I would like to request Dell to make Dell Microsoft Operating System .iso files available to download. These .iso files should include, the latest service packs, the latest version on Internet Explorer for that OS and nothing else. For example:
• Window XP Professional 32 bit with SP3 & IE8
• Windows Vista Business Edition 32 bit with SP2 & IE9
• Windows 7 Professional Edition 64 bit with SP1 & IE9
Of course make all versions of Windows available to download from say 2000 Professional including Vista/7 starter. This has become more critical because Dell are (by default) no longer shipping OS DVDs when you purchase a new Dell system. In fact the lower end systems such as the Inspiron do not even have the option to purchase reinstallation media with the system. While there is a link to request media in the U.S. It is less convienient to get the media elsewhere. I think even alot of U.S. users would prefer being able to download the .iso file direct from Dell.
I know there is the Dell Datasafe program but its method will give you all the preinstalled software etc. which the end user may or may not want. I know that many end users will not create the media and only will only look for it when it is too late. e.g. at hard drive failure. In addition I and some other users have experienced some reduced performance after installing the latest Service Packs/Internet Explorer. This may be due to some conflicts with ATI/Realtek drivers with the Service Pack. Restoring to factory settings cannot fix this problem as the Service Pack is again installed after the drivers. Installing Windows and then the Service Pack prevents such a problem. A Dell windows installation DVD with the Service Packs slipstreamed would be the best solution to prevent this problem.
Digital River, Microsofts online store partner have .iso files available for both Windows Vista and Windows 7 which can be found here. These can be used in conjunction with a Dell OEM product key, however it does not give the Dell logo in system and phone activation is required.
Dell are a big corporation and should be able to settle a deal with Microsoft to make the Dell custom .isos available for download. There could be an online form where the user has to enter in both their Windows Product key and Service Tag providing that their Product Key is not faded. For those that do have a faded product key, there must be a backdoor somewhere a user can instead submit a picture of their faded COA and be allowed to proceed. I have made a sketch of what the form should entail. It is fairly simplistic.
Since the first stage of the form makes the user input their service tag, links could be provided to Dell parts and upgrades. Dell of course may make additional revenue here by recommending the user to purchase a larger hard drive from Dell or additional memory from Dell and say it is Dell recommended to do these upgrades before installing Windows.
Note they could also have a link to upgrade to a newer version of Windows such as Windows 7 Ultimate or an upgrade from XP/Vista to 7. This will suit Microsoft aswell as it will provide them with more revenue. The user could then purchase the software upgrade and instead download that .iso file. Could do a similar thing with Microsoft Office OEM Upgrade discount or Full OEM version if not originally purchased with the system.
I was going to say that Dell could charge a reasonable fee of $5 for the service of downloading the .iso files although I would rather that they wouldn't. However I think if it has the suggested OEM hardware and software upgrades, then it is probably a better means of revenue for them.
Just to note I posted a similar idea here before but that was based on XP and not as well thought out.
