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Resolved Question

Why must computers be registered?

Jan 29, 2015 2:47AM PST

Every laptop/PC I ever bought had to go through the horrible process of registering. Why is this necessary? Without registering, I was unable to go on-line. I found it impossible to skip the lengthy registration process. When first using an LCD TV or digital camera, registration can be skipped, so why PCs and laptops?

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speedbird2 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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First of all registering is a GOOD idea.
Jan 29, 2015 10:49PM PST

If your PC is registered and stolen it is registered to you the owner and it might help to get laptop back. Second it will make it easier to track maintenance of your machine. Dell for one has all the information on your pc and they notify you when new drivers come out.

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Thanks
Jan 30, 2015 3:29AM PST

I understand the reason for registering but why make it so complicated? It took well-over 90 minutes including registering with Microsoft for Windows to activate. On the other hand, getting on-line with my iPhone was a simple act which only took a few minutes.

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Ok there are two types of registering.
Feb 8, 2015 10:05PM PST

1. Logging into Windows 8 and above you can create Microsoft account. This is needed to access the Microsoft Store and can me used with Outlook and Onedrive. It organizes everything Microsoft into you one account. Now you can create and use a local account that doesn't log you into your MS Account at bootup. But if you try to access any of the MS areas I mentioned above you will be prompted with MS username and Password.

2. Registering to the OEM (Dell, Toshiba ETC.) the maker of the PC. This is for warranty the the OEM to contact you with jhelpfull info and theft protection

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Answer
Not happening here.
Jan 29, 2015 2:56AM PST

Just last week I setup a laptop with Linux Mint and nothing like that happened. So it much not be a "computer" issue at all.
Bob

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Answer
Re: registering
Jan 29, 2015 2:57AM PST

Registering where? The maker of the PC (like Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer) or the maker of the OS (Windows, Linux) or the shop where you bought it (BestBey, Newegg)?
And isn't registering something done only? Then it isn't clear that you can't go online if you didn't register.

If I install Windows on a custom built PC, all I need to do is activate Windows. That can be done online and takes half a minute at most. No need even to give any data, just clcik and wait on the answer that says "Windows is activated". And if I install Linux on a custom build PC, I don't even have to do that. No registering, no activating, just enjoy.

You must have bought strange PC's and laptops.

Kees

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HP laptop
Jan 30, 2015 1:59AM PST

The unit required a long complicated process involving multiple questions before I could go on-line. Some of the questions required appeared to be an invasion of privacy. Then I was given a set of about 30 numerals to be typed-in and put into correct order in order to register. I forgot if that was to register with HP or with Microsoft. Anyway, it took well-over 1 hour to finally get on-line. I had to call a help-line as well and wait for a rep. This is my 4th PC and never had such a long tedious process before. It was an ordeal to get on-line. Setting-up the unit for Wi-Fi made it even more horrendous.

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Stories like this
Jan 30, 2015 2:07AM PST

Are part of the reason Windows market share declined under 90% for the first time in decades. We are seeing the beginning of the post PC era begin.
Bob