Proof That Dumb People Should Not Own Computers

[tropicsgoddess]

I had a lady call in about her computer having the MS Anti-virus 2008 rogue infection and can't surf online at all. I tried having her go on safe mode with networking, didn't work (it kept putting her through a loop), then I tried the F11 key and that also put me through a loop too. I told her that she would need to reinstall windows on her computer and that she would need the CD for it since the F11 didn't work and we can't go in the BIOS and do a force boot from the CD-ROM drive. She starts looking around and this conversation ensues:

L=lady

Me=Yours Truly

L: Is this Verbatim CD-R it?

Me: No.

*pulls out another CD*

L: Is this Lexmark CD it?

Me: No and that's not remotely close to it.

*facepalm*

Further proof of why dumb people should not own a computer.

[tollbaby]

She's not necessarily dumb... My computer didn't come with a Windows cd, and I was a tad confused as to why until my ex explained it to me.

[Forgreatjustice]

Hmmmm oem recovery discs.
They all look alike but for the small writing
Im so glad I always build my own

[otakuneko]

My laptop didn't come with recovery discs either. It included a utility to "make your own." Thus my "recovery discs" are simple TDK DVD-Rs with "Compaq Laptop Recovery Disc" scrawled in sharpie on them.

What a pain.

[DevilBoy]

I would never purchase a computer, new OR used, without a set of original recovery discs included with the sale.

I am amazed and appalled to hear that some companies appear to be selling new computers without the physical discs included.

[Broomjockey]

new computers without the physical discs included.

Usually what they do is put the information on a partition on the HDD, and let you burn it to disc. Some even have the option of just running a restore direct from the partition. It think it's an okay idea, in that at least you're not boned in the disc goes astray/becomes damaged. But it's not that great for non-technical people who are the ones most likely to do something to wipe the partition, not label the disc, and then destroy their system.

[DevilBoy]

it's not that great for non-technical people who are the ones most likely to do something to wipe the partition, not label the disc, and then destroy their system.

That's my point.
The vast majority of users aren't as tech-savvy as the companies give them credit for.
They might not know how to burn the discs.
More likely, they just won't ever burn the discs. Out of sight, out of mind. They won't even think about those restore discs until it's too late and they actually need them... like when the HD tanks and the user never burned the discs.

It's a bad move on the part of the manufacturers, IMHO. Of course, it isn't entirely their fault. Consumers always want things cheaper and less expensive. If the company saves money by not taking the time, money and trouble to create actual discs, then they can pass that savings on to the customer.

In the end, this only creates the potential for some major hassles down the road.

[otakuneko]

It's fairly easy to follow when the wizard tells you what to do at every step of the way.

Put a blank CD (or DVD where applicable) in now, luser!

Horrible for proper backup procedure though. For example my laptop's restore disc creator utility only allowed me to make one set. Fine by me though, I have TrueImage. Speaking of which I need to add a new incremental image soon...

But yeah, recovery partitions are suck. Not gonna do ya a whole lotta good when the hd goes boom.

[Hyndis]

Usually what they do is put the information on a partition on the HDD, and let you burn it to disc. Some even have the option of just running a restore direct from the partition. It think it's an okay idea, in that at least you're not boned in the disc goes astray/becomes damaged. But it's not that great for non-technical people who are the ones most likely to do something to wipe the partition, not label the disc, and then destroy their system.

Ugh, I hate how computers these day do that. If your HD becomes hosed in one of many, many ways, such as outright mechanical failure out perhaps a virus that ruins random files, you can't recover the OS.

If the OS is on a separate disk you can still recover even if the entire HD is ruined.

Just seems like too much of putting all one's eggs into the same basket. This is why for storage I have a physically separate HD, not just a partition, but a completely different HD for backup purposes. Thus, if the primary HD has mechanical failure or another such disaster, I'm still okay. And the OS is backed up on two different places, once on the original installation disk, and also on the HD of my other computer....though that backup is of a, umm...dubious nature.

[PepperElf]

i hate having to make my own recovery disks
cos the last time i did that, i accidentially pulled up the label and took the blasted data up with it yeah. the silvery part came up.

then i had to spend an hour with the tier one people to get them to send me the real disks.

[sld72382]

I'm with the people who aren't fans of the recovery partitions.

First, if your hard drive dies you'll need to order the CDs anyway. Second there are some viruses out there that will target the recovery partition.

The cover-up reason that OEMs give is that the recovery partition is "easier." The real reason is because OEMs don't want to spend the 10 cents to package the CD/DVD in with the box, and charge the customer $20-$40 if the client needs a hard copy on CD.

[SpyOne]

I would never purchase a computer, new OR used, without a set of original recovery discs included with the sale.

I am amazed and appalled to hear that some companies appear to be selling new computers without the physical discs included.

I was rather amazed and appalled to learn that, too. Unfortunately, I learned it after I had bought the system, taken it home, set it up and plugged it in.

No biggie: I, too, have a bunch of CDR's labled with a Sharpie, in their own little CD case. Still, if something had gone wrong before I got them burned (or, god forbid, something goes wrong when I have to USE them), I'd have been not a happy bunny.

[otakuneko]

I'm with the people who aren't fans of the recovery partitions.

First, if your hard drive dies you'll need to order the CDs anyway. Second there are some viruses out there that will target the recovery partition.

The cover-up reason that OEMs give is that the recovery partition is "easier." The real reason is because OEMs don't want to spend the 10 cents to package the CD/DVD in with the box, and charge the customer $20-$40 if the client needs a hard copy on CD.

That or they're in cahoots with Acronis and Symantec.

[wolfie]

A couple weeks ago, as I was pulling into a truck stop, I heard over the CB that someone was having computer trouble, and did anyone have a recovery disk that they could borrow?

Wound up explaining it to him in terms I figured he could understand - it was like going to a salvage yard and asking for a replacement hood for his truck. Even saying he needed a recovery disk for an HP laptop didn't help - if you're asking for a Kenworth hood, is it for a T600, T800, W900, or some other model?

[Tigress]

I think that's the reason most manufacturers don't include the restore discs anymore. True, it only costs a dime to include them with the computer to start with. But they can potentially make more money by NOT including them.

If you include the restore partition and offer users the "option" of burning their own discs, the majority of them are not going to burn them. Of those that do, half of them aren't going to do it correctly. So when their hard drive is borked and they are stuck with no way of restoring their computer, they'll grumble about shelling out that $20 - 40 for the restore discs, but they'll pay it.

BOOM! Pure profit.

Speaking of which, I just had to buy some for my laptop. I bought it off eBay and the seller put XP on a Vista machine and was missing several important drivers. While I was able to find most of the drivers, XP drivers simply don't exist for a few of the devices. I'm not complaining, since I was more or less expecting that to happen. And I got a very nice machine for $400.

I just have to wait until I get the discs before I can fully use it.