical help with Windows Media Center Edition, please contact your
manufacturer directly because the manufacturer is best qualified to support the
software that the manufacturer has installed on the hardware.
To contact your computer manufacturer, please visit the link
below that lists contact information for most computer manufacturers:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;en-us;oemphone
However, I would like to inform you that, Microsoft Windows
XP Media Center Edition is not available for download, you have to purchase the
software to use it.
Microsoft offers no-charge support through self-help
resources like Knowledge Base Articles, FAQ's, and News-groups that you can
access by visiting the following link:
http://support.microsoft.com
Derek, you may also contact our Microsoft Support
Professional who are specialized to handle Windows issues, on a
Pay-Per-Incident basis. Our Support Professionals can be contacted by calling
800-936-5700. They are available from
After the Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS), you
would be able to talk to our support representatives.
I hope your issue is resolved soon and appreciate your
patience in this regard.
Thank you for using Microsoft products and services.
Jijo
Microsoft Online Customer Service Representative
If you have any feedback about your Online Customer Service
experience, please e-mail my manager, Biji Balan, at managers@microsoft.com