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DellCustomerAT

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DellCustomerAT

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December 8th, 2012 21:00

Re-installation Help. Please. Someone. x___x

I am going to explain this point-by-point:

♦ I requested a Windows 8 reinstallation disc.

♦ I got the WIndows 8 Operating Re-installation disc and the drivers/utilities disc.

♦ I tried to use it from my desktop (computer on) and it wouldn't let me proceed without a product key.

♦ So I tried to use it from the boot menu and it gives me some error about files being deleted or missing or something and won't let me do the "Windows Setup" option in boot.

♦ I sent an e-mail to Dell Support (if you can even call it support) asking for assistance.

♦ He gave me a link to a help.com page that tells you how to install Windows 8 after buying it online/downloading the ISO image.

♦ I re-explained my situation.

♦ He told me the disc is Dell pre-approved and doesn't require a product key and should work on my computer.

♦ I told him it still wants one

♦ He told me to boot from the boot menu/restart my computer wth the disc.

♦ For a third time, I told him that it won't let me do that either.

♦ He replies with a link to a survery to fill out saying how good I thought the customer support I got was and told me to reply with the best time to call so his supervisor can call me to confirm my problem was solved.

I am not joking and I am being quite literal when I say that EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. me and/or my family needs help from DELL, it is nearly impossible. So can someone please just tell me how the hell I'm supposed to download this re installation disc that "doesn't need a product key" even though it won't let me continue in the installation without a product key.

And it is not the same product key as my computer's pre-installed windows 8.

Seriously. I need help. This has turned into a month-long problem.

  • Tesla1856

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    Posted December 9th, 2012 11:00

    What machine model?

    Am I correct in understanding that the machine came with Win-8 and you are attempting a clean install back to Win-8?

    And while I agree this should work, I'm curious ...

    You somehow lost your Dell Recovery Partition or the ability to use the Windows Reset feature inside Win-8?

    Dell Rockstar

    Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
    - Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
    - I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
    - Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
    - Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
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  • DellCustomerAT

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    Posted December 9th, 2012 21:00

    I have a Dell Inspiron 17R.

    It came pre-installed with Windows 8.

    I need to do a clean install and it won't let me do so without a product key, which DELL's customer support agents claim I don't need... even though it tells me I do need it.

    The reset feature isn't a clean install. It only gets rid of programs. =/

  • DellCustomerAT

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    Posted December 9th, 2012 22:00

    How do I do that?

  • Tesla1856

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    Posted December 9th, 2012 22:00

    The reset feature isn't a clean install. It only gets rid of programs. =/

     
    Actually, it seems to return the machine to the original factory load. When finished, all your data is gone and the machine does the Windows First-Time-Setup again. It's like what OEMs have been providing for a while now (usually called Recovery) but it's built-into Windows now.
     
    The one I did ... seemed like a workable solution. Dell doesn't load a bunch of Trialware anyway (unlike some others). I just Reset. When it was finished, I un-installed McAfee Trial (since Defender is built-in now) and it was ready to go.
     
    Hopefully, someone else will post to help you do what you really want to do.

    Dell Rockstar

    Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
    - Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
    - I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
    - Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
    - Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
    - Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.

  • Tesla1856

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    Posted December 10th, 2012 00:00

    How do I do that?

     
     
    The Dell Inspiron laptop I did it on DID NOT ask for Installation Media ... it just did it.
     

    Dell Rockstar

    Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
    - Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
    - I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
    - Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
    - Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
    - Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.