Solved Returning Dell Inspiron 15 after downgrading to Windows 7

CDavis504

New Member
Messages
7
Location
Redneck Country, LA
Hi y'all,

Here's my issue, the other day I bought a new Dell Inspiron 15 laptop and the first thing I did with it, was wipe all the factory partitions and downgrade it from Windows 8.1 to Windows 7. Well, after having it for a few days, I decided to return it, because I don't care for it. I want to return it, but I wanted to return it to how it was before I wiped the hard drive.

Anyone have any suggestions on my best course of action to do this?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    dual booting Windows 7 / Windows 8 build 7989
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus K61-IC
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo 2.20 GHz
    Memory
    4GB DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce GT 220M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16" HD Display (720 P)
    Screen Resolution
    1366 * 768
    Hard Drives
    Internal 320 GB 7200 RPM
If you truly wiped the hard disk, you have also deleted the restore partition. You will not be able do it without the restore disk from Dell. Call Dell Support and maybe they will send you the disk. They may or may not take it back.

Next time think before you act and the outcome will be much better. Image the original hard disk BEFORE you wipe it. Then you can restore it to new condition and return it if needed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
If you bought it direct from Dell, returned PC's are refurbed (and reimaged) before selling in the "outlet". They may not care what it has or doesn't have installed.

But, this is a lesson on what not to do with a new PC. Wait a bit until you are sure you want to keep it. And, as noted, make a backup or even better, as we learned on the Dell forums, many will remove the factory hard drive and install a new drive if they want to change the Operating System. That way, if they want to sell it, or whatever, they can return it to the original factory condition.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
I bought it at my local Wal-Mart.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    dual booting Windows 7 / Windows 8 build 7989
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus K61-IC
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo 2.20 GHz
    Memory
    4GB DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce GT 220M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16" HD Display (720 P)
    Screen Resolution
    1366 * 768
    Hard Drives
    Internal 320 GB 7200 RPM
Wal Mart may not take it back, as they can't resell it the way it is.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
I just spoke with Dell over the instant chat, they are sending me the restore discs. Should be here in a day or two.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    dual booting Windows 7 / Windows 8 build 7989
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus K61-IC
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo 2.20 GHz
    Memory
    4GB DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce GT 220M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16" HD Display (720 P)
    Screen Resolution
    1366 * 768
    Hard Drives
    Internal 320 GB 7200 RPM

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
The Dell restore disks are just a windows setup disks and a drivers disk..

Go to dell's website download the drivers for your model or service tag and use the media creation tool to download windows 8.1

Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help

This is what they are sending me:

RGH4G
KIT...,SOFTWARE...,WBLUE64,ENGLAND/ENGLISH...
9M9FK
Bare DVD+/-RW, 8X, 9.5T, GU90N, HLDS

Why they are sending me another DVD drive I don't know, the one in the laptop works fine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    dual booting Windows 7 / Windows 8 build 7989
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus K61-IC
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo 2.20 GHz
    Memory
    4GB DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GeForce GT 220M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16" HD Display (720 P)
    Screen Resolution
    1366 * 768
    Hard Drives
    Internal 320 GB 7200 RPM
The Dell restore disks are just a windows setup disks and a drivers disk..

Go to dell's website download the drivers for your model or service tag and use the media creation tool to download windows 8.1

Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help

This is what they are sending me:

RGH4GKIT...,SOFTWARE...,WBLUE64,ENGLAND/ENGLISH...
9M9FK Bare DVD+/-RW, 8X, 9.5T, GU90N, HLDS

Why they are sending me another DVD drive I don't know, the one in the laptop works fine.

No idea, but they will include a return shipping label to send the original back to them at their expense.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
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