No Win8 install disk?

Have you seen the following two posts by Jesse L, Dell Liaison:

"Windows 8 Dell Backup and Recovery"

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/4677/t/19471699.aspx

"Windows 8 System Backup Overview"

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/4677/p/19471712/20208593.aspx#20208593

I don't know if these answer your questions or not, or even if they match the version of the software on your Windows 8 laptop, but they're all I could find.

I got my new XPS 8500 last Friday afternoon. I grabbed the service tag number and filled in the online request form for media for doing a clean install of Win 8 Pro.

I got an email from Dell stating that because I had ordered the computer with a "no media option" that Dell could not send the media I requested unless I paid for it. The email implied that I should have ordered an XPS 8500 WITH media included, but the configurator does not allow that and phone sales does not either. The email gave me a phone number to call to purchase the media from Dell and did not give a price.

I called the number and it was the Dell Small and Medium Business Warranty Support number for EXPIRED warranties. Evidently, the Dell phone routing system had noticed my old Dell, not the brand new one (I was not asked to input my service tag or express service code), and sent me to Expired Warranty.  This was the tech's explanation as to how I got him. The tech told me that Microsoft does not allow OEMs to provide Reinstallation disks for Win 8.  (This seems strange to me. Perhaps, I did not fully understand him.) He said there is a new way to clean install Win 8 and I would need to speak to Dell Employee Software Support Program (MMP) to learn how to do this. He transferred me but I got a recorded message saying the wait time was long (it was about 5PM my time) and that I should call Tues-Fri between 8-5PM CST to have low wait time.

So, I have not yet called. I also asked the Expired Warranty tech about my downgrade rights and he said, yes, I have downgrade rights and this same Dell Employee Software Support Program will explain how to activate those rights and downgrade to Win 7 Pro.

I will report what I learn from this department. Not easy for me to call during those hours from my time zone and my sleep habits so it may be more than a day before I am able to do it.

I have become quite unhappy with the palaver to get Reinstallation DVDs so I have made this on IdeaStorm:

http://www.ideastorm.com/idea2ReadIdea?Id=087700000008lKJAAY&v=1353335269630

And this poll here:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/4677/t/19476992.aspx

Please promote these 2 ideas so Dell know that their users are unhappy about this, also leave comments on the IdeaStorm and poll.

Thanks

hi priyanka ,

Me too having the same problem.... i have just purchased a dell 15r 5520 before few days but  didnt get the cd for re installation. and pls tell me whats the meaning of Shock wave crashed? ..pls help.... 

Regards

Karuna

I bought Dell 17R and  I also haven´t recieved WIN8 dvd for clean install.... iso download link would be really nice. i have no idea, where i should get windows 8 dvd or how to install my original system, because i have already formated and deleted all original partitions... Now i´am using Win 7 trial version till this get sorted out.

I bought Dell 17R and  I also haven´t recieved WIN8 dvd for clean install.... iso download link would be really nice. i have no idea, where i should get windows 8 dvd or how to install my original system, because i have already formated and deleted all original partitions... Now i´am using Win 7 trial version till this get sorted out.

I see you are from the Czech Republic. As of current there is no downloadable .iso which you can get without paying for an upgrade license. I have been pushing for it to be easier for customers to obtain reinstallation DVDs/USBs and/or downloadable .isos for some time. For Windows 8 I started this poll here:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/4677/t/19476992.aspx

As of current you are left with two options:

The first option is to buy a Windows 8 Professional Upgrade License from Microsoft for at 780 Kc (http://www.microsoft.com/cs-cz/default.aspx). This upgrade offer expires on the 31st of January 2013. You will have the option to download the .iso; the catch is that you have to pay Microsoft the Upgrade license before being given the capabilities to make the .iso. After the 31st of January it will probably be at least 3× more expensive.

Alternatively you will need to phone Dell Czech Technical Support on +420 (0) 225 772 727 and request a Reinstallation DVD/USB. If you have done this and not got the Reinstalaltion DVD/USB let me know.

Hello Natakuc4,

I really appreciate your help, DELL should be proud for such a great community.

