[Guide] Alienware M17XR3 Windows 8 Clean Install + Drivers.

The USB FAT32 flash drive default upgrade is faster and smoother, update System Bios to unlocked A12 (Sata III fix) [M17x R3] - BIOS A12 'unlocked' & 'SATA tweak' WIndows 8 is not officially supported "....a new BIOS came out just a few days ago but I believe it was meant to enhance windows 8 and provide working switchable graphics with Fn+F7." Alienware Staff member referring to A12 release.


Windows 8 upgrade.
After downloading Win 8 Upgrade with "Keep Nothing" option search for folder options>show hidden folders>browse C:ESD>open it>copy all the contents to a formatted FAT32 USB flash drive and back it up somewhere else.

Windows 8 already installed ('Keep Settings/Files" want to perform a clean install).
Microsoft confirmation email download link with product key, when finished it formats the USB flash drive to default FAT32.


SSD AHCI MODE (middle bay 1 aka drive 1 SATA III 6GB/s)

1- Enter the Bios, set AHCI mode.

2- Install windows> select custom Install (Advanced)>Drive Options (advanced)>>Delete all partitions SSD Drive 1 (including system reserved 350MB) until it is only unallocated space>Select Drive 1 unallocated space (SSD)>Next.

3- Follow these instructions "System Setup after Installation" Sean's Windows 8 Install & Optimization Guide for SSDs & HDDs Shrink System Protection 1% 1.19GB and don't Turn Off page file.

4- Shrink Page file>Windows Key + Pause|Break Key>Advanced system settings>under Performance click Settings>Advanced>Virtual memory click Change>uncheck "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives">Select the C: drive>check custom size> initial / Maximum size set both to 2048MB>click set>apply>reboot when prompted.



Latest Windows 8 drivers.


Chipset. Native driver.

Intel Management Engine. Driver Details | Dell US

Intel Rapid Storage Technology (Raid) https://www.dell.com/support/driver...leId=2731118169&languageCode=en&categoryId=SA

Standard SATA AHCI Controller (SSD) https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=22271&lang=eng

Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology Release 12.5.0.1066 is designed to provide
functionality for the following Storage Controllers:
• Intel(R) 8 Series/C220 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI/RAID Controller
• Intel(R) 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI/RAID Controller
• Intel(R) 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI/RAID Controller
• Intel(R) 5 Series/3400 Series SATA AHCI/RAID Controller
• Intel(R) X79 Express Chipset

TRIM check cmd (admin) type "fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify" result is 0 then run TRIMcheck: A FREEWARE TRIM TESTER


Realtek card reader RTS5209 Realtek

Qualcomm Atheros AR8151 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller http://www.qca.qualcomm.com/download.php?type=driver&id=73

Wi-fi Intel 64-bit https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=22741&lang=eng

BigFoot Networks Killer Wireless 1103 Killer Gaming :: Support :: Driver Downloads

Dell Bluetooth 375 (driver only) Windows Update Catalog (AMD64) Microsoft Update Catalog Bluetooth on - 7Zip extract to desktop>right click .inf(bcbtums-win8x64-brcm.inf)>install or Device Manager>Bluetooth device>update drivers>Browse my computer>check include subfolders>Browse extracted folder>install.

Dell Bluetooth 375 Software http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER01052616M/1/Network_Application_C71DK_WN_12.0_A02.EXE

Touchpad Drivers | Synaptics

USB 3 Microsoft Renesas native driver. Device manager>universal serial bus controllers>USB Root Hub (xHCI)>uncheck power management.

IDT 92HD73 Audio Updated Windows 8 driver http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...river-v-6-10-0-6421-maxx-audio-3-quality.html

OSD R3 version has no compatibility issues Driver Details | Dell United States

Command Center grab R4 A02 (Win8) it works both M17XR3 / M18XR1 (installation issues fixed) Driver Details | Dell United States
Title: Application: Alienware Command Center Application
Version: A02-00
OEM Name:
OEM Version: 2.8.10.0
Computers: Alienware Notebook: M14x, M17xR4, M14xR2, M18xR2, M11xR3, M18X, M17xR3
OS: Windows 8 64-bit - Pro, Windows 8 64-bit - ALL
Languages: Chinese Simplified,Japanese,Spanish,Danish,French,Portuguese (Portugal),Finnish,English,Br Portuguese,Norwegian,Turkish,Korean,Arabic,Russian,Greek,Polish,Italian,Chinese Traditional,German,Swedish
Created: 11/28/2012

Edit : Dell fixed command center installation issues. Different packaging, previous one Driver Details | Dell United States (both are 2.8.10.0 A2) :hi2:



1 -Obs.before installing IDT/OSD/Command Center enable .Net framework 3.5. Program and Features>turn windows features on and off>check .net framework 3.5>ok>download/install>reboot>install IDT/OSD/Command Center same order.


