I have a similar problem as the OP (wanting to create a recovery disk). I just spoke to Dell support and they say the free recovery disks only apply to systems sold from 2004-2006. They claimed they have been including recovery disks since 2006. I can't find any and I don't believe they were included in my original shipment.
My Vostro 1500 is from 2008 so they wouldn't send free recovery disks. They would send them for $20.
I have Vista Home Basic. I've read through the owner's manual and I can't find any reference to burning a bootable recovery disk. The files seem to be there. In my D directory there's a FACTORY.WIM file that research tells me is probably what I need. However, I don't know how to take that WIM file and turn it into a bootable recovery disk. I find references online to a "Dell Accessories" program, but that doesn't exist on mine.
Can you point to a link that gives step by step instructions on creating a recovery disk from files already on my system?
hrova
2 Intern
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2.2K Posts
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August 13th, 2009 11:00
Dell will send the registered owner one set of recovery disks for free during the lifetime of the computer.
If you have transferred ownership to yourself, you can try ordering a the disk using the form below.
https://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form
hrova
2 Intern
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2.2K Posts
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August 19th, 2009 18:00
I do not know how to create the recovery disk, nor am I certain all Dell's allow that (mine never did).
Have you tried using the online form linked above? My Dell is form pre 2004, and they still sent out a replacement OS reinstall disk.
boxner1
1 Rookie
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20 Posts
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August 19th, 2009 18:00
I have a similar problem as the OP (wanting to create a recovery disk). I just spoke to Dell support and they say the free recovery disks only apply to systems sold from 2004-2006. They claimed they have been including recovery disks since 2006. I can't find any and I don't believe they were included in my original shipment.
My Vostro 1500 is from 2008 so they wouldn't send free recovery disks. They would send them for $20.
I have Vista Home Basic. I've read through the owner's manual and I can't find any reference to burning a bootable recovery disk. The files seem to be there. In my D directory there's a FACTORY.WIM file that research tells me is probably what I need. However, I don't know how to take that WIM file and turn it into a bootable recovery disk. I find references online to a "Dell Accessories" program, but that doesn't exist on mine.
Can you point to a link that gives step by step instructions on creating a recovery disk from files already on my system?