Dell XP Restore CD

[volrath]

My sister has some Dell laptop, fairly new. She messed something up and the computer is now FUBAR. She says she talked to Dell and they won't give her a restore CD or fix it for free. A repair place wants to charge $120 to fix it.

Was there an XP install cd included with the laptop? She doesn't have one, just a utility cd with programs that were installed on it I guess. I am going to have to reinstall the OS on it, but it has XP Home and I only have an XP Pro cd. Can I use her home cd key (obviously not)? Is it even on the laptop somewhere? Last resort is to install 2000, but it might not be supported...

Anyone have a similar experience where Dell does not offer a system restore cd? I thought they had good support...?

 

[spyordie007]

My guess is they have one and she either asked for the wrong thing or spoke to the wrong person. You may want to make the call yourself so you can be sure you're talking to the right support group and asking for the right thing.

 

[volrath]

That's what I figured. Do you have experience with Dell in specific, though? I would like to know for sure...

 

[spyordie007]

I have a lot of experience with Dell equipment on the business/volume purchases; but not very much with their consumer line.

When I buy computers they always send me the OS CD...

 

[Kilrsat]

Dell machines come with at least 2 cds.

1 cd containing a Dell diagnostic program and drivers for your machine. (Usually blue)
1 cd containing aDell OEM install disk of your operating system version. (Color varies by OS, Green = Win2k, Purple = WinXP Pro, I believe).
Any extra cds for reinstallation of programs included with your dell (such as Easy CD Creator, etc.) (These are normally blue)

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: Kilrsat
Dell machines come with at least 2 cds.

1 cd containing a Dell diagnostic program and drivers for your machine. (Usually blue)
1 cd containing aDell OEM install disk of your operating system version. (Color varies by OS, Green = Win2k, Purple = WinXP Pro, I believe).
Any extra cds for reinstallation of programs included with your dell (such as Easy CD Creator, etc.) (These are normally blue)

Do they do this for regular home users? This is what I always get from them, but thought they did the old "restore cd" thing for home users.

 

[bacillus]

she should have got a dell oem xp home cd with her laptop, I did!

 

[volrath]

Thanks for the input. Now, does anyone know if they will send a new one because ours is lost?

 

Originally posted by: volrath
Thanks for the input. Now, does anyone know if they will send a new one because ours is lost?

They will if its still under warranty. They will charge around 30$ if its out of warranty. Its a restore disc only. The COA should still be attached to the laptop.