The Dell copy of XP furnished on CD is precisely a copy of Windows XP, nothing more and nothing less, exactly as you would get if you purchased a retail copy. If you choose to do so, you can install a "non-Dell" copy of XP on the computer.
None of my Dells have included Dell System Software, so someone else will have to comment on it.
"As you may or may not know, this is a special "Dell"-version of the OS. I'm curious about:" - This not actually true, it is an OEM version with OEM modifications. To your second point, my three PCs all have Windows XP/SP2 loaded from retail versions of Windows XP (not an OEM versions)
About the only difference I know between Dell's OEM version of XP and Retail XP is the OEM version is supposed to check to make sure it's being installed on a Dell PC. It's not supposed to not allow you to install it on a non-Dell PC.
Dell Desktop System Software is essential software that typically is required for proper function of some installed hardware features such as USB. Or it may fix some problems with the way some hardware or software was created. For example, one updated version of DSS for the Dimension 8400 fixed some USB issues, and the most recent one suppresses an irrelevant XP error message. It's essential to reinstall DSS whenever you reformat the hard drive, assuming DSS is available for that model PC.
In my case, I never found the need to load any Dell software. I did have to load a Canon Printer driver (i560) and a driver for a Linksys driver for a wireless USB device.
Dell System Software on notebooks provides support for docks and usb devices. My d-dock would not work on my Latitude until I installed it. On desktops, I think it is mostly for external usb devices and stuff
Dell OS CDs for the precision 380 contains the RAID drivers slipstreamed into the OS, the Microsoft version doesnt, and you need to install the drivers on install from a floppy.
Denny Denham
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May 1st, 2006 21:00
The Dell copy of XP furnished on CD is precisely a copy of Windows XP, nothing more and nothing less, exactly as you would get if you purchased a retail copy. If you choose to do so, you can install a "non-Dell" copy of XP on the computer.
None of my Dells have included Dell System Software, so someone else will have to comment on it.
msgale
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May 1st, 2006 21:00
RoHe
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May 1st, 2006 23:00
Dell Desktop System Software is essential software that typically is required for proper function of some installed hardware features such as USB. Or it may fix some problems with the way some hardware or software was created. For example, one updated version of DSS for the Dimension 8400 fixed some USB issues, and the most recent one suppresses an irrelevant XP error message. It's essential to reinstall DSS whenever you reformat the hard drive, assuming DSS is available for that model PC.
Ron
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May 2nd, 2006 09:00
msgale
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May 2nd, 2006 10:00
ChocolateHobNob
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May 4th, 2006 10:00