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:

Quote:

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

Quote:

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:

Quote:

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:

Quote:

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:

Quote:

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...

Quote:

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...

Quote:

"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...

Quote:

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:

Quote:

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:

Quote:

"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

Mike Brannigan
"##Alias##" <aka@masked&anonymous.ec> wrote in message
news:eGTFyaj7IHA.3696@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

Quote:

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

Where's the rip off?
The buyer of a Dell PC gets a machine preinstalled with Windows and whatever
else Dell want to put on there.
And then they provide you with a method to get it back to just as you bought
it.
No one is promised anything else. What else do you expect and why ?
And in particular why do you think you need or should have anything more
then to get the machine back to exactly as how you got it when you ordered
it ?
--
Mike Brannigan

"Alias" <aka@mascaradoyanónimo.cat> wrote in message
news:g6c5b2$bnk$1@aioe.org...

Quote:

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

They gave him exactly what he ordered and it will include a method of
recovery to as shipped.
There is no reason to expect or assume you would be provided with a generic
OEM Windows DVD - why would Dell want to ship these? since as the OEM they
are responsible for support of both the hardware and OS/software as shipped
to you. So as regards reinstallation they must be able to guarantee a known
state and that is the one of their image they provide on the recovery media.
If they gave you a generic OEM DVD they would be helping you mess up your
machine then have to deal with all the people who may call for support
expecting it as they used "the disk Dell supplied" - but that machine is in
an unknown state. This is why reinstallation by any means other then the
recovery media puts you outside of the warrantee and support for your Dell
device.

Now you and many others may be happy to provide you own support for your own
machine and want to install your own operating system - in that case you
need to supply your own license and media etc. The average man in the
street is not interest din OS installations etc and a recovery system that
gets them back to as shipped is fine for over 99% of the regular PC users.
If you want to be a special case then you expect that and do whatever you
want but there is no point in blaming Microsoft or Dell for supporting the
majority of the PC buying general public in preference to the actually tiny
percentage that want to build there own system etc,. Remember the vast
majority of home PC users these days want it to be like a toaster - they
just power it on and it works. The after three years they replace it with
another one. That is the market the OEMs are in - which is why as often
cited retail sales of Vista or any other OS including even upgrades is
actually remarkably small - the over whelming majority of users buy a device
add some peripherals then replace it after a few years.


--

Mike Brannigan

Mike Brannigan wrote:

Quote:

Mike Brannigan "##Alias##" <aka@masked&anonymous.ec> wrote in message news:eGTFyaj7IHA.3696@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... 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 Where's the rip off? The buyer of a Dell PC gets a machine preinstalled with Windows and whatever else Dell want to put on there. And then they provide you with a method to get it back to just as you bought it. No one is promised anything else. What else do you expect and why ? And in particular why do you think you need or should have anything more then to get the machine back to exactly as how you got it when you ordered it ?

You see, the scam is so generalized that you think it's normal to load a
computer with crap and sell it without providing a real copy of Windows.
Dell, Microsoft and the boys know that most people are not aware of
what's being done so they take full and complete advantage of their
ignorance and shills like you defend it. The proper way to sell a
machine is to include a copy of Windows and a CD with all the drivers
without trial crap that in many cases is a real PIA to remove. But,
hell, MS is happy; Dell is happy; the vendors of programs like Norton
are happy and the computer user is screwed but three out of four ain't
bad, right? And MS prices it so that white box makers, who really
provide what should be provided, have a hard time competing.

Alias

Mike Brannigan wrote:

Quote:

"Alias" <aka@mascaradoyanónimo.cat> wrote in message news:g6c5b2$bnk$1@aioe.org... 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 They gave him exactly what he ordered and it will include a method of recovery to as shipped. There is no reason to expect or assume you would be provided with a generic OEM Windows DVD - why would Dell want to ship these? since as the OEM they are responsible for support of both the hardware and OS/software as shipped to you. So as regards reinstallation they must be able to guarantee a known state and that is the one of their image they provide on the recovery media. If they gave you a generic OEM DVD they would be helping you mess up your machine then have to deal with all the people who may call for support expecting it as they used "the disk Dell supplied" - but that machine is in an unknown state. This is why reinstallation by any means other then the recovery media puts you outside of the warrantee and support for your Dell device. Now you and many others may be happy to provide you own support for your own machine and want to install your own operating system - in that case you need to supply your own license and media etc. The average man in the street is not interest din OS installations etc and a recovery system that gets them back to as shipped is fine for over 99% of the regular PC users. If you want to be a special case then you expect that and do whatever you want but there is no point in blaming Microsoft or Dell for supporting the majority of the PC buying general public in preference to the actually tiny percentage that want to build there own system etc,. Remember the vast majority of home PC users these days want it to be like a toaster - they just power it on and it works. The after three years they replace it with another one. That is the market the OEMs are in - which is why as often cited retail sales of Vista or any other OS including even upgrades is actually remarkably small - the over whelming majority of users buy a device add some peripherals then replace it after a few years.

