just got my m11x!

I just opened my m11x and this is the first website im loading haha. this thing is awesome. I got a refurb stock r1 from the outlet for 519$, doesnt have a mark on it. Should be getting my 4gb ram sometime later today. What should I do first? after removing Mcaffee and not running the face recog app

 

Check if the keyboard is touching the screen when you close it and if there are any vertical marks, check both hinges if they are align and if there is a crekaing sound when opening and closing.

 

Thanks! checked both and they seem to be fine. There is a larger gap between the hinges on the left compared to the right, but no funky movement or sounds.

D/l bf2 from steam right now

 

I would consider a clean reformat of the system.

When I got my Alienware M11x, I used the factory hard drive image and uninstalled software I didn't want, until I finally got the software config I wanted. I then did a clean reformat, and installed apps until I got the software config that I wanted.

The clean format was significantly faster in bootup (33sec vs 17sec on an SSD), and used significantly less memory on idle (1100MB vs 800MB), despite both machines having "identical" software configs.

 

What Windows disc did you use to do the reinstall? I've been trying one of the 48-in-1 discs, but everytime I've done it (twice so far), windows fails to recognize the machine as genuine, despite having used the OEM sticker on the bottom. Even tried with a Windows 7 Home Premium that claimed to be untouched...

ugh!

 

There are different product keys for different distributions / types of Windows 7 installs.

For example, the product key for a Windows 7 Home Premium OEM edition will be different than the product key for a Windows 7 Home Premium Retail edition, which will be different than W7HP MSDN edition; even though all of those products are Windows 7 Home Premium.

The 48-in-1 disc that you're using isn't using the correct Windows 7 Home Premium that matches your product key (W7HP OEM edition). You can easily get around this problem by just using the Recovery DVD that came with your laptop. It will contain the correct version / edition of Windows 7 that matches the product key that you have.

 

If I reinstall Windows using the Recovery DVD that came with the laptop, wouldn't I be reinstalling all the Dell Crapware too? Sorry for the noob question--I am new at this.

 

No, you will not be reinstalling any Dell bloatware. The Recovery DVD is more or less just straight Windows 7.

 

bloatware.... So many ask about this and I have no idea why. At max, the bloatware would be McAff if you do not like their app (I personally do not). Sure you can consider OSD and Command Center as 'bloatware' but most happen to like these apps (especially if you want to change your LED colors)

Other than that, Dell hasn't shipped bloatware (defined as trialware) for some time.

First thing you should do when setting up your system? This gets overlooked quite a bit...

OPEN ALIENRESPAWN
Create your Rescue Media
Place Rescue Media in a safe place

This allows you to restore to the out of box state. you know - when you first depress the power button and are greeted with the 'lets setup windows' screen...

Please take the time to do this - you may need it later. Especially on the 11x.

 

In all fairness, there are plenty of applications that get pre-installed that:

• Take up system resources; and/or
• Slow down bootup time; and/or
• Will never get used by me.
• Are not trialware or subscrition-based.

AlienRespawn is a perfect example of that. It is not trialware. It takes up system resources, and I will never use it. I consider that to be "bloatware".

Some more examples of these kinds of apps:

• AlienRespawn - If I ever need to reinstall an OS on my machine, I will do it from scratch starting with a bare OS.
• Recovery partitions on the HDD - I don't want several GB of my drive to be used for recovery utils. If there ever is some kind of problem that can be solved by restoring the machine to factory drive image, I can figure it out myself.
• Dell WiFi Utility - Windows 7 WiFi management is good enough for me. Really don't need a Dell-branded app that replicates the functionality of the core OS.
• Stardock WindowsBlinds - Don't need themes, thanks.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader - Don't remember if this comes pre-installed, but no thanks.

Booting into the factory drive image and uninstalling the stuff you don't want still will nto give you the same performance as if you had done clean reformat + install apps you did want... even if the final software / OS configuration is identical. I happen to be very picky about what goes on my machine, and a clean reformat starting with a bare OS install is the only way that I can be sure that I get my machine configured exactly the way I want.

 

Like you kent, I was just sharing my opinion.

 

Internet forums at their best

 

tempted to reformat the whole drive when i get it!

EDIT: I should be able to use my win 7 ultimate disc over the provided alienware disc.

 

So... Might have misplaced the disc that came with my M11x.. Anyone feel like making an image of theirs and sending to me?

 

has anyone installed from an OEM disc (not the disc provided in the box but a bought one from a PC shop) using the CD key from dell/alienware and does it work?

 

JMHO, there is no bloatware on the MX11's. If you don't like McAffee - uninstall it. If you don't like Stardock Themes - uninstall it. Use Revouninstaller to remove them if you are really picky.
Just enjoy your new lappy instead of spending hours and possibly days reinstalling everything from scratch. A myriad of things can go wrong with that procedure - just look at all the threads on this forum of unhappy people who tried to do this.
DO do a backup of some sort through Acronis or Windows Backup AND follow BatBoy's instructions to make an AlienSpawn backup - you will need to buy an 8 GB thumb drive for the AlienSpawn backup.
Have fun with your new M11X - don't make it a big chore - not necessary.

 

i don't think doing a full OS reinstall is THAT bad, just tedious.

 

(joke - hope Kent has a sense of humor)
Just bought a new car and I've been looking on the Honda Fit forums for Kent telling people they need to take the car apart as soon as they get it and reassemble it.

 

You've been warned. Have fun.
(I used to build all our computers for years and I had to reinstall everything on the M11X once because I shot myself in the foot.)

 

what can go wrong?

(famous last words!)

 

Heh, heh.

 

i still don't see how doing a full OS reinstall would cause issues at a high rate. if there's a problem it's usually someone not knowing how to do the job properly.

 

Keep an eye on that gap on the left side hinge. I have only had mine for 2 weeks and the gap on the left side gas gotten tighter. Right now the bottom left corner of the lid lightly touches the upper left corner of the case when I open the lid.

I would call AW about it but the rest of my M11x is great. I really don't want to make AW send me a replacement M11x out of fear It could have worse problems.

I also don't want it worked on as much as possible. So my plan is to try to hold out for the new redesigned hinges.

Chris

 

i'll watch the hinge for sure. I was one of the good guys workin for geeksquad their first 5 years, and have been building computers since i was 8,so this isnt all new to me. Just been holed up @ the hospital and rents for months dealing with a crohns flair up, so ive been out of it. Only thing i dont like is BFBC2 runs kinda crummy, is there a specific driver that works best?I even oc'd the 335m a bit, still choppy

 

It's just that there's no real reason to do it, but it's your call.
Use the laptop for a while before you decide that it has too much "bloatware" on it for you to tolerate or whatever the reason would be to wipe it and reinstall everything.
There are no drivers on the disc that Dell gives you; you have to install all the drivers (downloaded from the internet) and in a certain order...if you want to do it, look for threads that explain the procedure.
Some people just like to fool with their computers or laptops...actually I'm guilty of that myself.

 

Lets be clear here and remind folks that you don't get to redefine "bloatware" to justify your actions. It is your computer and if installing from scratch gets you a benefit you have no need to justify it.

Fact is the M11x doesn't really have bloatware. Some people actually WANT antivirus and prefer the preinstalled brands. Its true! Ditto for MSOffice (which will stop selling w/media anyway). The LED controls, even if resource heavy, are not in context considered bloat.

There are differences in systems... some that have never been pruned still do as good (performance) or better than other systems even those done "clean". To an extent it depends on luck.