Installation CD question

Hi Everyone. I realize this may be a "touchy" subject but I need to ask.
After a massive computer failure I just bought a new Dell XPS 420 desktop PC.
My first Dell purchase. It came preloaded with Microsoft Vista Home Premium.
I asked Dell for an original Microsoft installation CD as a backup. They
refused. I have several friends and relatives who purchased Dell computers
and many of them requested the same disc from Dell and received it without
incident (some within the last 2 months). I think I should be entitled to a
copy of the installation CD and not one that is from Dell preloaded with a
bunch of Dell crap on it. Why can't I receive an original Windows CD like
everyone else has requested? Am I asking the wrong person? What am I doing
wrong? Any help is appreciated. I just spent $1000 on this new computer and
think that should entitle me to the Windows OS disc (and I expect it will
have the same product key that was used to install on my new Dell). Thank you.

On Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:30:00 -0700, Munchichic
<Munchichic@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Hi Everyone. I realize this may be a "touchy" subject but I need to ask.
>After a massive computer failure I just bought a new Dell XPS 420 desktop PC.
>My first Dell purchase. It came preloaded with Microsoft Vista Home Premium.
>I asked Dell for an original Microsoft installation CD as a backup. They
>refused. I have several friends and relatives who purchased Dell computers
>and many of them requested the same disc from Dell and received it without
>incident (some within the last 2 months). I think I should be entitled to a
>copy of the installation CD and not one that is from Dell preloaded with a
>bunch of Dell crap on it.

The version you have on your computer cost far less than the one you
want. You can't get the one you want, no matter how loud you yell or
who you yell to/at.

If your computer came with a recovery disc, that's all you get. If it
didn't, there are instructions on how to burn one from the "D"
partition - either in your manual, or online at Dell.com

>Why can't I receive an original Windows CD like
>everyone else has requested? Am I asking the wrong person? What am I doing
>wrong? Any help is appreciated. I just spent $1000 on this new computer and
>think that should entitle me to the Windows OS disc (and I expect it will
>have the same product key that was used to install on my new Dell). Thank you.

The "version I want" is the same that is "on my computer"; I'm not asking for
a free upgrade. I'm not asking for anything that isn't already paid for
actually. I don't even have the product key for the OS either which I'm also
not comfortable with. It's not like the OS cost more than the computer (the
OS has a MSRP of $129.95). Like I mentioned, I know several people who have
purchased Dell computers and have requested the OEM OS disc and got it. I
just don't understand why I'm being denied that. I have a Dell CD that came
with the computer but it's a DELL CD, not Microsoft; and it has a bunch of
other Dell stuff on it that I don't want. There is an image file of over 3 GB
on a partition, but it's too large to be transferred over to disc. I need a
physical copy of the OS for backup purposes only (I'm not trying to steal
anything or install it on another computer). Why does it seem like I'm asking
for the WORLD when I just want a legitimate, stand alone OEM OS disc for
backup purposes ONLY? Surely Microsoft can verify if I'm doing a reinstall on
the SAME computer that the OS originally came with to verify I'm not breaking
the law. Why am I the only Dell customer I know that is having this problem
when other Dell customers had no issue whatsoever? Something seems really
fishy here with Dell, hence more of a reason to want the OEM OS disc.

"Nonny" wrote:

> On Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:30:00 -0700, Munchichic
> <Munchichic@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
> >Hi Everyone. I realize this may be a "touchy" subject but I need to ask.
> >After a massive computer failure I just bought a new Dell XPS 420 desktop PC.
> >My first Dell purchase. It came preloaded with Microsoft Vista Home Premium.
> >I asked Dell for an original Microsoft installation CD as a backup. They
> >refused. I have several friends and relatives who purchased Dell computers
> >and many of them requested the same disc from Dell and received it without
> >incident (some within the last 2 months). I think I should be entitled to a
> >copy of the installation CD and not one that is from Dell preloaded with a
> >bunch of Dell crap on it.
>
> The version you have on your computer cost far less than the one you
> want. You can't get the one you want, no matter how loud you yell or
> who you yell to/at.
>
> If your computer came with a recovery disc, that's all you get. If it
> didn't, there are instructions on how to burn one from the "D"
> partition - either in your manual, or online at Dell.com
>
> >Why can't I receive an original Windows CD like
> >everyone else has requested? Am I asking the wrong person? What am I doing
> >wrong? Any help is appreciated. I just spent $1000 on this new computer and
> >think that should entitle me to the Windows OS disc (and I expect it will
> >have the same product key that was used to install on my new Dell). Thank you.
>

Vista comes on DVD, as it is 2.5G-3.0G.
Ask Dell what you have in YOUR Recovery partition.

