Clean Install = Warranty/Return Problems?
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From: Daddy on 28 Feb 2010 12:11 Christopher Muto wrote: > Christopher Muto wrote: >> 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 >> >> i would not reload it. just uninstall the dellconnect, datasafe, >> stardock, mcafee, and windows live. reinstalling is really time >> consuming and the above things are really quick and easy to remove. >> but you asked about the downside to reinstalling; other than time i >> don't think there is any. dell only provides software support for >> their oem branded sofware for 30 days, and that support is pretty >> spotty anyway. the only thing that the regular warranty covers is >> hardware and that can be tested from outside of windows (though it can >> sometimes can be done within windows). it's you computer so do what >> you want with it. if you want to use some other operating system then >> you can call dell and return the copy of windows that came with the >> system. it is pretty much kept a secret that you can return the os, >> and it takes work and escalation to a second tier customer service >> person, and it only get you about $40-50 back so it is probably not >> worth the time and effort. but i have done it out of principal on >> occasion when encountering problems (vista). > > ps. if you were to return the machine (and i have on occasion) i would > wipe the drive completely with something like boot and nuke. would not > want to accidentally send them any personal information that was left on > the drive and they re-image the drive when they receive it anyway so do > not care what is on it. Thanks to everyone, especially to Christopher. As I understand it, Dell's warranty covers hardware, not software. The only software that Dell warrants is software that Dell writes (or has written for it) like OEM drivers or the Dell Dock. I don't think I need Windows Live Search to test whether Dell's hardware works properly. I don't need CyberLink or Roxio to see if the DVD drive works properly. (I use ImgBurn, Ben, but CDBurnerXP is also a good choice.) The tools in the diagnostic partition, if I understand correctly, are also included on the Resource DVD. The recovery partition (PC Restore) is a godsend for many computer users, but most of us who post here are not included in that group. If someone is well-versed in making and restoring images, or installing and uninstalling software, the recovery partition is wasted space. Plus: If I understand correctly, once I partition my hard disk - I like to keep my software on one partition and my data on a second partition - Dell's PC Restore won't work any more. (Something about the boot code.) Personally, I wouldn't have anything to do with Dell's technical support /unless/ I had a problem covered under warranty, like bad memory or a defective hard drive. Otherwise - and I'm not trying to act haughty - I can figure my way out of most any problem. (Sometimes with help from you guys.) With Dell's OEM Windows DVD and Resource DVD I can reinstall a clean copy of Windows along with any OEM drivers. And here's my real point: It seems to me I can wipe and re-install in less time that what it would take to uninstall all that software. Uninstalling McAfee alone is an involved process. Yet, it appears that many of you feel it's better to keep the recovery and diagnostic partitions, and to uninstall what I don't want. I don't see why, myself, but I'm opening to being convinced. My only fear is that Dell won't honor its warranty, or charge a restocking fee, if I wipe and re-install. Daddy
From: RnR on 28 Feb 2010 14:12 On Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:15:32 -0500, Ben Myers <ben_myers(a)charter.net> wrote: >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 Agreed. This is the reason I like to wipe the new disk clean, install what I want, where I want and know the settings applied. This also gives me peace of mind knowing there are no strange settings allowing things to run in the background perhaps when I'm asleep.
