Computers & Networking

[palek]

Hi.

Will warranty still be valid if I replace Windows OS with a Linux on the laptop that has been originally supplied with Windows?

[Nokia]

Yes. However, any problems caused by it will not be covered.

[TheLexMachine]

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palek wrote:

Hi.

Will warranty still be valid if I replace Windows OS with a Linux on the laptop that has been originally supplied with Windows?

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Yes and no. Manufacturers will generally NOT perform warranty repairs such as parts replacement unless your system has one of the supported Microsoft OS on it. In short, don't be an idiot and install Linux over your Windows operating system. They will tell you to re-install Windows before they can fix your system. Buy another HDD, swap it out, and install Linux on that. You'd probably be getting a better HDD anyway. Best Buy recently attracted a lot of flack because of that policy when they told a customer they would have to re-install Windows but people don't grasp that Linux support is beyond the capabilities of many laptop makers and third-parties due to customized OEM hardware and the nature of Linux. On laptops, Linux either works great or needs A LOT of time to get properly configured which is why Linux users are focused on Netbooks which have more targeted support. Most Linux drivers are user-created from reverse engineering Windows (Or Mac drivers in some circumstances) drivers so you'll have to sort through different ones to get what "just works". Do some research on your model of laptop and you can easily find if others have transitioned to Linux and what problems they faced.

[palek]

Thanks for explanations. So saving windows is vital for warranty being provided. May double-load system (both Windows and Linux on one HDD) be the solution then?

[TheLexMachine]

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palek wrote:

Thanks for explanations. So saving windows is vital for warranty being provided. May double-load system (both Windows and Linux on one HDD) be the solution then?

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No. It's standard procedure at service centers to do a factory recovery for pretty much every single thing, be it an upgrade or parts replacement, and you'd lose out in the end. They would wipe or replace your drive all together if they feel the need to do so and leave the notebook as it originally shipped from the factory or as the software or they might not even re-install the OS if they do replace your HDD. You'd be lucky if they even installed all the drivers if they do a fresh OS install without the recovery discs. I've seen firsthand how bad and disappointing it can be for people who think they will get back exactly what they sent out so make your recovery discs as soon as you get a laptop or desktop, label them accordingly, and put them in a VERY safe place. Anyway, if you are not a compotent technician like myself who is capable of doing their own repairs, you really should just stick to using only Windows on any manufacturer warrantied machine you own. Once your warranty expires, then switch over to Linux. Once you learn how to use Linux, there's really no reason to keep using Windows unless you have to for a specific reason such as playing newer games or a specific kind of media software. If you really want to start learning Linux, get a refurbished or used notebook or desktop, and install Linux on it once you know the machine is in working order.