HP Pretends Linux Voids Netbook Hardware Warranty

“Installing a different operating system on a computer does not
change its hardware. This is a simple enough concept…unless you
work in technical support for HP. Their phone tech support have
joined their Geek Squad colleagues in insisting that a
Linux-infested laptop was no longer under warranty.

“Kyle didn’t want to put Windows back on his netbook just so his
problem would fit phone support’s standard script. He tried to make
tech support see logic…and eventually they did. (Or gave him a
new battery so he would go away, but the end result is the
same.)

“For this past Christmas, I received a HP Mini 110-3110NR
netbook. So currently it is only a month and a half old. Last
night, the battery in it completely died. So being almost brand
new, the battery is still under warranty with the rest of the
netbook. I’m a linux user, so the first thing I did when I got the
netbook, was to wipe the hard drive and install linux on it.
Obviously this will stop me from receiving technical support on
software issues, but in no way does this void the warranty on the
actual hardware.”

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