Alienware M11xr2 Recovery Problem

I received my M11xr2 2 weeks ago and loved everything about it . However, I was getting annoyed of the bloatware that I just reformatted and installed a new copy of windows ultimate (recovery partition still intact). The newly reformatted version was quick and fast, but didn't really contain the alienware wallpapers and logon/logoff background logo screen. However, after countless hours of reading the forums, I actually found the wallpapers and found how to install and fresh new theme. However, the logon/logoff background logo was still bugging me since I liked the design that they provided. However, I did use the Windows 7 Logon Background Changer - Customize your Windows 7 welcome screen wallpaper as the background changer and the image I wanted to change to was this: Imageshack - alienwarelogon.jpg . However, even though I did change the image, it wasn't as it was since every time I accessed the task manager, the logo "alienware" seemed to interfere with the task manager text. Annoyed I decided to switch back to the factory settings to get the original logo picture. Sadly, I never knew that you had to do a Dell Datasafe Local in order to save the image of your factory settings so you could later use it if you were to reformat, so that program pretty much disappeared from my freshly installed Windows 7 Ultimate. I called Dell tech support and this nice gentleman actually told me that the factory image used to allow rollover back to its original factory settings was only available in models that they sold 18 months ago (1.5 years). He said the older models allowed the f10 button to be used so that you could restore it to factory settings. Sadly I never knew that the M11xr2 didn't have that function anymore since they took out due to some problems with the driver updates. I was reading the manual (page 86-89) and it stated that the CD that they provided had the installation media, which I thought meant programs such as cyberlink, mcaffee, the drivers, etc...Furthermore, when I tried the f8 button and went to Advanced Boot Options, selected Repair Your Computer, and tried to look for Dell Factory Image Recovery and DataSafe Options it was nowhere to be found. Now the question here is that, does anyone know how to actually find the ACTUAL factory image that has allowed me to install my machine back to its original settings. I felt stupid since I wanted to experience that M11xr2 first hand rather than read the instructions carefully.

Now to recap for those who didn't really want to read the rant that I had:

1. Took the M11xr2 and reformatted it using my OWN copy of windows 7 ultimate (not the alienware CD) in hopes of making my computer run faster.
2. Never made a backup Dell Datasafe Local backup image.
3. WANTED to restore the M11 back to original factory settings so I can take all the themes, wallpapers, and programs (cyberlink, mcaffee, other programs i forget...)
4. Cannot find the image to actually do that.
5. Dell tech representative said it was not available to download nor was the f10 option available for system restore.

Now to the real question...how do you find the actually factory image?

Solutions:
I've been through these forums so far:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/502954-reformatting.html

this one told me things I either knew already or was too late on doing...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/482283-alienware-m11x-recovery-problem.html

this is probably an extension from this topic and this next link was actually helpful and even a Dell tech representative actually verified it...however, I cannot get my machine to actually show me where my hidden drive is.

Unable to restore an Alienware M11x - Laptop General Hardware Forum - Laptop - Dell Community

I know that some people don't really mind just doing a fresh install and using their own themes, but I really enjoyed the alienware theme and hope someone can help me on this problem. Thanks!

-aznkameraboi

 

When you reinstalled, did you reformat the windows partition, or did you repartition the hard drive? If you just reformatted, then the backup partition is still there. I haven't had to do it, but I'd assume you just have to reinstall Dell's backup software and play with the settings in there. I don't know if you'll get the f10 boot option back, but you might (someone else will have to help with that). If instead you repartitioned, then it's possible you got rid of it.

To see if it's there, hit windowskey+r and type in diskmgmt.msc. This will show which partitions are on your hard drive. On mine, the first is an OEM partition, which is the tools available at boot. Second is the recovery partition. It should be easy to recognize because it's labeled "RECOVERY".

 

You will need to contact Dell Support concerning the lost Dell DataSafe Local app.

 

I've tried that already. The problem was that they didn't have the program nor link that could send me. As funny as it sounds...the f10 button was pretty much the solution to everything. With a press of that button, people were able to format their computers and reinstall a fresh copy of windows along with the drivers that were inputted into the partition that they placed in. Right now, I am still trying to figure out how I could access that partition in order to find the image that would help me rollover back to its original factory settings. I mean after all the partition labeled RECOVERY does take up 15-16 gigs of space on my harddrive. Thanks for the suggestion BatBoy. I might call again today to see if another representative knew what I was talking about.

 

Oh and to answer corwinicre question, I did not reformat the windows partition nor repartitioned it. Basically when I go to Computer, right-click on Manage, and select Disk Management, it shows me the partitioned OEM, the partitioned Recovery, and partitioned boot drive (C drive). Thanks for the response corwinicre.

