i just bought a laptop and it is preloaded with a windows vista in it...
but it seems like i cant find the CD for the OS....because its not inside the box..
is this normal or the seller didnt give me the cd...
i want this CD to make sure i'll be able to reformat the laptop in the future..
2007-02-10 15:21:44 · 7 answers · asked by O2 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
I'm going to assume you bought this laptop from a legitimate store rather then second hand through Ebay or something. :)
Look for a CD with the laptop's manufacturer's name on it that says something like "Recovery CD" or "Restore CD" and that will probably be where Vista is stored. Of the three "off the shelf" computers I've bought, (two desktops and one laptop) none of them came with an actual Windows CD, they came with restore CDs that don't just have Windows, they have hardware drivers and possibly other programs like Microsoft Works. On a Win95 Acer Aspire I bought years ago all the Windows files were actually in a password protected zip file on the CD. Since then OEMs (the guys who put the systems together, like HP, Compaq, Dell, etc.) have gotten trickier and a restore CD may not have anything on it that would be useful from within Windows. Your only way to use it would be to boot it.
Another thing that some companies are doing is putting all the restore files and stuff on a hidden partition on your harddrive. You'd hit a key when booting that would (in theory) take you into "recovery" mode. From what I've seen that doesn't always work well though. And if your harddrive dies, there goes your recovery data.
2007-02-10 15:35:25 · answer #1 · answered by EdrickV 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is why all desktops and laptops from major retailers are preloaded with Vista or even XP before. They only pre-load them with these operating systems. They will not give you the cd's so if you want to reformat you're in for some trouble, though there are some partially illegal ways to go about doing it and this is what microsoft forces consumers to do. However, it is normal not to get the OS cd, unless you buy your computer from a private dealer which custom builds your computer for you.
2007-02-10 15:26:31 · answer #2 · answered by thee_guy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The laptop manufacture's usually partition off a space on the hard drive that contains the OS. Problem with this is if the drive goes bad then you have to contact them to get a new hard drive. So the answer is yes, this is normal. If you want a back up just call them and tell them you want a resorce cd....good luck!
2007-02-10 15:27:22 · answer #3 · answered by jay_m69 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in most cases u dont get a CD tho sum manufactures give out the OEM versions but since every PC has its own product code to register the OS, u should be able to contact the provide and ask for a CD
2007-02-10 15:48:03 · answer #4 · answered by ransoft2004 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I puzzled the comparable factor as quickly as I upgraded my and my spouse's desktops those days. I suggested as Microsoft to ask them the comparable question and became instructed that we mandatory separate product identity codes for each pc. luckily we've pals who artwork at Microsoft who have been prepared to get us a pair copies with their worker decrease cost so the wear and tear wasn't undesirable.
2016-10-01 22:54:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO...You have to buy it separate. But you should have the restore CD with it..so in case anything happens, you can use it to restore it back to the origianl
2007-02-10 15:26:09 · answer #6 · answered by XYZ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very often, the first thing you will have to is make your own recovery disk(s).
Your laptop will come with instructions on how to do this
2007-02-10 15:25:53 · answer #7 · answered by IanP 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