Upgrading OS via USB?

Not entirely sure if this belongs here but considering that I plan on upgrading my R3's OS I figured that this thread could potentially belong here...

Anywho, I recently got a free copy of Windows 7 Professional via my university's website. The issue though is that since it's free I had to download it as a .iso file.

My question then is were I to install a Intel 510 120 GB into my R3 so that it runs OS and commonly used apps, would storing the .iso file onto a USB flash drive and trying to install Professional via the USB flash drive work? Or do I have to do it via the disk that is provided by Dell? Or is there something fancy that I have to do?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

Would following the instructions mentioned here, be what I need in order to use the .iso file via a USB flash drive?

 

I think m11x users have more experience on this.

Search m11x section and it should pop up.

 

Make the usb stick bootable and boot of usb. Did this a long time ago with a laptop with a buggy dvd drive.

 

warning: the DVD provided from dell (if you already didnt know) does not include SP1 integrated. and therefore FAILS during install.

so i suggest you have a backup plan incase something doesnt pan out.
you can search for a bootable windows 7 ISO file from any torrent search engine, just check the MD5 hash.

So. basically, ensure that the iso file provided by the university INCLUDES SP1. otherwise you'll have a tough time re-installing unless you have another computer to backup.

edit: you can download a windows provided bootable USB creator. you simply select the iso, insert USB drive (4gb minimum), and away you go. easy as pie.

 

Why don't you just burn the image?
If you still want to use a USB key there's a guide in the Alienware forum on how to make a bootable one

 

yes, it is quite easy to make a bootable USB. i just did after finally finishing the SP1 iso.

however, one OTHER note i'd like to add -- a new install fresh from Microsoft will NOT have ANY drivers. even with SP1. at least Home Premium didnt. not even a wireless driver (for the stock basic dell card).

that would be the at least the SINGLE most important driver i would carry around on a bootable USB. reasoning: so i can at least connect to the internet after a fresh emergency install and download the rest by hand. if at all possible, load up an extra folder with the basic drivers. it'll save time.

also, you will lose the alienware logo's + theme's, but they CAN be restored. there is a thread on it. i can post up the link so generously provided to me when i also created a thread about my SP1 woes.

 

Here it is:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ook-feel-after-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

This is exactly what I do:
Have a 8Gb USB key (I call it the golden key) with a backup of my OS install, drivers just in case, and important stuff.

 

The .iso file that I downloaded comes with SP1; I had been reading the forums and found out that I needed SP1 otherwise I'd have a massive headache if I tried to do a fresh install without it.

I'm curious though, would following the instructions in this thread make my USB flash drive into a bootable one? If so where exactly do I stop following the instructions? Or is there another program that you recommend?

I had already seen this thread and bookmarked it in the past knowing that I was going to need it! Thank you though!

However, I do have a quick question: zero2005 also mentioned that I should perhaps have basic drivers installed as well on the USB drive but how exactly would I do this? Would I create a separate folder and place the drivers there?

Thank you everyone! I appreciate the help!

 

At step 9.

No, not installed, just download them and put them in a separate folder (you name it).

 

Microsoft has a free tool to take an .iso and create a bootable USB drive.

Check here for the tool and directions:

Microsoft Store Online

Note that the download link is hard to see, but it's in the text in step 1.

 

Ah, awesome! Shall give this a try first and if it fails I'll try the other method that was mentioned in this thread.

 

it works. i just did it with the ISO from MSDN/technet. used a 4gb USB, and all went well. i would say it loaded faster with the USB than the disk drive.

and like i said, make sure you have at least the applicable driver for your wireless card (if thats your main way of connecting to internet) that way you can get on the itnernet afterwards and get the updates you need.

alternatively, you can just put the alienware provided "software disk" that has all the stock drivers that came with your laptop. its just a pain trying to sift through that, since they include drivers for ALL R3's, meaning you'll have drivers for the nvidia 460m, ati 6970 and 6870, so you have to figure out which to install based on your setup.

 

Good.
But only use your resource DVD as a last resort and don't install the command center from it, you can brick your alienfx controller, most of the things there are outdated or soon will be!

 

Having read this I am now very concerned/worried that I could potentially screw something up.

So, I did manage to get my USB flash drive to act as a bootable drive. As to the drivers I need, should I download them from Dell, create a folder on the flash drive, and store those drivers there?

I then install them in the order that has been used in this thread or this one, correct? I'll be upgrading my stock HD to an Intel 510 SSD, so I should follow the first set of instructions, right?

 

I downloaded all the appropriated drivers and put them on a separate flash drive from my Win7 installation flash drive.

In my case I removed the 320gb drive my M17xR3 shipped with, installed the Intel 510 (in bay 1) and a WD 500gb drive in bay 0. Installed Windows 7, then once it was all up and running I copied all the drivers from that second flash drive to my 510 and installed them per those threads you referenced.

 

Ah, alright; thanks!

Now to find that second flash drive that I have lying about!

 

Yes, or on another key, i personally carry a 8Gb key which is enough

 

No reason why you shouldn't have a bootable USB drive nowadays Make sure to grab a fast drive too!

 

Also, my tactic was to completely remove the 320GB drive that shipped with my M17xR3 and set it aside. I installed two new drives - an SSD and a Western Digital 7200RPM drive for data.

Some reuse the drive that came with it for data, but I like the idea that the drive Dell shipped with it is in my safe. That way, if I should have some sort of issue and not be sure if it's hardware or my installation configuration, I can always swap that drive back into the laptop to verify. Also could help if I have warranty issues and Dell tries to claim it's my hardware/config. And lastly, if you run into a problem and have to return your machine for a replacement, you don't have to wipe and send back your data drive - you can just swap your own drives into the new machine and be up and running in no time.

I think I paid $50 for that 500gb WD Scorpio drive, so that's cheap insurance. And it paid off when I returned my (perfectly good) first laptop and ordered a second one to get the free xbox 360. When the new one came, I just pulled its drive and swapped in my two I had from before, and voila - I was good to go.

 

Spoiler

This is what most of us do, good choice

 

I have every intention of doing this; SSD for OS and important apps and a 500/750 GB HD for everything else!

Good to know that it's the smart thing to do!