Thank you for this tip. This will provide me with an option while I figure
out why Dell won't give me the OS CD. I appreciate your help. :)

"Mick Murphy" wrote:
[color=blue]
> 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=green]
> > 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=darkred]
> > > On Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:30:00 -0700, Munchichic
> > > <Munchichic@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > >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.
> > >
> > > 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
> > >
> > > >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]