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    Windows 8 pro upgrade

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by FredFlint_, Oct 25, 2012.

  1. FredFlint_

    FredFlint_ Notebook Consultant

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    Hi,
    Just Upgraded using the update advisor and most things seem ok, the FN + F7 does not work so I cannot install the Intel GPU driver. I will be trying some game tomorrow but it looks good so fare.
     
    FredFlint_, Oct 25, 2012
    #1
  2. skygunner27

    skygunner27 A Genuine Child of Zion

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    Please explain to me how you downloaded W8 early. I'm running W7..............thanks.
    Did you get FN + F7 working?

    I just hooked up my Logitech T650 Touchpad for W8!!...I'm so ready to go ;)
     
    skygunner27, Oct 26, 2012
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  3. devildoc17

    devildoc17 Notebook Evangelist

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    Im downloading windows 8 as we speak.. just download the windows 8 upgrade assistant
     
    devildoc17, Oct 26, 2012
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  4. devildoc17

    devildoc17 Notebook Evangelist

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    ok finished downloading but there are 3 install methods and im confused:

    • install
    • install by creating media
    • intall later from your desktop


    what does install by creating media mean?
     
    devildoc17, Oct 26, 2012
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  5. skygunner27

    skygunner27 A Genuine Child of Zion

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    Thank you!!!! It's doing the compatibility scan. I am so excited!!!!!!!
    I really like the xbox intergration.

    I'm so annoyed!! It says I have 1 hr and 25 minutes left to complete download. My family is netflixing it up in HD most likely slowing down our 22/2 connection. They've know well in advance that tonite is the nite. :mad:

    Oh yeah....I highly recommend the Logi T650 for Windows 8 to fully experience Windows 8.
    <iframe width='560' height="315" src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/LubCO2eQSTU" frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe>
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 6, 2015
    skygunner27, Oct 26, 2012
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  6. devildoc17

    devildoc17 Notebook Evangelist

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    Mine finished in 30 minutes!
    But now Im a Little worried because it made me un install a lot of drivers, such as the blue tooth Driver and My wireless card drivers.... Because of compatibilidad issues. I hope i can find the corresponding Windows 8 drivers with ease :(
     
    devildoc17, Oct 26, 2012
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  7. skygunner27

    skygunner27 A Genuine Child of Zion

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    oh Great.... :(
     
    skygunner27, Oct 26, 2012
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  8. devildoc17

    devildoc17 Notebook Evangelist

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    To answrr My own question: install by creating media allows someone to créate a Bootable drive, from a USB drive. :)
     
    devildoc17, Oct 26, 2012
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  9. skygunner27

    skygunner27 A Genuine Child of Zion

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    How much space does it require of a USB drive?
     
    skygunner27, Oct 26, 2012
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  10. devildoc17

    devildoc17 Notebook Evangelist

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    No idea i chose the install over windows 7 option.......

    By they way most of the drivers I unisntalled got istalled on their own somehow............ also my FN+F7 option still works...
     
    devildoc17, Oct 26, 2012
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  11. skygunner27

    skygunner27 A Genuine Child of Zion

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    Nice!!!!!!!!! I'm so stoked!!!!....I'm at 45%. It must be the crappy Seattle to Alaska server :(

    I'd bet on the next M18x to come equipped with a touch screen to accommodate W8.
     
    skygunner27, Oct 26, 2012
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  12. devildoc17

    devildoc17 Notebook Evangelist

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    That would be epic! I'd buy one :)
     
    devildoc17, Oct 26, 2012
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  13. skygunner27

    skygunner27 A Genuine Child of Zion

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    I would too. I really like this Logi T650 touch pad in W7. It's nice knowing I can use all the touch jesters without worrying about having to clean a screen. I already downloaded the Windows 8 drivers for it. I am at 88% for W8 :(
    So how's it going with W8 and your Alienware. What doesn't work?
     
    skygunner27, Oct 26, 2012
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  14. devildoc17

    devildoc17 Notebook Evangelist

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    Do far everything seems to work fine...
    Hey when you finish installing do you know where windows 8 software downloaded to? I have 32 GB left of space on my SSD but after install I only have 15GB left. I ordered the disc, I want to delete the installation file to make space...
     
    devildoc17, Oct 26, 2012
    #14
  15. skygunner27

    skygunner27 A Genuine Child of Zion

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    Disk cleanup can probably delete the installation file.

    installing............ :)

    All I had to uninstall was the Bluetooth drivers.
    Hmmmm I've Been sitting on 29% for quite some time now.
     
    skygunner27, Oct 26, 2012
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  16. juliant

    juliant Notebook Deity

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    I just finished installing absolutely everything. You cannot install windows 8 as a clean installation. It has to be on top of your current windows. It is an upgrade, please remember.

