On Tue, 22 Oct 2002 10:21:59 +0100 Michael Sage wrote:
The problem is the software is considered as much a part of the package as the hardware. You don't buy a computer from Dell without a processor, so why should you be "competent" to install a processor or indeed an operating system.
Agreed - the operating system is an essential part of a computer, otherwise you'd have an expensive doorstop on your hands.
Unfortunately this is the way it is. I recommend buying a machine with Windows 98 rather than 2k/XP that way you can either give the license to a local school (although this too is deemed illegal by MS as they have decided that an OEM licence is bound to hardware, go one prove it! :o) ) or similar.
Microsoft are now tying OEM copies of Windows XP to the BIOS of PCs now, so it can definately be tied to the hardware now :) How many people actually supply Windows 98 as an option for new hardware? It's an obselete operating system by Microsoft's standards, and even Windows 2000 has been a reprieve by Microsoft as that was due to have support for it stopped relatively soon (whereas now MS will stop supporting it around 2006).
Regards,
Martyn