They should call it Windows Dell instead - plz help

Hi, I recently puchased an alienware m15x based on the advice from this forum, turned out to be an awesome laptop, was very happy with it until a knife wielding maniac came into my bedroom with a knife and stole it from me (try telling that one to dell tech support lol)

So instead I bought a new desktop, an XPS. I know this is a laptop forum, but everyone was so good last time...

Anyway my problem is thus - I'm having problems getting starcraft 2 to connect to B.net properly - this is off the facotry install of windows 7. I do not think it is my router because it worked on my laptop with no problems. Indeed, the only thing I can think of would be dells factory settings for windows 7, including mcafee.

I've tried everything to fix this! Opened all the ports on firewall/router, deleted mcafee and used their tool to uninstall its bits, removed dell software, disabled UAC - if theres a security feature on my computer of any kind I hunted it down and destroyed it. Re-installed many times but still no luck.

My last and final card to play is a fresh windows 7 install, only I just found out, the windows 7 I paid for >.< I dont actually get, instead I get some crappy note in the box telling me to make a system restore disk!!! I mean I am so angry, I paid 80£+ just for them to install windows 7, get a key, but not actually get the cd!?! At no point in the purchasing process did it say this (as far as I could see) and I feel quite cheated.

I am yet to call Dell about this as frankly I expect nothing will come of it - but wanted to ask here first about peoples thoughts on the issue.

I do have my alienware windows 7 disk, but it says only to use it for an alienware product, Im assuming because it comes with all the m15x special drivers on it for the light. There was some kind of driver disk which may be my system restore disk in the box - but will still just reinstall mcafee and all the other dell crap making it pointless? If I call them, will they send me a real windows 7 disk? Or should I just download pirate windows and use my real sieral key...will it work, or is that sieral key tied into dell version of windows?

THANKS!

 

Thankyou

I really didnt want to have to re-install windows but its looking like the only way. Good thing the download cap ticks over soon.

 

Seriously? Knife weilding maniac? That's ed up D:

 

Dell normally has great customer service, if you call them I'm sure they'll send you a Windows 7 CD along with any other programs that were installed. You can also get some as downloads from the Dell website if you have your service tag number.

 

To be very honest, yes it was actually traumatising. I mean yeah the night it happened and the night after was bad, and it got less worse as each day went by, it was very hard to stop thinking about it. Eventually though I've managed to not picture the guy in my head all the time, however I've noticed that when my roomate gets home late, or goes to the toilet late at night, I wake up instantly in a sweat. I've become the lightest sleeper ever, and I know its paranoia but its like a physical reaction now...I conciously *know* its just my roomate, but doesnt stop the adrenalin and all that.

Doesnt help that UK is a foriegn country for me, wish I was back home in Australia :/ less scary people.

Anyways, hiker thats te first time I've ever heard anyone refer to dell support as helpful lol, but you've given me the confidence to try, will call them tommorow.

*
Oh as for the insurance, I was actually sleeping at work, as I was the on-call veterinarian, when it happened. I had no insurance, but work paid for it, even though their insurance only covered half the cost, and they weren't actually obliged to pay me anything at all. I was very impressed.