I still have not received a call from a supervisor at ASUS. Of course, I’m leaving for Mexico tomorrow, so I doubt I’ll be able to make any progress until I get back. I may try to email them.

I called technical support again and gave my service number.

The person I talked to this time seemed pretty well informed in regard to what I wanted, but he kept insisting that since Microsoft had written the EULA, I would need to contact them. Of course, the EULA itself says that I should contact the manufacturer of the computer, which is ASUS. The representative also reminded me that they do not sell computers without operating systems. I tried to explain that the fact that I can accept or decline the license indicates that the OS is a separate component. I also affirmed that I would have taken a no-OS computer if available.

We didn’t seem to be getting anywhere, so I asked whether I could talk with anyone else. He said that a supervisor would call me, so now we wait.

“Hi, I bought a laptop, which I received yesterday. When I booted it up for the first time, I was prompted with a license agreement for Windows Vista. It said that if I did not accept the agreement I should contact the manufacturer of the computer about getting a refund for the copy of Windows that came with the computer. I did not accept the agreement, and so I’d like to see about getting a refund for my copy of Windows.”

I called technical support this time. I had to wait on hold only for about a minute before I was able to speak with a representative. He patiently let me explain what I was asking about and then looked into it. He said that he wasn’t sure where I was getting the information about being able to obtain a refund from but that I could call back and talk to the supervisor in a few hours. I have a service number now, also, so I’m starting to develop a history with ASUS.

When I called back and selected Notebook Customer Service, I was again greeted promptly by a different but equally friendly representative. I explained my problem, and she instructed me to contact Microsoft. I then explained that the EULA directed me to contact the manufacturer of the computer at which point she instructed me to call back and select Technical Support from the menu.

I’m about to try again.

On my first call to ASUS, I selected Notebook Customer Service from the menu and without waiting was able to speak with someone. She was very friendly, and once I explained my situation she transfered me. Once the transfer was made, the phone rang for several minutes, but I did not get anyone nor did I get an answering machine.

I’m about to try calling back.

My laptop arrived today, and my brother videotaped me opening the box, reading the Windows Vista EULA, declining it, formatting both hard drives, installing Ubuntu, and booting from Ubuntu.

I doubt I’ll need character witnesses to confirm that I never intended to use Windows on this machine, but I’m sure I could find a few.