Hi speedbooster,

The Operating system re-installation media is not shipped with the system. The system is shipped with a recovery partition (loaded with system's original factory image). This image is used to do a factory reset, in the event of Windows corruption. Also, you need to create a recovery media when you receive the system for future use. You may refer to the link http://dell.to/1aAfi6p for steps on restoring the system back to 'Factory Settings'.

Note: Please backup the data, as this process leads to data loss.

Hope this helps. Please reply if you have any questions.

Can you provide a fresh image of recovery partition for me to download?

The recovery discs (DVDs or flash drive) are the same as what's on the recovery partition.  You absolutely SHOULD create a recovery disc or flash drive.

Did you purchase the system direct from Dell or through retailer, reseller or other third party?

Is there any difference between DELL Recovery partition and DELL recovery media that I needed to create? Do they work differently?

How do I make sure that my recovery partition is not affected by virus etc?

Secondly, whats a DP4 warranty?

paklap.com/.../dell-inspiron-5521-ci7-8-1tb-local-warranty.html

Please read the last sentence for this product:

Warranty 1 Year DELL Channel Local + International Card Warranty.

Dell don't sell their systems with Reinstallation DVDs. Instead you have an internal factory restore partition and can create a recovery bootable USB.

You may review the following Technical Support Videos:

Recovery Media, Setup and Installation

Factory Settings

• How to Create a Recovery USB for your Dell/Alienware Computer
  • How to Make Dell Windows 7 System Recovery Media
• How to Recover Your Dell / Alienware Laptop (Internal Recovery Partition)
  • Reinstall Windows 7 Using Dell DataSafe
• How to Restore using USB Recovery
• Dell Direct USB Key Solution
• Updating Dell Windows 7 Drivers 
• Update your Dell PC's BIOS

This approach has multiple disadvantages however:

• The internal restore partition fails to work if you manually install the OS, or decide to change the partitions to dual the likes of Ubuntu.

• It is preloaded with factory preinstalled software which you may not want or have any use for.  This ruins the system performance significantly in some cases. In particular when Service Packs are later installed.

• The recovery media created by the program does not always work.

• I worry also that the recovery USB can somehow get infected by a virus if the main system is when its made. I haven't heard so many reports of it but it is a possibility. The media can only be made on the problem system.

 Manual Clean Installation

• Why Did my Dell Not Come with Recovery Disks?
• Dell Windows 7 DVD Manual Installation
• Downloading and Installing Windows 7 Drivers in the Correct Order
• How to Use My Dell Downloads` 

Manual installation has multiple benefits however it should be noted in the Dell documentation there is no simple instructions to request a Dell Windows Reinstallation DVD. This has become increasing difficult to procure media from Dell because of Microsoft policies. You will likely have more issues than normal because your Service Tag is not working.

I have hence wrote a Windows Reinstallation Guide which highlights this fact as a major flaw and looks to Digital River to obtain Reinstallation Media. See Step 1b (to create a bootable USB) or Step 1c (to backup and recover your OEM SLP Key and Product Activation). I have also began backing up the Dell OEM Product Activation Files from the Reinstallation DVDs here to assist with these problems.

For Windows 8 the situation is worse as Microsoft have enhanced their product activation which would have removed a lot of problems but have not provided any direct links to downloadable media. If you feel cheated by such policies add your vote to the ideas here so Dell address them. The more ideas an idea get, the more likely Dell are to address it:

http://www.ideastorm.com/idea2ReadIdea?v=1373800516651&Id=087700000008mnRAAQ

http://www.ideastorm.com/idea2ReadIdea?v=1373800516651&Id=087700000008nVnAAI

Unfortunately Dell ideaStorm Requires a separate login.

Philip Yip your link for Dell OEM Product Activation Files is broken, do you have an updated version as my Lattitude drive fried and now I have no installation media.

Yes the up to date guide is here: 

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/3524/t/19999620 

Note you can also clean install Windows 10 using the Windows 7 25 Digit Product Key on the COA (under the battery in laptops).