5 replies to this topic

[kurt91]

My mother's laptop recently got back from getting fixed, and ended up having been so bad that she needs to completely re-install Windows from a disc. However, she doesn't have one since it was the version of Windows that came with her computer, and it didn't come with a disc.

I was poking around on the computer desk, and noticed a Windows 7 re-installation disc on the rack. I told her about it, and she said that because that disc is for a Dell computer, and her laptop is a Gateway, it won't work and she still needs to go out and buy a new disc.

I don't quite understand it, myself. Her laptop uses Windows 7, and the disc itself is to re-install Windows 7. Does the computer manufacturer really matter, or is it all the same Windows program? I'm not entirely sure if she really needs to buy a new disc, or if the people at Best Buy are trying to get more money out of her. Could somebody let me know if this disc will work or not?

[Saffith]

Probably not. A vendor-specific OEM disc is likely to depend on certain hardware. It might install, but it's unlikely to activate. You'd also need the key for the system you're installing on rather than the one the disc came with, which I would guess you don't have.

Have you checked the hard drive? Some computers have the restore files on a hard drive partition rather than a DVD.

[kurt91]

Well, it turns out it's not going to matter either way. What ended up actually happening was that my mom sent in her laptop under warranty to get it fixed. It had some sort of virus issue that was going to end up needing the hard drive wiped and everything. In the process, the people at Best Buy dropped the laptop or something and broke the hard drive physically. Because the laptop's warranty only covers software-type issues such as viruses and not physical damage (even though they're the ones who damaged it), they're going to charge us seventy dollars for a replacement hard drive, thus explaining the need for a re-installation of Windows.

Sounds pretty fair, doesn't it?

[DCEnygma]

It would likely be cheaper to contact Gateway and see if you can order replacement reinstall discs from them. I'm pretty sure Dell offers that for $20, which is WAY cheaper than replacing the OS with even a new OEM copy, and I'm sure other companies do to. Hell, they might even offer you a download you can burn to disc or launch from a flash drive.

[Saffith]

For $70, you can surely just buy a better hard drive than they would replace it with.
Are they seriously charging to fix something they broke themselves? I'm not sure that's even legal. You could complain to the BBB, for whatever that's worth.

[sigtau]

I feel like popping into this thread just to say that BestBuy/GeekSquad's support is complete trash, and you should not use it under any circumstances.

Their incompetence should not be an inconvenience to you or your wallet.