Fresh Install or Factory Default Install?

So I am just curious on who actually formats there m11x r2 and installs the fresh OS instead of using the factory default OS.

 

I planned to reinstall--had Windows on a usb drive and everything before mine arrived--but there really wasn't much extra installed, so I went with the factory install. All I remember taking off were Adobe Reader (bloatware) and Dell's backup software (it kept changing the mbr, which messed with GRUB, making the computer not boot up).

 

I went with the pre-installed since everything is set up already and there wasn't really anything extra on there. All I had to do was remove mcafee.

 

I would fresh. If you are adding a new SSD, Fresh install all the way.

 

ALWAYS fresh install... Always... I like control (to my best ability) of what goes on the machine. I use it for GAMING mostly and some watching of videos or blu-ray movies. A full level format and fresh install is a good thing.

Best wishes,

StevenX

 

I stick with the factory install for the most part. No issues. My 17xR1 still has the original vista install 2nd HDD is W7.

A note to anyone considering a clean install, BE SURE TO run Dell DataSafe Local prior to wiping your system. Create the emergency rescue USB flash drive (you'll need an 8GB stick) or rescue DVDs. If you skip this, good luck on restoring to factory if you need it. For additional info DataSafe Local and the 11xR1/R2, use the forum search feature as this has been discussed before in multiple threads.

 

I am thinking about doing a fresh install but what stopped me was the lack of a DVD drive. I did however buy an external USB one. Can I boot to a windows disk from a external USB drive to start the installation process?

 

Yes, there should be no problems booting from an external USB optical drive. You may need to hit f12 during post and select it though.

 

Factory image here, although I do religiously update drivers and applications. I too didn't feel the stock image required anything more than removing the applications I don't need and doing the usual Windows 7 optimizations.

 

The M11x R2 didn't come with any garbages I didn't need so I didn't have to fresh install.

 

I was going to do a fresh install but it was alot cleaner than i expected so i stuck with the original.

 

I saved some money by doing a fresh install of Windows 7 Ultimate.

Came with Home Premium and.. was another 150 for Ultimate. So just installed my own copy.

 

The factory install wasn't bad, I don't even think mine had Mcaffee installed. I would have kept it if it wasn't for that f*****g 16GB restore partition which I had no use for after making the USB recovery drive. I could not for the life of me recover that space. I could delete the partition, but couldn't add the resulting unallocated space to the main partition. It failed about halfway through every time using gparted and using EASUS partition manager resulted in an unbootable mess. At least my data was backed up, after trying a few times I just gave up and did a fresh install from the disk. I usually do fresh installs anyway, I just wish it hadn't been such a pain in the behind to get rid of that recovery partition. Which by the way is restored along with everything else when you use the usb drive, arrrrggghhhh. /nerdrage

Other than that little mess I love my M11x to death.

 

I made an earlier post here that addresses your question. My config (Core i5 non-overclocked, 4GB RAM, SSD) gets me from power-button to Windows desktop in about 25 seconds. Video here.

Here is the contents of the post:

When I first got my Alienware M11x, I booted the machine up and uninstalled everything I didn't want. Soon afterwards, I decided to do a clean reformat instead, and boy was there a difference. If you want top performance from your computer, do a clean install from scratch instead of using the factory image.

I did not have an external optical drive. I installed Windows 7 Ultimate off of a USB key, using this guide below. You will need a computer with an optical drive and USB port, and a USB key that is 4GB or larger.
How To: Install Windows 7 from a USB Key! | Maximum PC

Once you complete the install, you need to install drivers. You can find them on Welcome to Dell Support --> Drivers and Downloads. Download these drivers onto another machine, and copy them over to your Alienware M11x after a clean reformat:

• Alienware - OSD Application
• Alienware - Command Center
• Dell - Custom Desktop Themes (optional)
• Audio - Realtec Driver - ALC665
• Chipset - Intel Driver - QS57 Express Chipset (for the R2)
• Chipset - JMicron Driver - JMB380 1394
• Chipset - JMicron JMB380C - Card Reader
• Input Device Drivers - Synaptics Touchpad
• Network - Atheros Driver - AR8132 LAN 10/100
• Network - Wireless 365 Bluetooth Module
• Network - Dell Wireless WLAN 1520 Half MiniCard
• SATA Drives - ST Microelectronics - DE351DL Free Fall Sensor
• Video - Intel Driver - Graphic Media Accelerator HD
• Video - nVidia Driver - Geforce GT335M (or use modded INF drivers)

