Can I get a CLEAN Windows 7 on a Dell any more?

I have always advised anyone who asked, to get a clean setup of Windows on any new computer they buy. On a Dell, that usually meant ordering from the Dell business division and specifically asking for a clean setup of Windows and a Dell-branded Windows Setup disk as opposed to a system recovery set.

I got a call from someone today who said Dell declined that request and stated they no longer sell any computer from any of their divisions with clean (uncrapified) Windows.

Is this really true?

 

Yep. They have a recovery partition as well as other PC manufactures. Cheaper for them to do that than give or sell CD/DVD to everybody that has a machine. Usually when you first turn on the PC it will tell you to insert a DVD and how many you will need for a backup of the OS and the other stuff that they put on it.

 

What about the Windows 7 Setup DVD? Is there a trick one can use to get that. He says they refused him that and claimed they no longer furnish that under any condition or with any computer.

I have caught Dell reps in many practices of deceit over the years.

 

This is fine, up to a point. I had a problem recently with a friends computer, where it would not boot up or would do just plain weird stuff. I played with it for several days and couldn't figure it out. Several phone calls and quite a few e-mails to Dell, didn't solve the problem. Their help forums, for this problem, was worthless. Finally I was told to use the backup partition, which showed up as blank. Many more phone calls and e-mails, I finally found out they had a limited number of machines go out without the back up loaded - I had one of them. Then they tried to talk me into buying a new machine, but after much nagging, I finally did get them to send me the disc. What happens to the back up partition if the drive dies?
I still like the back up DISC.

 

I recently took delivery of a new Inspiron that came without OS and driver disks. An email to Dell requesting disks resulted in a FedEx delivery four days after my request.

At some point, I'm certain that a clean install will be in order and I don't have much confidence using the backup partition that came with the PC. Until I need to do a clean install, I prefer using my imaging app for recovery.

 

I may be wrong here, but where I live in PA., I have always been told that it is illegal to sell a new computer without the installation discs. I know lots of people in the computer business and got the same story from all of them.
I don't know what they pay for the operating system disc, if anything, but the cost of shipping them with the computer would be nothing.

 

I don't think you are right on this. I could be wrong. You could call your State Attorney and ask them. I have googled this before and also just now and find nothing saying that they have to send you a OS Disco in PA.

 

According to someone I know who was(retired) an attorney in PA. MrBil is correct there is not any law that mandates computer companies supply an OS disc.

 

OK Thanks for the correction. I'm not going to tell these local guys in case I buy a new system from them. I still would insist on the disc. I've been building my own for 25 years, so it hasn't been a problem with my own stuff. My son got his system from Best Buy and got a disc for everything on the hard drive. Of course that was many years ago.

 

One of the reasons they quit shipping the disc(s) is simply because many/most people lose them anyway.