Free computers in the UK... but a rather large catch.

[Treebeard]

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/ptech/12/17/free.pc.reut/index.html

now this is interesting, why would you subject yourself to something like this? and how long will it be before somebody cracks the forced ad thing.

[Will Hay]

I think, if I needed a PC for my kids and my funds didn't stretch too far then yes, I would do it.
Seems too good to be true mind, even if the 60 second ad is a pain.
Will

[jeex]

resize partition.. create new partition.. install xp pro.. make the kids use the adware version of the computer.

[stiltman]

Must have a special BIOS version on it. Set to bomb after four weeks if the new BIOS isn't load from the monthly DVDs....or they're gonna lose their butts on this because if not a simple HDD fromate and you got a new computer for free.

[Will Hay]

You need to average 30 hours a month, right?
There must be some feed via the internet to say how much you've used.
They wouldn't be so stupid, right?
Will

[pacmania_2001]

Should be interesting to see how long it is before a work around is released.

Reminds me of the year 2000/2001 when everyone was offering free internet access on the catch that you had to view their ads on your screen. Only took a month before someone worked around their program and released it on their internet.

Same with those programs that used to offer you a certain amount per hour for having their ad bar on your screen. People used to just have an automatic program moving their mouse whilst they slept.

[Craig Tucker]

Format C: and flash the bios. Nice free PC. Hell even if you have to replace the motherboard it would be worth it.

[Craig Tucker]

The company is here.

http://www.metronomy.com/

[Will Hay]

Every month you will receive an update CD which must be installed within 7 days of receipt.

The CD automatically extends the life of the PC and updates the ads that will be shown.

[gmatov]

They tried this in the states about 5 years ago, PeoplePC, I think. It didn't work well that time, but they probably think they have a better business plan this time.

Does the term "cookie" ring a bell? Simply set a cookie to report on your actions and they can be guaranteed that you aare living up to your end of the bargain.

I'd bet that it is a proptietary BIOS. The major OEMs already use their own BIOS. Try running SiSoft Sandra on a Gateway to see BIOS version, MoBo descriptor, and your machine will lock up.

So, if you can't find the BIOS/MoBo info, you can't flash it.

I agree with Will, if you needed a second 'puter, and funds were tight, I think you could learn to ignore the ads. Hell, we ignore all but the funny ones now. No one ever asks if you saw the latest ad for GERD, but they'll get a chuckle from the one where the guy says, "But I'm an MBA.", and the lady says, "Then I'd better show you how to do this."

Cheers,

George

[Cobra]

Just thinking about what Craig said. What would be to stop you getting the PC, whipping the motherboard out and sticking in a nice mobo? New PC, £50. Yes please!

CobraDMX

[gmatov]

You probably sign an agreement for a specifird time. You agree to watch X minutes of ads per month. They give you a computer.
Then, there's the Cookie Monster. I'm sure if the cookies aren't reporting on you, their 'puter's going to flag you, and you are, for the first time, going to have a "Premises" tech support call.

And, as far as shutting down after 30 days, doesn't XP do that if you don't validate it?

It might not be so simple to replace the board, either. A show or 2 ago I bought a MoBo complete with CPU and HS/F for only 60 bucks. Fully integrated, video, sound, LAN, modem. Thought I'd pull the CPU to put in another machine, at least temporarily. Can't, soldered to the board.

Since Compaq used toi have RAM on board, it's entirely possible these do too.

So now you have a 20 buck box, a 20 buck CD-ROM, a 40 buck HDD and you replace the board and the rest for 200 bucks or more.

They're dumb like foxes.

Cheers,

George

[tgpo]

It would seem that you could simply remove certain parts of the computer to remove the ads. I wonder how they track the ads and how they are run.

Format and install Linux.

[gmatov]

It's also possible they installed the OS as Admnistrator and you don't have the password.

And, there are ways to prevent booting into DOS or clearing passwords. You even need a password to get into setup, on corporate machines.

It may not be impossible, but I'm sure they thought of everything they could.

See above for the cookie explanation.

[tgpo]

It's also possible they installed the OS as Admnistrator and you don't have the password.

And, there are ways to prevent booting into DOS or clearing passwords. You even need a password to get into setup, on corporate machines.

It may not be impossible, but I'm sure they thought of everything they could.

See above for the cookie explanation.

What about just installing a new HD?

[gmatov]

Uh-uh.

More likely the BIOS.

Have you ever taken the Restore disks from an OEM machine and tried to use on any other machine. Message flashes that they are designed for use with Dell, Compaq, HP, whatever. Will not work on any other machine. The disk intructs your machine to look for that BIOS entry, similar, in a way, to Win Upgrade disk (probably Apple also ). It will tell you it is an upgrade, where are your last version files? You put in your old CD, it does a compliancy check, starts to install.

It's in the BIOS. BIOS tells the machine it was suppoed to hve a new disk, it didn't get it, presumably, it refuses to run.

I didn't read that far into the article, to see whether it actually disables the machine. If it does, I can imagine the number of "Premises" tech calls they're going to have to make. I can't go on line, how do I fix it? Hopefully, just by biting the bullet and installing the new ads.

Cheers,

George

[galactica]

if only it was a mac... then it would be worth it

[gmatov]

But then, even they wouldn't be able to afford this gimmick.

I think when they tried this the last time, even an e-machine was in the 1000 buck neighborhood.

Do you have to prove upgradability with Apple? I presume there are 2 versions, full install and Upgrade.?

Cheers,

George

It's still probably good idea for people who simply can't afford to buy a machine. Whether those same people will be able to afford a connection is another matter. But, didn't the article state they would have to fill out a form with their demographics, whether they were, in fact, going to be able to buy anything they were being bombarded with ads for?