PC World Says, "No....but..."
· Sep 12, 03:09 PM
PC World wants to void your warranty if you install Linux on your PC…unless you reinstall Windows before you take it back to the store.
On Tuesday, a reader of the technology news website Slashdot claimed to have taken a recently bought Acer laptop back to PC World to have the hinge repaired, only to be told that the installation of Gentoo Linux on the machine had voided the warranty.“PC World said that installing Linux had voided my warranty and there is nothing they will do for me,” wrote the reader, identified only as Tikka. “I spoke to a manager, who said that he has been told to refuse any repairs if the operating system has been changed.”
A spokesperson responded saying, (I’m paraphrasing here) ‘No, there’s no void on the warranty…just reinstall windows and we’d be happy to work on your computer.’
PC World’s spokesperson added that customers who replaced Windows with Linux were encouraged to reinstall Windows “where it is feasible” before returning their machines for repair. “As long as PC World or the TechGuys [PC World’s IT support staff] are able to restore the initial settings, there is no void with the warranty. In cases where customer wants to install Linux, it is vital that they make a Windows recovery disc first, unless this comes with the computer,” said the spokesperson.
What a bunch of baloney. Linux fans, if you wonder why it’s hard to convince people to make the switch, this is why. People are just soooo afraid of what they don’t know.
HOW THE HECK DOES AN OPERATING SYSTEM HAVE ANYTHING ANYTHING TO DO WITH REPLACING A LAPTOP HINGE?!?!
In the words of my buddy Steve, “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!?”
Via zdnet.co.uk