Burn that Recovery partition to DVD, following Dell's instructions on how to
make the Disk in case of HD failure.
There will also be an F Key at the bottom of screen right at startup, which
allows you to take it back to factory standards, in case of OS crash.
--
Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia


"Munchichic" wrote:

> The "version I want" is the same that is "on my computer"; I'm not asking for
> a free upgrade. I'm not asking for anything that isn't already paid for
> actually. I don't even have the product key for the OS either which I'm also
> not comfortable with. It's not like the OS cost more than the computer (the
> OS has a MSRP of $129.95). Like I mentioned, I know several people who have
> purchased Dell computers and have requested the OEM OS disc and got it. I
> just don't understand why I'm being denied that. I have a Dell CD that came
> with the computer but it's a DELL CD, not Microsoft; and it has a bunch of
> other Dell stuff on it that I don't want. There is an image file of over 3 GB
> on a partition, but it's too large to be transferred over to disc. I need a
> physical copy of the OS for backup purposes only (I'm not trying to steal
> anything or install it on another computer). Why does it seem like I'm asking
> for the WORLD when I just want a legitimate, stand alone OEM OS disc for
> backup purposes ONLY? Surely Microsoft can verify if I'm doing a reinstall on
> the SAME computer that the OS originally came with to verify I'm not breaking
> the law. Why am I the only Dell customer I know that is having this problem
> when other Dell customers had no issue whatsoever? Something seems really
> fishy here with Dell, hence more of a reason to want the OEM OS disc.
>
> "Nonny" wrote:
>
> > On Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:30:00 -0700, Munchichic
> > <Munchichic@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> >
> > >Hi Everyone. I realize this may be a "touchy" subject but I need to ask.
> > >After a massive computer failure I just bought a new Dell XPS 420 desktop PC.
> > >My first Dell purchase. It came preloaded with Microsoft Vista Home Premium.
> > >I asked Dell for an original Microsoft installation CD as a backup. They
> > >refused. I have several friends and relatives who purchased Dell computers
> > >and many of them requested the same disc from Dell and received it without
> > >incident (some within the last 2 months). I think I should be entitled to a
> > >copy of the installation CD and not one that is from Dell preloaded with a
> > >bunch of Dell crap on it.
> >
> > The version you have on your computer cost far less than the one you
> > want. You can't get the one you want, no matter how loud you yell or
> > who you yell to/at.
> >
> > If your computer came with a recovery disc, that's all you get. If it
> > didn't, there are instructions on how to burn one from the "D"
> > partition - either in your manual, or online at Dell.com
> >
> > >Why can't I receive an original Windows CD like
> > >everyone else has requested? Am I asking the wrong person? What am I doing
> > >wrong? Any help is appreciated. I just spent $1000 on this new computer and
> > >think that should entitle me to the Windows OS disc (and I expect it will
> > >have the same product key that was used to install on my new Dell). Thank you.
> >

Thank you for this tip. This will provide me with an option while I figure
out why Dell won't give me the OS CD. I appreciate your help.

"Mick Murphy" wrote:

