Vista comes on DVD, as it is 2.5G-3.0G.
Ask Dell what you have in YOUR Recovery partition.

Burn that Recovery partition to DVD, following Dell's instructions on how to
make the Disk in case of HD failure.
There will also be an F Key at the bottom of screen right at startup, which
allows you to take it back to factory standards, in case of OS crash.
--
Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia


"Munchichic" wrote:
[color=blue]
> The "version I want" is the same that is "on my computer"; I'm not asking for
> a free upgrade. I'm not asking for anything that isn't already paid for
> actually. I don't even have the product key for the OS either which I'm also
> not comfortable with. It's not like the OS cost more than the computer (the
> OS has a MSRP of $129.95). Like I mentioned, I know several people who have
> purchased Dell computers and have requested the OEM OS disc and got it. I
> just don't understand why I'm being denied that. I have a Dell CD that came
> with the computer but it's a DELL CD, not Microsoft; and it has a bunch of
> other Dell stuff on it that I don't want. There is an image file of over 3 GB
> on a partition, but it's too large to be transferred over to disc. I need a
> physical copy of the OS for backup purposes only (I'm not trying to steal
> anything or install it on another computer). Why does it seem like I'm asking
> for the WORLD when I just want a legitimate, stand alone OEM OS disc for
> backup purposes ONLY? Surely Microsoft can verify if I'm doing a reinstall on
> the SAME computer that the OS originally came with to verify I'm not breaking
> the law. Why am I the only Dell customer I know that is having this problem
> when other Dell customers had no issue whatsoever? Something seems really
> fishy here with Dell, hence more of a reason to want the OEM OS disc.
>
> "Nonny" wrote:
>[color=green]
> > On Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:30:00 -0700, Munchichic
> > <Munchichic@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> > >Hi Everyone. I realize this may be a "touchy" subject but I need to ask.
> > >After a massive computer failure I just bought a new Dell XPS 420 desktop PC.
> > >My first Dell purchase. It came preloaded with Microsoft Vista Home Premium.
> > >I asked Dell for an original Microsoft installation CD as a backup. They
> > >refused. I have several friends and relatives who purchased Dell computers
> > >and many of them requested the same disc from Dell and received it without
> > >incident (some within the last 2 months). I think I should be entitled to a
> > >copy of the installation CD and not one that is from Dell preloaded with a
> > >bunch of Dell crap on it.[/color]
> >
> > The version you have on your computer cost far less than the one you
> > want. You can't get the one you want, no matter how loud you yell or
> > who you yell to/at.
> >
> > If your computer came with a recovery disc, that's all you get. If it
> > didn't, there are instructions on how to burn one from the "D"
> > partition - either in your manual, or online at Dell.com
> >[color=darkred]
> > >Why can't I receive an original Windows CD like
> > >everyone else has requested? Am I asking the wrong person? What am I doing
> > >wrong? Any help is appreciated. I just spent $1000 on this new computer and
> > >think that should entitle me to the Windows OS disc (and I expect it will
> > >have the same product key that was used to install on my new Dell). Thank you.[/color]
> >[/color][/color]