Dell Inspiron 600m & Dell recovery CD ?

Hi
I see Dell have a special on at the moment for the above which makes it
look quite good price wise but I was wondering if Dell supply a Windows XP
CD or just the Recovery CD that I have been told about. I did email Dell
last night but their special runs out tomorrow so though I'd ask here.

Basically I'd like to reformat, partition the disk and then make my own
image.

Would also be interested in any first (or second) hand accounts for this
model or any usefull url's to reviews.

TIA

 

All the Dells we get at work come with standard Windows XP(SP1a) CDs.
They're Dell Optiplex 270s

 

I think it is extremely likely that it does, since this vastly simplifies
the reinstallation process for the home users these machines are
predominantly aimed at.

Even Insite Technology are now supplying recovery CDs with their PCs.

 

Yes, thats what I was thinking, however, after some further digging around
I found a PDF manual for that model which refers to the Windows XP
Operating System CD as well as Dell driver CD when in the "Re install the
OS" section. On that basis I guess it would be safe to assume it's the
real thing....

Thanks for the replies people

 

Just for the sake of the archive ....

It is stated here:

http://support.ap.dell.com/ap/en/kb/document.asp?DN=RG1077922#add_info

"All Dell systems that are factory-installed with the Windows XP operating
system ship with a Dell-branded Windows XP operating system reinstallation
CD.

NOTE: This CD is not an image restoration CD; it is either the Windows XP
Professional Edition or Windows XP Home Edition operating system CD."

So looks like they just have their own logo, printing etc on the windows CD

 

It may be a customised version of the Windows XP CD.

 

And specific OEM keys on the case that will only work with that CD, before you
think of trying a normal XP OEM cd if you lose that one I have a useless
product key stuck to my dell that I got used.

I actually prefer to see image restoration CDs rather then seperate drivers for
PCs targeted at newbies, I would like to have an option to do a bare install
myself, but the idea of some button pusher trying to install video and sound
drivers scares me somewhat.

 

<snip>

Ive got quite a few 600m's at work and had to do a restore on one of them.
Put in the Dell branded "Windows XP Pro" CD, and the installation looks just
like the real thing. - I havent tried using different Product Keys on this
disc, I assmue its just like any OEM release CD - which is probably
restricted to OEM numbers only.
They are good machines too, only had one fail (graphics card problem) - but
was repaired by dell onsite.

Cheers

Matt

 

they have a few things like a dell folder on the root of the c: drive,
that has some utils in it, they work on non dells from err. trial and
error too.

 

OEMs can put in a custom answers file and tell it to install software
along with the OS. If they know what hardware is in the system they can
reduce the number of questions in the installation.

 

I spoke to someone at Dell today who told me that I can do my own install
from the Dell/Windows CD that is supplied i.e. it's not a restore image.
basically I was wanting to format then partition the HDD then do a fresh
install. I'll make my own restore CD after I have finished, then when I
add new software etc I'll make another etc. I was going to look at
www.litepc.com for an installer as I quite liked the win98 installer they
came out with. Though i'd go for the SXGA 14.1" LCD since I'll most likely
spend a bit of time looking at it.