Windows 7: Putting retail version on OEM computer

Dell Restoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings

If you lose the ability to run Dell Factory Recovery due to clean reinstall but still have the partiiton, try this: Dell Recovery Partition - restoring F8 link

You can also mark Dell Recovery partition Active in Disk Mgmt, reboot and try the hotkey if it has one other than F8. Or it may just boot into Recovery once marked Active which is what the hotkey formerly did.

If you need to return the Active flag to SysReserved or Windows 7 partition, use this: Partition - Mark as Active (Method Two)

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?


How to use Dell Recovery Partition,make Recovery Disks & how to order Recovery Disks.
Dell - Support

I'm not sure whether Dell still makes the SRCD/SRDVD sets available. If you are under warranty, you can always call and try. This thread has some tips on how to ask for them.
How to: Re-image your Mini9 from Dells image for your system
Tom

You should, if you haven't already done so, be able to create a set of recovery discs for your Dell computer.

That said, if you contact Dell Support and tell them your recovery discs don't work, they'll likely as not send you a set free of charge if your computer is still under warranty.

If it is out of warranty they'll sell you a set at a reasonable cost.

I have a brand new Studio XPS 9100 which I just took otu of the box and set up. The system was a mess frorm the moment I booted it with all sorts of video error related to the drivers. It kept cycling and then freezing. After many HOURS of work, I was able to do a work around and got it stablized and running.

When I ordered the system, I had the option to also order restoration/backup discs fro $15 extra, which I did. I always like to have original backups, more for the programs pre-installed than the OS. I had "assumed" all Dell systems shipped with a Factory revert reinslatt image on the drive. But I was wrong.... the only image in the OEM partition is apparently diagnostics and boot info which will at least allow me to boot the system... after that I am on my own. Yes... I DO have OS reinstall discs form Windows 7 Home premium, but the first thing I did was an "Anytime Upgrade" in place to Windows 7 Ultimate. So the OS disc is of little use to me. The discs Dell shipped with the system do NOT have ALL the preinstalled programs on them and they are NOT showing up on my Dell System support page available for download.

That is why I would rather have those, hard to get, System Restoration, discs that Tom mentioned instead of the regular restore discs. I was hoping that they would have the TOTAL system info as loaded from the factory. I thought that maybe the system got corrupted somehow when originally loaded and I could try to reload everything as from the factory.

I have not made any system restore discs yet as I only got the system up and running and wanted to wait until I had the OS I was going to use beforfe I made restore discs. No send restoring the system to Home Premium when I was going to have to upgrade immeditaly to Ultimate.

One program that got trashed with the video problem was Dell "basic Stage". And I cannot find a D/L llink anywhere for it. That is one of the programs NOT on my backup discs from the factory.

How many Disks did Dell send?

I'm at work right now and system is at home. But I "think" it was 4-5 discs.

The Windows 7 Home Premium
Drivers & Utlities/Diagnostics
SoundBlaster Card Disc

And I'm not sure exactly what the others were.

When I get hoem this evening I'll check and post exactly what they are.

Thanks !

Disk 1) Windows 7 install DVD.
Disk 2) Hardware drivers Disk
Disk 3) Hardware Diagnostics testing Disk
Disk 4) SoundBlaster drivers Disk.
Disk 5) App & Programs Disk.

Could be.... I'll confirm and post back later today/afternoon/early evening.

THANKS !

Here is what shipped with the system since I orderd backup discs when I placed the order:

1.) Reinstallation Disc for Win 7 Home Premium
2.) Drivers 7 Utilities Already installed on your computer (Contents: Device Drivers, Diagnostics & Utilities)
3.) Divers 7 Documentation (Contents: Device Drivers, Setup Guide, Users Guide)
4.) Creative SoundBlaster Disc
5.) Adobe Premier Elements 8 ( Pack of 2 Discs )
6.) Adobe Photoshop Elements.

That's all with the system.

Now... I used the On-Line disc backup order form and orderd a set. According to the web site with the order form, I am allowed to receive "ONE" backup set.

Plus... I sent an email to support and said I needed a backup disc to reinstall "basic Stage" software that "used to be" o my system.

Today, when I arrived home, there were two packages from Dell.

One contained only "one" disc which had "Drivers & Utilities Alreday installed on your System" and so it sems to be a duplicate of what I already have.

The other package contained 4 Discs:

1.) Application - Already installed on your computer (For reinstalling Dell Stage Application)
2.) Application - Already Installed on your computer (for Reinstalling CyberLink Power DVD & Remote Media)
3.) Reinstallation DVD for Win 7 Home Premium ( another duplicate of what I have already)
4.) EASY CD & DVD ( Roxio program(s) )

I suspect these two packages were what was sent by Cust Cupport and I will still receive a different shipment of discs based on the backupo disc form I filled out.

So.... perhaps the disc with "Stage" software on it will have what I need. I do hope it's not the programs specifically for the Dell "Touch" systems. I have a Dell 2711 monitor and no touch monitors.

I'll have to take a look and see exactly what is on the Disc and I will report back.

Thanks for the help everyone.