Do I void my warranty if I install Linux on a Dell D600?


I'll buy it in England - so if anyone has information specific for UK - that would be cool...


Thank you
Anders

I know most new computers have a label on them warning you that the warranty is voided if you physically open the case. But that is more hardware related. I would expect that you still have the right to install whatever software you choose to. You'll be supplied with recovery disks that will restore to factory settings if you need them.

IMO, that's a good reason to stay away from these types of systems (Dell, Gateway, etc). They don't give you an actual Microsoft Windows CD. Like I said above, you get a "recovery disc" which is little more than a CD with an image of the OS as it is when it's shipped from the factory. Just another way of MS saying that you don't actually purchase the operating system, but merely a license to use what we continue to own all along. I'm kind of getting off on a tangent here.... If you're not interested in Windows OS, then who cares....

The warranty from Dell is for hardware problems related to running the hardware that they are selling, and I would suspect them to not support hardware on an OS that they obviously don't support. So you should expect them to help you with and hardware issues or drivers or whatever you might run into while using Linux. But that's what these forums are for.
Who need Dell support when you have LQ

I don't know if it works in the UK, but:
1-800-www-dell



Cool

I have this exact same model that you have, and have been successful with installing gentoo, redhat, and slack on it. Dell, in order to appease those with Linux will link you to the Dell Linuxcare site if you ever ask customer support a question concerning Linux. The dell linux care site has basically jack shit as far as information goes.

As for the warranty, I really couldn't give you very exact information on it other than at my University, Dell is a "strongly recommended vendor" for purchasing our REQUIRED laptops. Also, specifically in my program, (ECECS) the computers are REQUIRED to have Dual boot linux and windows. It would only seem logical that the university does not require us to void a very nice warranty on a very expensive notebook. But of course if you'd like a striahgt answer, call dell, or visit their forums.

they probably just tell you to buy Dell because they probably recieve some kind of endorcement from Dell by advertising their stuff. It doesn't mean it's good at all.

Fujitsu and Toshiba make the best Linux-Compatible laptops.

Dell, Compaq, Gateway (the worst), HP, they all have loads of problems with incompatible hardware when running Linux.

Eventhough, I think that it is HP who has shipped some Desktops with Linux, right?, I can't remember.

zLinuxz

If anything goes wrong and you need to send it back, first they're not going to take the hard drive anyway and if they do just use your restore disk to put windows back on. They'll never be the wiser.

they dont warranty the OS anyway do they? Just the hardware, right.........

Master C's recomendation to call Dell is the only way to go. Anything else, unless it is information from Dell specific to your model is hearsay. Saying "I thought that...blah,blah,blah" may not repair your system later.

i have a d500, i put linux on and squished my pre-installed windows and i have not looked back since, i asked the sales guy at dell and he said that they could not pre-install linux for me but once you get it you can do what the hell you want with it ( appart from sell the windows, copy the windows or anything like that )

the guy said linux was not availible as an option at the factory because its a server operating system, and i think dell would be abit frightened of linux because of the support issues envolved etc

when i got my laptop a few weeks ago i sent them an email telling them what an efficient service they had but i flamed them for not offering linux as an alternative OS, since then ( and this is not a result of my email ) there have been roumours of dell re-considering linux and desktop sales

but back to the main issue, you've spent the money on the hardware its yours do what you want with it, if you want to look into getting a re-bate for the windows licence !

dell's technical support line in the uk is: 0870 908 0800
however you will probably need your serivce tag, you could try this one and ask to speat to technical pre-sales: 0870 907 5819

happy linux-ing

hey, that's really cool, I didnt know you could get Winbloze licence re-bate, they should make it into a full refound if you send the CD's back intact, hehehe, that would be just cool to get like 300 bucks back, awesome!

Tight!

yeah its been going on for a while now
things like 'windows refund day' and stuff like that. if you check slashdot there should be an artical from a while back about a guy whos written a hot-to like document on what to do if your manufacturer refuses to do it

note: its your manufacturer that gives the refund not microsoft directly

Just an FYI too....

I have a Latitude D600 also. Installed RH 9 with ZERO problems. I just have to learn how to recompile the kernal to get APCI support I also need to get my Cisco wireless card working



Other than that it's golden

Peace...

congrats Whitehat!, hehehe,