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Question

Recovery Disk download

Oct 13, 2013 10:16PM PDT

I have a Dell Laptop 1545, ddr processorT4500 and it was running slow. The Geeksquad called and informed me that the hard drive crashed. I'll need the recovery disk. Dell is asking 39.99 which is much too high. I would have thought that the Geeksquad would have made a recovery disk. I was informed that they are not allowed to. My question is why didn't they inform me to do it before putting my laptop throw the diagnostic test? Well now I need the recovery disk. Can I down load the recovery disk on line?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Dell recovery
Oct 13, 2013 11:11PM PDT

You likely had the option to create your own recovery disks from the system which obviously you did not. At this point you have little choice, aside from chucking the unit. You may well be able to do the download from Dell but it will still cost you, Dell OS is pretty proprietary, some are.

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Clarification Request
What version of Windows do you have?
Oct 13, 2013 11:17PM PDT

Had you bothered to say what version of Windows you have, we may be able to tell you how to make your own repair disk. Of course a recovery disc (usually a set of 3 or 4 discs) is a different thing.

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I have windows 7
Oct 14, 2013 12:30AM PDT

I have windows 7 Home Premium 64bit

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You can make a repair disc
Oct 14, 2013 12:33AM PDT

Go to any PC running Windows 7 64 bit and click Start -> Control Panel -> Backup and Restore -> Create System Repair Disc. Insert a blank CD-R. In 2 or 3 minutes you'll have your system repair disc.
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Good luck.

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I wonder if that's a great idea ...
Oct 14, 2013 12:34AM PDT

if the hard drive crashed.

Kees

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Clarification Request
Did you try this search on GOOGLE?
Oct 14, 2013 6:29AM PDT

Dell windows 7 recovery download DIGITAL RIVER

That may get you the OS but then you have to deal with apps and drivers. Sorry but I find folk getting very upset with the app and driver install after they install the OS.

Do you think it's time for the OS to be baked into the PC such as you see in tablets?
Bob

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Answer
Re: recovery disk
Oct 13, 2013 10:22PM PDT

Well, you can ask Dell if they have a free download. But I expect the answer to be "no".

Your choice. If the laptop is currently is worth less than 39.99 plus the price of a new hard disk forget about it (but you might have to pay the Geeksquad bill for their work nonetheless). If it's worth more it might make sense to spend that money.

Kees