[AcaCandy]

And of course, they should be turning you into MS after they find out what you are doing. Also, you might want to review our forum rules before basically "assisting" people here on how to do illegal stuff.

[new tech guy]

I did not intend that as a way to insist on illeagal activities, to be honest if the disc had no illegal method of install i would not have cared as my main purpose was for a blank setup disc without a key. If it is a problem being there i will comply and remove the post. However, i did not know that was illegal to even download just the setup disc without any keys.

[AcaCandy]

Is the setup disc available for download on the Microsoft website? I'd use that as a guideline in defining "illegal."

[Compiler]

Well... do keep in mind that Microsoft does make it harder for legit users to reinstall Windows. Like when buying a name brand PC (HP/Dell/Gateway/etc) the end user doesn't usually get an actual OS disc for reinstallation. But may have to burn a copy to 2-4 DVD for "recovery" - and as some of us knows, DVD/CD(R) discs don't have the life-span of pressed disks... so many of these "recovery" discs end up being useless.

So... many of us have 2-4 different Windows disc versions (Shops have full masters of every type or version) to use for installation while using the customers key. Whenever a client throws out a old/dead PC, I keep the discs handy. There are no keys on the discs - but they are legit. Dell discs work on Dell hardware, etc.

Of course, it would be nice if just 1 disc did it all... simpler and far easier to repair a persons computer. More than once, because of no Actual Windows Disc, we'd have to go and buy $100 Windows Disc to get a computer back up and running again.

[JStergis]

Originally Posted by Compiler

Well... do keep in mind that Microsoft does make it harder for legit users to reinstall Windows. Like when buying a name brand PC (HP/Dell/Gateway/etc) the end user doesn't usually get an actual OS disc for reinstallation. But may have to burn a copy to 2-4 DVD for "recovery" - and as some of us knows, DVD/CD(R) discs don't have the life-span of pressed disks... so many of these "recovery" discs end up being useless.

So... many of us have 2-4 different Windows disc versions (Shops have full masters of every type or version) to use for installation while using the customers key. Whenever a client throws out a old/dead PC, I keep the discs handy. There are no keys on the discs - but they are legit. Dell discs work on Dell hardware, etc.

Of course, it would be nice if just 1 disc did it all... simpler and far easier to repair a persons computer. More than once, because of no Actual Windows Disc, we'd have to go and buy $100 Windows Disc to get a computer back up and running again.

On one machine I was working on, since the recovery disks were already made and it wouldn't let me make another set, I ended up mounting the recovery partition as the boot partition, then installing the recovery to the windows partition. Eventually, it switched the windows partition to primary on its own, so everything worked out.

[new tech guy]

I see what you were saying AcaCandy, i will be sure not to speak of that again, I do apologize for that post. In any event, with windows vista what is a nice feature of it is that they did away with the oem,retail... stuff and now it is just one disc can do it all as one disc can also install every version of windows. I think they did this because of the reason i stated where private techs need a one disc setup cd to reinstall windows on clients pcs. This way they can use the one disc and just apply it with the client's oem product key for vista and presto! Vista works fine.

[dreadput nomad]

I found one of their mri discs in the disc tray that my teacher
(long story short vocational school one teacher was a programmer, my other teacher deals more with OS and hardware.)

The Software teacher sent his PC to geek squad to see if they could do the job. I have some Hijack this experience but when he said he used it for banking I pretty much said he should wipe it to be on the safe side and believed I wouldn't have been able to do the job properly.

(Pretty heavily infected, smitfruad and lots of others.)

Fast forward he brings his PC back to the shop because geek squad couldn't fix it (WOW...... they couldn't fix it with the tools they had at their disposal.... for shame..... they had almost everything they could have needed on the mri disk.)

Going to backup whats on his 20gb drive to a 500gb drive with windows XP pro installed than I have to install webTRAC software on a systemax that was laying around and use a new poweredge 2400 (that was kindly donated) and (learn to) set that up as a backup server and theirs a laptop that needs to be fixed (crap rambling too much back on topic)

err Geek squad so called we will sue you if your not authorized to use it software was left in a cd tray why........

