[SamAdams76]

The first thing I do when I buy a computer (when I don't build my own) is wipe the hard drive completely clean. Then I do a clean install of Windows. This gets rid of all the crap that comes with a store-bought PC that you will never use and bogs your system down. For those who wish to install Linux or some other non-Microsoft OS, it can be done easily enough. Just wipe the hard drive clean and install whatever you want.

[jammer]

That's right. One of the most underutilized and best utilities MS wrote was FDisk. BTW, I've really enjoyed a lot of your posts the last few days, even if I might quibble with some.

[ken in texas]

... wipe the hard drive completely clean. Then I do a clean install of Windows.

Smart move.

[On the Road to Serfdom]

For those who wish to install Linux or some other non-Microsoft OS, it can be done easily enough. Just wipe the hard drive clean and install whatever you want.

But the point is these people do not want to buy Windows just to wipe it clean. They would prefer a Dell with out paying for Windows. I think Dell should stand up to Microsoft but if not there are pleanty of other box assemblers, I mean "manufactures".

[On the Road to Serfdom]

By the way I do the same thing as you, wipe the disk clean at first. It not only gives the advatages you mentioned but it assures you know how to install all the necessary drivers. If you get stuck customer support will easily help you with your new computer. If you first do this a few years later it might be more risky in terms of getting support.

[TechJunkYard]

For those who wish to install Linux or some other non-Microsoft OS, it can be done easily enough. Just wipe the hard drive clean and install whatever you want.

And resolve to be content with the knowledge that you've once again paid a Microsoft Tax and will never get anything of value for that money.

[Lockbox]

Just wipe the hard drive clean and install whatever you want.

The point is you are forced to buy Microsoft, even if you are not going to use the operating system.

[kitkat]

Sam, that sounds fascinating. Would you give this non-expert an idea of what kind of crap you remove from the store-bought Windows. I'm afraid that if I remove anything, the whole system would crash.

[Swordmaker]

For those who wish to install Linux or some other non-Microsoft OS, it can be done easily enough. Just wipe the hard drive clean and install whatever you want.

Sam, That is not the point... the point is that even if I want a Linux system I am still required to PAY for a Microsoft OS that I will not need or use.

[ffrancone]

For those who wish to install Linux or some other non-Microsoft OS, it can be done easily enough. Just wipe the hard drive clean and install whatever you want.

This is true but misses the point. If you do things as you suggest, you have to pay for an MS OS. That is the whole point of MS's policy. By requiring that all computers sold have Windows on them, the cost of those computers goes up, even for buyers who use Linux only. That, in effect, makes Linux more expensive.

[RightOnline]

"The first thing I do when I buy a computer (when I don't build my own) is wipe the hard drive completely clean. Then I do a clean install of Windows. This gets rid of all the crap that comes with a store-bought PC that you will never use and bogs your system down. For those who wish to install Linux or some other non-Microsoft OS, it can be done easily enough. Just wipe the hard drive clean and install whatever you want."

True to an extent, Sam, but the point is that you definitely pay for that OS that you're wiping off. Trust me.

I work for the workstation division of ......ahem.......a very large computer company. :) We've dealt with this issue, and frankly.........this is 100% about the contract that is negotiated with Microsoft based upon the pricing that a company wants from Microsoft. IOW, you want their absolute, best, rock-bottom price.......then you install a Microsoft OS on every machine. It's really that simple.

They're not nearly as unreasonable as many think.

In our case, we agreed that every system shipped will have an OS, but it does NOT have to be a Microsoft OS. We, therefore, have the leeway to sell whatever the heck our customer needs on their workstations.

This also means our customers aren't paying for a Microsoft OS that they're going to "toss" if they plan to do their own Linux preload/image.

[Michael Barnes]

Re #11

Here's the problem SA76 (SysAdmin??)...When I buy something that "must" be loaded at purchase time, I have to take the time to wipe..etc...That time cost's me in the long run. Furthermore, where do I haev an assurance that I am not somewhere along the line not paying for that OS license? Any manufacturer that is going to go this route is shooting themselves in the foot.