> Vista comes on DVD, as it is 2.5G-3.0G.
> Ask Dell what you have in YOUR Recovery partition.
>
> Burn that Recovery partition to DVD, following Dell's instructions on how to
> make the Disk in case of HD failure.
> There will also be an F Key at the bottom of screen right at startup, which
> allows you to take it back to factory standards, in case of OS crash.
> --
> Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia
>
>
> "Munchichic" wrote:
>
> > The "version I want" is the same that is "on my computer"; I'm not asking for
> > a free upgrade. I'm not asking for anything that isn't already paid for
> > actually. I don't even have the product key for the OS either which I'm also
> > not comfortable with. It's not like the OS cost more than the computer (the
> > OS has a MSRP of $129.95). Like I mentioned, I know several people who have
> > purchased Dell computers and have requested the OEM OS disc and got it. I
> > just don't understand why I'm being denied that. I have a Dell CD that came
> > with the computer but it's a DELL CD, not Microsoft; and it has a bunch of
> > other Dell stuff on it that I don't want. There is an image file of over 3 GB
> > on a partition, but it's too large to be transferred over to disc. I need a
> > physical copy of the OS for backup purposes only (I'm not trying to steal
> > anything or install it on another computer). Why does it seem like I'm asking
> > for the WORLD when I just want a legitimate, stand alone OEM OS disc for
> > backup purposes ONLY? Surely Microsoft can verify if I'm doing a reinstall on
> > the SAME computer that the OS originally came with to verify I'm not breaking
> > the law. Why am I the only Dell customer I know that is having this problem
> > when other Dell customers had no issue whatsoever? Something seems really
> > fishy here with Dell, hence more of a reason to want the OEM OS disc.
> >
> > "Nonny" wrote:
> >
> > > On Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:30:00 -0700, Munchichic
> > > <Munchichic@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > >Hi Everyone. I realize this may be a "touchy" subject but I need to ask.
> > > >After a massive computer failure I just bought a new Dell XPS 420 desktop PC.
> > > >My first Dell purchase. It came preloaded with Microsoft Vista Home Premium.
> > > >I asked Dell for an original Microsoft installation CD as a backup. They
> > > >refused. I have several friends and relatives who purchased Dell computers
> > > >and many of them requested the same disc from Dell and received it without
> > > >incident (some within the last 2 months). I think I should be entitled to a
> > > >copy of the installation CD and not one that is from Dell preloaded with a
> > > >bunch of Dell crap on it.
> > >
> > > The version you have on your computer cost far less than the one you
> > > want. You can't get the one you want, no matter how loud you yell or
> > > who you yell to/at.
> > >
> > > If your computer came with a recovery disc, that's all you get. If it
> > > didn't, there are instructions on how to burn one from the "D"
> > > partition - either in your manual, or online at Dell.com
> > >
> > > >Why can't I receive an original Windows CD like
> > > >everyone else has requested? Am I asking the wrong person? What am I doing
> > > >wrong? Any help is appreciated. I just spent $1000 on this new computer and
> > > >think that should entitle me to the Windows OS disc (and I expect it will
> > > >have the same product key that was used to install on my new Dell). Thank you.
> > >

"Munchichic" <Munchichic@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:738383D9-55E3-40B9-9141-7B5E5040BD77@microsoft.com...
> The "version I want" is the same that is "on my computer"; I'm not asking
> for
> a free upgrade. I'm not asking for anything that isn't already paid for
> actually. I don't even have the product key for the OS either which I'm
> also
> not comfortable with. It's not like the OS cost more than the computer
> (the
> OS has a MSRP of $129.95). Like I mentioned, I know several people who
> have
> purchased Dell computers and have requested the OEM OS disc and got it. I
> just don't understand why I'm being denied that. I have a Dell CD that
> came
> with the computer but it's a DELL CD, not Microsoft; and it has a bunch of
> other Dell stuff on it that I don't want. There is an image file of over 3
> GB
> on a partition, but it's too large to be transferred over to disc. I need
> a
> physical copy of the OS for backup purposes only (I'm not trying to steal
> anything or install it on another computer). Why does it seem like I'm
> asking
> for the WORLD when I just want a legitimate, stand alone OEM OS disc for
> backup purposes ONLY? Surely Microsoft can verify if I'm doing a reinstall
> on
> the SAME computer that the OS originally came with to verify I'm not
> breaking
> the law. Why am I the only Dell customer I know that is having this
> problem
> when other Dell customers had no issue whatsoever? Something seems really
> fishy here with Dell, hence more of a reason to want the OEM OS disc.
>
> "Nonny" wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:30:00 -0700, Munchichic
>> <Munchichic@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>
>> >Hi Everyone. I realize this may be a "touchy" subject but I need to ask.
>> >After a massive computer failure I just bought a new Dell XPS 420
>> >desktop PC.
>> >My first Dell purchase. It came preloaded with Microsoft Vista Home
>> >Premium.
>> >I asked Dell for an original Microsoft installation CD as a backup. They
>> >refused. I have several friends and relatives who purchased Dell
>> >computers
>> >and many of them requested the same disc from Dell and received it
>> >without
>> >incident (some within the last 2 months). I think I should be entitled
>> >to a
>> >copy of the installation CD and not one that is from Dell preloaded with
>> >a
>> >bunch of Dell crap on it.
>>
>> The version you have on your computer cost far less than the one you
>> want. You can't get the one you want, no matter how loud you yell or
>> who you yell to/at.
>>
>> If your computer came with a recovery disc, that's all you get. If it
>> didn't, there are instructions on how to burn one from the "D"
>> partition - either in your manual, or online at Dell.com
>>
>> >Why can't I receive an original Windows CD like
>> >everyone else has requested? Am I asking the wrong person? What am I
>> >doing
>> >wrong? Any help is appreciated. I just spent $1000 on this new computer
>> >and
>> >think that should entitle me to the Windows OS disc (and I expect it
>> >will
>> >have the same product key that was used to install on my new Dell).
>> >Thank you.
>>
>
I made the BIG mistake of buying 3 Dell PCs a year ago. Never again will I
buy anything with that name on it. As for a recovery disc if it did not come
with one, there will be instructions on the machine, and on their site, to
burn one. It can be done on CDR's or DVD R's. Will take 3 DVDR's or 10
CDR's, but you can make a copy. It will be all the crap that's on there not
just Windows, but you can delete what you don't want. The Key should have
been included in the paper work you got with the PC, and there should be a
tag on the Tower somewhere with it. If it's not then you do need to call and
find out why, and get it, since if you try to recover from disc it is going
to ask for it.
--
"Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites.
Moderation is for monks."
[Lazarus Long]

