Alienware M14x R2 Has No Windows 8 Clean Installation Disc. Where Can I Get It From?

I have an Alienware m14x R2 with Windows 8 that will be arriving to my house this week. I will be using my Samsung 256 GB SSD into the M14x R2. I spoke to one of the Dell reps on the the phone to order the laptop, she said that they don't ship Alienware computers with the Windows 8 reinstallation discs and they just only provide the drivers and apps disc. I would like to know if I can request the Windows 8 disc from Dell?

 

Send me a PM with your order and phone number and I'll help you sort things out.

 

Hello luis, im in the same situation triying to install an 256gb msata fresh install. i already received my MX14 and no cd.. any way to créate it from same laptop?

 

Same exact situation? You could send me an email as well, make it detailed and I will manage to help out

 

Hi there I am having the same issue.

 

Hmm, that's not good. I hope that person is just a misinformed employee that has confused Alienware's practices with the budget Dell product line that does not include Windows installation media.

Thanks for helping, Brother Pardo. Is it an accidental oversight that the OS installation media was missing? It would seem ridiculous for a premium brand like Alienware to be intentionally shipping out new systems without an OS installation media disc. If true, is that another draconian Micro$oft anti-piracy initiative with Windows 8 that they are forcing all OEM partners to comply with, or just trying to save a couple of bucks?

 

My R2 came with the Dell Windows 8 x64 Pro disk. So it's not being missed on every order.

 

Hello, I just receive my new alienware m14x r2 and I would like to add an msata ssd but there is not any windows 8 cd included, in fact i dont see any cd key... In the order detail Windows appears as "421-8698 WIN 8 EM" Does it have to be provided with my new system? How i can get it?

Thanks in advance.

Ricardo.

 

You won't get a CD key with any of the new Windows 8 machines. They are stored in the bios now. You would need to download a program to fish out the key for you. I used belarc advisor to get mine. Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit, for software, hardware and security configuration information on your computer. Software license management, IT asset management, cyber security audits, and more.

 

then, if I get a fresh copy of windows 8... it takes this cd key from bios or I have to get it with belarc software anyway?

 

You shouldn't need a key at all. It should find it on its own.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

 

I read somewhere that Win8 can make its own recovery discs, but apparently it's a pain to get to. They say you have to search "recovery" in whatever replaced the Start menu. I don't have access to my Win8 computer until much later today or tomorrow so I can't verify it myself.

 

Well, finally I put W7 on the msata drive and erase W8 on the main drive because the new L&F of W8 don't convince me at all. It's a pity the fact that I don't have a W8 copy because I would like to try it later. I hope you can help me to get that Win8 copy.

 

If the laptop was purchased with Windows 8 you won't need any serial number, it will activate automatically. If the laptop shipped without any recovery media for Windows 8 send me a PM and I'll help you sort things out.

 

I'm having the same issues as you all are. Why didn't Dell Alienware folks give any of us the Windows 8 DVD? We all had to pay for it, so we should be entitled to a Windows 8 DVD and it's Product ID and/or key for it. I purchased this laptop for federal gov't consulting work and so far I'm not pleased with it. When I received it, Dell installed Windows 8 on my HDD instead of my mSATA drive which is MUCH faster that the HDD. After purchasing a Crucial M4 256GB mSATA card, I tried to restore the Windows 8 OS from the Alien Recovery DVD's and I got a error that my mSATA wasn't big enough to install it. all I want to do is re-install my factory OS on the Crucial mSATA card and use the HDD for storage. Can anyone help?

 

I can't send PM yet ... this is my fifth post, I hope this one gives me the PM send ability...LOL

 

I'll be waiting for it !

Laptops with smaller mSATAs usually shipped with the OS installed in the HDD and the mSATA configured to work as a caching device, which actually showed great speeds and didn't limit the OS partition as much. We're not trying to save a few bucks on DVDs, we're trying to help keep the planet green. If you upgraded your storage drive and need to re-install Windows pelase don't hesitate to ask, I'll send you the recovery software needed in a blink of an eye.

Windows 8 installation

 

Luis,

Thanks for your speedy reply and "Yes", I know why you all did that. I need the HDD for VMware VM's and I will live with the speed of the mSATA card for the OS...which isn't all that bad. Can you please provide me a Windows 8 DVD and help on how to get Dell's Windows 8 factory install on my mSATA card? What do I need to do?

