[ILUG] Dell Laptops - declining XP EULA

[John Madden]

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On (30/07/05 22:54), Bryan O'Donoghue didst pronounce:
> Out of curiosity, did you click "No" to the MS license agreement and
> attempt to get your money back?
> 
Well, with Dell you can't click "No", because you're asked to hit any
key to accept the licence agreements of all preinstalled software. I hit
the power switch (not sure if that counts under "any key") and installed
Debian. However, Dell weren't very enthusiastic about giving me a
refund. Hell, they wouldn't even take back the piece of crap MS call
Windows XP and keep the refund! I was told that shipping it with XP made 
the overall bundle cheaper -- surely if that were true, it'd be a case 
for the EU competition authority (or whatever they call themselves)? 
Anyway, because I had an FYP and exams looming, I gave up trying, and 
still have a sealed OEM copy of XP shipped by Dell. I might even try 
badgering them over it again, but I reckon at this stage it's a waste 
of time. Maybe if a few people got together and caused a bit of hassle 
they might even recognise that there's a non-MS market out there!

> If whatever purchase I make next, is not a Linux pre-install, I do
> intend to attempt to get my money back from Bill Gates.
> 
It's more painful than it seems. Also, IIRC, the XP EULA states that you
can send back the software, but it doesn't state anything about getting
a refund, whereas previous Windows EULA's did (if I remember what I read
at the time correctly). Also, wouldn't you have to agree to the EULA in
order for that clause to be binding? And, if you agree to the EULA, then
you shouldn't want a refund, right? It's a huge heap of legal bullshit
if you ask me! Linux is just so much easier and user friendly.

> I'd be interested to hear of anybody has actually managed to reclaim
> money from Microsoft in this country, by declining the Windows EULA ?
> 
I didn't try Microsoft itself -- maybe I should pester them for a while!
I still have a record of my attempts at getting a refund somewhere.
Unfortunately, the emails I got back from Dell aren't included, because
I didn't get permission from any of the senders to allow me make them
public. I think I have most of those kept though aswell.

- -- 
Chat ya later,

John.
- --
BOFH excuse #1: clock speed
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