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DRMK stands for Dell™ Real-Mode Kernel. Formerly called FreeDOS™, it is
used on Dell's n Series systems. The n Series products are designed to meet the
needs of customers who do not require a Microsoft® operating system license.
Products branded n Series are identical in every hardware respect to the standard
Dell™ systems that ship with a Microsoft operating system (e.g., OptiPlex™
GX260 / GX260n and Dell Precision™ 340 / 340n).
n Series systems are offered with the DRMK operating system dropped in the
box. DRMK is not factory installed or supported by Dell. On these systems, n
Series systems ship with a hard drive that includes a utility partition with the
following files installed: io.sys, msdos.sys, and command.com. The customer
also has the option to order an n Series system with no hard drive at all.
Dell Precision n Series systems with DRMK ship with a blank, unpartitioned hard
drive. Dell Precision customers have the additional option of ordering n Series
systems with Linux®.
Support Requirements
For the n Series, Dell offers no support for any operating system. This includes
no support for installing DRMK or any Microsoft OS a customer may have
removed from another system, regardless of whether the operating system is OEM or retail. Dell does support the system
hardware per its current support policy. A ResourceCD is included for diagnosing hardware issues.
The only support for the operating system is media replacement in the first 30 days after the system invoice date if the
media is missing, damaged, or incorrect.
DRMK - n Series
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How is a system identified as an n Series?
A. The system has an n Series label (see sample above) affixed to the chassis in lieu of the "Designed for Windows"
label. In DellServ and DPS, a lowercase n follows the system model number (e.g., GX260n, WS340n).
Q. Is the system badge or BIOS identification different?
A. No, the system badge, surrounding the power button, is identical on both the n Series and Microsoft OS systems. The
BIOS identification is changed to a generic notation and is the same for both standard and n Series systems (e.g., GX260
SERIES, GX60 SERIES).
Q. What if the customer wants software support?
A. Dell offers no support for the operating system–not even installation. The system documentation includes a letter that
discusses the n Series program and operating system support. Since n Series systems do not ship with any application
software, these products are not supported.
Q. Does the hard drive include a utility partition with diagnostics?
A. On an OptiPlex n Series system, the hard drive includes a utility partition with the following files: io.sys, msdos.sys,
and command.com. The partition does not include any diagnostics. A ResourceCD is included to run hardware
diagnostics.
Q. Does the system have a Certificate of Authenticity label?
A. n Series systems do not have a COA label.
Q. What about device drivers?
A. DRMK contains no drivers for devices such as CD-RW and DVD drives, modems, etc. Dell offers no support for
installing or configuring device drivers for Linux.
Q. Since n Series systems do not ship with device drivers, can customers purchase n Series systems with DVD
drives, CD-RW drives, or other peripherals?
A. Customers can purchase an n Series system with any peripheral normally available on a standard system with a
Microsoft OS.
Q. Will all Dell OptiPlex and Dell Precision systems have an n Series?
A. Currently, n Series includes the OptiPlex GX260n and Dell Precision 530n and 340n. OptiPlex GX60 and SX260 will
also have an n Series when those systems launch. Eventually, all OptiPlex and Dell Precision systems will have an n
Series option. There are also now n Series options for Dimension™, Inspiron™, and Latitude™.
Printed 2/22/2010 11:17:19 AM
Latitude™ D620
For Dell Employees Only
Expires 2/23/2010 11:17:19 AM
DRMK
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n Series
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