I am unlike most computer users, I buy pre built computers like HP and since they don't include the reformatting CDs anymore I order them as soon as I get the PC set up. I will not buy a PC without them. They saved me a lot of money.

those would be just the recovery cds though what Pam is talking about is the actual windows xp or windows 7 install cd.
The reason for most is that when you buy a prebuilt pc you are no longer offered that option period. You get the recovery partition on the pc and it is your job to create the discs, or order them from the manufacturer, but there is no option to have the actual windows cd unless you purchase one your self. I have never had an option with any of the computers I got to have the windows cd even though I have certainly tried to persuade them I should be provided one should I need it to do a recovery.

I would love to know how you have managed to get the full OS disc with a prebuilt pc??

The recovery partition and the discs that you create for it are fine while the pc is newer, but if it has age on it, such as an older XP, they make a lot of work for you since they restore the computer to its state right out of the box when you first bought it. So that's why I use a cloning program (Acronis True Image in my case) to do full backups. Then, if necessary, I can do a full restore to a much later time, and it saves loads of work getting all the updates, etc. So glad I have that program and an external hard drive.

When I bought my first 2 or 3 computers the recovery CD's came with them. Then all of a sudden they quit doing that. Then I started ordering them. I may have to learn if they quit supplying them. When I bought this PC I found out HP doesn't sell any PCs except a very basic one. If you want a better one, they will build it for you and I hate that. You cannot do comparison shopping. I don't mind reformatting, I don't call it work, it's fun. I back up my personal stuff often.

We have a government web site where local authorities can auction off surplus anything including hundreds of computers over time. None come with an operating system but all one has to do is use any similar XP operating system but be sure to use the 25 digit code fixed to the tower and there is no problem.

I always buy Dell...not a popular computer here ;-) and I usually buy a refurb (usually between $200 and $300 with 2 year extended warranty...sans monitor). When I'm looking at the auction site for Dell, I just look for computers with the full version cd.

My mom had an HP that kept asking for the XP disk to install features...we had to spend $200 to buy the disk. She paid a lot more for her HP than I have ever paid for a Dell with extended warranty and it just seemed like a bad value. She didn't want to do a recovery back to factory.

Pam

I think it should be standard proceedure to provide you with a copy of the actual windows os cd with any pc you purchase that has that OS installed it just makes sense, you are buying the OS as part of the deal so should have full access to that OS disc should you need it and in most cases it is just not available. Having to go out and purchase a new windows OS cd is ridiculous when you already paid for the OS when you bought the pc.
I wish they would change the practice, it would not be that big of a deal for the manufacturers to do that. It has long been a peeve of mine. Which is why I now prefer to have my computers built to my specifications and get the install cd with it from the builder. But that does not help me for my husbands windows 7 laptop.

I have to say it is one of the redeeming factors for Dell or at least has been because they did provide the windows cd, not sure if they still do that or not on all of them.

Having Acronis or imaging is beside the point I do have that the fact of not being provided something you paid for and should own is what is the problem.

Raven, I have several peeves when it comes to PCs. Computer manufacturers are taking away things like a word processor and the formatting CDs. Then there are things like my Roxio which I had to replace. I can remember when I first started with PC's, you could go online and get updates for your printers, scanners,and software.