Thanks!!

 

Sure, send us an email with your service tag and phone number at [email protected]. You can include a link to this thread to help me find your email faster.

 

Thanks Luis. I will send you my info when I get back to the States next week.....I'm on travel right now. Until then, take care and much thanks!!

 

Luis,

I sent a email to the location you specified and I have heard no response. Can you please assist me with this matter?

Frank

 

Hey Frank,

Sorry for the delay, please send me a PM with your tag and I'll make sure it's done right away.

 

Perhaps people would prefer this to the Alienware method. They even list a generic product key that can be used to start the download. This is all 100% legal, and ordained by Microsoft themselves.

How to re-download the Windows 8 ISO -

 

Very nice alternative +1

 

Hello Frank, thank you for your answer, took me a while to check back here, will send you an email with tag and details, (to do this do i have to tag you like friend?

br.

 

You need to have 5+ posts in order to send a private message, or send us an email at [email protected] with frank's name on the subject

 

Luis,

Are you talking about me or another Frank? BTW, Dell (another Luis actually) sent me a Windows 8 DVD and Resource DVD. I was able to boot from it, but it asked me for a "driver" file (which one it wanted is beyond me). I know Luis mentioned I had to download drivers for the M14xR2, but which one? All of them? Some of them? So I was wondering if you all can PLEASE provide a doucment, listing, something on how I can install the Windows 8 operating system on a mSATA card (when it was orginally installed on a HDD) in a M14xR2 laptop computer? The folks I work for are looking to purchase many more of these laptops, but as it stands now, I can't for the life of me figure out why it's so painful to install a Windows 8 operating system on it. Combine that with the confusing new BIOS entries (i.e. Secure Boot, Boot Device = Last, Windows Fast Boot, etc., etc.), makes me wonder if I should recommend another laptop all together.

It would be MUCH appreciated if you all can please help me get this thing up and running so we (and the gov't) can move forward and go on to happier days.

Thanks
Frank A.

 

Hey frank!

I was talking about Alienware-Frank as aix432 mentioned him. Yup, that would be porras who checks NBR with me.

Here's the list of drivers he mentioned, you need to download and install pretty much everything on the list except for the optional components which you should only install the ones you ordered.

Alienware M14x R2: Initial Drivers Installation

To install Windows 8 in the mSATA just start the installation as usual, at the partition screen make sure you delete every existing partition on the mSATA and the HDD, then create a new one on the mSATA and use it to install the OS.

Your new BIOS uses UEFI, which allows Windows 8 to "interact" with it before booting for stuff like the included anti-malware. I think fast boot allows the laptop to turn back on faster after it has been shutdown(because of the new hybrid power state that simulates "power off") but saves a lot more energy than hibernation or sleep. If you don't like UEFI I'm pretty sure you can simply switch back to legacy but you'll loose some features like support for 2tb+ HDDs.


If I missed anything please don't hesitate to ask.

-Luis

 

Luis,

You are right on all accounts noted above (BTW, the link doesn't work, but it might be me). However, after flashing my BIOS to version A11, it (the Windows 8 installation process) can NOW see my Crucial m4 256GB mSATA drive and install Windows 8 on it. Very weird stuff going on here to say the least. Recapping, when I was at BIOS version A08 and A10, I could not for the life of me get the Windows 8 installation process to see my m4 mSATA drive. In summing it all up, I truly believe no one can install Windows 8 on a mSATA card period unless they have BIOS version A11 on their M14xR2 laptop. After reading all the NBR threads about folks being able to install Windows 8 on their M14xR2, I couldn't for some reason and I wonder what version of the BIOS they were using. I'll really hoping you guys at Alienware, or NBR finest can shed some light on this whole thing and it may be tied back to Microsoft as far as I know. Reinstalling a factory OS shouldn't be this difficult and I'm sure someone else is having the same problems I experienced. And before I forget, thanks for getting in contact with me about resolving this issue....that meant a lot!

Cheers,
Frank A.

 

Luis,

Tested to see if I could get into the BIOS with BIOS version A11 and I did. The trick is, you have to hit the F2 key rapidly right after you restart the Windows 8 OS. Me personally? I miss the Dell splash screen, because (1) you can see the BIOS version on the bottom part of the Dell logo and (2) you can select options to get into Setup (BIOS) or get into Boot Manager. Are you guys going to fix this in a later BIOS update? Also, can you add more time to hit the F2 or F12 keys? Seems like Windows 8 take over the laptop completely!

