question about PC restore recovery system by symantec" options

real quick question...the dell option isn't really giving me much clarity. i just wanted to make sure.

PC Restore recovery system by Symantec [Included in Price]
Dell Recommended

Genuine Windows® XP Media Center 2005 Edition re-installation CD [add $10 or $1/month2]

Genuine Windows® XP Professional re-installation CD [add $10 or $1/month2]

does this mean that the 10 bucks extra...u get windows xp reinstallation...but if u didn't, and u wanted to reformat the computer...you don't have a OS, and you'd have to go out and buy it yourself?

 

for the 10 bux, you get an actual, physical OS CD that will let you install a blank OS (no extra software like AOL, etc.). it's got that same stuff as the OS CD you would buy at Best Buy or similar except that it will only work in a dell computer.

EDIT: if you don't pay the 10 bux, you don't get a CD and your only way of reformating/reinstalling the OS is to use the factory image on the image partition. this will restore you're computer to the factory settings, meaning with all the extra software that slows your computer down.

pay the 10 bux, get the CD, reformat and reinstall XP first thing when you get the computer

 

I think you'd end up with two choices when it came to a reformat....

Use the 'restore to as-delivered state' built-in function

Or order the reinstallation CD [software] from Dell

You wouldn't need to go out and buy XP [which is not only the software but also a 'license']. You've already in essence 'purchased' a Windows XP license, you'd just need the media from Dell.

I'd invest the extra 10 bucks if it were me.... Gives you more flexibility down the road... esp if you end up wanting to do some repartition work and/or clean-up of the 'additional' software that's pre-installed.

Not absolutely required, and you can stick with the built-in restore functionality if you like... Just be sure you understand the limitations if you choose to go that route.

Mark

ps.... Guess I should add that there are implications wrt MediaDirect function if you repartition/reinstall XP from scratch. Be sure to read the threads on the topic before you go too far.

 

Like Mark and drumfu said, pay the 10 dollars and select the option that matches your Operating System.

The disc will give you a clean install with no junkware and it is useful if you need to repair windows. The PC recovery system is a partition that is located on your HDD (around 5-8gbs) that will reformat and restore you laptop back to factory settings including all of the junkware.

SG