The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Alienware 15 Reinstall OS

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by DeeX, Apr 24, 2015.

  1. DeeX

    DeeX THz

    Reputations:
    254
    Messages:
    1,710
    Likes Received:
    907
    Trophy Points:
    131
    How does one re-install the OS on the 15 which doesn't have an optical drive? I assume via USB.. However I was wondering if there wasa common way of doing this made simple nowa days.
     
    DeeX, Apr 24, 2015
    #1
  2. DeeX

    DeeX THz

    Reputations:
    254
    Messages:
    1,710
    Likes Received:
    907
    Trophy Points:
    131
    DeeX, Apr 25, 2015
    #2
  3. Spartan@HIDevolution

    Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative

    Reputations:
    39,619
    Messages:
    23,562
    Likes Received:
    36,877
    Trophy Points:
    931
    1) Download the correct Windows 8.1 ISO / Language to your computer selecting Windows 8.1 or 8.1 Pro depending on your current license

    2) Download Rufus and use it to burn the ISO on a Flash Disk

    3) Reboot and boot off the USB Flash Disk

    4) Windows 8.1 installer will automatically detect the product key in your BIOS and start the installation provided you downloaded the correct ISO

    Use the below image as a guide on how to set the options in RUFUS:

    [​IMG]
     
    Spartan@HIDevolution, Apr 25, 2015
    #3
  4. DeeX

    DeeX THz

    Reputations:
    254
    Messages:
    1,710
    Likes Received:
    907
    Trophy Points:
    131
    Well just for the record the link I first posted was correct.
    Since UEFI and Windows 8, the keys are now stored in the BIOS so all you need is the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft.
    It downloads the ISO and either burns a CD or makes a bootable USB drive.
    All you need to know is if the install needs to be 32bit or 64bit, & what version of Windows 8 you have (Pro or Regular).
    It doesnt matter if its OEM or Retail.
    It tried it and it works great!

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media
     
    DeeX, Apr 25, 2015
    #4
  5. gschneider

    gschneider Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    248
    Messages:
    568
    Likes Received:
    166
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Did you not get a windows flash key with your computer?
     
    gschneider, Apr 26, 2015
    #5