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    Reformatting

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by .PoNeH, Jul 24, 2010.

  1. .PoNeH

    .PoNeH Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm wanting to reformat my computer and I was wondering what would be the best way to do it. I don't have an external DVD drive. I did make my USB drive bootable, but unfortunately it is only 4GB, which doesn't allow for all the contents of the DVD to fit.

    Thanks in advance...
     
    .PoNeH, Jul 24, 2010
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  2. djjosherie

    djjosherie Notebook Consultant

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    Just boot up into the Windows 7 Repair tool and use the Dell system restore to factory defaults.

    As the computer starts, press F8 on the keyboard until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears on the screen. Select Repair Your Computer.

    The last option on the repair menu once you get to it will be for the Dell DataSafe Factory Restore.
     
    djjosherie, Jul 24, 2010
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  3. surfxombie

    surfxombie Notebook Evangelist

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    Or use the Dell Data Safe, which should offer to restore to factory settings then reboot do it after a few confirmation prompts.
     
    surfxombie, Jul 24, 2010
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  4. .PoNeH

    .PoNeH Notebook Evangelist

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    The point is that I don't want all that bloatware...
     
    .PoNeH, Jul 26, 2010
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  5. aznboi855

    aznboi855 Notebook Consultant

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    Then you'll probably have to invest in a 8gb usb or an external dvd drive.
     
    aznboi855, Jul 26, 2010
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  6. Tblazer13

    Tblazer13 Notebook Geek

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    Just copy the windows disk included with you m11x to your 4gb flash drive using this Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool. If you don't own another computer with an optical drive just use a friend's.

    EDIT: This tool requires an .iso file and will not directly copy the contents of your disk. Just use kent1146's guide.
     
    Tblazer13, Jul 26, 2010
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  7. kent1146

    kent1146 Notebook Prophet

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    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).
     
    kent1146, Jul 26, 2010
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  8. Tblazer13

    Tblazer13 Notebook Geek

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    Tblazer13, Jul 28, 2010
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  9. .PoNeH

    .PoNeH Notebook Evangelist

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    I thought we did have a broadband card in these machines?! Right!?
     
    .PoNeH, Jul 29, 2010
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  10. corwinicre

    corwinicre Notebook Deity

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    if you mean 10/100, then yes; if you mean 10/100/1000, then no
     
    corwinicre, Jul 29, 2010
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  11. kent1146

    kent1146 Notebook Prophet

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    He means Wireless WAN broadband cards ... cellular modems.

    And you only have a wireless broadband card if you paid the extra $120 for the option when you ordered your laptop, plus an extra $60/month from your cellular provider for service. Believe me, if you have a broadband card in your M11x, you would absolutely KNOW that you do. If you're not sure, then you don't have one.
     
    kent1146, Jul 29, 2010
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  12. Inate8

    Inate8 Notebook Guru

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    So, if one was so inclined to completely remove the Dell Data Safe does that completely get rid of the "repair partition" ie, still partitioned, just no data or does the computer still hold a base image for you there, just not updated like the DDS seems to do.

    I ask because I want to keep my m11x warranty happy, but I really hate the botched windows install they did, everything feels... wrong unless I do it myself, hahah.
     
    Inate8, Jul 29, 2010
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  13. kent1146

    kent1146 Notebook Prophet

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    If you wipe your recovery/repair partition, then yes, you lose your ability to "repair" your computer using that image.

    You won't void your warranty on your hardware - you just might find it a little more difficult getting support from Dell/Alienware for software-related issues. If you are comfortable doing your own support for software-related issues, then you should be fine blowing that partition away.
     
    kent1146, Jul 29, 2010
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  14. .PoNeH

    .PoNeH Notebook Evangelist

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    I think I'd rather keep that then. I have issues getting through to their tech reps already as it is... wouldn't want to add any extra hurdles.
     
    .PoNeH, Jul 29, 2010
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  15. Tblazer13

    Tblazer13 Notebook Geek

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    Removing Dell Data Safe does not remove the recovery partition, although I believe it renders it unusable. You can however create a copy of the repair partition on an 8GB flash drive using Data Safe. That way you get can remove the recovery partition and data safe or do a clean install while still having the ability to restore the factory image.
     
    Tblazer13, Jul 30, 2010
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  16. Fa310tx

    Fa310tx Notebook Geek

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    I spent an annoying amount of time trying to make a bootable windows xp/7 usb device (microsdhc in this case).
    This is what finally worked. Note that there isn't an option to bypass the thumb drive (like the cd/dvd would). Also, I'm using a usb/microsd adapter. It probably won't work with the onboard card reader.
    I did 2 windows 7 and 1 server 2008 r2 installs with this. I haven't tried xp this way. I did an xp install using wintoflash, but it takes a long time.
    This is from maximumpc, I think.
    JJ
     
    Fa310tx, Feb 4, 2011
    #16