What you might be interested in is what I *DIDN'T* install:

• Applications - Dell - Custom Desktop Themes (I didn't like them).
• BIOS - Alienware BIOS (since I already had the latest one)
• Communication - Wireless Broadband Drivers (since I didn't have a broadband card)
• Network - Intel Drivers - WiFi Link (since I don't have those cards)
• Network - Dell - Wireless WLAN 1520 Half MiniCard (I downloaded these, extracted these, but manually installed the drivers. I did not go through the Setup.exe program, since it installs a bunch of garbage)
• SATA Drives - Intel Rapid Storage Technology (useless)

I also went through msconfig, and chose not to start up any unnecessary startup applications. I also disabled AlienSense, the facial recognition login tool, because it consumes a bunch of resources. I also disabled the FAService from Windows Services, because it consumes a bunch of resources related to AlienSense.

Beyond that, you simply download and install the apps that you want off of the internet. Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, Avast! Free Antivirus, Java, Flash, Steam, WinRAR, and Foxit PDF Reader (*NEVER EVER* install Adobe Acrobat Reader. It is a piece of junk. Foxit PDF Reader FTW).

 

i didnt have issue with the factory image. in fact this is one of the best i have seen. minimal bloatwares. in fact to me is none. as i consider things like command centre being a bloatware. its something being use for having certain control with certain features that came with the laptop. unless you choose throw away certain features that came with the machine that is entirely up to you. this is individual preference. to me in most cases i will normally prefer fresh install due to bloatwares. really depends on how you define bloatwares. like some ppl actually consider adobe reader as bloatware which its not to me since i have use for that.

 

The bloatware that annoys me the most out of any pre-built system are "trial" programs (like McAfee Antivirus for 90 days) and the crap utilities that comes with drivers.

I don't need the Dell WiFi Finder utility (the native Win7 WiFi manager works just fine). I don't need Intel Storage Matrix. I don't need a trial version of Microsoft Office. I don't even need Adobe Acrobat Reader (Foxit Reader FTW). Rather than uninstall that stuff and suffer a performance hit, I'd rather just do a clean format and tweak my system exactly how I want.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I usually do a fresh install but I did notice that the factory install wasn't bad at all except McAfee. The only reason I am considering a clean install is because I have some performance issues with WoW as I am sure you guys are aware of because there is a 25+ page thread about it.

BUT I am holding back because my reason for doing so isn't probably going to rectify my problem.

 

I just stuck my Ultimate key into the "Windows Anytime Upgrade" and no more than 10 minutes later my copy was upgraded.

 

My GPU throttles that easily after i did a clean install? OMG?
Now it throttles every game i play when the GPU hit 78C...... oh duh....
I can't hear any fan noise too

 

My GPU throttles that easily after i did a clean install? OMG?
Now it throttles every game i play when the GPU hit 78C...... oh duh....
I can't hear any fan noise too

 

My GPU throttles that easily after i did a clean install? OMG?
Now it throttles every game i play when the GPU hit 78C...... oh duh....
I can't hear any fan noise too

 

Well i did a fresh install and now the GPU throttles every game i play when it reaches 78C....... I disabled powermizer but that doesn't help at all, geez!

 

Well i did a fresh install and now the GPU throttles every game i play when it reaches 78C....... I disabled powermizer but that doesn't help at all, geez!

 

Well i did a fresh install and now the GPU throttles every game i play when it reaches 78C....... I disabled powermizer but that doesn't help at all, geez!

 

Well i did a fresh install and now the GPU throttles every game i play when it reaches 78C....... I disabled powermizer but that doesn't help at all, geez!

 

Well i did a fresh install and now the GPU throttles every game i play when it reaches 78C....... I disabled powermizer but that doesn't help at all, geez!

 

Well i did a fresh install and now the GPU throttles every game i play when it reaches 78C....... I disabled powermizer but that doesn't help at all, geez!