!!!Dell no longer providing OS disks and Resource CD's for consumer Win 7 systems!!!

Just a heads up, Dell's reverted back to making users burn DVD's that contain an image of the Recovery Partition, at least on new Windows 7 consumer systems (Inspiron, Studio, Studio XPS) This is a step backwards, but oh well. I'll be updating the system recovery guide to reflect these changes over the next day or so.

- Ricky

EDIT: This also affects business systems (Latitude, Vostro, Precision)

 

I think they do not send it out by default, instead you must request them in which they will send out 1 copy for free. That is based on a few systems bought in the past, but I could be wrong.

 

I got a Studio 1749 three weeks ago still with the OS and driver disks. I don't know if I'm happy with this change of Dell's policy.

 

Source...?

 

Here ya go, should have put it in the first post:
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/document?c=us&cs=19&docid=353561&l=en&s=dhs<o></o>

 

It's pretty well the only thing Dell had over all the other companies, I love getting a real Windows disk with no bloatware on it. My brother's ThinkPad still has quite a bit of bloatware on it because I didn't have a full, non-Dell Win7 disc to use to reload it, and now it's too much hassle.

 

Lame! Dell is going the way of HP.

 

If a company is going to force me to buy a piece of software then they need to provide physcial media for that software.

I hate it when "somebody should sue" comes into a conversation but seriously someone needs to force the issue here. Either give consumers an EASY way to get their money back for an OS or be required to include physical BLOATWARE FREE media.

 

We can make our voices heard over at IdeaStorm |. I made a idea earlier myself regarding Dell's recent decision to force consumer system shoppers into choosing a bundle instead of choosing options a' la carte. Change might not happen right away but at least it can be marked as "acknowledged" by Dell, and other IdeaStorm users can vote it up.

 

So utterly disappointing that Dell is doing this.
This was one of the nice things to have provided with your system. That is going to be a PIA to burn DVD Images to do a Clean Install. It was much simpler being able to it with the OS disc provided...

IdeaStorm sounds good!

Cin...

 

I had got a studio xps about a week back, which came with all the cds.... I returned it for a couple of cosmetic issues, and am expecting my replacement tomorrow or the day after. Dell says it will come with all the cds as usual... but then this is India...it might be different in the US... but I sincerely hope Dell is not going the HP way....

 

Yeah, the thing is, even if you burn these disks you won't be able to perform a clean install with them. That's why it's more important than ever for potential Dell buyers to look closely at the online configurator and deselect any software options they don't want, such as AV and Office.

Please, let us know if your system contains disks will you? It'll be a great help.

 

So there will be no possibility to request one time a copy of the original OS disk? That really sucks man! I liked it this way to get a fresh neat install of your OS without the bloatware.
Again Dell gave me a reason to look around elsewhere for my next notebook purchase.

 

You can request a copy according to the website, but it will probably be additional cost.

 

OMG DELL !!!!!!!!!!!
no more clean installs.... that sux so badly

Thanks for the tip.

 

sure thing ... will update as soon as my lappie arrives. I am perturbed by this sudden whim on Dell's part too. They were really nice providing separate disks for all the softwares and drivers... why the hell are they turning around now? May be they sold one too many laptops and now want to decrease the number of customers a bit ;P

 

Looked around a bit at IdeaStorm for your post and didn't find it.

 

I highly doubt dell would charge you for CDs if you requested them once. The reason is Dell cannot assume a person is to make an image of their machine once they receive it. Like if a person does not make an image of the CD and their computer crashes under warranty, does that mean they are going to be charged extra b/c they didn't burn the CD? I don't think so. I think this is just a measure so that Dell can cut costs slightly so that the people who want the CDs must request it from Dell and those who never even open the CDs aren't wasted.

 

HP does, all the time in fact. <afjoicoaeimjew>

 

Dell told me that I'd get a recovery DVD with my Vostro laptop (which I should get tomorrow, yay) but no true Windows installation disc for a clean install.

The OEM ISOs of Windows 7 are downloadable though, and presumably legal since you have an OEM licence with the laptop anyway.

 

I didn't create an idea for this yet. I can do so if you want though.

Interesting, so they are doing this to Vostro too? Very interesting.

EDIT: I have configured a new Vostro and sure enough, there's no mention of Resource CD/DVD in the configurator.

You can still get disks on Latitude systems

I can try chatting with Dell.com to see what they have to say.

 

I recently got (4/20/10) a Studio from the outlet and still got the Win7 Premium DVD plus the driver CD. Also ther ewas the Works and Creative sound CD.

 

I really hope this isn't the case. I have, as i type, sitting under my desk at work right now a new Studio 17 which was delivered to me today. I planned to take it home in an hour and do a nice clean install of Windows 7......

Incidently, I assume I still use this method to do a clean install?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/5775060-post5.html

When I bought my Dell desktop over three years ago I just shoved in the Dell Windows CD, deleted all partitions, created one new one and reinstalled Windows XP followed by installing the drivers from the resource disk. Worked a treat. Is this still the way of doing things?

