We are a small oem and re-sell Microsoft software and are required to supply the OS, Office etc... cd(s) to our customers with their system purchase.

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@Texoma wrote:

All oem's are required to provide the purchaser of any system with the software installation cd(s). IE: Windows XP, Office, ETC...

The system restore option is unacceptable as well as "make a copy".

I have requested mine from Dell instead of the paper copy I recieved informing me how to perform the above mentioned functions.

We have several Dell machines and this is the first time that no OS software was included.

If anyone from Dell monitors these boards, could you please respond?

Texoma

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OEMs are required to provide the purchaser with the software installation CDs.  I really never have heard of that but even if it is true, Dell has done this with the Restore and make your own disk options.  Maybe you think that it is unacceptable, but it still meets what you term as "required".  Though I too prefer to have the CD for the OS.

I just used the online chat that Dell provides and I had my OS setup CD in just a few days.  Call them or use the online chat and request it.

 

 

They will send you cd's if you ask. Who "requires" them to provide CD's? Is there some ruling body for PC makers? I seriously doubt Dell is doing anything that the software makers or anyone else has deemed that they cannot do. The computer business is a thin margin business. While I don't agree with all of Dell's tactics regarding backup CD's, I can sure understand why they do it. Anyway, all it takes is a phone call and they will send you a complete set.

Would you not prefer to have the original that you purchased with your system, than a copy that is made by non Microsoft software? I purchased the software and expect to recieve it with the system.

I did order my original from Dell before any post.

Possibly so, but there should be an option the purchaser has that includes the system os cd. The average user will try and follow any problems with the system restore option within Windows.

We tell our customers not to use this Windows option. It limits our repair options when used.

Microsoft is actually the force behind teh cessation of providing Windows CDs with new systems from large OEMs (Dell, Gateway, eMachines, Sony, etc.).

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@Texoma wrote:

I paid for the Windows OS, namely Windows XP sp2 to be inculed on my system. I want the option to have this shipped with the system as an option to System Restore or "make your own copy".

If you search the Microsoft hosted forums either Windows of Office you will find numerous posts on "don't have my install cd(s)" from the manufacturer. The basic answer is contact the oem...

Since MS told Dell not to supply it, your gripe is with MS, not Dell. 

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@Texoma wrote:

Possibly so, but there should be an option the purchaser has that includes the system os cd.

It's definitely driven by Microsoft as documented on this forum.  They do not want Dell to include an option for the CD, and since you can quite easily make the CD yourself the only real cost to you is a CD.  Given that CDs can be purchased for FREE after rebate (I have about 500 in a box), it's inconvenient.

If it was driven by Dell I would be screaming, but Bill is driving it.

I paid for the Windows OS, namely Windows XP sp2 to be inculed on my system. I want the option to have this shipped with the system as an option to System Restore or "make your own copy".

If you search the Microsoft hosted forums either Windows of Office you will find numerous posts on "don't have my install cd(s)" from the manufacturer. The basic answer is contact the oem...

Not griping at all. I paid for the os that Dell purchased from Microsoft and resold to me, therfore Dell is RESPONSIBLE for supplying me with the product that they are reselling which is Microsoft proprietary software.

As stated previously, read the Microsoft newsgroups and search for oem supplied software. There are many dissapointed users, because they did not request their os install cd(s) from the manufacturer...