 

I had the same problem and solved it. I reinstalled Datasafe which can be found on the dell website if your system qualifies. To qualify, your system has to still have the recovery partition untouched.
The following app, by Dell, runs a check on your system and opens up a web page with the download link to the Datasafe software.
Hope this helps.

Cheers!
Hotfile.com: One click file hosting: DSLCheck.rar

By the way, all you need is Dell Datasafe Basic.

 

haha minibob, this looks pretty legit. right now, my m11x has been verified and im trying to create a backup disc, but I guess my external dvd writer doesn't support the "blu-ray software" needed to go on, so i decided to use a usb instead. I hope this is the factory image that I so desperately want so i can dig in and reinstall everything into factory settings. +1 for you, my friend

 

I used an 8gb memory card. Datasafe created a boot drive with it. Once created, I booted from the USB drive and the recovery back to factory fresh was successful and even uneventful. It went smooth as silk. Now I have that USB key stored away so that I can restore to factory if I ever need to. However, if you keep datasafe installed and the hidden partition untouched, it should be able to factory restore in a self contained way without the need for the boot key.

What datasafe did was create a bootable usb key with a copy of the recovery partition contained right on the key. I think that's pretty cool .

Thanks for the +1
Cheers!

 

Be sure to put some tape over the business end of the USB drive or label it clearly lest you inadvertently use, wipe or loan it out!

 

Actually, I saw the restore point when I installed it. I created a backup on my usb took it out. Then I clicked on the restore button and it showed that my factory image was set at the date i had actually received my m11x. Funny thing is that when I tried to restore it, it gave me the option of restarting and putting me in the recovery environment. Therefore, I restarted. Now at this point, it automatically loaded me to the recovery environment I believe, and ask asked me to log in using my user name and password for my computer. It gives me 5 recovery tools: Startup Repair, System Restore, System Image Recovery, Windows memory Diagnostic, and Command Prompt. It also gave me the option of Shutting Down and Restarting. Now at this point, I really have absolutely no idea what to do since I thought that Dell would have given me a no hassle reinstallation of my factory settinngs. Care to give me additional insight minibob?

OH and btw, I never knew that a 8gb memory card would be able to help you to load your drivers. Is it even possible since I thought the only bootable media would be DVD or USB, not an actual SD card.

 

1- Use datasafe with 8gb key to create a recovery boot key.
2- Restart computer hitting F12 when the first boot screen appears (Alien Head with red load bar)
3- This brings you to boot options. Choose your USB key as the boot drive.
4- Follow the instructions that appear and choose factory restore if asked.

I went throught the same song and dance as you did with restore points and system restore.... Never got it to work.

The above method gets you back to factory install just like when you first booted the computer.

Good luck.

 

That should be F12. F2 is BIOS.

 

Yes, you are right, slickie88
In my eagerness to be swift in my response, I was erroneous.
I edited the post with the correction.
Oh and I never said SD card. I always said USB key. I don't think you can boot from an SD card or at least I never even bothered trying.

 

Yeah, you can't boot from and SD. Who mentioned SD?

 

Hahaha alright. Well, I do have a microSD adapter that allows me to switch from the microSD to usb. Anyway, thanks slickie88 and minibob for the input.

btw, i thought SD card since minibob kept saying 8gb memory card, so i was actually thinking that it was the memory card itself rather than a USB drive. Either way, I think it was a misinterpretation. Also, it would be lovely to carry around a microSD card that contains the information that you need rather than a bulky USB drive or a fragile DVD disc.

 

I just used the Dell Datasafe software to make recovery DVDs. It took a total of 2 DVDs. Was this the same number for everyone else? I am assuming these two DVDs will bring the m11x back to Factory state without all the software that I had installed on it since receiving the laptop.

 

Sounds right. Single layer DVDs hold 4.7GB. Not sure I'd care to have my recovery media spread across two discs though.

 

I agree with slickie88. When I created my recovery USB "STICK", DataSafe said that it needed an 8gb sized one minimum for the recovery boot image.
And yes, you are right that those 2 DVDs are now your restore media for a factory fresh restore.

Cheers!

 

Alright sounds good. I just tried the USB stick install...worked like a charm. Now I'm removing all the bloatware and enjoying all the themes and such. You guys were extremely helpful. I swear, it took me a long time to find the DellData Backup but thanks to you minibob, my life is MUCH MUCH easier.

Last question though...when you guys had the computer factory installed, did they come with the latest drivers that were up to the date you received it? I'm looking through the drivers that were on my factory install and I see most of the drivers like synaptic touchpad, audio drivers, and even the graphics media accelerator driver were installed. Just wondering whether I should just go through the downloads as if the factory install were a blank slate...