Your disdain for computer users is right up there with MS and the boys.
The buying public doesn't know any better so let's take advantage of
them and sell them a "restore" method that reloads the Norton, McAfee
type trial crap that is a royal PIA to remove. There's no reason why
Dell, HP, etc. can't provide a DVD that restores Windows and the Drivers
with no crapware included.

I don't know who you've been hanging out with but I know very few people
who replace their computers every three years.

Alias

"Michael John Ruff" <mr002i1702@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Ihgik.13653$Nj6.1299@newsfe05.ams2...

Quote:

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

My Dells must not know this. I have had to re install the OS on the desktop
3 times, and on one laptop one time. On every time the install stops at one
point and asks for this key. Without entering it, it will not let me install
the OS back onto the machine.
--
911 = Dial a prayer
1911= real protection

On Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:17:00 -0700, Munchichic
<Munchichic@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

Quote:

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.

You are mistaken, or they lied to you. They didn't get a Vista
installation disc, they got a recovery disc that would restore their
system to out-of-the-box condition..

Quote:

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.

"##Alias##" <aka@masked&anonymous.ec> wrote in message
news:%23RKeIzj7IHA.3648@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

Quote:

Mike Brannigan wrote: "Alias" <aka@mascaradoyanónimo.cat> wrote in message news:g6c5b2$bnk$1@aioe.org... 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 They gave him exactly what he ordered and it will include a method of recovery to as shipped. There is no reason to expect or assume you would be provided with a generic OEM Windows DVD - why would Dell want to ship these? since as the OEM they are responsible for support of both the hardware and OS/software as shipped to you. So as regards reinstallation they must be able to guarantee a known state and that is the one of their image they provide on the recovery media. If they gave you a generic OEM DVD they would be helping you mess up your machine then have to deal with all the people who may call for support expecting it as they used "the disk Dell supplied" - but that machine is in an unknown state. This is why reinstallation by any means other then the recovery media puts you outside of the warrantee and support for your Dell device. Now you and many others may be happy to provide you own support for your own machine and want to install your own operating system - in that case you need to supply your own license and media etc. The average man in the street is not interest din OS installations etc and a recovery system that gets them back to as shipped is fine for over 99% of the regular PC users. If you want to be a special case then you expect that and do whatever you want but there is no point in blaming Microsoft or Dell for supporting the majority of the PC buying general public in preference to the actually tiny percentage that want to build there own system etc,. Remember the vast majority of home PC users these days want it to be like a toaster - they just power it on and it works. The after three years they replace it with another one. That is the market the OEMs are in - which is why as often cited retail sales of Vista or any other OS including even upgrades is actually remarkably small - the over whelming majority of users buy a device add some peripherals then replace it after a few years. Your disdain for computer users is right up there with MS and the boys. The buying public doesn't know any better so let's take advantage of them and sell them a "restore" method that reloads the Norton, McAfee type trial crap that is a royal PIA to remove. There's no reason why Dell, HP, etc. can't provide a DVD that restores Windows and the Drivers with no crapware included. I don't know who you've been hanging out with but I know very few people who replace their computers every three years.

I am not showing any disdain for computer users - in fact the point is the
majority of computer users get exactly what they expect and need from the
OEM sector on terms of provision of cheap Windows and other OEM supplied
products - and a means to get the system back to "as shipped" in the event
of a catastrophic issue. You just seem not to be able to understand that
your sector of users - those who wish to do OS installs etc are tiny in
comparison to what is now a commodity product market place and not the odd
shop here and there techie world that it was a number of years ago.

Now taking your point of "There's no reason why Dell, HP, etc. can't
provide a DVD that restores Windows and the Drivers with no crapware
included." technically ignoring the as you refer to it as "crapware" they
do - the recovery media does restore the OS and drivers to a supported and
known good state.
The crapware is just part of the bigger marketing and now commodity market,
and has no significant impact on the end user who does not want to use it -
it can be removed or uninstalled.
There are any number of analogies you can use to cover off this - but the
fact remains PCs are now commodity items that do get replaced in many cases
3 years or even less in both the home and corporate spaces. (I can
absolutely say I see tens of thousands of machine replaced every year in the
corp space and the home market replacement cycle is in many ways what is
keeping the OEMs in business - yes there is still huge growth in new PC
acquisition but the number shipped include massive amounts of replacements
year on year).


