!!!Dell no longer providing OS disks and Resource CD's for consumer Win 7 systems!!!

[jason1214]

If you install a retail copy of 7 on a machine that came with Vista, then you'll use the key provided in the packaging. The OEM key as well as the key on the bottom of the machine won't work.

That's not exactly true. If you use a Microsoft OEM copy of an OS and the Dell OEM key, it won't activate online, but you can use the phone option to activate it. Granted, it has to be the same type (i.e. Win7 Pro disc and key)

This works for Windows 7 at least, not sure about XP or Vista.

Some t/s you can do to get it to match if that doesn't work:

1. Download the MGAdiag tool from: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012 Run the tool and look at the output for review. You are looking for an entry like this one:

a. File Scan Data-->

b. File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\en-us\user32.dll.mui[6.1.7600.16385]

c. This will confirm if the license and media are mismatched.

2. Run the Microsoft Genuine Diagnostic software: Genuine Microsoft Software. This will ensure that the OS reports authenticity correctly.

[jason1214]

You can download software here (only works in IE) https://smartsource.dell.com/Web/Wel...eb%2fmain.aspx

Not sure if you can download an OS, I don't have a service tag that works with the site.

[michael_recycled]

That's not exactly true. If you use a Microsoft OEM copy of an OS and the Dell OEM key, it won't activate online, but you can use the phone option to activate it. Granted, it has to be the same type (i.e. Win7 Pro disc and key)

This works for Windows 7 at least, not sure about XP or Vista.

Should be the same. MS simply disabled online activation for OEM keys (at least for the big brands like Dell, HP, Acer etc...)

Michael

[leopardhunter7]

is dell still shipping those discs with their laptops? or have they totally gone the hp way by now? just wondering...

[phoenixhd]

£5 option for me when I ordered earlier this month

[Amina]

Awww that's sad news that Dell doesn't provide OS and Resource disks.

[daredevil anand]

Awww that's sad news that Dell doesn't provide OS and Resource disks.

but you can download the latest drivers from the dell website and the OS from the link given in the sub-forum related to windows 7 and use your OEM key to install it.

[Pamster]

I think this is a deal breaker for me, if they won't send out a resource recovery disk and OS disk I think I will take my business elsewhere. This is a bad business move on their part, why off MORE people who WOULD have bought from you had you just continued with a courtesy of sending out TWO dang discs? With software you PAID to have installed? Not cool at all.

Edited: I chatted with a rep on their site just now and she gave me a link to a place to request backup OS and resource discs. You can get one for your system only one per system. And you have to give them your service tag. But who doesn't have that right? It's right on the computer....I feel better about this now after being reassured I can do this one I have the computer. So I am still on the market for the i3 Inspiron 15R. Hooray!

[bharatbharija]

I think this is a deal breaker for me, if they won't send out a resource recovery disk and OS disk I think I will take my business elsewhere. This is a bad business move on their part, why off MORE people who WOULD have bought from you had you just continued with a courtesy of sending out TWO dang discs? With software you PAID to have installed? Not cool at all.

Edited: I chatted with a rep on their site just now and she gave me a link to a place to request backup OS and resource discs. You can get one for your system only one per system. And you have to give them your service tag. But who doesn't have that right? It's right on the computer....I feel better about this now after being reassured I can do this one I have the computer. So I am still on the market for the i3 Inspiron 15R. Hooray!

If not that you can even make a torrent download of windows 7 HP OEM edition and use the key that is under your battery.
This way you save the 2 weeks shipping time of the 7 DVD.

[Pamster]

Ah that makes sense too! Good call!