More on Dell Dropping Linux Support

coolgeek writes: "In this previous Slashdot story, we discussed Dell's claims of slow sales as their reason for dropping Linux support. (article on c|net News.com). Today, this article on Reuters news reports: 'Citing internal Microsoft memos, the nine states also said that in 2000 and 2001 Microsoft pressured Dell Computer Corp. into dropping plans to offer the open-source Linux operating system on some machines it sells.'" Update by HNQ: eWeek got more details about the memos. Update: 03/19 12:26 GMT by M : I think Hetz accidentally changed this story's setting when he added the update above. Fixed.

When I ordered from Dell...

[mi]

...a couple of years ago -- the machine arrived with Windows installed anyway -- even though I was not charged for it. Too bad, I wanted to see how Linux ships. Then I went on and installed FreeBSD, of course...

Wonder what Dell will have to say

[cyberformer]

My guess is that the "poor sales" they referred to were actually poor sales of Windows (ie. only 99% of Dell PCs were shipping with Windows, as opposed to the 100% that is required in Gates's "competitive marketplace").

I wonder if Dell will have anything to say. The article just has comments from the states and Microsoft.

PC ecosystem?!

[unsinged int]

"It will have a devastating impact on Microsoft. It will have a devastating impact on the PC ecosystem and particularly consumers," Webb said.

Wow. We have an ecosystem? Cool. So for Microsoft this is just one of those predator-prey relationships gone horribly wrong..."when prey fights back" or some such possible Discovery channel title. I can't wait for the movie.

In unrelated news...

[neurojab]

In unrelated news, Dell CEO Michael Dell was given a speeding ticket in a new Ferrari 360. When asked where he got the car, Dell responded "it fell off the truck". When asked for his liscence, he "accidentally" handed over his freshly-inked honorary MCSE. He was promptly arrested for assulting an officer of the law.

Re:You'd barely know they had it.

[Ophidian P. Jones]

I spent over an hour on the phone with a Dell salesman, trying to tell them I didn't want Windows or the MS Office/MS Works bundle, and would take Linux or no OS instead.

You have no life.

Re:Dell

[alcmena]

Seriously now. I had a call with a Dell tech go as following:

DT: Thank you for calling Dell's tech support, what can I do for you?
Me: Hi, I have a Dell computer with a dead hard drive.
DT: Ok sir, what is the support number for the computer?
Me: [recites support number]
DT: And what Operating System is on that computer?
Me: Windows NT 4.0.
DT: I'm sorry sir, that computer was preloaded with Windows 98.
Me: Yeah, so? The hard drive is dead.
DT: I'm sorry sir, you first have to install Windows 98 and call back.
Me: What part of "the hard drive is dead" do you not understand?
DT: I'm sorry but we cannot support that computer without Windows 98 on it.
Me: Do you hear what I am saying? The hard drive is dead. How does the Operating System matter when THE HARD DRIVE IS DEAD???
DT: I'm sorry but if Windows 98 is not installed on that computer I cannot help you.
... goes on for another 15 minutes before I give up and call back.

DT: Thank you for calling Dell's tech support, what can I do for you?
Me: Hi, I have a Dell computer with a dead hard drive.
DT: What is the support number for the computer?
Me: [recites support number]
DT: And what Operating System is on that computer?
Me: Windows 98.
DT: Thank you let me get you a RMA number right away.

Well...

[tweakt]

Dude! I'm not gettin' a Dell!

Re:Preloads...

[3ryon]

PC-makers are not interested in sending an ever increasing share of their revenue directly to Microsoft. 10 years ago, DOS made up less than 2% of a computer's total price, today that number is over 10% and rising every year.

Damn, DOS has gotten expensive!

Re:Dell

[tjw]

I had exactly the same conversation except a quick
substitue of "NT 4.0" with "Linux".

Also the Tech person told me I could still RMA the
drive if I could get Windows 98 back on it using
the restore CD. I thought it would be quicker to
call back and tell them I had Windows 98 on it than
to try to dissassemble the drive and try to set the
bits by hand.

Re:Buy from Walmart.com instead!!!

[daeley]

So let's see... buy a monopolisticOS-free computer from a megaRetailCorporation that forces locally owned businesses out of business. Gosh, where can I sign up? Do you think we can get McDonald's hamburgers on the way home?

Re:Buy from Walmart.com instead!!!

[mkarpinski]

Actually --- The Super Wal-Marts around here have a McDonald's already inside the store. You don't even have to make an extra stop! You can now get all of your globalistic-goodness in one place.

Re:I doubt it,

[rseuhs]

Sorry, I did reply to this but my connection went down, I lost the reply, and couldn't be arsed to type it again.

Huh? What crappy browser do you use?