    You can even install windows by having the folder you downloaded saved in the same directory. Once you install windows 8, run the cleaner which comes with it, and select to remove the previous windows files. Everything will be removed and it will look as new. Another thing, please remember not to save your data of your win 7, just start with a clean installation.

    Everything I had it installed and it runs like butter. Much lighter and faster than the win 7. A lot of things have been removed: gadgets, start menu etc. Also for people without a touch screen, if you leave it to load completely you will be directly loaded into windows

    For those who miss the start menu, search for this file / program on google after you install windows 8 Pokki_PokkiSetup.exe

    For those who miss the gadgets, search for this file / program 8GadgetPackSetup.msi

    I think Microsoft has really done something good with windows. Much smaller package installed as well.

    Enjoy it, guys!
     
    juliant, Oct 26, 2012
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  17. devildoc17

    devildoc17 Notebook Evangelist

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    no its because it created a folder named windows old............but i cannot delete it because it says only "TRUSTED INSTALLER HAS ACCESS" DAMN... :mad:
     
    devildoc17, Oct 26, 2012
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  18. skygunner27

    skygunner27 A Genuine Child of Zion

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    My install failed at 29%...maybe it's my razer death stalker.
     
    skygunner27, Oct 26, 2012
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  19. devildoc17

    devildoc17 Notebook Evangelist

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    oh man :( try again? lol
     
    devildoc17, Oct 26, 2012
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  20. skygunner27

    skygunner27 A Genuine Child of Zion

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    Yup it was my razer death stalker...lol. Razer sucks! It failed 3 times with the death stalker. The minute I tried again without it, it's smooth sailing.
     
    skygunner27, Oct 26, 2012
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  21. devildoc17

    devildoc17 Notebook Evangelist

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    You were right! cleanup worked :)
     
    devildoc17, Oct 26, 2012
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  22. skygunner27

    skygunner27 A Genuine Child of Zion

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    Sweet.

    Getting ready........moving your settings.......
     
    skygunner27, Oct 26, 2012
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  23. devildoc17

    devildoc17 Notebook Evangelist

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    yeaaaaaa OSD doesnt work.......
     
    devildoc17, Oct 26, 2012
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  24. devildoc17

    devildoc17 Notebook Evangelist

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    USB 3.0 doesnt seem to be on.... it made me uninstall it but now i cannot reinstall from the dell web site because it says they are incompatible.......
    here is a pic of everything it made me uninstall :( win 8 trubles.png
     
    devildoc17, Oct 26, 2012
    #24
  25. littleone562

    littleone562 Notebook Deity

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    FN+F7 works fine for me :S
     
    littleone562, Oct 26, 2012
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  26. skygunner27

    skygunner27 A Genuine Child of Zion

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    OSD and FN+F7 works for me. So does USB 3.0. I'm lovin W8!
     
    skygunner27, Oct 26, 2012
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  27. devildoc17

    devildoc17 Notebook Evangelist

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    can you take a snapshot of what your usb devices look like under device manager please?
     
    devildoc17, Oct 26, 2012
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  28. teknikk7

    teknikk7 Notebook Geek

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    teknikk7, Oct 26, 2012
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  29. skygunner27

    skygunner27 A Genuine Child of Zion

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    How do I get to device manager?
     
    skygunner27, Oct 26, 2012
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  30. devildoc17

    devildoc17 Notebook Evangelist

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    On the right under "Seach" type device manager
     
    devildoc17, Oct 26, 2012
    #30
  31. skygunner27

    skygunner27 A Genuine Child of Zion

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    Ok. Installing updates and restarting.
     
    skygunner27, Oct 26, 2012
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  32. steviejones133

    steviejones133 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Is that correct, even if you create a bootable USB to do it later? - I was also thinking of getting a backup disc when I get sent the link by MS to download it......maybe sometime Today......maybe.....
     
    steviejones133, Oct 26, 2012
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  33. skygunner27

    skygunner27 A Genuine Child of Zion

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    imgur: the simple image sharer click on link to enlarge.
    [​IMG]

    I can't believe how much faster W8 runs. Now it's time to upgrade all our other M18x's & ALX.
     
    skygunner27, Oct 26, 2012
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  34. Heihachi88

    Heihachi88 Notebook Deity

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    It runs faster than W7? Can you describe process of upgrading from W7 to W8? And how much it cost?
     
    Heihachi88, Oct 26, 2012
    #34
  35. teknikk7

    teknikk7 Notebook Geek

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    Whats up with software compatibility? Can I install all my Windows XP/7 programs with no problem?
     
    teknikk7, Oct 26, 2012
    #35
  36. skygunner27

    skygunner27 A Genuine Child of Zion

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    Buy Windows - Microsoft Windows
    All you have to do is follow the instructions. There is a definite speed increase with W8.

