ring Dell and give them the service tag, ushering to them that you HDD has died and that you need a new one. They'll ask if you need to reinstall the OS and you said yes. They then should send you out a technician or a new HDD with the OS installed.
THEN run up the OS for the first time and do a system blackup...use that as your restore DVD.
Legacy is right, I did not do my homework. But had he read my posts he'd know that I already said that. And again, there in a "no media" option when buying the system from Dell which I was not made aware of when I purchased the computer with a live salesman. The salesman asked me what version I wanted and I chose to upgrade to Windows 7 professional. He never mentioned a "media" or "no media" option. When I called him yesterday about this I was told that I had chosen the "no media option" So it would seem logical that for some money, cash, moola, personal property...I would be able to purchase that media. He said there was nothing he could do. This is after I had spoken with India and got Sanjin to send disks. I just wanted to see what the salesperson that sold the system to me would say. So yes I could have researched their policies better, but really has it all come to this? When is it the companies responsibility to the consumer? The fact that the salesperson in the U.S. could or would not help, yet a sales person in India could is at minimum humorous. All is well now. I have OEM disks on the way. A backup of the bloatware created if needed and an alternatively licensed ISO if I don't receive the disks. It's just a shame that it takes all this when purchasing a new computer. Perhaps that is why there is so much pirated software out there. But we can explore that on another post. Thanks
It certainly is a bummer that things like this happen. As has been discussed, it's mainly done to get customers the overall lowest price they can possibly get on a computer. This is what the overwhelming majority of customers want, but not necessarily us enthusiasts. There are lots of people who want that "bloatware", they actually talk about all of the software that comes with whatever new computer they are buying. So, for these people, the restore option makes perfect and absolute sense.
I can understand why Dell wants the default system image installed. They want a common platform to support. They don't necessarily want customers trying to reload the OS and maybe/maybe not getting drivers loaded correctly to make their technical support more difficult.
I just thing places like Dell should make the clean install media an option, not selected by default, but available for those tech enthusiasts who are going to demand it. Or, just send them out on a case by case basis for those customers who call and ask for them. Based on the # of PC's they sell, I'd say the percentage of those wanting clean install media is pretty small.
As far as threatening to go Apple, just keep in mind that a new Apple purchase always come with a full install disk. And you can load this to multiple machines in your home if you wish to do so. But Apple software only runs on Apple hardware or hacks like OSx86..which can be difficult and trying. Apple doesn't have to protect against much in terms of piracy since people cannot buy parts and build their own Apple. And the Apple computer without a doubt costs a lot more...so in essence you pay for that retail license of the OS.
Hi Moleman & welcome to SevenForums,
Your'e quite correct - he didn't read your reply properly, and his post isn't typical of these forums. 99.9% of us (and that includes me) make slip-ups all the time, so you are in good company.
Your disks are on the way, and thats what counts - out of interest, Barman and Greg's replies are absolutely spot on, and that would have solved the issue for you had you not been able to get the disks.
Post back here if you need more help with this, or anything else Windows 7 related for that matter. The depth of experience here on the forums is truly amazing with many very experienced people willing and able to help you with almost anything Windows 7 related.
Enjoy your stay here,
Regards,
Golden
@moleman1
As I first pointed out to you you can do a clean install using the Product key on the COA (Certificate of Authentication) sticker, provided you have an installation disk. This is often a stumbling block. Dell is the first OEM PC manufacturer I have heard of who appears prepared to supply a clean installation disk.
As far as doing your homework. The typical salesperson wouldn't know what a clean install was to save their life. As far as the internet is concerned people often "don't know what they don't know" particularly if you bought a computer 10 years ago - the game's different.
Dell are appearing a standout. I only ever bought one OEM manufactured PC from a manufacturer I would never touch again. MS give OEMs the OS support role and this OEM wanted to charge for it at the time in this country!!! This makes a joke of the OEM contract.
So moleman1 you may have come out guns blazing but there is some justification in your anger.
I would like to add that I dealt with Dell in the UK for many years and am very aware of the Media / No Media options, I was of course dealing with their business sales / technical and did find them quite professional. The prices offered were of course not anywhere near as competitive as those on the Home user site until you started to deal in mass quantities
You are confusing OEM(SLP) and OEM(non SLP) licenses. OEM(SLP) come with a name brand PC. In this case you have already bought the OS license and can clean install using the COA product key for legal activation BUT you need to have access to the general installation disks.
I am referring to a PC you build yourself. I am saying $100 for an OEM(non SLP) disk and license locked to the motherboard of the PC you built is fair payment.
Or in other words Retail OEM, not Factory OEM.
It does seem fairly priced.
It also gives one a good idea of what the factory preinstall is worth in dollars since it belongs to you for the life of the computer and you are entitled to reinstall it however you want without any interference by the manufacturer - who is best left to be responsible for the hardware during the period of the warranty.
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