Legal issues abou reinstalling notebook software

Question

I bought new Acer notebook. It comes with Windows 7 HP 64bit OEM. But I would like to fresh install it, and make dualboot with Ubuntu.

So, first, if I reinstalled Windows for another legal version, will it destroy warranty? If I had for example a different OS installed, do I still have warranty on whole notebook?

And second, is there a way to reinstall OEM Windows? Like downloading same copy and use OEM CD-Key on it?

Because, let's say my OS gets damaged somehow, and I can reinstall it myself, but I dont wan't to lose waranty or OEM license, and wait month to get notebook fixed by RMA. Is there a legal way to do it? Thanks.

Answer 1

You will not lose warranty because of changing the OS, however, be prepared that if you get a problem, the first thing they will probably do is recover the system to its original setup.

Also, they have every right not to support you against problems of hardware not working that is directly due to changing the OS where it would work otherwise (e.g. driver support).

You may get problems trying to reinstall the OS with a different media, it is best to keep a copy of the recovery media. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, there isn't really any logic behind it. It used to be only recovery disks but now, sometimes using generic media with the key works.