They couldn't remove the malware on the system with the said tools they have at their disposal why..... crap short story became long I fail..

another goal make a custom disc bartpe disc using the easy to find plugins on various sites for our shop to use similer to mri than return (bah Why should I ) the disk to my teacher

[Newuser12345215]

I know this is a really late post(years late) to the post I am quoting.

Originally Posted by sglv

I'm dealing with this right now actually. I never buy warranties, but hubby does. This warranty he bought for his laptop supposedly covers monitors and, of course, they (I have no idea) refuse to honor it. He has an internal crack which, accordingly to the "Geek" there said was probably caused my the drive getting too hot and the screen being placed down. I'm pretty computer illiterate so I have no idea. His computer is in perfect condition, I'll admit he takes very good care of it and is very careful with it. So they ship it off, it comes back and they call saying all fixed on the phone. He gets there, they say "oh, actually it wasn't covered. Here's a bill for $100." To say my hubby went ballistic is an understatement. He didn't pay the $100. Now we're stuck having to figure out how to get it fixed, quick, because it's absolutely necessary for his business. Very angry to say the least

That's too bad.

Warranties are a scam. The warranties stores like bestbuy, circuit city, etc sell you are basically scams

The only products that you should get a warranty for is for wired headphones.

Wired headphones/headsets classify under general "wear and tear", as most wired headphones die very often and last only for a couple of months before they start to die.

I have warranty for my headphones, and it only costs $6 and it covers up to 2 years, so far I've been replacing them approx every 3-6 months(breakages time varies), and them getting them replaced for free.

So... other than headphones, warranties(that stores like bestbuy try to sell to you) are generally a scam and you shouldn't buy them.

[JohnWill]

I don't buy warranties on anything. You have to ask yourself, why are they pushing them so hard? The answer is obvious, because they're a major money-maker! Unless you're pretty destitute, most folks can afford to replace the $60 DVD player if it dies, and buying a $20 warranty for a couple of years makes no sense at all. All you really accomplish is paying $80 for a $60 item.

[dr911]

Hey All,

I was looking @ "craigslist-las vegas" and came across this:
Link:http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/rnr/699741538.html

You wrote,
"Get rid of your PC and get a MAC.
Didn't you watch the commercials?
Try the geeks at Best Buy.
They are slow but can generally figure it out if you pay."


Just so you know I DID use the Geeks at Best Buy and you're right. I SHOULD have gotten a Mac. The "Inspected/Installation prepared by Geek Squad" is stamped "Optimization only" instead of "Standard Security and performance" but the place where it is supposed to be dated and signed with the "agent's" name is left blank so how do you know who to hold accountable?

I started checking program install dates, updates, etc. and people have had their hands on this "brand new computer" adding programs and such since 2004! FOUR YEARS AGO!

Just how many people have been inside the guts of this new HP since I bought it brand new on Apr 1st?

This is a serious question. Does anyone know? And shouldn't my battery last longer than two hours? The calibration test says it's "healthy" but I thought a properly calibrated battery lasted longer than THAT!

Thanks, Miggy.

[RedHelix]

This is why you shouldn't bash tech services unless you know what you're talking about, otherwise you wind up looking like an idiot.

Those dates are from the original factory image, which HP tweaks for each model.

[Davec]

Originally Posted by RedHelix

Those dates are from the original factory image, which HP tweaks for each model.

But not very well. Ask those with HP AMDs that tried to install XP SP3.

[RedHelix]

No argument here. I remember one HP model that had a proprietary, non-downloadable speedstep driver which kept you from installing any other OS. You couldn't even upgrade to XP pro.

[new tech guy]

