cartref Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 Hi,Purchased a PC from Auchan yesterday at a super price, without a screen , just the PC as mine had crashed. However it did not come with the Windows Vista back up disk but we were told that the PC prompted us to back up ourselves. It would have taken 15 disks to do so. Also, the Windows Vista is all in French unlike XP which is universal depending on the country you buy from. There is no apparent way to get the English language on this PC and so I am returning it to Auchan. Has anyone bought a PC from the UK and had it delivered to France? We have looked but found no one who will deliver outside of the UK. Any help gratefully received.cartref Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Framboise Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 What about Dell? I seem to recall an advertisment of theirs in a Franch magazine I read. Perhaps they might be able to help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 Dell do deliver to France, but delivery costs are quite high. In view of your proximity to the UK you may consider a day trip to collect from a UK outlet would resolve the issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cartref Posted November 1, 2007 Author Share Posted November 1, 2007 Thanks George, we think that is the only option, so Pc World Ashford here we come!!cartref Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Coeur de Lion Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 Bought a good system from ebay last week for just uinder £200 in delivery. He's based in germany, but offers two year warranty and has been around for 10 years. Good feedback rating. I used my old xp disk on it and it works a treat. Why can't you use your old xp os onto any new pc you buy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derf Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 "so I am returning it to Auchan"If you manage to get a refund will you let us know?[:D]. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob T Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 Why don't you just take Vista off and put English XP on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 [quote user="derf"]"so I am returning it to Auchan"If you manage to get a refund will you let us know?[:D].[/quote]Alcampo in Spain, which is the same chain as Auchan in France, have/had (no recent knowledge) a 14 day no quibble money back guarantee so it will be interesting to see if this is the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sid Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 [quote user="cartref"] ... Also, the Windows Vista is all in French unlike XP which is universal depending on the country you buy from. There is no apparent way to get the English language on this PC and so I am returning it to Auchan. [/quote]The operating system is usually installed in the language of the country where the pc is retailed. It's not amendable once installed without a total re-installation. Other software like Office has options for other languages. You will find that XP is just the same; it's not a Vista quirk. When you buy the pc you need to specify English as the operating sytem language and if preferred, a UK keyboard.You could always obtain an English OS and install it yourself, but it can be a hassle if you're not sure what to do.As already mentioned, Dell can supply systems with English OS and keyboards but I'm sure you'll find they're dearer than the Auchan special bulk deals.Sid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onion van man Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 [quote user="LyndaandRichard"] I used my old xp disk on it and it works a treat. Why can't you use your old xp os onto any new pc you buy?[/quote]Because if your old 'XP' os is an OEM version you will be breaking the contract you made with Microsoft under the EULA. In short "OEM versions can only be used with the machine they were bought with. In general they class the motherboard as the heart of the machine for this contract." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cartref Posted November 2, 2007 Author Share Posted November 2, 2007 Service pack2 on XP only allows you to re-load 3 times and it has already been done the 3 times.[:@] However, Auchan will get this new one back tomorrow and we shall see if their no-quibble guarantee works. We have sourced a super reconditioned one (with 12 mth guarantee) from PC world, top spec without monitor (which is what we wanted) but we have to arrange delivery to an address in the UK as they won't deliver to France. Watch this space.[:D]cartref Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Coeur de Lion Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 [quote user="Onion van man"][quote user="LyndaandRichard"] I used my old xp disk on it and it works a treat. Why can't you use your old xp os onto any new pc you buy?[/quote]Because if your old 'XP' os is an OEM version you will be breaking the contract you made with Microsoft under the EULA. In short "OEM versions can only be used with the machine they were bought with. In general they class the motherboard as the heart of the machine for this contract."[/quote]No wonder Bill Gates is rich. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deimos Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 I think a lot of PCs these days comewithout setup CDs. When I got my IBM (some time ago now) it had noset-up CDs and no means to make your own. What quite a fewmanufacturers seem to do is to put the "return to factory"thing n a special hidden part of the hard disk with a magic startupkey sequence to get to it. Thus if your hard disk goes awol youcannot pop-out to your local PC supplies shop and buy a cheap diskbut have to order a spare part at great expense and long delay fromthe manufacturer. I had a big argument with IBM who wanted to chargeme for the "return to factory state" CDs but sent them forfree in the end. However, they don't even have the Windows XP set-updisks available, just to restore the hard disk to its factory config(i.e. does the Windows set-up when you "first" switch-on).Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarksinfrance Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 cartrefIf you check out the Dell France web-site and find a PC you want at the right price; telephone Dell France and ask for that PC with an English keyboard and English software at no extra cost. Delivery is the same as if you ordered from the website, plus you have the benefit of a European guarantee.Hope it helps.Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingdingaling Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Bought a PC in France and returning it due to being in French!!!Whatever you do, don't go shopping for a car![8-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cartref Posted November 3, 2007 Author Share Posted November 3, 2007 Hi all,Took French PC back to Auchan this morning and got money credited back to my Visa card with no trouble at all. In fact the guy in Auchan explained that to have a UK pc in France is 'illegal' as France does not have a licence to sell them Pc's apparently now come with language of country of origin on board. Getting one from PC World in the UK and fetching it in 2 weeks. Thank God for friends willing to receive our goods[:D]Thanks for all replies to my OP,cartref Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derf Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 I am pleased you got your refund, maybe you can come with me, the next time I have to return a faulty item[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cartref Posted November 4, 2007 Author Share Posted November 4, 2007 HI Les,Difference was , our PC was NOT a faulty item , merely unsuitable. However, we have had one ore two items from DIY stores that have been faulty and we have been refunded with no problem at all. Perhaps I could be a consumer champion here in France. I may have to hedge my bets here though as we have yet to come across someone who won't refund, but as yet good news all round[:D]cartref Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 I am sure that I read somewhere that one of the features of Vista, unlike previous versions of Windows, was that the OS language could be altered by the user. You can change the ketboard etc. in any version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cartref Posted November 8, 2007 Author Share Posted November 8, 2007 Bilbo wrote I am sure that I read somewhere that one of the features of Vista, unlike previous versions of Windows, was that the OS language could be altered by the user. You can change the ketboard etc. in any version.Not so Bilbo, previous OS systems like XP etc did have this facility but Vista does not. Also if you order a PC from the UK they will not deliver to France. Something to do with licensing of the MIcrosoft product I believe. cartref Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalyn Computers Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 It isn't illegal for you to change your XP or Vista from French to English, you can elect to run your PC with whatever language you like. Service Pack 2 for XP does NOT limit your to 3 re-installs but re-registering with Microsoft afeter a re-install becomes a little more complicated.You can buy a new computer in France with XP or Vista pre-installed in English, there are several English run computer companies in France - I run one which is fully registered - and we build and sell computers in any language you want.Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tel Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Hi Bilbo,[quote user="Bilbo"]I am sure that I read somewhere that one of the features of Vista, unlike previous versions of Windows, was that the OS language could be altered by the user. You can change the ketboard etc. in any version.[/quote]I don't think so, check out this thread:http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/2/1019953/ShowPost.aspx#1019953 Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suein56 Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 [quote user="tel"]Hi Bilbo,[quote user="Bilbo"]I am sure that I read somewhere that one of the features of Vista, unlike previous versions of Windows, was that the OS language could be altered by the user. You can change the ketboard etc. in any version.[/quote]I don't think so, check out this thread:http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/2/1019953/ShowPost.aspx#1019953 [/quote]When I bought my new laptop in 2006 here in France and first opened it up on screen I was given the option of choosing the language in which to run XP. I remember hesitating before choosing French - thinking 'help' am I going to be able to manage this? But I was definitely given the choice of language. But you then have to stick with whatever choice you make.Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tel Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Hi spg,The option you had was only to change the way Currencies, Dates and times, keyboard language etc, is displayed on your computer for Non Unicode languages. Windows XP, Vista etc the language used is in Unicode and in the language of the Country the system was supplied. So if a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer tells us it can't be done I tend to agree with him.Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quillan Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 [quote user="cartref"]Bilbo wrote I am sure that I read somewhere that one of the features of Vista, unlike previous versions of Windows, was that the OS language could be altered by the user. You can change the ketboard etc. in any version.Not so Bilbo, previous OS systems like XP etc did have this facility but Vista does not. Also if you order a PC from the UK they will not deliver to France. Something to do with licensing of the MIcrosoft product I believe. cartref[/quote]The reason for the latter will be because the PC manufacturers in the UK get OEM versions of the operating system in English for something like £25 a go and include it in the cost of the PC. The OEM licence is to them to use in the UK. The same would apply in France. The only way round it is to buy a copy of the operating system via somebody like Amazon.fr, try typing in Windows Vista English and up they will pop. Vista Home Premium in English will cost about 290 Euros. Click HERE to view the product on Amazon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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