EDIT:
I am adding these links for safe keeping and to remind me that if I ever wanted to do a factory install or fresh install, I would go to these sites for a good look at what to install/what not to install etc etc.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/502334-fresh-install-factory-default-install-2.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/504299-m11xr2-initial-plan-action.html

 

You're going to want to download the latest drivers and apps. Specifically the newer Command Center, the latest from Nvidia (258.96 WHQL), and the latest driver from Synaptics for its two-finger scroll and gestures features that the Dell driver doesn't have.

 

Normally you would get a system with the latest drivers available before your ship date. If I were you I would simply note my ship date and download all drivers that have a date that falls after the ship date.
You may also download ALL available drivers for your system and keep them on hand if you wish. It's all up to you, I guess.

By the way, if you run datasafe, it will find and install an update and patch your recovery partition. You may want to reflash your USB "Stick" with the latest version of your recovery partition after the update.

Cheers!

 

I guess your are going to have to point him to the thread that explains how to install the Nvidia driver with the patched .inf file.

 

hahaha its alright guys. i know how to do it. I was just wondering about the Datasafe update patch. So i just run it and it would update my partition automatically?

 

That is correct.

 

Thanks for the confirmations Guys.

 

I was looking at these forums for the new drivers 258.96. So apparently there was minor differences from the one Kopicha showed the forum from 7/11/10 to the new one released on 7/19/10 (WHQL).

can you still use the same nvdm.zip?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...er-258-96-beta-discussion-relating-11xr2.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...r-258-96-whql-discussion-relating-m11xr2.html

 

question for everyone.
i tried doing what you all described in reformatting. i even called dellienware and they did alien conect and they reinstalled alien respawn on my computer which is same as datasafe but each and everytime i use it to try reformat i get this black screen. i tried it with the datasafe program tried it with their new alien respawn that they installed for me. tried it with the pressing f8 on bootup screen. tried it with the usb flashdrive that i made with the datasafe



alienware told me good luck

 

i am not computer smart enough to do this "clean install" dont know anything about bios and drivers

 

I'm really perplexed about why people go through all this song and dance to get the "bloatware" off. There was no bloatware on mine at all. What are you guys referring to? I uninstalled Mcafee and after I created my 8 GB usb recovery stick, I uninstalled Alien Respawn...other than that where is the "bloatware"?
Stardock could be considered bloatware, I guess, but just uninstall it.
Now HP computers DO have what you might call bloatware, but the m11xr2 I received was pretty much clean and mean.

 

LOL - agreed.

 

i'm not trying to get rid this "bloatware" i just feel that my m11xr2 is running slower and slower lately because i been messing around installing/uninstalling so much junk and doing all these "tweak programs" people do with their systems and trying like 50 bagillion nvidia gpu drivers just to get FF11 to run higher than 5fps. i just want a fresh start just like day 1 when i received my laptop. but reformatting with datasafe or alien respawn or with the 8gb usb flashdrive i made with the datasafe backup program doesnt work. all i get is the same bsod screen

 

oh duh...... I put my recovery disk image #1 onto the dvd drive and used F12 to boot the drive, windows starts and nothing happens!

 

Ah, now I understand. I went through the same thing and wound up doing a recovery about a week after I received my laptop and it was a heck of a problem just trying to do a simple restore from the recovery partition. I don't remember how I did the restore other than that I used the USB stick somehow in the process.
Did you try choosing the "repair" option on that page?

 

I went through a similar experience myself, where I uninstalled Alien Respawn not realizing how much of a headache I was causing myself. I searched and searched and searched for a way to redownload and hours later I finally came across it, although I can't remember where.

However I ended up not needing it because I found this link below which solved my problem.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19325513.aspx

Just some quick notes on my experience doing this.

1. I went into disk management and reasigned my RECOVERY drive to drive D, this allowed me to Explore the drive.

2. The second thing I did was went into the Folder options and allowed Hidden Files to be seen as well unchecking the box that hides Protected Operating System Files. This will allow you to see all the hidden folders and files in your Recovery Partition. This step is explained in the link provided as well.

Now upon doing this I was not able to access the Dell/Image/Factory.wim file that is explained about. All my files had locks and when I tried to access the files in the folder an AlienRespawn warning showed up.

Upon trying to remove the locks by giving myself permission to do so, it never worked so I just pressed on with the assumption that the Factory.WIM file was there.

Eventually it all worked out. Be careful on step 13 however. I went step by step and was able to restore my machine without having Alien Respawn installed on my computer.

Just a quick edit: I have an M11xR1, so I hope this works for R2's as well.

 

that screenshot isnt options its statements. only thing i can do on that screen is hit enter and boots to win7 normally or hit esc and it boots to win7 normally

 

My OEM partition was gone after the USB recovery? Is that normal? lolz