    The only problem that I ran into was when I had my Razer Deathstalker keyboard connected. As far as I know everything works perfectly.
     
    skygunner27, Oct 26, 2012
    #36
  37. Heihachi88

    Heihachi88 Notebook Deity

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    What about alienware style logon screen in W8?
     
    Heihachi88, Oct 26, 2012
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  38. skygunner27

    skygunner27 A Genuine Child of Zion

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    You can change it back, as long as you have the original image.
     
    skygunner27, Oct 26, 2012
    #38
  39. littleone562

    littleone562 Notebook Deity

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    What kind of shortcuts are there for windows 8? For example going to programs quickly etc.
     
    littleone562, Oct 26, 2012
    #39
  40. steviejones133

    steviejones133 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Also, what steps were required regards the gpu drivers? - Nvidia's or Generic?
     
    steviejones133, Oct 26, 2012
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  41. skygunner27

    skygunner27 A Genuine Child of Zion

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    I'm using a Logi T650 W8 touchpad. I'd be hear all day naming the short cuts on that thing through gestures. T650 Wireless Rechargeable Touchpad for Windows 8 - Logitech

    The GPU drivers carry over from W7. All you need to do is activate SLI, Digital Vibrance and whatever else you may have changed.
     
    skygunner27, Oct 26, 2012
    #41
  42. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    With the loss of Aero and transparency things should feel faster like using Windows 7 Basic instead of Aero.

    Are you referring to faster boot times and a sensation of being "zippy" or actual in-game FPS and benchmark numbers improving? I'm curious if all types of software actually run faster or if it just feels faster due to lower OS overhead compared to Windows 7.
     
    Mr. Fox, Oct 26, 2012
    #42
  43. Heihachi88

    Heihachi88 Notebook Deity

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    I am installing win8 this evening, will report :D
     
    Heihachi88, Oct 26, 2012
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  44. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    Thanks, Brother Heihachi88. It will be interesting to find out. Looking forward to your results. I'm too busy with work to take time for this right now.

    With Windows 8 being designed to run on pathetically underpowered appliances like tablets, I would expect it to feel snappy. I'm really interested in how it functions with high performance hardware. That will be the real test of whether it is an "upgrade" or not. If the numbers are better, then I will have to pour myself a glass of the new Microsoft kool-aid.
     
    Mr. Fox, Oct 26, 2012
    #44
  45. FredFlint_

    FredFlint_ Notebook Consultant

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    My OSD and FN + F7 is still not working and I have 2 Unknown devices in the device manager. I will try and re-install the Alienware software and see if that sorts it. Also Dells driver page is down?
     
    FredFlint_, Oct 26, 2012
    #45
  46. killaz05

    killaz05 Notebook Evangelist

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    Well to have the FN + F7 work you need to download all of the alienware software from Dell. IT should work. I have been running the beta with it working. I purchased Windows 8 at 12AM but I will not be installing it until this afternoon. I am going to do a clean install. I hate upgrading and transferring anything that could be corrupt. Some programs like AutoCAD need to be run as windows 7 in compatibility mode but other then that, the system flys. I don't know why people think so poorly of Windows 8. It is very well done in my opinion.
     
    killaz05, Oct 26, 2012
    #46
  47. swordofsilence

    swordofsilence Notebook Consultant

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    I was up at midnight when they made it available, so I downloaded it and did a clean install on a separate partition on my SSD. I downloaded it and selected "install later from desktop." It put the whole install directory in a folder under C:\ESD. I will burn this to a DVD for a backup later. It looks similar to a usual windows DVD (not an ISO image however), so I'm hoping I could make it bootable in case I need to wipe everything and start fresh.

    I did a dual boot because my VPN/RDP connection kept cutting out during the release preview, which was a major disruption for work. I want to make sure this works okay before I commit to it.

    So far so good. I haven't tested gaming on it, but I haven't run into any hardware/driver issues yet. I installed the wireless driver, command center, AW OSD, and the touchpad driver from support.dell.com. I will do some testing this weekend and post back if I run into major issues (so people can be aware).

    Edit: Note I have not used my NVIDIA cards yet - I am just running the IGP right now.
     
    swordofsilence, Oct 26, 2012
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  48. devildoc17

    devildoc17 Notebook Evangelist

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    By the way is anyone is using an Intel 6300 card the wondows 8 drivers havr not been released yet.....
    The windows 7 drivers won't work

    Any ideas?
     
    devildoc17, Oct 26, 2012
    #48
  49. swordofsilence

    swordofsilence Notebook Consultant

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    I have the 2230 and the windows 7 driver on Dell's driver page has been working fine for me so far (fingers crossed).
     
    swordofsilence, Oct 26, 2012
    #49
  50. devildoc17

    devildoc17 Notebook Evangelist

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    yea the 2230 is supported on dells page thats why..... I removed this 6300 from my old R2, but there is no windows 8 support ATM :(
     
    devildoc17, Oct 26, 2012
    #50
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