M17x R3 - How to create backup image?

I've seen a few posts, but still am not sure the best way to so this. Two horribly frustrating calls to Dell later, I'd like to beg help.

Just received my m17x r3 today. All I want to do is create a backup image so I can restore it back to factory settings if the drive gets nuked. There is a recovery partition on the machine and it is the 256 SSD version.

Is the windows 7 system image software enough? Does AlienRespawn work with the R3?

Thanks

 

Respawn dude, type respawn into the start menu. 8gb flash drive or a new blank discs!

 

Personally I use Acronis Home. I backed up all partitions before I even turned my system on.

 

No results found when trying to find it. Can respawn work in r3s? Is the site floating around in forums with it legit? Thanks!

 

Will check this software out, thank you.

 

You have the Windows 7 disc. Its clean so no bloatware.

Only thing you need to do is update windows and install al the drivers.

 

Mine showed up in lower right as one of the little icons. I clicked on it and it brings up the respawn program. I found the USB key to be picky restoring but some folks say if you stay away from the USB3 ports it works fine. The DVDs work very well.

Regardless, I use Acronis to backup on a regular basis.

Cheers,

 

Yes, I have the DVD, but if possible I'd like image. On my old r3 doing a clean install and then updating the drivers was painful. Plus I never voudk get Alienware command center installed ever again, kept crashing over and over, couldn't get keyboard lights working. Overall it was just a painful experience. If I can avoid that in anyway I'd like to.

On a side note, an not to beat a dead horse, but Dell's support in India is more and more horrible each time I have to interface with them. First woman, who could barely be understood, didn't understand my request, took my info, then transferred me to nowhere (disconnected). Secnod guy spoke better English, but clearly had no idea what to do and offered to transfer me to the next support level which cost a fee to utilize their brilliance. The whole time he just sounded like a jerk. Really horrible service.

 

I did not have that sort of trouble with the OEM Win 7 DVD + resource disk drivers but I agree imaging is much easier!

Cheers,