[Gllug] Linux invalidates your HP warranty

[Bernard Peek]

In message <Pine.LNX.4.44.0703281745130.10598-100000 at lucy.ukfsn.org>, 
Jason Clifford <jason at ukfsn.org> writes
>On Wed, 28 Mar 2007, Geo wrote:
>
>Short summary: HP have claimed that installing Linux on a server means
>they don't have to honour the hardware warranty.

That's not an accurate summary. It appears that they won't investigate 
hardware problems while Linux is installed, and that's quite 
understandable. What I would expect them to do is to wipe the disk and 
restore it to the as-delivered state so that they can eliminate software 
issues. This is why manufacturers advise you to back up your disks 
before returning machines for repair. HP probably have diagnostic 
software that only runs under Windows, so they would have to reinstall 
Windows. The question is whether it's reasonable to charge the customer 
for the time taken to do that.

>
>It's irrelevant here as such a claim would be breach of contract under
>English law. A clause in the contract limiting the software you are
>allowed to run would be unreasonable there therefore void if the hardware
>is general consumer kit.

It's reasonable to be able to run any common operating system without 
damaging the hardware. Even if installing Linux did damage the hardware 
that wouldn't. IMHO, absolve HP from liability.


-- 
Bernard Peek
bap at shrdlu.com

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