System CD

Depends on the model computer and operating system. You can make your own install media for windows 8.1 --dvd or thumb drive by using Create Media utility provided be Microsoft. 

windows.microsoft.com/.../create-reset-refresh-media

Hasn't been a CD for years now.  Vista and 7 and 8 and 10 are DVD not cd.

Pardon me sir.  I'm from the day when they were 3.5" floppy disks and I have no idea what the difference is your pointing out and I don't care.  Your comment flaunts your knowledge but helps me not a bit.

How do I go about getting the media that Dell uses for original instalation.  I need the MS number for windows so I can activate it and the instructions told me to ask for the original software or the email that came with my buying Windows.  The only ones I have are the Dell XPS I bought in 2005 and the one I bought in 2010--doubt that they will work.

Can anyone help me?  Is there some place in this "support" section that I can go to to find out how to get this? 

Thanks in advance.

Sir; I hope this is the information you asked for.  I am running 8.1 so things are a bit different than the link. On the desktop it says Windows 8.1 "Build 9600".  I am trying to enclose a picture of the screen that comes up when I start the computer.  What is really confusing me is that on this screen I can get the win 8 apps screen in the bottom left corner and can go to the apps screen and use windows normally from there.  oops I guess I can not enclose a picture sorry. 

In any case, when I open the control panel home "view basic information about your computer" at the bottom it states that Windows is not activated and gives me a link. That link is what opens when I turn the computer on.

Please follow the instructions here (just part 1) and tell me the model number and version of Windows:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/updating-the-bios/

I think that is what I did when I got the system.  however this "activation" number does not seem to be where the system can find it and is telling me I need to input it.  Actually I can (and am) using the system without doing that as I was able to get to my desktop and do this from there.  It is just darn annoying to have to execute a work around every time I boot up the system.  Like to get that darn page to go away.

Please tell me if you have a MSDM table as mentioned here:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-windows-8-1-retail-and-oem-iso/#OEMKey

Dell has not shipped original Media since the media reduction program back in 2006.

Dell does not ship media for all countries and Dell does not provide this if your warranty has expired.

Windows XP is from 2002

Windows Vista is from 2007

Windows 7 is from 2009

Windows 8.X is from 2012

All of these dates would be well past 90 day to 3 year warranty.

7 and below have a COA sticker.

8 and above have the key in bios.

You won't be getting media from dell if your warranty has expired.

Thank you for your time and the information.  According to the Dell web site my system is still in warrante.

Is it possible then, to order a new DVD?

It is for USA Canada and UK if your system is still under warranty.

To submit your request for backup and recovery discs, enter your Service Tag below and click Continue. The Service Tag is the 7-character code usually found on the bottom or back of your device.

Thank you, Process completed, fingers crossed that this will help me get rid of this dumb screen.  When I get the CD how will I find the Product key?

Sorry.  not used to this forum.. I was replying to Mary G above for the making of a bootable USB drive which I am trying to make ATM.

I opened the link you sent and have been going through it line by line.  This is a slow process for me as my last formal computer class was in 1993 and a LOT has changed--I keep looking up 4 letter achronyms. I'll post as soon as I find out about the MSDM table.

Oh, now that I know what an edition is, my system is Win 8.1 (sticker on the back and Control Panel info). Sorry for the "build" info you didn't need.

Thank you, Process completed, fingers crossed that this will help me get rid of this dumb screen.  When I get the CD how will I find the Product key?

The DVD and not the CD. Windows Vista and later are far too large to fit on a CD. You might also get a Bootable USB so it can actually boot in a UEFI BIOS.

Please tell me if you have a MSDM table as mentioned here. The MSDM table contains the UEFI Embedded UEFI BIOS product key

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-windows-8-1-retail-and-oem-iso/#OEMKey

There is no product key visible for 8.1 its in the BIOS and its encrypted. Installing with proper media should not ask for a key and should be activated automatically once you get online.  MDSM is from the ACPI Table on the MDSM TAB being the key read by the RWEVERYTHING program.  If you don't have an MDSM Tab or key then your system does not have a SLP Bios key. Sounds Like you have 8.1 home and not Pro like the sticker below.

Its not intuitively obvious.

Speedstep:

Your assumption is correct the tag looks like the one you pictured without PRO on it.

In following the instructions provided by natakuc4 I activated the Oem key and received a box looking like the instructions with a key in it.  However, even though the last 4 digits were the same as the ones in my "activate windows page" When I put the key in I got a message that it did not work and I needed a different one(this happened 5 times as I had my wife insure I was copying it correctly and as i tried copy past etc).  When I tried the RWEVERYTHING link I downloaded what appeared to be the most recient version and followed the instructions above.  I got the same key and the same response when I entered it (again one digit at a time and copy paste).

I'm just a bit frustrated at this point.  I think my main brain snag is how can the system be asking me to activate windows while I am using it?

Sorry for all the hassle but I just don't know what to do.

I ordered the original media DVD.  Is there a chance I can do something with it to take care of this?

Please advise.