 

Guys... my replacement just arrived. Well it's a good news- bad news situation. The good news ( for me) is that Dell has shipped my laptop with all the discs as usual. However, and this is the bad news, I also found a yellow instruction manual, with instructions on how to create a recovery disc. The heading says, " Note: Your computer does not ship with an OS disc". So, it seems that Dell is indeed going the HP way. SAD....

 

I received a new Studio 14 and it has the Install Disc, as well as instructions and warning that the computer does not ship with an install Disc.

So looks like they are in the process of not shipping the install Disc.

 

Sorry I couldn't get to your post sooner, I'm in the midst of Finals Week here at college so busy is an understatement.

Check the box, it looks like people are receiving install media still as Dell transitions to the new method. You might be lucky. If so, follow the steps in the post you linked to.

Looks like they are in a state of transition then, I shall have the guide updated by Saturday evening. Sorry for the delay and +rep to both of you for remembering to come back here. It's a big help.

To be clear though, was the disk you received a disk that only contained the OS, or was it just a image?

Thanks again,
Ricky

 

Thanks booboo12

 

no problem!

 

This is stupid!
The first thing I always do with a new Dell is delete all partitions, create my own partitions, and reinstall Windows from the supplied media.
So people can no longer delete the backup partition since thats where they will restore from, and all bloatware etc remains with every rebuild?
Way to give people greater 'choice' over their own systems, huh!

 

If your careful in the online config screens, you'll most likely be able to opt out of most if not all bloatware.

I do agree, this is a step backwards, and hopefully they might consider offering the disks again.

 

Will it be possible to re-install the Del systems using retail versions of the OS and then using the dell produt keys?

css_jay99

 

Doubtful, I'm guessing you will run into a problem of OEM product keys vs retail keys. You can't reinstall using a retail windows 7 disc and then activate with an OEM key. Maybe dell is different I haven't tried it yet with my dell.

 

I can purchase Windows 7 OS from my college. Can I use it to install on a Dell laptop that comes with some basic windows versions? (say, I buy a laptop with windows vista basic preinstalled and then I install my own Windows 7 onto it).

As I will have my own serial key, can it be used for activation? Or are you saying that the activation depends on the machine I have; if the laptop uses a different copy of Windows 7 other than the pre-installed OS, Microsoft will not recognize it?

Thanks~

 

To answer both your questions, you can. You'll need to grab the .ISO images here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/mic...-7-download-links-just-like-vista-before.html

Make sure you backup your product key by following the instructions provided in the first post. You'll need to ensure that you pick a version of 7 that matches what initially came on the computer. (e.g: The computer came with Windows 7 Home Premium, so in the Windows 7 installer, you'll choose "Windows 7 Home Premium" from the list)

If you install a retail copy of 7 on a machine that came with Vista, then you'll use the key provided in the packaging. The OEM key as well as the key on the bottom of the machine won't work. If the machine came with Windows 7 Home Premium, and you buy Windows 7 Professional, you can clean install with it just fine, you'll just use the key that came with Windows 7 Pro.

 

I just got my studio 1558 about 15 minutes ago. I won't be able to do much with it as I work nights and I'm going back to bed.

In the box there were 3 discs. One of them was the operating system for windows 7 pro, it says use this dvd to re-install the operating system. There were no notes in the box about not getting the discs.

 

Ok, looks like you'll be all good! You have the media that's going away. Dell's in a state of transition so it'll be a while until people don't get discs at all.

 

Just thought its funny, some people are getting them, some not and some are getting them with notes that they no longer provide the discs. Btw I just woke up so still no time to really do much.

 

I recently bought a Vostro V13 from the outlet store and it came with the OS, Drivers and webcam CD. Here's the kicker, my Windows 7 disc won't boot so it likes like i'll need to call them for a replacement.

 

Another lotto winner! WOOT!!!!

 

i just got my computers and it comes with the os cds... both home office iinspiron with core i3 and vostro 3500 of buz

 

Uh oh. replacement just arrived & no OS disk. Have a call in. My i3 from the Outlet came with one. NEW i5 does not.

 

look's like you'll need to burn the disks then.

 

This is very unfortunate. Now I just hope Dell doesn't start adding all kinds of bloatware, like Lenovo or HP.

 

Used & able to keep OS disk that was included with refurbished laptop. Clean install went great.

 

I just want to give people a heads up, Dell no longer even provides the Windows 7 license keys on the bottom of the notebook either. It was no where to be found on two of my Studio notebooks. Along with the missing OS cd.

Completely, utterely, BS if you ask me. Something I paid for but Dell gets to control how I use it.

 

Have you looked under the battery? Inside the expansion door on the bottom? This information is required to be somewhere on the notebook IIRC.

 

Yeah me too.
I received my Dell Studio 15 two days ago.

 

The only problem with the lack of a win 7 disk is that you cannot delete the partition Dell uses to store the software.

I usually delete all partitions and do a fresh install with the CD.

 

I always do the same.
I buy a laptop from Dell and also a Windows license. So I want to control my laptop and the OS myself without someone tells me how and what to do.

 

Yup, I looked at all of those places. It was no where to be found. If it is required that they place it somewhere, then I guess the people who assembled it forgot to place it on. It seems like a very slim chance though.