--

Mike Brannigan

> Alias

Mike Brannigan
"##Alias##" <aka@masked&anonymous.ec> wrote in message
news:%23AEeEwj7IHA.3624@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

Quote:

Mike Brannigan wrote: Mike Brannigan "##Alias##" <aka@masked&anonymous.ec> wrote in message news:eGTFyaj7IHA.3696@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... 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 Where's the rip off? The buyer of a Dell PC gets a machine preinstalled with Windows and whatever else Dell want to put on there. And then they provide you with a method to get it back to just as you bought it. No one is promised anything else. What else do you expect and why ? And in particular why do you think you need or should have anything more then to get the machine back to exactly as how you got it when you ordered it ? You see, the scam is so generalized that you think it's normal to load a computer with crap and sell it without providing a real copy of Windows. Dell, Microsoft and the boys know that most people are not aware of what's being done so they take full and complete advantage of their ignorance and shills like you defend it. The proper way to sell a machine is to include a copy of Windows and a CD with all the drivers without trial crap that in many cases is a real PIA to remove. But, hell, MS is happy; Dell is happy; the vendors of programs like Norton are happy and the computer user is screwed but three out of four ain't bad, right? And MS prices it so that white box makers, who really provide what should be provided, have a hard time competing. Alias

You do get a real (genuine) copy of Windows - it is preinstalled.
Most people do not want or need a generic OS DVD as they have no need to
move themselves out of support by doing anything other then recovering to as
shipped.
You need to stop thinking about your own situation as a none standard user
who may do OS reinstalls etc, and remember the millions of PC users who just
use the device and don't do any reinstalls etc.
Why do you think "the computer user is screwed"? they get the machine they
get an OS at a tiny fraction of what they would have paid retail then get it
preconfigured and ready to use of the the box with additional software that
many may find useful (and those that do not can either just delete the icons
or uninstall it) and the only people here complaining are ones like you who
are the exception to the vast majority of PC users today. (Yes I realize
that a number of years ago the techie user was the predominant PC user but
not today).
Microsoft may price their OS as they see fit (with large scale royalty OEMs,
generic OEM products in multiple packs, or singles and retail products too)
to recover the massive R&D costs and to incentivize OEMs to ship their OS.
There is no point bitching that the white box manufacturer who may wish to
ship a few Windows here and there as well as sell other OS or none OS
machines
should be given the same pricing as a massive royalty OEM who commits to
ship tens of thousands of systems. This is no different to the purchase of
a single retail copy of Office for $x00's dollars vs a large company getting
an Enterprise Agreement for 20,000 seats and paying the equivalent of $x0's
dollars. This is just market forces at work (Microsoft can depend on the
revenue stream from a royalty OEM or Enterprise Agreements but retail and
one offs are not great business sense.)


--

What Is the Extra Partition on My Hard Drive Used For?
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?journalid=52AD689EC91954E7E040AE0AB5E1404F&docid=E8643B4D68407118E030030ABD622934

Restoring Your Computer's Software to the Factory Settings:
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?journalid=52AD689EC91954E7E040AE0AB5E1404F&docid=3E48AE3870775D64E040A68F5B2877D4#4

You can request backup discs if you no longer have the original media installation CD/DVD:
https://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

---------------------------------------------------------------

"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.

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

Quote:

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.

Several points:

1. Like you, I think that all computers that come with a pre-installed
operating system should come with an installed CD or DVD for that
operating system.

2. But neither you nor I get to make the rules for Dell or for anyone
else. They have the right to offer a computer for sale under the terms
they did. In this case, it was *you* who failed to find out in advance
exactly what you were getting for your $1000. If you didn't like what
you were getting, you should have taken your business elsewhere. The
rule of "caveat emptor" applies.

3. Like other OEM vendors, over the years Dell has changed their
policy on this. I have a Dell laptop that I bought about four or five
years ago. I have an OEM installation CD for the Windows XP version
that is installed on it.

4. As far as I know, Dell no longer offers Installation CDs or DVDs
with their computers. When you say "many of them requested the same
disc from Dell and received it without incident (some within the last
2 months)," I strongly suspect that you are wrong and they (at least
those of them who got a CD recently) did not get what you think they
got.

5. Dell computers (and those from many other OEM manufacturers) now
come with a recovery partition in lieu of any installation or recovery
CD or DVD. They come with instructions to burn the contents of that
partition to a CD or DVD. To me that's not a wonderful alternative,
but it's far better than nothing, and I urge you to follow those
instructions immediately.

When you buy a computer from one of the big-name OEM manufacturers
like Dell, you usually get a very good price. But what you don't get
is the ability to choose exactly what you get--the brand and model of
each of the components in the computer, what software is installed or
not installed, what CDs and DVDs you get, etc.--choices you would have
if you dealt with a local custom builder instead. It's your choice:
you can pay less and get whatever they offer, or you can pay more and
get whatever you want. Don't blame Dell if you made the wrong choice.

My personal choice, by the way (for desktops, anyway) is to pay a
little more, have my computers built by a local builder, and get
whatever *I* want.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
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