Yeah I have had my fair share with them if you look back at my original story over my toshiba laptop and i think i pulled another customer out from under them. There story is a little confusing. They have a laptop that started having the infinite loop problem. The pc was under warranty and they called the manufacturer (gateway), and gateway claimed it was a "bad hard drive" and said they would ship a new one (which has the factory garbage installed) and they said to copy your data you would need to find someone to do it. So not knowing much they go to geek squad who say they will move it for $100. I said to my self that $100 sounds a bit much and offered to do it for $40. And i mentioned that the program i would use before pulling data may even ressurect the old drive and it will run fine again. So i think i have them interested with a price of $40. And i heard all this other stuff about the speakers being messed up, a broken keyboard and that mess is where im confused so i said id just deal with the hard drive as i dont want to void a warranty and will let her deal with the rest of the work. What is odd is that they dont even want to copy the os, they want a clean install but want their files moved. Come to think, i might even offer them a reinstall of windows (its vista and i have a couple vista machines in my home and the vista setup discs can install any version from any disc, therefore i would use the legal ultimate disc i have to setup windows and of course use her key to activate the install, again i say that is legal because microsoft did away with the oem, retail, etc... stuff in windows vista). Therefore, if they insist a clean setup they can have a no-bloat install of windows. If they choose not to, then the recovery install will stay. But yeah the story is very confusing so we shall see.

[roliax]

I've had my share of problems/sucesses with Geek Squad. First off, I'd just like to point out that expressed opinions are always going to be more negative than positive online (and many other ways as well) because of human psychology and tendency to express anger and unsatisfaction rather than a good experience. For example, if GS fixed your computer the right way, you would not go out on your way to post it in a forum because well, they did their job. But if they screwed you up you'd probably call CNN. Exagerrated but point is clear.

Anyways, I've read most of these post and I see how ignorant/unaware people are about things. I say this because I'm in tech for a small company, for my friends and I also work at Best Buy (not GS). Here's my 2 cents.

Based on what I've seen, experiences and anecdotes are localized and even individualized, so don't apply that to everything. Working there, I know that their prices are outrageous and their quality may not be the best. But before you go bashing on stuff like this, you have to know some of these facts:

1) Best Buy makes no/little money on products. THEY WILL go out of business if they just sell products.

2) Best Buy makes money off warranty and services because they don't make money on products. This is a market strategy, whether its a ripoff or I'll go into that later. They are not the first to do this. In fact, EVERY CONSOLE GAME YOU BUY is the same thing. You buy the console at a loss to the manufacturer (they lose money) and they make money off accessories and games. Does the Wii ring any bells?

3) Best Buy employees are not on commission, but they have budgets and goals. Again, this is part of business. Every SUCCESSFUL business have budgets they must hit and goals they must hit to maintain profability. This means they must sell certain percentages in services and warranties to stay that way. Is it a ripoff? Again that's later.

Is Best Buy a ripoff? Everything is relative. When I first started working there, I thought everything there was a ripoff. Now, I think the prices are high, but not necessariy a ripoff. Being told to sell a service that installs trend micro, spysweeper and "optimize" the computer for $130 was hard. It's just too steep. That's because I know I can do that in about an hour or so (i optimize by reformatting).

However, I have families, friends and a girlfriend who are completely computer morons that makes me feel alot better when I sell this. There are people who just need this stuff done. As a salesperson, I do not sell to everyone but people who I think will need it. If you got a "tech" guy who can help,that's great go for it.

Think about this. An oil change costs ~$40 a pep boys. It costs roughly 10-15 to DIY. But who here changes their oil? I don't even though I know how to do it and I've done it before. Hell, I don't even wash my car anymore. Some people just don't know/have the time/tools to do it. Even though a mechanic will tell you it's the easiest thing to do and $40 is a complete ripoff.

Understandably, some "agents" underperform, but again that's based on individual experiences. I've seen Geek Squad decline work because they deemed it was from accidental damage. I've seen people get a new laptop OUTSIDE of return policy (no warranties) because it was deffective.

The last thing I wanted to say goes to the personal "techs" that bash on GS prices by saying things like: "I can do that in 20 mins" or "I can do that for half the price".

Sure, I don't doubt your ability. But have you ever tried to put yourself in a BUSINESS perspective. Suddenly, you simply want to charge more. My brother in-law has his own repair shop. To compete with the big dogs, that's what he did at first. It just isn't profitable. Time is money. If you give a free/cheap diagnostics which might take half an hour and the customer leaves, YOU LOSE MONEY.

Data transfer is easy, but GS charges $100. You can probably charge as low as $20 because its easy and takes almost no time. But, what if you run into problems? Do you charge the extra time? Yes= mad* customer. No= you lose money/time.

With this all said, I do completely hate it when GS do a crap jobs. But the world's not perfect and people are going to mess up/not care.

Flame on.