Frank

 

I'm glad things worked out frank!

I'm don't think they'll change that as people tend to think "the faster the better" (I'ncluding me.. haha) it's most likely gonna stay this way. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

Hi,

Just got my Alienware m18x r2 laptop today. I to noticed my didn't come with the Windows 8 disk.

Just pm you and I can get one sent out.

I also have a question about how to setup my storage devices. I order the laptop with a 256gb SSD already installed. I also order another 256gb SSD Vector 4 and WD 750gb HDD for additional storage.

Do just install the additional SSD in port 1 and the HHD in port 2? Sorry newbie... Lola

Also is it worth while to setup the two SSD's in raid0?

This is where I assume I will need a Windows 8 disc to install the OS back when putting the two SSD into raid0.

 

No offence, but what size you think this system is?! You only have 1 - 2.5" slot and space and 1 - msata slot and space. I doubt you will be able to put in an hard drive caddy in it as the space where the dvd-rom is very narrow...

So, to clear your doubts you can only put one normal hdd or ssd drive (2.5" size 9.5 mm) and an mSATA drive.

 

Well, I myself installed a HDD caddy in my friends m14xr2, and for that, it all went well and he's now on RAID 0 with the mSata and the original HDD slot, with a 750gb disk
in the caddy / CD-rom slot

As for the poster above, he might be able to install all his drives, I believe the m18x has indeed some more HDD slots as the m14x does

 

I am a "soon to be" M14X owner. When I placed the order, the representive helped me find a M14X with a low price with a 2GB 650M. So after the order was placed, I did not notice that this came with Windows 8, I prefer Windows 7. Not that I "do not" like Windows 8, I just prefer it on a Tablet Device, (I own a Thinkpad Tablet 2 and ASUS VivoTab™ RT), then a Notebook, unless it has a touch screen, , which the M14X R2 does not.
So contacted Dell to see about getting a Windows 7 disc and was told to talk to the sales representive that helped with my order, I left a message and waiting for the return call.

So, my overall question is this....can I install Windows 7 on this notebook, if it is licensed for Windows 8?? I am looking to replace the HD with a least a larger drive, maybe a 750GB to 1TB Drive. I do plan to use Windows 8 later, but I can not run games in Windows 7. Please read other post on Windows 8. http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m14x/714725-m14x-r2-windows-8-gaming-old-new.html

Follow up question, I am a Computer Assistant and our organization uses Dell PC and Notebooks, I have access to both Windows 7 Pro and Ultimate Recovery Disc for Dell Machines, would I be able to use one of this disc to install Windows 7 on the M14X R2 with out any issues and would this be legal??

If I can 'Not" get a recovery disc for Windows 7 for the M14X R2 from Dell, I will need to purchase a copy that will run me $100+.

Any advise would be appreciated.

 

My M14X R2 will be delivered today, "awesome!!" As a followup to my last post. I contacted Dell yesterday and I was told that downgrades were no longer being offered, Windows 7 Disc were only being provided with system that have Windows 7 "originally" installed. I would have get my own retail copy and install it myself and I would not receive any OS support for the M14X R2, unless it was hardware related. So I asked about using a Dell Windows 7 install disc and they said, they were not sure about the license issue, and whether it would activate, it was a maybe, 50/50. So, since my organization provided me with an XT3 for home use, I am gonna try out Windows 8 and then if I do not like it, I will install Windows 7 Ultimate on this notebook.

 

Windows 8 is good, it's just a matter of getting used to it. I haven't experienced any FPS drop on games or compatibility issues and after a while of configuring your stuff properly you'll find that the metro interface is not as bad as many would say.

Embrace change! We'll all have to someday

 

Well, I must have got lucky, my M14X R2 came with a Windows 8 Disc. So, when I decide to upgrade the HD, I will be able to install Windows 8. I have convinced myself to "roll" with Windows 8 on this notebook, as I will wait and see if I have enough space for "all" the game that I play. I play about two levels of "Dishonored" and ran with no issues. I had to look for a "dangone" .dll file to get it to work properly. So I guess I am good. I really like Windows 8, I just prefer it on a "touch-screen" Tablet.