Do Fresh OS install disks still come with orders?

I've checked over in the Dell forum and there were some threads about how Dell was going to stop giving out Fresh OS install disks and go the route of making you burn your own (and then having bloatware on it).

Is this a concern with the Alienwares/do I need to ask the rep to include them?

 

You'll get a recovery disk with your system as standard, that's all you need for a fresh installation. It basically works the same as a standard Windows install disk, but it's modified for the system.

 

That if they send you the cd. It was there mistake and I did not get a windows cd. So you can call up and order one free.

 

Yes you do and one for the drivers.

 

The M11x does include OS media but does not include the resource DVD in the majority of countries. You do have the option of making a USB key backup of the system with the Dell tools that are installed though.

 

The Windows 7 DVD is basically a standard OEM disc that's been altered to allow it to use the BIOS as a means of bypassing activation, and any other custom changes they wish to make (Royals are allowed to modify certain files).

For Windows 7 you can also look in the SOURCES folder and see the $OEM$ folder, which will drop files into certain directories during install as well. These could be custom scripts or branding files ($$ = %SystemRoot%, $1 = C:, $2 = D:, etc).

I have seen some really bloated OEM install discs, but the Alienware DVD that came with my system is rather clean.

 

Yep - I suggest every owner regardless of system (11x, 15x or 17x), take a moment and invest in a 8GB flash drive just for this purpose. Do not be so quick to reformat or dump Dell's DataSafe Local. Use it to create the emergency rescue flash drive and then do what you want to the partitions. That little USB stick may very well save you down the road. I see countless posts on 'I reformatted my system - how do I get my restore partition back'. You can do it but having that recovery flash stick makes it that much easier.

 

So an 8GB USB stick will hold the reinstall files, and then delete them or whatever once I'm done? Are there any guides on how to do this? (I've never done this before and wouldn't want to mess up, though it doesn't sound too difficult.)

 

Don't worry, you will get all the disks you'll need, Dell/Alienware does a pretty good job supplying the disks.

Cheers!

 

I also made a guide to do it on a CD

 

Ya I know Jakkarus. But if you have to order a windows cd Dell. You have call a 800 number plus 58+ Numbers on the Phone then 48 numbers on the computer. Total of 102 numbers. Total time of activation 6 to 10 Mins. Where I would rather get a Product Key that I can type in or get the right Windows cd so all I have to do is install.