Clean Install = Warranty/Return Problems?
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From: Daddy on 27 Feb 2010 22:42 My Studio XPS 8100 is on order. I've put together what I think is an essentially complete list of all the software that's shipping with this PC...and I want none of it. (See the list below.) Nor do I want Dell's factory restore partition (known as PC-Restore) or its diagnostic partition. Bottom line: I'd like to erase the hard disk and reinstall Windows 7 only. (I'm eating crow here, since in the past I used to make fun of people who did this. Such is life.) Here's where I need your advice: 1- Should I wait until after the 21-day return period to do this? In the unlikely event that I have to return this computer due to a genuine hardware problem, I don't want Dell to give me a hard time (and possibly a re-stocking charge) because I wiped and reinstalled. 2- After the 21 days, if I should have a problem covered by the warranty, am I going to have to restore the computer to the factory image before Dell will even speak to me; or will I get some other kind of grief from Dell for wiping and reinstalling? Thanks for your advice. Daddy Here's what I think is a complete list of what's coming on my PC: Adobe Reader 9 CyberLink Power DVD (stripped-down OEM version) DellConnect (re-branded GoToAssist) Dell DataSafe (online backup) Dell Dock by Stardock (a floating toolbar) Dell Owners's Manual Dell Security Center by McAfee Dell Support Center Dell Welcome (a nag screen asking you to register your computer) Microsoft Works Roxio Easy CD and DVD (stripped down OEM version) Windows Live Search
From: timdrouillard on 27 Feb 2010 23:19 Actually what I do quite often is to buy the new Dell with the smallest HD available. When I get the system, I remove the HD and put it in a plastic storage container (along with all the documentation/CD's, etc ) and store it in a safe place. I then buy a new HD (usually larger than the one that came with the system) to use, and load everything from scratch on it. That way if I ever have a need (for troubleshooting purposes, etc), I can always put the original HD back in the system and test it in the original configuration. "Daddy" <daddy(a)invalid.invalid> wrote in message news:hmconj$hrr$1(a)news.eternal-september.org... > My Studio XPS 8100 is on order. > > I've put together what I think is an essentially complete list of all the > software that's shipping with this PC...and I want none of it. (See the > list below.) Nor do I want Dell's factory restore partition (known as > PC-Restore) or its diagnostic partition. > > Bottom line: I'd like to erase the hard disk and reinstall Windows 7 only. > (I'm eating crow here, since in the past I used to make fun of people who > did this. Such is life.) > > Here's where I need your advice: > > 1- Should I wait until after the 21-day return period to do this? In the > unlikely event that I have to return this computer due to a genuine > hardware problem, I don't want Dell to give me a hard time (and possibly a > re-stocking charge) because I wiped and reinstalled. > > 2- After the 21 days, if I should have a problem covered by the warranty, > am I going to have to restore the computer to the factory image before > Dell will even speak to me; or will I get some other kind of grief from > Dell for wiping and reinstalling? > > Thanks for your advice. > > Daddy > > Here's what I think is a complete list of what's coming on my PC: > Adobe Reader 9 > CyberLink Power DVD (stripped-down OEM version) > DellConnect (re-branded GoToAssist) > Dell DataSafe (online backup) > Dell Dock by Stardock (a floating toolbar) > Dell Owners's Manual > Dell Security Center by McAfee > Dell Support Center > Dell Welcome (a nag screen asking you to register your computer) > Microsoft Works > Roxio Easy CD and DVD (stripped down OEM version) > Windows Live Search
From: RnR on 27 Feb 2010 23:36 On Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:42:48 -0500, Daddy <daddy(a)invalid.invalid> wrote: >My Studio XPS 8100 is on order. > >I've put together what I think is an essentially complete list of all >the software that's shipping with this PC...and I want none of it. (See >the list below.) Nor do I want Dell's factory restore partition (known >as PC-Restore) or its diagnostic partition. > >Bottom line: I'd like to erase the hard disk and reinstall Windows 7 >only. (I'm eating crow here, since in the past I used to make fun of >people who did this. Such is life.) > >Here's where I need your advice: > >1- Should I wait until after the 21-day return period to do this? In the >unlikely event that I have to return this computer due to a genuine >hardware problem, I don't want Dell to give me a hard time (and possibly >a re-stocking charge) because I wiped and reinstalled. > >2- After the 21 days, if I should have a problem covered by the >warranty, am I going to have to restore the computer to the factory >image before Dell will even speak to me; or will I get some other kind >of grief from Dell for wiping and reinstalling? > >Thanks for your advice. > >Daddy > >Here's what I think is a complete list of what's coming on my PC: >Adobe Reader 9 >CyberLink Power DVD (stripped-down OEM version) >DellConnect (re-branded GoToAssist) >Dell DataSafe (online backup) >Dell Dock by Stardock (a floating toolbar) >Dell Owners's Manual >Dell Security Center by McAfee >Dell Support Center >Dell Welcome (a nag screen asking you to register your computer) >Microsoft Works >Roxio Easy CD and DVD (stripped down OEM version) >Windows Live Search I can think of several ways to approach this but one of the easiest (I think best) ways if you can afford another $80 or so is to replace the original drive with a new 1 TB drive and install software as you wish. Then if you need to return the pc, swap out the drives and everything then is original. Another way is to make an image file of the dell installed software. Whatever you do, I'd be careful installing passwords or sensitive info in case of a return. If you do such and then decide to return the pc, wipe them out securely. Don't just delete them. Use encryption where possible. Enjoy the new Dell.
From: Brian K on 27 Feb 2010 23:48 I'd just uninstall what I didn't want. Be careful of deleting the Recovery partition (if you keep Win7) as it could be the Active partition containing the booting files. I agree about buying the smallest HD available. Dell charge over 3 times the price for a HD as what you can buy a HD locally. A similar story with RAM.
From: Ben Myers on 28 Feb 2010 00:15
On 2/27/2010 10:42 PM, Daddy wrote: > My Studio XPS 8100 is on order. > > I've put together what I think is an essentially complete list of all > the software that's shipping with this PC...and I want none of it. (See > the list below.) Nor do I want Dell's factory restore partition (known > as PC-Restore) or its diagnostic partition. > > Bottom line: I'd like to erase the hard disk and reinstall Windows 7 > only. (I'm eating crow here, since in the past I used to make fun of > people who did this. Such is life.) > > Here's where I need your advice: > > 1- Should I wait until after the 21-day return period to do this? In the > unlikely event that I have to return this computer due to a genuine > hardware problem, I don't want Dell to give me a hard time (and possibly > a re-stocking charge) because I wiped and reinstalled. > > 2- After the 21 days, if I should have a problem covered by the > warranty, am I going to have to restore the computer to the factory > image before Dell will even speak to me; or will I get some other kind > of grief from Dell for wiping and reinstalling? > > Thanks for your advice. > > Daddy > > Here's what I think is a complete list of what's coming on my PC: > Adobe Reader 9 > CyberLink Power DVD (stripped-down OEM version) > DellConnect (re-branded GoToAssist) > Dell DataSafe (online backup) > Dell Dock by Stardock (a floating toolbar) > Dell Owners's Manual > Dell Security Center by McAfee > Dell Support Center > Dell Welcome (a nag screen asking you to register your computer) > Microsoft Works > Roxio Easy CD and DVD (stripped down OEM version) > Windows Live Search Of the items in the list, the only ones I would want is Adobe Reader 9. Personally, I have no need for anything else on the list. CDBurnerXP and Media Player Classic Home Cinema are superior to the corresponding cheesy OEM software, and they are free... Ben Myers |