Mods, I don't mean to sound pretentious, but could this maybe get stickied and/or added to the faq? (under a new title I'm assuming)
As you may know, Dell stopped shipping the operating system cd/dvd and application/driver cds for most of their laptop lineup around July 15th 2005. Dell's workaround for this was that they said you could simply burn a backup of the OS using the Dell provided application that is on the hard drive. Well as some of you found out the hard way, that application is no longer being installed and now you're left with either A) Getting a hold of Dell or B) going an aftermarket route.
Well.... don't waste your $7-$10 clicking on the option for Dell to give you your OS cd. Here's a quick, painless, simple, and
FREE way to get all your Dell installed software and OS shipped to you on CD/DVD backup after you've ordered a new laptop (you lucky ones with XPS need not apply since well, you already get that (all of it I'm assuming too).
Anyway, this is just
MY experience with Dell over the past month in purchasing 2 i6000 laptops. Your mileage may vary, but hopefully you'll come out ahead.
Quick steps are listed here, I'll list out some email templates to use later on:
1) Purchase Laptop w/o selecting the OS CD Option
2) Once you've received your Laptop's Order # you should start contacting Dell so there won't be any down time if you choose to reformat your PC once it arrives. Off Dell's homepage goto:
Contact Us - > Email Us -> Email Order Support -> No, I would rather send an email to Customer Service.
3) Now that you're at the form, select the following:
Department: Customer Care
Issue Category: Other Issue Not Listed
Fill in your Personal Information
Be SURE to remember to put in your Order Number
Then you can paste something to the effect of what is written below.
Let the Email dance begin: 
1)
2) Dell should send you an automated "We're looking at it email", disregard.
3) They might try to send you an automated response guessing at what your issue is. They thought I had a problem burning my cds... so I had to email them again:
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4) Dell should respond and say the cds are on their way. Usually by second day air.
5) CDs arrive, but curiously Power DVD and Sonic are NOT included. (I don't know why, confuses me too.. just go ask Dell why they can't read)
6) So now you'll have to respond to your ever increasing email chain that you really do want the Power DVD and Sonic (this is of course optional, but who knows... better to have it just in case)
7) Dell should send you an automated "We're looking at it email", disregard.
8) You SHOULD receive another response saying that they new CDs are in the air.
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If you're wondering what the order(s) will look like in your order status, here were mine:
1) This is the first batch they sent out, this is for a Windows XP Media Center 2005 laptop:
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2) And now the second shipment with Power DVD and Sonic
@ Their inflated price of $46.49, no wonder Dell is trying to keep their hands on their cds! (joking). I was assured that these invoices were for internal use only and to disregard them. You should NOT be charged for this service.
So, there you have it, your mileage may vary, but it's a start.
Most of us would like to have the original software that shipped with the system not only for backup purposes, but for the simple fact that it adds 'value' when you go to resell the system. Not everyone is a computer wiz so having the original software can definitely benefit someone down the road.
