HOW TO: Clean Windows 7 Install (Driver Install Order) Guide for Alienware Systems

Go to the Dell Driver page and look up your system by model or service tag. You'll find the correct driver there. Short answer is yes, it's the same device.

If you are using Google Chrome or Firefox, try Internet Explorer instead. I was having exactly the same issue using Chrome (my default browser) and IE loads the page fine. This has only been in the last week or less. Chrome usually works fine.

 

I keep formatting and cleaning the drive and realized that the recovery partition was for an m14x which I removed the drive from.. Would that cause a problem?

Main question is where can I get command centre? I have the resource DVD and see nothing.

I downloaded what I think is command centre from dell support and got errors in installing it and one time got errors during windows update .

I'm following batboys guide step for step and everything is working great until I get to command centre and/or windows update where the problem seems to be command centre.


Doing my 4th clean install again now and am afraid to put command centre on it.

 

I would think that it's ok to install from the m14x disk if it looks like this (it doesn't have any drivers or software on it), but I would NEVER use AlienRespawn disks from the m14x (disks you have to burn yourself)


Before you install Command Center, do you install Microsoft .Net Framework 4? Command Center will not work without it.

Here are the links to the latest Command Center:

m17xR2

m17xR3

 

Command centre is a bit of a glitchy/tempremental programme. It requires (or is advised) to have all the latest .NET updates installed prior to installing Command Centre.

If you follow the guide, before installing CC, run windows update until you are bang up to date and THEN and ONLY then, install Command Centre. Make sure you grab the latest version for your system via Dell Drivers & Downloads and use your service tag to get the right drivers for your computer.

 

Thanks guys cc is a pain. That framework thing is exactly the errors im getting and then updates fail.

The ssd is from an m14x and I noticed the separate partition but I never used it etc. I'm clueless as to how recovery and restore works I gave up trying to figure it out. I will be wiping the separate partition on my next install.

I thought I followed the first post here and it does say install command centre and THEN windows update? Looks like I'll be doing all updates first.

So the framework thing is a part of updates or downloaded separately?

My last question is when upgrading windows is the only way to check for updates from control panel and repeat that 50x for the next 8 hours to finally be updated?

 

Check the above. It may take some time to do all the Windows Updates but it really is the best way to ensure that Command Centre installs correctly.

Hope this helps.

 

Definitely a big help! This forum is a big reason why I'm still using an Alienware thanks! <3

Finally got windows installed and service pack 1 and only driver I have left out is the dell nvidia driver. On Dells support page it shows a bios file for gtx460 and says urgent. Should I be installing this before I install the driver? It's a 3d r3 that I have with the gtx460 obviously.

 

That's actually a vBIOS revision for your graphics card (460M).

 

I don't really know what that means or is but is that a must install? before or after the 460 driver?

 

Well, the support site does say that the updated vBios for the 460m is an urgent update, so maybe one you should look at doing. You can always update your video drivers after. There are no instructions that state you need a specific video driver installed to proceed with the flash so you should be ok to do it in whatever order you prefer, afaik.

 

My logic was, when i said to flash the vBIOS first, that the ID of the card might get changed so the previous driver install will become useless. In short, you'll need to install your video drivers again.

 

Makes sense Ill get it done then.

Quick questions hopefully this isnt the wrong place to ask it.. but since i used the drive from an M14x i wiped the recovery partition as well but I still left it there so it's blank.. can anyone link me anything that can show me how to create that again? This is something i am absolutely clueless about doing.

Second question is im noticing that every time i do something it says i dont have permission... how do I get rid of this? there's a thread on doing a clean install on an ssd by mandrake i think and it mentions going in the registry or somewhere and i basically was told i have no permission.

I also tried to go into Bios and asked for a pw but I never set one? This drive is from an m14x that I bought.. or is the bios pw etc flashed onboard the mobo?

 

OK, I recently purchased 2 5870's and had a rough time getting them swapped out. I have now elected to do a complete, fresh OS install. (I made sure to flash the VBIOS of BOTH cards prior to the effort.)

My question is... when do you guys believe I should attempt getting the video drivers up to the current revision? Should I attempt to install the newest catalyst at the step in this guide indicating video drivers be installed?

Another very thorough guide on the forum specifically for 5870 swapping suggests a method in which I should install the dell recommended driver first, then install the present catalyst version on top of the first...

What have you guys done?

 

Hey guys is it ok if I installed the LAN Driver after the Command Center? Should I reinstall? thanks in advance

 

Hey guys, need some help,

I got my laptop on Tuesday, I was updating the drivers and stuffed the Bigfoot driver install, and blue screened the pc every time i connected to wireless, i try to revert back but still did it, so I rebuilt the pc, problem is i'm missing some of the alienware software, the buttons on the top right of the keyboard arn't working correctly, only one that works is the bluetooth,

also i can't seem to find the alienware software that does a full check of the system making sure everything is working, any help would be great

Regards

 

Alienware Command Center is what you need.

