Solved Activation issue after clean install on new hard drive

I came across that when hunting for the elusive discs. The Samsung rep on the phone told me that I should ask a retailer for 'Samsung Recovery disc' and they would be on sale wherever a Samsung product is sold.

Made it sound like it was a manufacturer disc - like this one



and not one made by the retailer to be sold to customers. I can see why Comet made them and I can see why Microsoft got mad.

With my hindsight 20/20 vision it would have been helpful if someone told me at purchase 'Oh by the way, you won't be able to get a recovery disc from Samsung and we're not allowed to make one for you so create an image etc...'

It is unlikley that they would have that conversation when you're about to spend several hundred pounds on something lol

I'm sure Comet will survive on their worthless extended warranties now they can't make a few quid on the dodgy disks

That does look like it stands a chance of being a legitimate Recovery disk - it would be interesting to grab it and see whether the proper Key and software is present, or whether they've effectively just rebadged a standard WIn7 disk

NoelDP said:

That does look like it stands a chance of being a legitimate Recovery disk - it would be interesting to grab it and see whether the proper Key and software is present, or whether they've effectively just rebadged a standard WIn7 disk

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It's the only Samsung branded disc I could find when I searched. 64-bit version and in USA so no use. But good to know they actually exist.

On the disc it's written that it is for Samsung computers only, probably runs alongside Samsung Recovery Solution or something. But appears only to be an OS install disc.

That would fit - they probably want to charge extra for the applications disk

(Hey! - I just went Gold! )

NoelDP said:

(Hey! - I just went Gold! )

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NoelDP said:

(Hey! - I just went Gold! )

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Another Gold for Team GB

I saw the announcement of that case a while back.

MS spokesman says it is unnecessary - clearly, he is wrong. It is necessary for customers to have recovery discs supplied.

Mr Bongo is one of many in that situation.

There is also clearly some sort of cost involved in running off the recovery discs, and sending them out.

Whether PC World went about it the right way is open to question.

It seems to me to be no different than a retailer offering a pc optimization service. That service could easily involve removing some oem bloatware, and running off your recovery discs for you.

They charge for that, obviously.

Mr Bongo it looks like you have a Samsung Recovery Disk. Why is it you didn't try running it? Is that for another machine?

gregrocker said:

Mr Bongo it looks like you have a Samsung Recovery Disk. Why is it you didn't try running it? Is that for another machine?

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it's an eBay photo, greg,

Makes me wonder if it actually exists as a torrent where a really desperate user stuck with no other options could download it to restore their machine?

You're a braver man than I am if you fancy running such a machine for anything other than research purposes

It would probably enable the user to create a new recovery partition using the Samsung Recovery Solution but I reckon I would still have the Windows activation issue.

I will donate the machine to computer science when it dies.

Its what it would have wanted.

From similar reports over three years now about MS providing keys for worn OEM stickers while OEM's always refuse, it's beginning to look like only MS has this ability - while OEM's are limited to providing a factory image disk if they will do so.

Based on these reports then if one is refused a replacement key by MS Customer Service I would call back until I find someone who will.

gregrocker said:

From similar reports over three years now about MS providing keys for worn OEM stickers while OEM's always refuse, it's beginning to look like only MS has this ability - while OEM's are limited to providing a factory image disk if they will do so.

Based on these reports then if one is refused a replacement key by MS Customer Service I would call back until I find someone who will.

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Totally agree. In this case, Microsoft really weren't obliged to help so thumbs up to them for doing so. When you consider that most of what you pay for is the machine, the OEM are severely lacking in after-sales support when they don't supply the necessary discs and have you rely on in inaccessible recovery partition which ultimately means buying a new hard drive and a new copy of Windows - that Samsungs advice to me!

I wonder how many people have done just that...

So yes, it's worth phoning Microsoft again as they seem to have more human compassion.