[SATLUG] Winblows refund / MICROSOFT THEFT!!!

[Wrkwatchr]

Chuck,

This sounds like a great letter to the Attorney General's office
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/ as well as the Federal Trade Commission
http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm as well as the Federal Judicial Center
http://www.fjc.gov/ that deals with Class Action-type issues.

Roy

-----Original Message-----
From: satlug-bounces at satlug.org [mailto:satlug-bounces at satlug.org] On Behalf
Of Chuck
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2005 11:40 AM
To: SATLUG
Subject: [SATLUG] Winblows refund / MICROSOFT THEFT!!!

Hey guys,

I've been in the market for a new laptop for a while now.  My current
one just takes too long to boot up and since I do start X most of the
time (for Evolution & multiple command windows) -- I'm tired of waiting
on it.  Its been a great machine, but a P2-333 is just too slow.

I've been looking at the machines available and their features.  And I
pretty much settled on a HP machine I thought has the features I
wanted.  I was not very concerned that HP doesn't have much information
on running Linux on their laptops -- that's kinda the norm with most
companies.  But I have run into something of a brick wall on one topic
-- paying them and Micro$shit for software I don't want and will never
use.

I've spoken to HP all the way up to the corporate office in California. 
One guy at their "Small Business" customer desk told me "HP has an
agreement with MS that we will not sell a computer without an OS on it" 
and "since we only sell the Windows OS -- that kinda locks you into
Winblows".  He also told me that they will NOT refund the Windows
software, even though the customer doesn't agree to the MS EULA and
wipes the drive without ever booting to the installed OS.

I've spoken to the corporate office and a guy there named Steve was very
understanding when I explained the situation.  He also thought it odd
that they would not refund the OS to me if I don't want it and will
never use it.  He agreed last week to look into it further and get back
to me.  I spoke to him again a few minutes ago and its not looking
good.  He seems to be running into the same brick wall.

I was wondering if anyone else had tried this recently or run into this
same problem.  I ***WILL NOT*** pay some company money to pass to MS for
an operating system I'll never use.  And even if I did want to install a
Winblows version under VMWare (very likely) -- I own more MS licenses
than most computer repair shops.  So, why should I give my hard earned
money to Bill for another?

Lets get this subject started and brought out in the light!  Its a RIP
OFF!  

I'm also trying to reload a friend's Compaq machine right now.  Since it
was Win98, HP/Compaq won't sell me a replacement "RESTORE CD" -- they
tell me to buy a newer version of Winblows.  I tell them there is no
need -- this guy still has the original registration paperwork and the
MS COA sticker is still on the machine.  But they want him to fork out
for a new copy of Winblows even though this one is perfectly good. 
UNBELIEVABLE!  What a racket!!!

So, I guess the end question is -- has anyone ever been able to get a
refund for their unused Winblows software?  If so, what company?  I'll
gladly take my $$$ and very publicly support that company with my
business.  Or has anyone successfully talked a company into selling them
a machine without an OS?  Hell -- I just build my own computers, but you
can't do that with a laptop!!!

Thanks guys & gals.

</RANT>


Chuck





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