Does a Dell system ship with a FULL OS disk?

[RgrPark]

I ordered systems from Dell in the past, and I always had to ask for pay extra $10 for a full back up OS disk.

I just placed an order for a new system, and it didn't have an option online to purchase the OS disk, so I gave them a call. All three people I talked to, including one tech support guy, assured me that it ships with a FULL install OS disk. I asked specifically if it was a full copy instead of some lame restoration CD that install from a hidden partition. Are these guys telling the truth? anyone?

TIA.

 

[compman25]

I always get the full cd, but it is restricted to dell computers.

 

[badnewcastle]

Originally posted by: compman25
I always get the full cd, but it is restricted to dell computers.

The last Dell I got was in 2002, it came with a full install of XP Home and I can still install it to this day on other systems though there is no point... I did try it on a custom system last month just to test a drive and it worked fine... not a dell and has no dell components.

I'm sure things have changed... though in 6 years...

 

[DrGreen2007]

badnewcastle....did you have to enter the CDKey at all during that install?

 

[bruceb]

With a real Dell OS CD on a Dell PC you do not need to enter anything.
It is preactivated when used on a Dell PC

 

[oynaz]

Just download an image off of BitTorrent.

 

[Bateluer]

My dells did ship with a full OS disk for Vista Home Basic. I know for a fact its not a restore CD because I nuked the restore partition. The OS is the OEM version though.

 

[Leros]

My Dell came with both the hidden restore partition and a restore dvd.