why don't OEM's come with a reset button on the front of the case anymore?

[Lifer]

i noticed dells, compaqs these days don't have reset/reboot buttons anymore.
what's the reason for that?

 

[eBauer]

I have seen many HPs, Compaqs, Dells, Gateways, you name it...without reset buttons, since at least the mid 90's.

 

[sunase]

Well I know on my laptop I only have one button and it's set to reset the machine if I press it while it's on (this can be changed, though) and works as a power button else. I suspect if I hold it down it would kill the power too. There really is no use for a normal power off button when using windows as an OS since the computer is supposed to do that automagically (when you shutdown). So anyway, if they did that and saved themsleves a few cents I wouldn't complain myself. ^^

 

[Lifer]

cuz sometimes ctl-alt-del just doesn't work

 

[MrMaster]

These POS Compaq Ipaq's and Evo's in this building all have just 1 button. Cost savings is probably number 1. Only occasionally can you get certain computers to shutoff from the shutdown button in the start menu in Windows 98. It works everytime with XP but I don't have XP at work.

When you can save .50 cents on a million machines you really are saving $500,000.

Just another way to look at it.

 

[Paulson]

It's a way to cut costs, plus it isn't necessary... HOLD THE BUTTON FOR 8 OR SO SECONDS.

If you're too lazy to do that, just unplug the damn thing.

 

[awal]

Originally posted by: Paulson
It's a way to cut costs, plus it isn't necessary... HOLD THE BUTTON FOR 8 OR SO SECONDS.

If you're too lazy to do that, just unplug the damn thing.

Thats a pretty shoddy argument. If I am spending a couple hundred bucks on a machine, I want it to have a reset button. Would you really care if they charged you 50 cents more?

 

[EeyoreX]

It's a way to cut costs, plus it isn't necessary... HOLD THE BUTTON FOR 8 OR SO SECONDS.

If you're too lazy to do that, just unplug the damn thing.

Thats a pretty shoddy argument. If I am spending a couple hundred bucks on a machine, I want it to have a reset button. Would you really care if they charged you 50 cents more?

Regardless of if you feel the reason is "shoddy" the fact remains the same. It isn't necessary for it to have two buttons. Not when one can serve two purposes. Do you need two buttons for each letter of the alphabet on your keyboard? One for lower case and one for upper case? If you really are so desperate for a stupid reset button, don't buy a computer that doesn't have one. Or, look at it like this: Nearly everything else has gotten more powerful in PCs. From CPU to graphics power to larger hard drive sizes. Prices have gone from several thousand to a couple hundred. The reset button they removed? It's saving you at least a thousand dollars.

\Dan

 

[drag]

Well the reason that they don't put reset buttons on computers is because now technology has moved to the point were the computers are purfect.

Windows XP never has any problems and BSOD's are a thing of the past and don't happen anymore.


BTW, if anything bad ever happens to windows, it's your fault or the fault of third-party vendors.

Why need a reset button for a eventuality you never will ever come across?

 

[johnjkr1]

Actually, its part of the spec. All the OEM's must conform to it, and reset buttons are not allowed. I think its the PC99 spec or something like that. Its not to cust costs, if it was, there wouldnt be all those other buttons up front.

 

[cronos]

probably because if you are smart enough to make yourself absolutely need a reset button, you would be smart enough to assemble your own computer (and therefore choose your mobo, cpu, etc, including a case with a reset button) and not buy branded PC with proprietary, un-flexible, and almost-impossible-to-upgrade accessories?

 

[Looney]

It definitely can't be cost. How much does a damn reset button cost? A dime?

I wouldn't doubt it if it's to stop newbies from abusing the reset button too much.

 

[CDRecorder]

I always thought cost was the reason that reset buttons aren't included. I really wish they would include the reset button; even XP crashes sometimes, and I do have to use the reset buttons on my home-built PCs occasionally.

 

[Davegod]

All you have to do is hold the power button for 8 seconds, then tap it again.

Remember its not only the actual part cost, but there's also the associated inventory costs, added complexity for manufacturing which might include lenghier retooling (it's not just the 20c part, but a hole cut into each case, someone or a machine to plug the part into that hole, someone to wire the part to the motherboard, something extra to break for QC, something extra to break for warranty [which might mean $100 for postage since PC has to go back, be fixed and back to customer again]). In this way the removal of a part that costs 20c each can actually reduce costs in the long run by, let's say for example, an average of $1 per product!

The switch may only be costed at say $1, but thats $1 extra on the bottom line for every single PC sold. Putting it back wouldnt need $1 put on sale price to replace it - the manufacturer would add $1 to OEM price, or maybe $1 plus their markup of 15% = $1.15 since they wouldnt be having their ROI or returns ratios reduced. Pretending the retailer also has a standard markup of 15%, adding back the 20c part now has added £1.32 to the price of the product! Does it seem sensible for a highly competitive industry, that is greatly affected by turns in the economy, to keep this $1.32 price addition when another part of the product already serves it's function?

Plus, every other minor cost cut is another $x extra on the bottom line. Google for a study on airlines cutting a single olive from meals for a lenghy academic explanation.

 

[chocoruacal]

Because you don't need it. The 1 button machines I use restart when you hit the button and shut down when you hold it.

 

[Hamilton]

At work we have lots of Dell Optiplex. They dont have a visible reset button but if you take off the front cover there is a reset and power button.

 

[EeyoreX]

Its not to cust costs, if it was, there wouldnt be all those other buttons up front.

Uhm... I'd like to know about "all those other buttons"... Please fill me in on what "other buttons" there are that can be removed to cut costs? Going to remove the floppy eject button? How about CD eject buttons? You don't need them in Windows, but how about if you need to boot from a CD before Windows starts? You must have some a custom OEM PC if there are more buttons than drive eject buttons and a power (and MAYBE a reset) buttons...

\Dan

 

[johnjkr1]

most oem's have extra buttons, like e-support buttons, sleep buttons, hard drive and power lights, etc

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Lights aren't buttons.

 

[EeyoreX]

most oem's have extra buttons, like e-support buttons, sleep buttons, hard drive and power lights, etc

Most OEMs I work with have one button. That does power on/off, reset and some sleep. I know many OEMs include keyboards with sleep buttons, and several others. But that's just keyboard rebranding mostly. I have never heard of an "e-support" button on a computer case. Maybe that's actually a keyboard button? And, as was mentioned, lights aren't buttons...

\Dan

 

[zephyrprime]

It's to not confuse the users. I doubt that cost is the issue since all oems are willing to spend the money to make pretty face plates.

 

[mrgoblin]

Actually, its more wires to connect to the front plus the wire cost plus the case button cost and the led light. THat means maybe 8 cents per and another line in assembly. THat would cost like a 250k a year. It must not be economical is NO ONE uses it..

 

[mrgoblin]

Actually, its more wires to connect to the front plus the wire cost plus the case button cost and the led light. THat means maybe 8 cents per and another line in assembly. THat would cost like a 250k a year. It must not be economical is NO ONE uses it..

 

[aka1nas]

Maybe because they don't want users to accidently(or maybe purposfully) pressing the reset button and losing data or corrupting filesystems.?

 

[Wiktor]

I think it's because Windows has no control over the reset button. Without a reset button, you can set the power button to not respond (do nothing), secure the power supply and there you go - nobody will be able to reset your pc