Windows 7 fresh install?

I'm in the process of backing up my important files and games, then I'm going to do a fresh install of Windows 7. How exactly do I do this on the M11X without an external DVD drive?

 

Install Windows off of a USB key.

Maximum PC | How To: Install Windows 7 from a USB Key!

You really only need to start paying attention on Step 2 and later. Step 1 is basically a very convoluted way of telling you to format your USB key as an NTFS drive with a single partition.


I made an earlier post here that is related to you 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
• SATA Drives - Intel Rapid Storage Technology
• Video - Intel Driver - Graphic Media Accelerator HD
• Video - nVidia Driver - Geforce GT335M (download directly from nVidia's website)

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)

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. I also disabled AlienFusion, because it is known to conflict with Windows 7 Power Management.

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).

 

Thank you so much, Kent.

I don't understand all this command line crap though...

 

No problem.

Yes, the Recovery DVD that comes with your laptop will be enough. The "code" that you need is the Windows 7 Product Key. It is a 25-digit product key of a bunch of numbers and letters. You can find your product key on a sticker on the bottom of your laptop.

As for all of that command line crap... yeah, don't worry about it. Just make sure your USB flash drive is formatted to NTFS. You can do this quickly by going to My Computer --> Right-click on the drive letter for your USB Flash Drive --> Format. Make sure "File System = NTFS".

You also need to make sure that your USB Flash Drive only has one partition on it. If you don't know what that means, or aren't sure how to create new partitions, then you don't need to worry about this part.

Once you format your drive to an NTFS file system, just proceed with Step 2 of that MaximumPC guide that I linked.

 

There's an even easier way to prep a USB drive for booting. Download and install this utility. Be sure to run it as administrator, and follow the prompts. Don't worry that it says for Windows 2000, it works just fine on 7. After that, follow the steps in the Maximum PC guide.

 

OK thanks!

 

Also I assume I should reformat my hard drive before doing this?

 

There's really no need to. When you install Win 7, there is an option to format or create partitions on your drive before you begin.

 

If you mean, let the Windows 7 installer do it, yes. If you mean formatting it before running the installer, that's not necessary.

 

Oh ok thanks.

 

Broken, before you jump in and wipe everything, if you have not already done so - use AlienRespawn and create your Rescue Media. If you ever need to go back to the out of box state, this will be the only way to do so if you wipe the drive by clean installing windows.

 

Thank you.

I'll do that now.

 

OK, this is a dumb question, but I'm going to ask it anyway: Can you use the rescue media you create to re-install on a new/different hard drive?

 

yes, you can. just drop in another drive, boot up with the rescue media and follow the prompts.

 

Sweet. Thanks.

 

i have an OEM disc of win7 and so can i use that to install and activate win7 (provided i've deleted the ei.cfg file) with the CD provided by alienware?