How can I get a rebate for the Microsoft OS that was pre-installed on my computer?

How can I get a rebate for the Microsoft OS that was pre-installed on my computer?


Author: Aaron Turner
Email: aturner@pobox.com
Web Page: http://www.pobox.com/~aturner/

System Architecture: Intel
RedHat Release: All/General
FAQ Category: General/Other
Modification Date: Jan 18, 1999

Question:

Hey I'm about to go purchase a new computer.  It comes with this Microsoft OS
preinstalled.  Yuck!  I don't want it, but the vendor says that they don't sell
systems without Windows.  I don't want to pay for the license!  What do I do?

Answer:

Well the good news is that it is possible to get a *refund* for that copy of
Windows that came preinstalled on your computer.  The bad news is that as far
as I know, this has only worked once.

First, and this is **very** important: You can not boot your system
into Windows (95/98/NT) even ONCE.  Once you run Windows, this won't work.

Now, read the EULA (End User Licence Agreement) that came with your system for
Windows.  There's a key part:

"If you do not agree to the terms of this EULA, PC Manufacturer and 
Microsoft are unwilling to license the SOFTWARE PRODUCT to you. In such event, 
you may not use or copy the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, and you should promptly contact 
PC Manufacturer for instructions on return of the unused products(s) for a 
refund."

Now take that nice beautiful Red Hat Linux install floppy, and wipe out all the
Windows partitions from your hard disk.  You can't use the fdisk program that
came with Windows, because that means you'd have too boot into Windows.

So, the next thing you need to do is contact the PC Manufacturer and tell them
that you do not agree to the terms of the EULA and you wish a refund as stated
in the licence agreement that came with your system.  You must do this promptly
(I'd say no more than a few business days after recieving your system.)

Don't expect them to do this easily.  They don't want to.  You're probably the
first person to contact them and request this.  Maybe the second.  They'll
probably offer to allow you to return the whole system.  Point out that the 
EULA is clear that you have a legal right to a refund for the cost of Windows.

Lastly, be patient and polite.  Be nice about it; yet firm... It's easier
to catch a fly with honey than vinegar and all that.

References:

http://www.netcraft.com.au/geoffrey/toshiba.html
Windows Refund Center