Trying to reformat this thing...

My brother somehow caused a Corrupt Registry error that completely destroyed my m11x R1 and made it unable to boot up fully. I tried to do the auto repair and diagnostic boot options but they both ended up with errors mostly from something being corrupt.

Anyway, I got fed up and tried to reformat the thing. It formats the drive fine and installs everything but as soon as everything finishes I get an error that reads that 'the windows 7 disk(the one that came with the laptop) is missing a file or a file is corrupt and that nothing will be saved from the setup. It than just hangs after the install cancels itself out and requires a restart.

I'm not sure what to do now... Do I call Alienware and ask why my fresh disk, that I hadn't opened until today, is missing required files or they're corrupt or is it my laptop that is to blame? If it is the disk is there anything that can be done? Don't really have the change to purchase another Windows 7 OS recovery disk...

If all else fails, is it possible to reformat into an older OS or must it be windows 7?

PS - I'm using the m11x R1 and got it less than a year ago.

 

Did you take the time to create rescue media using Dell DataSafe Local? If so, use it.

Also, have you tried another external optical? Perhaps its the drive? Check the W7 disc for any fingerprints - if there are any heavy marks, clean and try again.

If it needs to be replaced, you can use this form:
https://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form

or, better yet, contact support via phone and let them know the media is not being read properly. They will next business day out replacement media via FedEx.

 

Well, I just bought a new drive to test it out, just came in yesterday, though it's only a liteon x8 so maybe that might be it. The disc was just removed from its case today, I never removed it before, when I decided to reformat the thing. Looks fine on the back and it has no fingerrints or scratchs on it.

I believe I did the data save thing but that was a long while back and I'm not really sure how to use it. Checking it up on google now since I don't want to be a bother.

 

you're not being a bother... lol

If you can locate your rescue media you created with DataSafe Local, boot from it and follow the prompts.

If its a USB stick, insert it and power up the system - Repeatedly depress F12 to bring up the boot menu and select USB.

 

Aye... I'm also trying the request backp disc thing but I'm having trouble with the service tag part. I'm pretty sure I got the number right and even tried 3 other numbers in the geneal area of where I was pointed to look but no go on any of them. Only number I haven't put in yet is the product key.

 

Your Service tag can be found on the bottom of the system and also in the BIOS main screen. When starting up, F2 for the BIOS and you'll see it listed. That is the number to use.

Your quickest response will be from calling support.

 

I'll call them tommorrow. It's a bit late here and I'm having a friendly expert try some tricks on it without removing anything. Thanks for all the help.

 

No worries... post back and update on status. Hope it works out.

 

Turns out my tech savvy friend managed to get it to work. He ended up having to delete something partisan and forced the reformatting to continue. Turns out the corrupt/missing files error wasn't entirely true and for some reason my computer was refusing to acknowledge the files untill it was forced down its throat.

 

Good enough, glad its resolved. Closing thread. Have fun with your 11x!