I don´t need Win 8 pro, core version is sufficient for me, i would like to stick with a licence which is already written in my laptop bios, so only iso or dvd is needed in my case.

I try to call Czech Dell support tomorrow (on Monday) to ask them for additional win 8 dvd and let you know.

Again, thanks a lot;-)

I have ordered the Win 7 reinstallation disk, do you know how long it takes to hear something back from Dell.  It's been about 5 days and I haven't gotten anything from them.  Not even an email to say that they received my request.

Hi RPV69,

Sorry you are having difficulty with your computer.  I may be able to assist.  Please be sure you are logged in to the Forum and click my picture, then on the next page, click on the envelope icon that says "Start Conversation".  Thanks.

Regards,

Robert

Hello, If Youre looking to install WIndows 8, Please get ahold of Me asap, I will be able to help, My email is  , Thanks!

Email removed per privacy policy by natakuc4

Hello Sir, I hear Youre looking for the Windows 8 Installation disk? I can definately help You, Please email Me asap  so We can talk, Thanks!

-IsTech

Email removed per privacy policy by natakuc4

I am disgusted by this CHOICE that Microsuck has made and then forced upon its OEM's. I wil continue to tell customers to demand OE disks from Dell just like I have for 15 years+.  I only hope the PEOPLE that care about this stuff (the people in this forum, right!) can scream loud enough and long enough to get Microsuck to hear you. This issue is a final straw type deal for me. I will now start buying more used machines with Win 7 from newegg. And I am (for the first time in my life) tinkering with several Macs here in my office...as well as Office alternitives....and I will now start (for the first time in my career!) really really REALLY showing people MACS and Linux machines and products like open office and libreoffice. Microsoft really must have no idea about the front lines of being a residential tech!!! WE NEED FULL RECOVERY SOFTWARE shipped with the machines !!! DUH!!!!!

The issue with Windows 8 and Reinstallation DVDs not be included by default is really bad. Moreover it is more difficult to request a Reinstallation DVD than it should be see here:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/4677/t/19476992.aspx 

Microsoft have no free direct .iso downloads available for Windows 8 available as they did for Windows 7. If they did it would solve a lot of problems and work well with the new product activation mechanism (unique hidden product keys within the systems BIOS).

I have been bring up the case with Dell on IdeaStorm since before Windows 8 release date:

http://www.ideastorm.com/idea2ReadIdea?v=1380711164602&Id=087700000008mnRAAQ

You will not that my Windows Reinstallation Guide suggests use of media from Digital River for Windows Vista and Windows 7 because I seen customers have these issues. For Windows 8 there is no media available on Digital River, hopefully that will change when Windows 8.1 is released but I don't know yet.

As you seen some customers seem to have great difficulty requesting media via phone, I have heard some say they were told that Dell don't provide media and to go to Microsoft ↔ who try to sell a new Windows license or send the customer back to Dell. Others were charged quite a high price for it. I have also been informed by other customers that their experience was straightforward and the media can be requested for a small charge or free. I don't know why there is inconsistency on the phone and also from region to region.

The online request form is much easier but as current only works for customers in the US and with warranty. Dell have the page translated into other languages:

English UK: https://www.dell.com/support/diagnostics/uk/en/19/nondiagnostichome?dgc=SM&cid=266887&lid=4921161

French: https://www.dell.com/support/diagnostics/fr/fr/19/nondiagnostichome?dgc=SM&cid=266887&lid=4921161

Spanish: https://www.dell.com/support/diagnostics/es/es/19/nondiagnostichome?dgc=SM&cid=266887&lid=4921161

German: https://www.dell.com/support/diagnostics/de/de/19/nondiagnostichome?dgc=SM&cid=266887&lid=4921161

Czech: https://www.dell.com/support/diagnostics/cz/cz/19/nondiagnostichome?dgc=SM&cid=266887&lid=4921161

Slovak: https://www.dell.com/support/diagnostics/sk/sk/19/nondiagnostichome?dgc=SM&cid=266887&lid=4921161

So my guess is its only time till it is extended to other regions. I have also suggested that the form have a payment section for systems without warranty.