Installing Windows for Clients

[Friction]

OK, so OOBE is what I want to implement. Any quick help on where I can find how to do so?

 

[Kitten Kong]

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh825198.aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/hh824920.aspx

couple to be getting on with.

Google is your friend.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I wouldn't want to do anything to jeapordize my business by not following the license correctly. A huge corporation like that would burn the little guys like us by not doing things by the book.

And just how would Microsoft know? And more importantly WHY would they care? So long as Microsoft gets the money they are due for what you are installing they really don't give a crap. Have you EVER heard of a company being sued by Microsoft for failing to show the EULA? If you are going to worry about something make it something really scary like being hit by meteors or plagues of locusts.

 

[Kitten Kong]

And just how would Microsoft know? And more importantly WHY would they care? So long as Microsoft gets the money they are due for what you are installing they really don't give a crap. Have you EVER heard of a company being sued by Microsoft for failing to show the EULA? If you are going to worry about something make it something really scary like being hit by meteors or plagues of locusts.

Exactly, they have far more pressing matters to attend to. I.e the Windows 8 debacle, stopping piracy, If W9 will be a subscription model only.

Anything other than checking if Joe Bloggs who installs windows on a few machines a month is showing the EULA to clients, and ensuring that the client accepts same.

Not to mention how would they even be able to check on this?

With the thousands of installations daily, this would seem a nigh on impossible task imo.

 

[Markverhyden]

I wouldn't want to do anything to jeapordize my business by not following the license correctly. A huge corporation like that would burn the little guys like us by not doing things by the book.

You really think they even care? You can be sure they do not bother with the nickle and dime crowd. Heck, sometimes they do not even got after reported software pirates.

Besides they are going to lay off 18,000 people in the next year. They've seen the writing on the wall and it does not say desktops or laptops.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

Don't know that I agree with you. Lot of talk about the start menu coming back and about Desktop improvements, think they may have realized they put their money into the wrong areas. Don't see laptops and desktops dying out, I think people are pretty familiar and comfortable with the form factors.

 

[Friction]

OK, perhaps I should have asked my inital question differently.

What do you guys do when you have built a custom PC for a client and when the client turns on the computer for the first time? Do you ask the client for all the pertinent information needed during a normal installation and do it all for them, then install drivers, windows updates, etc, or do you do all that and then when the client turns on the PC for the first time they are presented with the UELA?

 

[Friction]

Do you set the client up with a Microsoft account or a local account?

 

[Kitten Kong]

OK, perhaps I should have asked my inital question differently.

What do you guys do when you have built a custom PC for a client and when the client turns on the computer for the first time? Do you ask the client for all the pertinent information needed during a normal installation and do it all for them, then install drivers, windows updates, etc, or do you do all that and then when the client turns on the PC for the first time they are presented with the UELA?

All clients login details - taken at point of check in of the job.
All drivers installed -check
All data installed - check
All correct programs installed and updated - check

Do the oobe afterwards - maybe. It all depends on the client.. (That's all I'm going to say on that one).

 

[Kitten Kong]

Do you set the client up with a Microsoft account or a local account?

That's n windows 8. I've not yet had a client who I've not persuaded to with w7 route.

Not yet installed a w8 machine from scratch.

When I've done new set ups for clients, ive opted for a local account.

Others on here may opt for the ms account. It's each to their own.

 

[nlinecomputers]

OK, perhaps I should have asked my inital question differently.

What do you guys do when you have built a custom PC for a client and when the client turns on the computer for the first time? Do you ask the client for all the pertinent information needed during a normal installation and do it all for them, then install drivers, windows updates, etc, or do you do all that and then when the client turns on the PC for the first time they are presented with the UELA?

I do it all for them. That is what they are paying me to do, to setup the system so that they can use it and not have to dick with it. Otherwise they would just buy a Dell directly and not even hire me.

Do you set the client up with a Microsoft account or a local account?

Generally a local account but I do explain to the client what a Microsoft account is and how critical it is to remember the passwords. But most of my clients want Windows 7 and that is generally what I provide them. It is one of the reasons they came to me in the first place.

 

[Martyn]

As I advise all of my clients, tell them to go to a business outlet. They will give you a computer with Windows 7 Professional if you ask which is downgrade rights for Windows 8 Professional. You will also get Windows 8 DVDS so they can load that if you want to at a later date.

As regards account, usually a local one but the Microsoft one is easy to recover online if they forget it.

 

[frederick]

I don't know about your Terms of Service, but....

7.2 Installation of Software
Phoenix Computer Hospital, LLC may need to download and/or run software on the device requiring service to help diagnose and perform any service that has been requested.
Phoenix Computer Hospital, LLC may need to reinstall software that was included as part of the device’s original configuration.
The customer agrees that Phoenix Computer Hospital, LLC may download and utilize Software from third party web sites, USBs or CDs and accept any applicable license agreements on the customers behalf. The customer acknowledges and agrees that Phoenix Computer Hospital, LLC may download and install trial versions of Software that will be removed at the end of the service without exceptions.

Therefore, when I build a system for a client, install windows, etc....I don't have to have them click on agree or disagree for any EULA (it is not UELA...User End-License Agreement??? wtf???) as they are already authorizing me to represent them in accepting the EULA. If the customer does not wish for this to happen, then omit it in your ToS, or if you want to to have to click agree or disagree, don't add it to your ToS.

Our Terms of Service to help you out, cause it looks like you need it...

 

[katz]

@ ohio grad -

Don't know that I agree with you. Lot of talk about the start menu coming back and about Desktop improvements, think they may have realized they put their money into the wrong areas. Don't see laptops and desktops dying out, I think people are pretty familiar and comfortable with the form factors.

I'm with you. I want to keep my laptop/desktop and don't care for a company to "push" me into another (and usually) smaller form factor. I hate the tiny devices with a smallish screen that I have a hard time working with, and it is one of the main complaints I get from my clients, and not just the elderly ones either.

@ frederick -

My TOS contains similar wording. And as nlinecomputers mentioned, the clients wants it "ready to go" as soon as they press the power button. The last thing they want to do is waste time clicking check boxes agreeing to things.

Bottom line, I am contracted to act on their behalf. And as mentioned previously, they surely aren't going to go after the "little guys" for checking/agreeing to EULA's.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

I can tell you some younger folks I've helped did not want Windows 8 and were happy when we installed classic shell.

 

[katz]

I can tell you some younger folks I've helped did not want Windows 8 and were happy when we installed classic shell.

+1 - So far, everyone I've worked with that has a Windows 8 PC hates the metro screen and the other foolishness. Young and old alike. I install a start button and they are overjoyed.

Funny thing is, I am now getting used to the clunky metro setup and can navigate it pretty well, and I also make use of the keyboard shortcuts to pull up certain menus, Windows key + X, for example.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

I made myself learn some of metro as I had installed windows 8 pro on my gaming pc, then realized wait a second, I spend 99% of time in desktop mode or in a game anyway, and that I'm still pretty fond of windows 7, so installed classic shell, bypassed the metro screen, disabled all hot corners, windows 8 ala windows 7 lol.

 

[Friction]

Thanks for all the feedback folks. It's much appreciated.

 

[cypress]

Startisback for the win! $2.99 a liscense and it looks and works incredibly good. Especially when I use the Windows 7 start logo. Looks just like Windows 7 for the most part lol.