Drivers and Downloads | Dell

You may try dell auto spy too ,select your country and download the software. http://support.dell.com/support/top...tor?c=us&l=en&s=gen]Alienware AutoSpy | Dell

 

yeah , i've installed the command centre, but still none of the buttons are working, only one is the bluetooth okies thanks heaps for your help

okies i've got the volume controls to work, can turn volume up and down, and mute with the top keys, just can't skip music, pause or eject, does anyone know what the button on the end is supposed to do, or anyway to set those buttons up it's the one with the dot in the middle and arrows pointing to the left going around it

okies installed the alienautospy and run the test's everything says up2 date, yet the eject doesn't work nor does the other round button on the end, does or has anyone found a way to find out how to reconfigure the buttons ?

 

Actually, Alien Command Center is for lighting effects, not function keys. You have to reinstall Alienware OSD. Most of the function keys do not work without OSD installed. There is no custom configuration for the F-keys. Only install the latest OSD from the Dell Support driver download page linked above. (Please do not use the version on the Alienware Resource DVD. Unless they have recently updated the media, the OSD version on the disc has major issues.)

I'll be merging this thread with an existing thread so discussion can continue in the correct location. This information is not unique to the M18x, although the drivers linked above are exclusively for the M18x.

 

Well, I just installed a new Samsung 830 series 256GB SSD on my m18x. Nothing went as planned. Some comments.....

1) AlienRespawn did not work to restore to factory condition since the 256GB SSD was "smaller" than the original 300GB HDD. AlienRespawn has some sort of check and aborts the process. This forced me to do a fresh W7 install....

2) After doing a fresh W7 install, the Product Key on the bottom of my Alienware m18x didn't work when "activating" W7 during the install process. I was stuck at this point in the install and luckily i had a copy of W7 i bought for my desktop. That key worked.

3) After doing a fresh install, Windows 7 doesn't recognize any of my Ethernet/Wireless adpater information. I have a Intel Wireless 6200 and I was totally unable to connect to the internet to fix anything. At this point I was quite worried since I had no way of moving files to the PC....

4) I had to use my USB Flash (which happened to also be the same USB I stored my Alienware Factory Image on) to transfer network drivers. Once I did that, I was golden since I could then connect to the internet and download things from there on out.

Overall, it was pretty nerve wracking. Norton Ghost, which came with the Samsung 830, was a disaster. It failed when trying to copy my data from the HDD to the SDD.

At this point, I assume there is no longer any way for me to restore to factory. For those thinking of getting a SATA III SSD, be prepared for mishaps to occur. I combed through alot of the NBR threads in preparation but still didn't find everything beforehand.

/Bite

 

Did you erase the original HDD? If not, you still have everything in place and may have some options available to you. Did you try cloning it over to the SSD with something other than Ghost?

Are any of these the threads you found looking for tips? The first link may be the most relevant. I think Nigel8600 was the first person to do it (post #109).

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...rket-drive-alienrespawn-q-11.html#post7778303

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...d0-questions-troubleshooting-discussions.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ook-feel-after-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/633540-tutorial-make-up-date-alienware-respawn-image.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/537394-where-get-alienrespawn-dell-datasafe-software.html

 

I did erase the original HDD. I figured I was safe with my USB image as advised from this thread.

As for cloning, I only tried Ghost. I should have known better, as I have terrible luck with Symantec products. I was close to buying Acronis but backed off. At this point, the only thing I can think of would be to remove the SSD entirely and then it would only have the original 300GB HDD and then I could reinstall factory using the flash drive. Once I get back to normal I could then buy Acronis, reinstall the SSD, and do a copy from the HDD to SSD with Acronis.

But that is all moot as I'm enjoying my fresh install thus far. The SATA III SSD is INSANELY ZIPPY and boots in < 10 secs. Index score rose to 7.2.

All that said, I'm most puzzled by why the Product Key at the bottom of my Alienware wasn't considered valid by the Windows 7 install. That made no sense to me. After checking I found this on Microsoft's site...

"You might be using a product key that doesn't match the version of Windows 7 that's installed on your computer. Check the product key to make sure it is for the version that you are trying to activate. You can't use a product key for Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) to activate a copy of Windows 7 without SP1."

 

Some of the HDD manufacturers (Seagate and Western Digital for sure) have a free version of Acronis available for download from their web site. It requires their brand of drive (either internal or USB) to be connected.