Hi

All Dell or any manufacture will supply is a OEM installation disks for
their system, which will always include all of their own stuff. They will
not and cannot supply MS disks as this will be in breach of their OEM
status.

For Dell systems the Product Key is part of the installation and is not
needed.

Mike
"Alex Clayton" <alexx1400@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:HqmdnanMgdXlGxTVnZ2dnUVZ_vadnZ2d@nventure.com ...
> "Munchichic" <Munchichic@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:738383D9-55E3-40B9-9141-7B5E5040BD77@microsoft.com...
>> The "version I want" is the same that is "on my computer"; I'm not asking
>> for
>> a free upgrade. I'm not asking for anything that isn't already paid for
>> actually. I don't even have the product key for the OS either which I'm
>> also
>> not comfortable with. It's not like the OS cost more than the computer
>> (the
>> OS has a MSRP of $129.95). Like I mentioned, I know several people who
>> have
>> purchased Dell computers and have requested the OEM OS disc and got it. I
>> just don't understand why I'm being denied that. I have a Dell CD that
>> came
>> with the computer but it's a DELL CD, not Microsoft; and it has a bunch
>> of
>> other Dell stuff on it that I don't want. There is an image file of over
>> 3 GB
>> on a partition, but it's too large to be transferred over to disc. I need
>> a
>> physical copy of the OS for backup purposes only (I'm not trying to steal
>> anything or install it on another computer). Why does it seem like I'm
>> asking
>> for the WORLD when I just want a legitimate, stand alone OEM OS disc for
>> backup purposes ONLY? Surely Microsoft can verify if I'm doing a
>> reinstall on
>> the SAME computer that the OS originally came with to verify I'm not
>> breaking
>> the law. Why am I the only Dell customer I know that is having this
>> problem
>> when other Dell customers had no issue whatsoever? Something seems really
>> fishy here with Dell, hence more of a reason to want the OEM OS disc.
>>
>> "Nonny" wrote:
>>
>>> On Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:30:00 -0700, Munchichic
>>> <Munchichic@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> >Hi Everyone. I realize this may be a "touchy" subject but I need to
>>> >ask.
>>> >After a massive computer failure I just bought a new Dell XPS 420
>>> >desktop PC.
>>> >My first Dell purchase. It came preloaded with Microsoft Vista Home
>>> >Premium.
>>> >I asked Dell for an original Microsoft installation CD as a backup.
>>> >They
>>> >refused. I have several friends and relatives who purchased Dell
>>> >computers
>>> >and many of them requested the same disc from Dell and received it
>>> >without
>>> >incident (some within the last 2 months). I think I should be entitled
>>> >to a
>>> >copy of the installation CD and not one that is from Dell preloaded
>>> >with a
>>> >bunch of Dell crap on it.
>>>
>>> The version you have on your computer cost far less than the one you
>>> want. You can't get the one you want, no matter how loud you yell or
>>> who you yell to/at.
>>>
>>> If your computer came with a recovery disc, that's all you get. If it
>>> didn't, there are instructions on how to burn one from the "D"
>>> partition - either in your manual, or online at Dell.com
>>>
>>> >Why can't I receive an original Windows CD like
>>> >everyone else has requested? Am I asking the wrong person? What am I
>>> >doing
>>> >wrong? Any help is appreciated. I just spent $1000 on this new computer
>>> >and
>>> >think that should entitle me to the Windows OS disc (and I expect it
>>> >will
>>> >have the same product key that was used to install on my new Dell).
>>> >Thank you.
>>>
>>
> I made the BIG mistake of buying 3 Dell PCs a year ago. Never again will I
> buy anything with that name on it. As for a recovery disc if it did not
> come with one, there will be instructions on the machine, and on their
> site, to burn one. It can be done on CDR's or DVD R's. Will take 3 DVDR's
> or 10 CDR's, but you can make a copy. It will be all the crap that's on
> there not just Windows, but you can delete what you don't want. The Key
> should have been included in the paper work you got with the PC, and there
> should be a tag on the Tower somewhere with it. If it's not then you do
> need to call and find out why, and get it, since if you try to recover
> from disc it is going to ask for it.
> --
> "Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites.
> Moderation is for monks."
> [Lazarus Long]

