Repair Computer, Repurchase OS?

An anonymous reader asks: "Recently, I have been bit by a computer repair on an e-Machines computer that involved a system board replacement. Though this was strictly a repair, not an upgrade, neither MS or e-Machines will provide for activation of the system. Why should a user have to purchase another copy of XP after repairing a computer? The system board is listed on the e-Machines website, but costs 4x what an off-the-shelf board with the same chip-set/capabilities costs, and furthermore is not actually available. The e-Machines rep even said repurchasing XP was my only option. This seems to me patently unfair and of questionable legality. Is it possible that there are enough disgruntled consumers bit by this problem to generate a class-action lawsuit?"

Comments

Re:Easy compared to what?

[iamcf13]

Seriously, I know Slashdotters are anti-social and hate talking to people,

They also hate anything where somebody ultimately gets 'gets paid'.

Which is strange when you consider known 'adblogger' Roland Piquepaille always seems to get his stories on Slashdot.

I tried a few times without success in the past--once to get the word out about a pice of software I wrote. Becuase I was trying to sell it (earn my keep), I was shouted down here--yet nobody bats an eye to the endless parade of stories from established computer hardware and software manufacturers.

So why the double standard?

Is Roland exempt from any sort of editorial guidelines?

So now I just ignore all the stuff Roland links to and almost all news stories here 'backed' by any for-profit enterprises as 'product placement'. Some of these 'placements' are genuine news that can have a long lasting effect on people -- I read these and ignore the others.