Install CD for Windows XP Media Edition on Dimension 3100 / E310

Question

I have a friend who just bought a new Dimension 3100 / E310.  It ships preloaded with XP Media Edition, but we're unable to determine how to burn an install CD for it (it didn't come with a Windows Install CD).  As I understand it, if you need to reinstall Windows, you run one of the programs under Start / All Programs / Dell...... This is fine if you can successfully boot Windows to do it, but I assume there is an image somewhere (presumably in a hidden partition) that one could burn to a CD for backup purposes in case something 'really bad' (e.g. virus / spyware infestation), lost system files, lost boot sector, head crash, etc., etc.  If I install Partition Magic, would I be able to find this hidden partition and burn it to a CD or DVD?  Is there a better procedure?  We've looked at all the Dell-supplied utilities under 'All Programs' without finding anything that appears to address this.  There're 3 or 4 'Dell....' groups there, but none seems to do what we want.  Anyone know what the procedure is?  TIA WPGWPG

GreyMack · Answer

The option to burn an installation CD was included on systems for a short period a year or two ago. Newer Dell systems include the Dell PC Restore feature, which may be burned to CD/DVD by a couple of different methods, but the option of requesting an installation CD from Dell should also be considered to allow a clean installation.

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/index.htm
http://images.lunarpages.com/pdf/Dell%20Notebook%20Restore%20Utility%20Guide.pdf
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/contactus?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn

GM

wpgwpg · Answer

Thanks for all the good info.  However I'm left with the question of how to obtain the Windows install CD.  Do they have a procedure you can go through to get one?  Sooner or later some files are going to get corrupted, sectors will go bad, the HD will crash, etc. etc., and I will need that install CD.  What do I have to do to get this install CD?  TIA

joe53 · Answer

For systems still under warranty, where the backup media was not ordered at time of purchase, your best bet is to use Dell Chat or Dell email here. Some users are reporting reluctance by some of the reps to sending the backups, but polite persistence usually pays off. Note: The backup for MCE 2005 comes on a DVD.

Windows General

Install CD for Windows XP Media Edition on Dimension 3100 / E310

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