Why do so many bulds lack an OS?

daniel_blacke

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Feb 1, 2015
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I see it over and over again. People come here looking for help getting a build together for under or around a certain budget. Then, well-meaning people post builds for them that hit their budget, but lack crucial components like an OS, for example.

Is there some way that you can legally use your old computer's OS? To my knowledge there isn't. Even if there was, what if the OP has no old machine?

I've seen others lacking all kinds of weird stuff, from a case to a monitor to even keyboards. To my knowledge you cannot use a desktop without a keyboard. Perhaps a touchscreen could but I know I wouldn't want to...

Anyone have any idea why this happens?
 
Choosing my words here...
With certain OS versions you can reinstall it on a new computer so long as you have the original install material and licence. Windows 7 OEM versions (The one I have) are tied to the motherboard however.
Other than that, I post builds with an OS due to, ah, legality issues of other ways to obtain windows.
 

Wolfshadw

Titan
Moderator
I always include an OS in my builds, but unless the poster specifically requests a monitor, keyboard, and/or mouse, I omit those as I assume they'll continue to use the ones that they currently use.

I can't speak for anyone who omits an OS from a build, but I suspect, they assume the builder can obtain one from somewhere else.

-Wolf sends
 

daniel_blacke

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Feb 1, 2015
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I've read threads here of people looking for an "inexpensive" way to get an OS because they forgot to get one with their build. I can't help but think that poor hapless soul was an inexperienced builder who got advice that lacked the OS and didn't realize until they had assembled their rig. What a disappointing moment that must be.... I wonder to myself, how long does that machine sit collecting dust before they can scrape together the $89 bucks they need for an OEM version? Seems so sad to me.
 

mrmez

Splendid
For the OS, legit reasons include simply forgetting, to sourcing one elsewhere or even having a copy already, or using a free OS like Linux.
On the other hand software piracy is rampant. Idiots justify their theft by saying things like... "If you have a banana and I take it, you've lost that banana. But If I make a copy of your banana, you haven't lost anything, so It's not stealing."

As for peripherals, a lot of people will use old components, or forget, or decide the cost and what they choose is of little consequence and leave it out.
 

kedwa30

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Jul 28, 2011
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Although you cannot run the build without an OS and thus it would seem to be incomplete without one, there are many 'free' OS's available such as Ubuntu, Linux Mint, etc. Also, you can install a retail copy of certain operating systems (not an OEM copy) to a new computer so long as the installer understands the license restrictions for the copyright product they are installing. If the build requirement should include a copy of Windoze then that is up to the asker to specify. If there is no specification, then it is proper to presume that no unnecessary spending on software is desired.
If a build does not include a parallel port and the asker did not specify he needed one, is that the fault of the asker? Yes, yes it is.
It is important also to specify the typical use, the maximum use, etc. Is this going to be used as a gaming rig, a server, or for editing large video files, or is this going to be used by grandma to play farmville?

The case is optional. You can run a system mounted in the same cardboard box the motherboard was delivered in. You can even use an old microwave oven as a decent metal case and it even has a fan and a light. If it's going to be a server, you can consider the keyboard and monitor as optional. I don't know if you can or not, but you _should_ be able to use a smartphone as a bluetooth keyboard.