"Munchichic" <Munchichic@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:7603593E-14EB-4C8F-BCEE-DB8A4456BB24@microsoft.com...
> Hi Everyone. I realize this may be a "touchy" subject but I need to ask.
> After a massive computer failure I just bought a new Dell XPS 420 desktop
> PC.
> My first Dell purchase. It came preloaded with Microsoft Vista Home
> Premium.
> I asked Dell for an original Microsoft installation CD as a backup. They
> refused. I have several friends and relatives who purchased Dell computers
> and many of them requested the same disc from Dell and received it without
> incident (some within the last 2 months). I think I should be entitled to
> a
> copy of the installation CD and not one that is from Dell preloaded with a
> bunch of Dell crap on it. Why can't I receive an original Windows CD like
> everyone else has requested? Am I asking the wrong person? What am I doing
> wrong? Any help is appreciated. I just spent $1000 on this new computer
> and
> think that should entitle me to the Windows OS disc (and I expect it will
> have the same product key that was used to install on my new Dell). Thank
> you.

Dell have done nothing wrong. Under the terms as a royalty OEM licensee for
the distribution of Microsoft operating systems on their PCs, they are only
required to provide you with a method of restoring the device to as shipped
from the factory to you. This can be recovery media (CD or more likely DVD)
or the option to create such media either (from a hidden partition on the
hard disk) after the initial startup or at some time post setup, or via a
button press at power on to recovery immediately from the hidden recovery
partition.
They are certainly not required to provide you with a generic OEM media.
Dell license a whole load of software for preinstallation on your device and
this licensing includes incentives to do this to enable other software
manufactures to get their products on your device for you to try etc. It is
all about marketing etc.
If Dell are refusing to provide a generic OEM DVD then there is nothing you
can do about this as long as they are providing you with a recovery
mechanism as outlined above.
You can always buy a generic OEM disk yourself from one of many sources.

(Just as a point of note the cost Dell pay for the OEM operating system is a
tiny fraction of what you would buy it for even at its cheapest price on the
open market)

--

Mike Brannigan

Munchichic wrote:
> Hi Everyone. I realize this may be a "touchy" subject but I need to ask.
> After a massive computer failure I just bought a new Dell XPS 420 desktop PC.
> My first Dell purchase. It came preloaded with Microsoft Vista Home Premium.
> I asked Dell for an original Microsoft installation CD as a backup. They
> refused. I have several friends and relatives who purchased Dell computers
> and many of them requested the same disc from Dell and received it without
> incident (some within the last 2 months). I think I should be entitled to a
> copy of the installation CD and not one that is from Dell preloaded with a
> bunch of Dell crap on it. Why can't I receive an original Windows CD like
> everyone else has requested? Am I asking the wrong person? What am I doing
> wrong? Any help is appreciated. I just spent $1000 on this new computer and
> think that should entitle me to the Windows OS disc (and I expect it will
> have the same product key that was used to install on my new Dell). Thank you.

My question is why you forked over the cash when they wouldn't give you
what you wanted. Now that they have your money, you're not really in a
good bargaining position. Next time, get a white box.

Alias

Mike Brannigan wrote:
> "Munchichic" <Munchichic@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:7603593E-14EB-4C8F-BCEE-DB8A4456BB24@microsoft.com...
>> Hi Everyone. I realize this may be a "touchy" subject but I need to ask.
>> After a massive computer failure I just bought a new Dell XPS 420
>> desktop PC.
>> My first Dell purchase. It came preloaded with Microsoft Vista Home
>> Premium.
>> I asked Dell for an original Microsoft installation CD as a backup. They
>> refused. I have several friends and relatives who purchased Dell
>> computers
>> and many of them requested the same disc from Dell and received it
>> without
>> incident (some within the last 2 months). I think I should be entitled
>> to a
>> copy of the installation CD and not one that is from Dell preloaded
>> with a
>> bunch of Dell crap on it. Why can't I receive an original Windows CD like
>> everyone else has requested? Am I asking the wrong person? What am I
>> doing
>> wrong? Any help is appreciated. I just spent $1000 on this new
>> computer and
>> think that should entitle me to the Windows OS disc (and I expect it will
>> have the same product key that was used to install on my new Dell).
>> Thank you.
>
> Dell have done nothing wrong.

Of course not, ripping people off as long as Microsoft approves it is
just fine and dandy.

Snip long winded justification for the rip off.

Alias