If you used the Alienware OS disc supplied with your system, it should not require activation. I'm not sure why that happened. You could have also used ABR (Activation Backup and Restore) to save your prior activation and use it on the new install. I do that all the time and it works great.

Now that it's over, I'm glad everything is going well. In the long run, you're really not missing anything at all. I don't have my Respawn set up any more and really don't care. It was wasted drive space in my opinion, which is a premium on SSD.

 

I just install a new SSD and I have been having problems with downloading the drivers. They are the alienware Bios and Atheros-Driver I don't know if their is a special way of downloading some of the drivers but i have no wireless connection and i don't know if its because the BIOS are not setup or whatever but its pissing me off that my laptop is not portable.

Some advice would be great Thanks

 

Hi,
Just wanted to say thanks for the great guide . I would just like to add that if like me your installing a pre-service pack 1 version of windows 7, rather than the one supplied with your alienware, you'll want to install SP1 1st. Took me 3 failed installs to work that out . I can't remember which driver it is that throws its toys out of the pram, but basically you'll end up in a BSOD loop if your not careful!

SP1 can be found here.. Download: Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (KB976932) - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

 

Or you can get a copy of your Windows 7 version with SP1 included from here and input the serial that's on your COA sticker (on the back of the laptop):

http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-digitalriver-windows-7-sp1-13-languages.html

 

As mentioned above, i nid a simple steps on how to format my alienware m17x r3 without causing any side effects, please?

This is due to my experience in lagging when playing games.. in a few minutes, i will experience lagging for a few seconds..about 30 secs then it came back to normal.. after 5 mins, it will repeat the same thing again.. does any1 know what caused this problem .. in my opinion, i think i nid to format my alienware.. am i doing the right thing? please some1 help me or give me links that related to my prob

 

Could you share your computer specs with us? Try using mine as an example.

 

Hello, afifboy, take a look at the op of this thread, it's filled with useful info on how to go about reinstalling windows on your system.

 

The forum is also full of useful information on resolving game issues. What games are you having problems with? What video card does your M17x R3 have? Have you tried updating your drivers or using AMD/NVIDIA app profiles?

Use Google to search the NBR forums by starting the search parameters with site:forum.notebookreview.com followed by your desired key words. For example, to search for Skyrim problems, you would search for site:forum.notebookreview.com Skyrim problems issues.

I would do this before rushing into a clean OS installation. Unless there is something wrong with your current Windows installation, you will only be wasting time and effort. If everything works properly except for the dropping frame rates with a few games, there is possibly nothing to be gained and you may end up with exactly the same performance when you're finished.

Be prepared to spend some time reading to find a solution. In some cases the starter post or the first dozen pages of a thread is the most useful section, but sift through all of the chatter and read the entire thread that you're on before moving to another one. The bigger the thread, the greater the chance that you'll find something useful. Many of the short threads are started by newest forum members that land here looking for a quick solution that haven't taken time to look for answers in existing discussions. In many cases, the larger threads are where the more experienced members of the forum spend their time participating in discussions.

Also look in the Alienware Level 3 Engineering docs. You will find a sticky post from DELLChrisM in the main Alienware forum. Depending on what game you're having the issue with, you may find something there. If you don't see that post, Google site:forum.notebookreview.com Alienware Level 3 engineering and you'll find it quickly.

 

Hi guys I probably missed it but how do you bring back the diagnostic partition after a clean install?

 

Press F12(repeatedly just to make sure) after the alien head when you turn on your system.
It is not tied to the hard drive like the recovery partition

 

I can get to that part and run the DOS looking diagnostic program. The one that I am looking for is the windows based one with the extended tests. I believe its called "Dell Diagnostic Partition".

 

Ok, i was just making sure.
Well, if you wiped the HDD i believe there's no way in getting back that partition

Have you tried this though:
Alien Autopsy

 

What about a re-install from recovery media Katalin? - I've done that in the past and it has re-installed my recovery partition even though I deleted it on a previous clean install.....

 

I got my system yesterday and am trying to install a crucial M4, can someone explain some things for me please
3. Intel RST Driver / Intel Management Engine (do I install both or only one?)
6. INTEL/AMD/NVIDIA Display Driver (There is a driver for
NVIDIA_INTERNAL-3D-STEREO-CO_A00_R291236.exe (1MB)
Recommended 1/24/2011 266.08, A00
Applies to:
Internal 3D Stereo Controller) do I install this too?

