Hi everyone, Well after much begging I finally got Dell to send me what I thought was going to be a Windows xp mce installation cd.

What I got is a Dell disc labeled as follows, "Reinstallation DVD, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Version 2005 with Update Rollup 2. The software is already installed on your computer. Only use this DVD to reinstall the operating system on a Dell PC. This DVD is not for reinstallation of programs or drivers."

Along with this were three cd's with various software, device drivers, diagnostics and utilities etc.

Is this the same as an original Windows OS installation disc, and can it be used to repair or perform a "clean install" that I've read so much about on this forum?

It's not that I am necesarilly ready to try these things, but I have some issues with this pc that I would like to try and remedy using solutions that I have learned (or at least read about) in PCHF. And I want to feel confident in knowing that I won't incur a hefty repair bill if I screw things up.
Thanks as usual, cb

Hi countryboy,

this is what Dell/IBM/Toshiba/HP all do - they don't supply you with a CD installation disk - they provide you with the factory standard image of what they originally had loaded on your computer.

So it *should* format your drive, and reinstall all the drivers and windows for you automatically.

Hey there GaRHaR, Thanks for the quick response. On the disc it specifically says "This DVD is not for reinstallation of programs or drivers". I take that to be a good sign. No? Also, is it unusual that it's a dvd instead of a cd?
The rest of the dell **** came on seperate cd's.
Sorry to be such a pain in the neck.
cb

No problems - yea, all the software and what not would be on the other cds - not sure why it's on a DVD...but they're no more expensive then CD's now so maybe they're "future proofing"

Those CDs are what you're after though

Hi everyone, Just wanted to update you all.

After much digging here's what I found out about the Dell reinstallation disc. It is similar to an original Microsoft installation disc, except that it is geared toward a Dell BIOS. This is why it will only work on a Dell system. It does give options to access the recovery console, repair install with (hopefully) no loss of data, or a new installation of windows, etc.

Dell does not supply recovery/image discs. For that, Dell has a hidden partition on the hd that contains a proprietary utility known as "Dell PC Restore by Symantec", which will return the pc to an "out of the box" state, including all of the junk that came preloaded, and, minus any data or software you have on the hd. Only Dell pc's manufactured after 7/16/04 Americas, and, 8/30/04 Europe, have the utility.

I still haven't found out why the disc is on a DVD.

So there you have it, buyer beware.

See y'all later, cb

Hi countryboy,

Just out of curiosity, If you put the DVD in your DVD drive and right click the icon and select properties. how big does it say the disk is?