2 -Important extract all downloaded DELL files with 7-Zip(v.9.25 x64), install from the extracted folders. This will prevent install errors and windows compatibility settings due to packaging.


3 -Windows 8 System image backup. To enable custom backup instead of all or nothing, Control Panel>Windows 7 File Recovery>Set up backup>select media>Next>let me choose.


4 -Nvidia GTX 680M modded .inf http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/672230-m17x-r3-680m-compatability-63.html#post9038829


5 -Guide Optimizing GPU FPS Rendering http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...3-performance-r3-post9107772.html#post9107772


6 -CPU Overclocking Unlocked ThrottleStop For Alienware M17X R3/R4+M18X R1/R2


7 -Start menu. Try StartIsBack - real start menu in Windows 8 fully native and compatible with all themes far better than Start8.


8 -Windows 8 dark themes fix AeroByDesign For Windows 8 by ~LiveOrDieTM on deviantART White caption text + blue progress bars (AeroByDesignSignature.msstyles), uxstyle X64 beta for Win8 UxStyle - no more patching. (Reduced black color w/ color intensity slider)

Obs.Install uxstyle core beta only after there are no windows updates left, future updates>task manager>processes>end task "UnsignedThemesSvc" ( theme binaries updates icon fix KB2751352/IE KB2761465 ) personalize>change to windows 8 default themes. This is to prevent black screen with flickering backlight after reboot and sfc /scannow is useless, create restore points/backups . win 8 dec updates failed [Archive] - My Digital Life Forums Thanks Ball mer for Windows 8 design flaws:thumbsup:.....


9 -Windows 8 dark themes fix 2 (Aero) Dark theme for Windows8 RTM by ~Nighthawk-F22 on deviantART (Themes only, don't use Aero Glass fixes)


AeroByDesignSignature


Windows 8 dark themes fix 2

 

Sorry to go off topic but could you post a link to your desktop wallpaper?

 

Browsing Wallpaper on deviantART

 

I have struggled with getting Windows 8 to work on my r3 for over a year now. I would try and give up, going back to Windows 7 Premium. then try again and fail, and go back.

Then I had a epiphany. There was always hardware I had to look for, but I was always able to find it. The only thing that always crashed on me was the discrete video card. I have the Radeon 6800 series and the Catalyst manager always crapped out on me. But....

In the BIOS the Intel graphics chip was the default. As soon as I changed the BIOS to the Radeon by default, then the installation went almost perfect. I had to install the driver for the USB 3.0 and the Fall Sensor, and that was that. The Radeon was identified, installed, and functioning all by itself.

Of course, it does mean that I cannot switch to the low power graphics card, without rebooting and going into the BIOS, but I can live with that. Who wants to use the low power Graphics card anyway?

 

hey guys, mind if you give me a guide on what things i need? i am currently having a problem installing the os on my r3, i have a dell 7970m 2gb and a new ssd to install the os to. also i am still at the stock a08 bios that came with it when shipped. i really need help! when i installed it before, i got a bootloop after restarting. when i reinstalled a new os, the screen went all white when i installed the amd drivers (14.6)

help please!! TIA!

 

Hey guys how's it going. Just thought I'd throw it out there and maybe there's something i've done wrong? lol.

This is for M17X R3 w/ 680m on Win 8.1.

The Synaptics driver fails to install and I followed your instructions for the OSD but my volume and such buttons do not work. The APP works just find, but not the keys so much.

Also I'm going to try to disable driver signing enforcement, because my Video drivers (344.60/.75/.80) for Dell 680m are all failing to install. I get to the point it installs, then the install fails with graphics driver install failing.

I will also post this on the 680 Driver thread.