[TChris]

If you, individually, want or need it, you can buy the media from Acer at any time, but all customers shouldn't have to pay for something up front that few want.

No, you can't.

The only way to get the media from Acer is to buy another copy of Windows for ~$120. I know, because I asked.

The cost of the media is a nickel. I'd be happy, as would 99% of the rest, to spend that nickel to have the system repair and recovery tools that can only be found on the installation media.

As it is, those of us who didn't receive the media didn't really get all of Windows, did we? If the Recovery Console and Reinstall Wizard are part of Windows, then I didn't receive all of Windows.

[Golden Eagle]

Sorry, I’ve never had that problem, but I’ve always bought American. HP definitely offers this, or did as of 2006.