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    AW 15 R3 restoring to original settings -HELP!

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by Petre13, Jan 19, 2017.

  1. Petre13

    Petre13 Newbie

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    Hello,

    I have just bought an Alienware 15 R3 and i mistakenly factory reset it. Now i have just a blank vanilla windows 10 home edition. Is there any way to revert to windows 10 pro with all the bloatware. This is my first Alienware and i really didn't get a chance to experience its software. Actually i don't even know what i am missing besides that background.
    Can someone help me? At least i should be able to upgrade to windows 10 pro, right? Thanks!
     
    Petre13, Jan 19, 2017
    #1
  2. 3dmation

    3dmation Notebook Enthusiast

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    Assuming your bios isn't reset, you'll have your windows code already in there. Download the windows ISO and make a boot disk, then install windows and wipe the drive at the same time. The ISO will recognize the code in the BIOS and install. For drivers, go to the support site and put in your service tag number, it'll recommend all the drivers that shipped with your system. download and put all these on your usb windows boot drive and you have a good backup in case something happens again. BTW, I do this before I get any new PC. It helps to have that usb key for any new system.
     
    3dmation, Jan 19, 2017
    #2
    Petre13 likes this.
  3. DeeX

    DeeX THz

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    Im confused. It was Pro before you did a factory reset? How was it upgraded to Pro in the first place.
    If the system came with pro, it would still be pro when you restored a factory image.
    You would need a Pro key in order to upgrade to pro if your factory image has home installed.
     
    DeeX, Jan 20, 2017
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    Vasudev likes this.
  4. Petre13

    Petre13 Newbie

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    Thank you for you answer. I am trying to follow your advice, but the problem i get is that my usb bootable disc is not recognized so it is not booting. I tried to put the bios on legacy and select first boot device usb, but still doesn't work.
    Deex i am also confused. I am pretty sure i had windows 10 pro. Also when checking on dell site for windows iso image i get two windows 10 home options.
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2017
    Petre13, Jan 20, 2017
    #4
  5. Vasudev

    Vasudev Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Try burning the iso using rufus. Seems like compatibility issue between efi and legacy.
     
    Vasudev, Jan 24, 2017
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  6. Petre13

    Petre13 Newbie

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    I actually managed to perform the installation using microsoft media creation tool. With rufus the usb was not recognized. Anyway, I had lots of problems performing a clean install on a ssd. Now i am booting with legacy, because on uefi my ssd is not recognized. Is this ok? Also, i had to change the ssd from gbt to mbr, because otherwise it wouldn't let me select the ssd.
     
    Petre13, Jan 24, 2017
    #6