From: Bob Levine on 28 Feb 2010 19:52 "Daddy" <daddy(a)invalid.invalid> wrote in message news:hme8rj$9p5$1(a)news.eternal-september.org... > Bob - you da man. Yeah...I get that a lot. :) > I completely forgot about that. Just let me make sure I understand: > > IIRC, Dell includes a utility to create a set of 'recovery CDs' that can > reinstall the factory download, just as if I had invoked the restore > partition (with CTRL+F11 or whatever the key combination is) -- is that > correct? The factory image can easily be restored (though with newer machines, you tap F8 while booting and choose restore) but that goes out the window if the harddriv goes. Having the restore DVDs allows you to put a new hard drive in and boot from the restore DVD, and then of course, restoring the machine. I always recommend that friends or clients create those disks but honestly with Windows 7, it's not quite as necessary since a clean install is so fast. > If that's correct, I can switch between the factory download and an image > of my current configuration at any time. Hannah Montana was right: You get > the best of both worlds. Um, yeah...okay! :) Bob
From: Tony Harding on 2 Mar 2010 01:17 On 02/28/10 04:57, olfart wrote: > "Ben Myers"<ben_myers(a)charter.net> wrote in message > news:hmcu5m$ca2$1(a)news.eternal-september.org... >> 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 > > Might want to use Foxit Reader instead of the bloated Adobe reader Why, what's the advantage? Not going to maintain that Acrobat isn't bloated, but what improvement would someone like the OP or me see from making the switch? Besides, you can't beat thee price. :)
From: Tony Harding on 2 Mar 2010 01:21
On 02/28/10 12:11, Daddy wrote: > Christopher Muto wrote: >> Christopher Muto wrote: >>> 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 >>> >>> i would not reload it. just uninstall the dellconnect, datasafe, >>> stardock, mcafee, and windows live. reinstalling is really time >>> consuming and the above things are really quick and easy to remove. >>> but you asked about the downside to reinstalling; other than time i >>> don't think there is any. dell only provides software support for >>> their oem branded sofware for 30 days, and that support is pretty >>> spotty anyway. the only thing that the regular warranty covers is >>> hardware and that can be tested from outside of windows (though it >>> can sometimes can be done within windows). it's you computer so do >>> what you want with it. if you want to use some other operating system >>> then you can call dell and return the copy of windows that came with >>> the system. it is pretty much kept a secret that you can return the >>> os, and it takes work and escalation to a second tier customer >>> service person, and it only get you about $40-50 back so it is >>> probably not worth the time and effort. but i have done it out of >>> principal on occasion when encountering problems (vista). >> >> ps. if you were to return the machine (and i have on occasion) i would >> wipe the drive completely with something like boot and nuke. would not >> want to accidentally send them any personal information that was left >> on the drive and they re-image the drive when they receive it anyway >> so do not care what is on it. > > Thanks to everyone, especially to Christopher. > > As I understand it, Dell's warranty covers hardware, not software. The > only software that Dell warrants is software that Dell writes (or has > written for it) like OEM drivers or the Dell Dock. > > I don't think I need Windows Live Search to test whether Dell's hardware > works properly. I don't need CyberLink or Roxio to see if the DVD drive > works properly. (I use ImgBurn, Ben, but CDBurnerXP is also a good choice.) > > The tools in the diagnostic partition, if I understand correctly, are > also included on the Resource DVD. > > The recovery partition (PC Restore) is a godsend for many computer > users, but most of us who post here are not included in that group. If > someone is well-versed in making and restoring images, or installing and > uninstalling software, the recovery partition is wasted space. > > Plus: If I understand correctly, once I partition my hard disk - I like > to keep my software on one partition and my data on a second partition - > Dell's PC Restore won't work any more. (Something about the boot code.) > > Personally, I wouldn't have anything to do with Dell's technical support > /unless/ I had a problem covered under warranty, like bad memory or a > defective hard drive. Otherwise - and I'm not trying to act haughty - I > can figure my way out of most any problem. (Sometimes with help from you > guys.) > > With Dell's OEM Windows DVD and Resource DVD I can reinstall a clean > copy of Windows along with any OEM drivers. And here's my real point: It > seems to me I can wipe and re-install in less time that what it would > take to uninstall all that software. Uninstalling McAfee alone is an > involved process. > > Yet, it appears that many of you feel it's better to keep the recovery > and diagnostic partitions, and to uninstall what I don't want. I don't > see why, myself, but I'm opening to being convinced. My only fear is > that Dell won't honor its warranty, or charge a restocking fee, if I > wipe and re-install. That's where saving Dell's HDD and installing your system on *your* HDD save your bacon. Swap your HDD for Dell's (and any other hardware you might have added) and return it - system is Dell pristine. |