I just read a posting on the Newegg site expressing anger at Newegg and Everex about a defective computer whose warranty was cancelled because the buyer replaced Vista with XP. I had a similar problem with an HP computer several years ago. Before I bought the computer, I called HP technical support about installing linux. They said that they would tell me how to do it after I bought the computer. When I did, they told me that if I put linux on the computer it would void the warranty.

The purpose of this post is to point out that there is a solution. If you buy a computer from Wal-Mart it can be returned for any reason within their specified period, e.g. two weeks for notebook computers. I do not want to be a shill for Wal-Mart but just as they have taught businesses to be more efficient they can also teach a lot of companies how to treat customers better. There is no reason why installing a different OS should void a warranty on a bad hard drive.

Are you sure HP told you that installing linux will void the warranty? I doubt it, maybe the software support (windows issues) you meant. You will still be able to be covered for HW problems, maybe check hp.com for warranty keyword and read their policy.

However, this is unacceptable to void your warranty if you change the O/S, I see the future coming where we will buy OEM pc's and will have only a list of applications that we can install or else the warranty will be voided.

You should clarify first that they don't void your hardware and then you should complaint. Maybe it's that their technicians are bored, it really surprises me what you said.

There is no doubt about it. When the issue arose I also spoke to a supervisor. It cost me a $100 restocking fee to return it to Circuit City which is why I don't buy from them anymore.