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No OS disk from Dell?

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16 replies

by 4rd4fun 1 view

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The last few systems we have purchased from Dell did not include the OS disks. We have to reload the OS for a variety of reasons. I don't think we should have to take our limited resources (time) and have to create disks that used to come with the systems. And then what if those images are incorrect- you would not know until you really needed it. We may be forced to go white box and volume license? Am i wrong on this?

16 replies

by oz_media

It seems all retail quality PC's (name brands from popular electronics retailers) you will need ot make yoru own restore CD's from a restore partition, they generally include software that creates ONE restore disk and tehn deletes the partition.

I have found that business class PC's still offer the disks. They are more expensive but you get better hardware, standardization across al machines (usually guaranteed standard for 3-5 years)and overall a better machine.

retail boxes? You get what you get and that's it, thus Dell is out for sure.

by richarda

Someone I know had a problem on their new 3000 system that they decided to repartition the drive. They didn't realize the recovery is now in a special partition. They called Dell, and they sent the disks. I don't know if they'll do it on request or just when necessary.

by synthetic

Have you spoken with Dell, normally they are included, no matter if you have a volume lisc. agreement with MS. Sounds like an over-sight. Personally though, I prefer my clean version to their propriety images. The registration number, which is normally slip streamed into the OEM image, is located under the bottom of the portable system ( or on top of the desktop) and can be entered manually, and you will remain in license compliance.

by 4rd4fun

Ok I probably should not have but I sent Michael Dell and email and granted I am sure he never saw it but I did get someone to call me. They sent the disks in question and I received them very promptly. I don't understand - with me calling and taking my time, taking someone at dell's time, the shipping costs- sounds expensive to me. if they would have just spent the 50 cents to start, I would have been happier and they would have saved money??? from now on I order a system(s) and then call back and order the disks? unless someone has a better idea.

by oz_media

They will send out one set of restore disks, for $20.00, unless you buy business class machines and avoid teh retail stores or Dell online sales.

by jessie

...since brand name systems have shipped with the OS disks. They all come with "Restore" disks, great for newbie home users, but not those of us who just want to reinstall the OS, with nothing else. SUCKS!

by richarda

I just had a customer with a Compaq who needed to have the system restored. The system allowed them to create their own restore CD's, so they created them before I went there rather than pay me to sit there ... good thing, too ... it took 30 minutes per CD, 13 CD's total.

by antuck

This has been an issue with all of the prefab computer manufactures. Dell has recently jumped on this ship. When ever I set up a customers new Dell or prefab and notice no OS disk I tell them to call right away and demand one. The customer paid for a copy of the OS. This would be included in the price of the computer. I also tell the customers that when the rep tells you don't need this disk it is on a different partition, ask what happens when the disk fails. Generally I have found they will send the disk out if asked for. But don't wait to long. I have also seen where they will stop making disk for that model of computer and you are out of luck. Or in the case of Gateway I was told that since the customer did not call in the first 30 days they could not send a disk. That was poor service.

by luhmpei

I too was caught off guard by this apparent change in Dell policy a few months ago - they now make it optional. If you config on the web, there's the option for "With media" or "with no media" when you config -same price. If you buy thru a rep, just have them make a note that all your systems require the disks. We had about 5 ship without until we noticed, now they all come with the disks again - just the way we like it....

by lydiacandace

You can request your disk OS disk from Dell. I purchased a Dell B120 Laptop and no disk came with it. A dell technician suggests that I request my OS, Drivers and CD/DVD discs. Therefore, I contacted Dell customer service via internet chat and requested my disc (use internet chat it is faster that telephone service.) I requested my discs, the customer service agent ask many questions and gave me a hard time but I was persistent and finally they agreed to send me three discs. I received the disc within five days. Be persistent. Go to Dell.com, Click Support in right hand corner once page load click on Live Chat (light blue lettering) Located above the Dell logo.

by .martin.

the OP may still be sitting at his computer sucking his thumb - "oh god, I hope they help me today..."

by oz_media

If you buy retail quality PC's you will need ot make disks these days, HP/Cpmpaq, IBM and Dell. They just offer a restore partition and you can make a single restore disk, which then deletes the partition.

If you buy business class PC's, they generally come with disks.

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