<p>I ordered one of the laptops from campus express and I just received it today. Windows Vista came preinstalled on the computer, but there wasn't an installation disc included with the package. Was this an error, or is this what everybody else is getting as well? If this was an error, what should I do? If not, what are we supposed to do if we ever need to reinstall windows?</p>
<p>ooh hey when did you order from campus express? i want my laptop!</p>
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what are we supposed to do if we ever need to reinstall windows?
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<p>Wish you had bought a Mac ;)</p>
<p>After that you can probably get help from the computing help center in Sansom West 2F.</p>
<p>Call them, or contact them in some way. If you ask, they're obliged to send you an install disc, I believe.</p>
<p>sometimes the OEM-versions of windows have the CD hidden within the manual. search through everything you have, it shud be there. otherwise i'd call</p>
<p>some companies don't include installation / driver cds with their laptops, unfortunately.</p>
<p>if you have windows vista business installed, and are unsuccessful in obtaining an install disc from the manufacturer, just ask any engineering friend to download / burn you a copy of the penn-licensed vista business cd when school starts.</p>
<p>i believe the vista business cd would work on other versions (home basic, home premium, ultimate) given that it's the cd-key that unlocks various features, not the files on the cd itself, but don't quote me on that one =p</p>
<p>I didn't get an instillation disk either. I'm just calling IBM in a few weeks after I get everything registered and stuff and asking them for one.</p>
<p>Yeah mine was an IBM also...I wonder if it's just IBM that's doing this</p>
<p>I dont' know, but before buying a computer I talked to one of my dad's friends and he said that some companies don't give instillation disks, but you can call them within a month of getting the computer and they'll mail it to you.</p>
<p>how long did it take for your laptops to come in? i'm probably gonna buy my mac today or tomorrow from campusexpress so it'd be nice for it to get here by the end of the month or so....</p>
<p>I think the latest you could have bought the computer and had it shipped was July 1. I bought mine already from campus express but I am just going to pick it up there. It is a hassle to carry since I live across the country.</p>
<p>when you say that we have to pick up our computers from campus express, you're referring to pre-built computers right? like if i wanted to customize a lap from dell's penn website, it'd wud still be shipped as soon as its built rite?</p>
<p>Buy a mac and get an iPod free!</p>
<p>Now you know the equation...</p>
<p>abhim, If you are buying it directly from the Dell website with a student discount, then yes, they will still be able to ship it to you.</p>
<p>you don't need an installation cd for vista.
i upgraded from xp when vista first came out and i just upgraded from the website.
you can find all that stuff online these days.</p>
<p>the point of having physical installation media is to enable execution of maintenance operations if the computer is somehow severely messed up, or the reinstallation of the os following a total format.</p>
<p>IBMs have the reinstall data located on a separate partition on the hard drive. If you ever are in the scenario where you need to reinstall, you push the blue/gray "Access IBM/Lenovo" button, and it guides you through the process. Not the most friendly of setups, but that's how they do it. You can call and get a CD/DVD if you so desire as well.</p>
<p>Hmm going to want that disk myself
Should probably decide between the 14.1 and 15.4 first though heh</p>
<p>go with the widescreen</p>
<p>bigger is nice but the whole laptop ends up bigger. you'll spend a lot of time on your computer in college; the investment is worth it.</p>