8. Wireless Network Driver (I got the killer wireless card but I find 2 drivers for it

Dell-Driver
Bigfoot_W74_A02_Setup-W9MN5_ZPE.exe (42MB)
and
Bigfoot Networks-Driver
R302919.exe (38MB)

Lastly do I need this Dell-Driver
Dell_Wireless-WLAN-1501-Half_A00_R289411.exe (6MB)
Recommended 1/19/2011 5.60.48.35, A00
Applies to:
Wireless WLAN 1501 Half Mini-Card (4313bgn) ? I am even sure what this is or even if I have it in my laptop

 

i know... theres another one just below this on the same topic. I got confused though.

so i decided i wanted to do a fresh install of win 7 on alienware. Simple right? WRONG! not as easy as my hp stuff i usually do it on.

7 hours into this and all i know is that im not on the alienware warranty data for my computer so i cant get any help. I have 5-6 notes for different things that ive told them to try to get help under my computer service tag now and after they read through them figure out im not the "lisa" that is on the warranty list.

i bought my r3 as a refurb from ebay, no biggy or so i thought. I thought i was the first owner of the refurb but i guess not.

well, i used the supplied disk for recovery, that sucks... it gets completely done with the install then puts the error up that it failed and cant perform the install.

I downloaded the driver for the ATA rapid storage as the last guy from dell told me to do. i am in the process of trying this install again after i try to get the drivers added to the computer, hopefully this fixes it.

should have left it alone.... esp on friday the 13th.
steve

got the ata drivers all set up and got the os back on it. now to get all of the drivers and such for it and get the factory settings all ready to rock again.

steve

that can be tomorrows project i think... im wore out from doing this since 4 this afternoon, it is now 1:30 at night...

steve

 

First, install the HM67 CougarPoint Chipset driver (R298407) -- Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States].

Then NEC USB 3.0 drivers (R298416) -- Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States].

Radeon 6870M Display driver (R308386) -- Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States].

Wireless driver -- don't know which one you have.

Then download Batboys guide to driver installation order and related matters. http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...er-install-order-guide-alienware-systems.html.

 

thanks for your help! I was just coming back on to see what i could find about the drivers and what i need to use.

will it update the proper drivers automatically after i get it to connect to the internet?

also how can i check to see what wireless and display drivers i need? there is a pretty big list of drivers on the dell site for my configuration, do i need them all?
thanks,
steve

 

It will, but I would strongly advise you to set the Windows Update to NOT automatically download and install drivers. Win 7 driver installations are very unpredictable. Much better to get the drivers specifically designed for use in your R3 via the Dell Support board. Restrict Win Update to updating Windows (and other MS software -- Office, if used, but that comes later).

Edit: You'll only need one wireless driver. Have you got an invoice that itemizes the components. You can also go to Dell's Support area and use your Service Tag to locate the original configuration, although that's not foolproof with a refurb. Good place to start at least. Worse comes to worst, you can just try one and then another to see if it can find compatible hardware.

 

thanks for the help everyone! I finally got it all back to how i wanted

steve

 

Hi

Just a couple of quick questions from those in the know.

I am getting an SSD for my m15x soon and am a little puzzled at the reinstall options. Is the easiest way to pop the SSD in and install the retail DVD copy (that i have from my desktop) and then activate using the stickered code on my chassis?

Or could I:

a) copy all data i can off my disk until the footprint is small enough copy the HDD image onto the SSD
b) restore from the hidden partition onto the SSD

I have done loads of windows installs before, but never to a prebuild machine with its own OS (always just used a fresh OS with its own key).

Regards

chris

 

Retail DVD + License Code on the bottom will work fine.

The devices that aren't found by default are, as far as I remember: Free Fall Sensor and the 5-in-1 card reader drivers.

Edit: if you experience that the Windows 7 installer can't find your hard disk controller (doesn't list any hard drives), then just use a Service Pack 1 version of the retail dvd

 

Thanks for the hint, will give this a try.

 

when doing a clean install on a m14x with the standard hd are you required to use the intel rst drivers? if so, do you install them before or after the engine management drivers?

 

I've done fresh installs on laptops before with no issues, but with my M17x R3 it is a pain in the . The install of Win 7 goes fine, but once I install the drivers for the various components, I'll get Irq blue screen, freezing, etc. Is there a particular sequence for installing drivers so as to have no issues?

 

That happened with my R2 specifically the video drivers. I still can't get it to shutdown without holding start button but standard drivers work fine, go figure.

 

Hello, ht_addict, review the op of this thread, it will help

Good luck

 

Excellent Guide BatBoy, it should prove useful when my M17x finally arrives. I am installing and SSD drive as the primary HD so I will have to reinstall everything.

 

In what order does one install the 460m driver, the 3D driver, and the 460m vBios? It doesn't specify in the sequence. Thanks.

 

Hello, Santoku, you should flash the vBIOS first and then install the drivers.
3D drivers will install at the same time with display, PhysX etc.

Regards