Sorry your browser is not supported!

You are using an outdated browser that does not support modern web technologies, in order to use this site please update to a new browser.

Browsers supported include Chrome, FireFox, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer 10+ or Microsoft Edge.

Geek Culture / Dell PCs and OS CDs?

Author
Message
Fallout
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 1st Sep 2002
Location: Basingstoke, England
Posted: 3rd Nov 2009 20:07
Link
Do Dell PCs still ship without OS CDs? I am looking at buying one tonight, but I can't abide paying for an OS and then not getting a CD to allow me to install it. They certainly don't make it clear on the website when you're looking at PCs.

Has anyone bought one recently, or know of anyone who has, an know if they get an OS CD ... specifically new Windows 7 machines.

Back to top
Profile PM
lazerus
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 30th Apr 2008
Location:
Posted: 3rd Nov 2009 20:16
Link
Am pretty sure its preinstalled, which yes is the bane of all of us/

They use factory keys with a multi user license.


http://lazerus-reborn.deviantart.com/
Back to top
Profile PM Email
the_winch
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 1st Feb 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posted: 3rd Nov 2009 20:38 Edited at: 3rd Nov 2009 20:39
Link
I'm sure they say "with media" under the OS section if comes with a proper install disk.



By way of demonstration, he emitted a batlike squeak that was indeed bothersome.

Attachments

Login to view attachments
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Van B
Moderator
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Oct 2002
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 3rd Nov 2009 20:41
Link
Sometimes you have to burn your own restore disk, there's a program to run in that case that does it all for you, even has that on these net books that come with no CD rom drive.


Health, Ammo, and bacon and eggs!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
lazerus
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 30th Apr 2008
Location:
Posted: 3rd Nov 2009 20:45
Link
With Media// most likly means other crap that'l clog your pc it would be too expensive to send a reinstall disk as well as bad bussines sense, After your warrenty, when it crashes//software error// you need to pay for it to be fixed.

If i remeber its 200 installs a@ £1500. (XP version/vista was this)

So sending a £150 disk with each one, i dont think so mate ^_^


http://lazerus-reborn.deviantart.com/
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Van B
Moderator
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Oct 2002
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 3rd Nov 2009 20:49
Link
I've installed probably 80 dell PC's and laptops, never had to pay for them to be fixed or had any problems reinstalling, and always get either a restore disk or the option to burn one.


Health, Ammo, and bacon and eggs!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
the_winch
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 1st Feb 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posted: 3rd Nov 2009 21:10
Link
Work upgraded a dozen or so computers not long ago. Each machine arrived with both a vista and xp install cd in the box.
The model is under the business section of the dell site and describes the OS as "with media".

By way of demonstration, he emitted a batlike squeak that was indeed bothersome.
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Fallout
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 1st Sep 2002
Location: Basingstoke, England
Posted: 3rd Nov 2009 22:12
Link
Ok, cheers guys. I'll look out for "with media". Otherwise I might just plump for building my own from ebuyer. Btw, I'm actually on my old knackered PC. I managed to get it to boot .... how ... I don't know!

Back to top
Profile PM
Fallout
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 1st Sep 2002
Location: Basingstoke, England
Posted: 3rd Nov 2009 22:18
Link
So I found some with "Recovery DVD included". I haven't found "with media" though I'm sure there are some machines on there. The deal I was looking at had neither, so I guess I would have to generate my own back-up DVD. I can't be arsed to be honest. I think I'd feel better about making my own PC again .... I might even stick with XP. Thanks guys.

Back to top
Profile PM
Phaelax
DBPro Master
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 16th Apr 2003
Location: Metropia
Posted: 4th Nov 2009 02:22
Link
The last Dell I worked on (a laptop) didn't have a restore CD. The data was all stored on a separate partition. Which is fine and dandy, but when the drive fails, you're kinda screwed as was the case of my gf.

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Yodaman Jer
User Banned
Posted: 4th Nov 2009 02:54
Link
Quote: "The data was all stored on a separate partition. "


Can you burn that to a CD/DVD? I'm considering buying a Dell Laptop and would also like this question answered.

"The fools may crash down upon us in thunderous waves, but we shall Jeku slap them back from whence they came"
-BiggAdd, Oct 28th 2009
Back to top
Profile
hyrichter
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 15th Feb 2004
Location: Arizona
Posted: 4th Nov 2009 02:58
Link
Not sure about Dell, but when I got my Acer laptop, it kept bothering me to burn some restore DVDs. All you had to do was run the program and it would burn the discs. It hasn't bothered me since about it, and I feel better knowing I can restore it if needed.

CodeSurge
Version 1.0 finally released! Code your DBP projects in style. (And save the kittens!)
Back to top
Profile PM Email
dab
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 22nd Sep 2004
Location: Your Temp Folder!
Posted: 4th Nov 2009 06:11
Link
Yea my compaq has a separate partition for my recover thing. It came with some software to burn it to a DVD, or 12 CDs.... I Chose the latter due to me not owning any DVDs at that time :S

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
crispex
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 22nd Jun 2007
Location:
Posted: 4th Nov 2009 06:31
Link
Why you would buy a Dell is beyond me.

Temporarly away from the Phoenix Sentry.
Back to top
Profile PM
Phaelax
DBPro Master
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 16th Apr 2003
Location: Metropia
Posted: 4th Nov 2009 07:32
Link
Quote: "Can you burn that to a CD/DVD?"


There might be a way, but I'm not sure. Not even sure if you did copy the data to a CD you could even boot from it.

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Benjamin
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 24th Nov 2002
Location: France
Posted: 4th Nov 2009 09:30 Edited at: 4th Nov 2009 09:31
Link
My HP computer has a backup partition, and it also came with an application to burn backup DVDs (which can be used to either restore the OS to its factory state or restore the drive itself to its factory state). I'm pretty sure most computers either come with backup discs, the ability to burn backup discs, or a backup partition.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Yodaman Jer
User Banned
Posted: 4th Nov 2009 19:32
Link
Quote: "There might be a way, but I'm not sure. Not even sure if you did copy the data to a CD you could even boot from it."


Dang. It might be worth it to get a MacBook and dual-boot with Windows 7 after all...that way I would have restore DVDs!

"The fools may crash down upon us in thunderous waves, but we shall Jeku slap them back from whence they came"
-BiggAdd, Oct 28th 2009
Back to top
Profile
TillyLala
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 6th Jul 2009
Location: In the little cupboard under the stairs
Posted: 4th Nov 2009 20:57
Link
When I bought my Dell back in June it came with the OS cd's And when n3wton got his a couple of year ago he got the cd's too

Back to top
Profile PM
Yodaman Jer
User Banned
Posted: 4th Nov 2009 21:12
Link
I just found out from a friend (who recently purchased a 15" Dell Inspiron in August) that when he purchased his Dell Laptop it came with the restore DVDs. So I'm pretty confident that the laptop I want (a Dell 14" Inspiron) will come with the restore DVDs. Especially since Tilly and n3wton's came with DVDs as well.

"The fools may crash down upon us in thunderous waves, but we shall Jeku slap them back from whence they came"
-BiggAdd, Oct 28th 2009
Back to top
Profile
Fallout
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 1st Sep 2002
Location: Basingstoke, England
Posted: 5th Nov 2009 09:47
Link
Yeah, my mate just bought a Dell laptop and also got a 'Restore DVD', though that may just fix Windows, or restore default settings etc. rather than allow you to reinstall. I'll find out later.

Back to top
Profile PM
Back to top

Login to post a reply

Server time is: 2025-05-25 20:24:52
Your offset time is: 2025-05-25 20:24:52