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    Fresh install questions....

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Joe85, Jul 13, 2011.

  1. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    Hey guys, i'll be attempting an install of a 128gb Crucial M4 SSD tomorrow and just have a few quick questions about the proccess......

    Once installed you boot from the Windows DVD you get with your laptop, is that correct?

    Once this is done, where do you install the drivers from? Are they all on the Alienware recource DVD?

    How many discs should you have got with your laptop?

    All i have is the Windows disc, Alienware resource, dell recource media, dell applications and roxio. is that all i need? or am i missing something.

    Any help will be greatly appricated as im very nervous about screwing this up and bricking my laptop......
     
    Joe85, Jul 13, 2011
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  2. kevinmajere

    kevinmajere Notebook Consultant

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    Boot from windows dvd, format HDD and install to SSD.

    You have everything you need.

    Word of advice, go to dell.com and download your drivers from there before formating and put them on a dvd or thumb drive. Some drivers have recent updates since your resource dvd was burned.

    There are several driver install guides that can be found here on the forums.
     
    kevinmajere, Jul 13, 2011
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  3. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    so the stock drivers are on the alieware recource dvd?
     
    Joe85, Jul 13, 2011
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  4. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    katalin_2003, Jul 13, 2011
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  5. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    ok thanks. If i use the resource dvd can i not just upgrade the drivers after? I dont want to over complicate things as im a total noob1 :)
     
    Joe85, Jul 13, 2011
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  6. kevinmajere

    kevinmajere Notebook Consultant

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    Less confusion if you just go to dell.com and download the drivers via your service tag.
     
    kevinmajere, Jul 13, 2011
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  7. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    Ok i'll have a go at that now. thanks for your help. +1 rep.
     
    Joe85, Jul 13, 2011
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  8. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    Ok so i just downloaded everything, just incase.

    So just to be sure, after windows install, connect my portable HDD and install the drivers from there?
     
    Joe85, Jul 13, 2011
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  9. RIKO

    RIKO Notebook Consultant

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    you can dowload the drivers to the desktop and work from there its easier i think, dont forget to restart the pc and some drivers only full isntall after a restart.
    also see on dell site the order u install the drivers thats important so u dont get conflits with drivers
     
    RIKO, Jul 13, 2011
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  10. jwolf7722

    jwolf7722 Notebook Deity

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    What I did was install all the drivers on a dvd. Print out Batboys guide for the driver order list. Since most of the drivers have numbers I just went through each one on Dells website and matched the numbers with the list I printed from here.

    This makes for a easier time installing drivers. Process is relatively easy (If I can do it anyone can).
     
    jwolf7722, Jul 13, 2011
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  11. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    You have the drivers install order in the thread I posted above too ;)
    Goo idea of downloading them as sometimes the site is glitchy when you actually need it :rolleyes:

    Good luck
     
    katalin_2003, Jul 13, 2011
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  12. Jas71

    Jas71 Notebook Evangelist

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    I did a clean install yesterday and it worked perfectly so far. I suggest you do this. Use the first link and follow instructions up to step 6 from the thread by jywang. After that use the second link and use the driver install order from the thread by BatBoy and all other instructions. This is exactly what I did. I also set my SSD to AHCI.

    jywang

    BatBoy
     
    Jas71, Jul 13, 2011
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  13. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    Thanks for everything guys. Epext a thread posted in capslock tomorrow when the brown stuff hits the fan and im crying for your help!!! LOL

    Nah im feeling pretty confident with all your advice, really appriciate it. :)
     
    Joe85, Jul 13, 2011
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  14. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    No problem, let us know how it went or if you need more help.
     
    katalin_2003, Jul 13, 2011
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  15. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    Ok ive been thrown off abit here. Some of the numbers for the drivers that ive downloaded dont match up to the guides on here, in batboys guide he doesnt list the number he doesnt list them at all. so how do i know what applies to my laptop like wifi drivers for instance? theres loads of em on the dell website!!!

    Think i may just go with the resource DVD
     
    Joe85, Jul 13, 2011
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  16. jwolf7722

    jwolf7722 Notebook Deity

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    Just pick the driver that applies to the wifi device in your system.
     
    jwolf7722, Jul 13, 2011
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  17. Jas71

    Jas71 Notebook Evangelist

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    I went with the resource DVD for most of the drivers except a couple. You should right down the driver number to whatever it is for with a pen and paper maybe? I had a second laptop with me so I just downloaded the one I needed and did a transfer with an external hard drive.

    Here is a link to the drivers you will need unless you already have it. M17X R3 Drivers
     
    Jas71, Jul 13, 2011
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  18. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    And what about Intel rapid storage? why's that not on the list?
     
    Joe85, Jul 13, 2011
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  19. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    Ok ive worked out hte drive numbers, theyve obviously been updated since the thread but i have drivers which are not on the list like Intel rapid storage?
     
    Joe85, Jul 13, 2011
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  20. Jas71

    Jas71 Notebook Evangelist

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    Which list?
     
    Jas71, Jul 13, 2011
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  21. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    batboys install list on fresh install thread.
     
    Joe85, Jul 13, 2011
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  22. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    Sorry i mean jywangs list. batboys says "Intel RST/ Intel managemnet engine" does that mean install both or either?
     
    Joe85, Jul 13, 2011
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  23. Jas71

    Jas71 Notebook Evangelist

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    I installed RST first then Management Engine.
     
    Jas71, Jul 13, 2011
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  24. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    Ok thanks.
     
    Joe85, Jul 13, 2011
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  25. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    Right, no more questions tonight. Thnks soooooooo much for your patience.

    I'll post back with the results tommorrow.........:s
     
    Joe85, Jul 13, 2011
    #25