Alienrespawn Vs Windows 7 backup

I did a search on the forums and found some stuff comparing alienrespawn vs factory restore CDs but didnt find anything comparing it to windows 7 backup/restore with CD image.

I want to know if anyone has been successful and would recommend Windows 7 restore (from Disk image) over Alienrespawn (which implies an extra $40 which I would rather keep )

thanks!

 

I do not believe Respawn is offered any longer. Shortly after W7 was rolled out, Dell/AW made the switch to Dell DataSafe Local which provides the ability to restore the system using a factory image. It is free and is installed on all current systems. Some choose to uninstall it when receiving their system. If you go this route, prior to uninstall, be sure to use the 'Create Emergency Rescue Media' before uninstalling. You will have an option to use Optical Media or a USB Flash Drive (requires min. 8GB flash drive) to create the rescue media. Once done, keep it in a safe place

If you are seeing Respawn as an option in the configuration pages, post the link here. Would be interesting to see if this has been brought back or is still alive out there...

 

Yup, I just bought an M17x R2 (It arrived yesterday) and It came with alienrespawn - Basic edition. As I understand windows 7 backup has all those features already, or most. The question is: Does Windows 7 backup make alienrespawn useless?
Here a link with the alienrespawn interface:

 

Ahhhhhh... that is Dell DataSafe Local - Rebranded! Nice!

Use the create recovery content. Do this before making any changes.

 

That is strange because I recieved my brand new M17X R2 and it only came with W7 disc and Resource DVD. However, I kept my Respawn DVD from my original R1 just in case but I doubt it will work in the R2. Do I need to call to see if I can get a copy since it should have came with my R2?

 

This wouldn't have shipped as a disc - at least I do not see why it would. It would have been installed on the system. Look for it in your Start Menu. If not there and you have Dell DataSafe Local, this may not have made it to yours before it shipped.

 

Can I reinstall the Data safe local? I uninstalled mine thinking it was software for online backup only.

 

You will have to contact support. I do not believe it is available online via the regular support site. Try:

https://smartsource.dell.com/Web/UserForms/NewUser.aspx

If not, I suggest checking with support directly... give them a call.

 

I was going to create the recovery content using an external USB hard drive, but as these pics show, alienrespawn is being picky and won't allow it! It specifically asks for a USB Flash drive. Meh! I dont have one of those atm, so for now I made a disk image using Windows backup (stored without any problem directly on my external HDD)

Has this always been this way ? If so, why would they limit it to flash only?

 

I do have Data safe backup, but since my system is still considered new it should have shipped within my system since it is not on disc correct? Also will it show up as respawn in my start menu?

 

Interesting. DataSafe did have an option for disk at one time.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...create-recovery-cds-alienware-m17x-r-2-a.html