Windows 8 and M17x R3 Observations

I can create a USB recovery media from what I see, but when I follow those steps to attempt to restore to factory defaults I am taken to the windows recovery options and I try to use the option to use a recovery image or restoration point and it has nothing, the recovery image option tells me that the drive has no recovery partition....

 

Have you deleted the recovery partition at all? - you can check to see if it's still there by typing "disk management" (no quotes) into the start search box, <enter> and it should open a window where you can see all the partitions on your hard drive. You should see a recovery partition there......

Did you try the recovery method from outside of Windows? - F8 at boot and then follow step 3 from the above link.

 

Recovery is there in my partitions as well as some blank partition and then my OS partition which has all my usable files. Yes I tried that as well and it says I have no recovery image : /

 

Hmmmmm. Well, if you cannot access the recovery partition from within Windows or from outside of Windows, it appears that the partition is pretty useless. Have you tried creating a Recovery USB? - I'm thinking if you can do that successfully, you might be able to then boot from it and it might just work. The other thing you might wanna try is a system restore to the very earliest point in time to see if that helps. Make sure to back up any data you don't want to lose. Maybe even trying to "repair my computer" could help.....at this point, it seems like you might as well try everything as it appears the recovery process is useless right now.

I was searching around and came across this short thread, which may help: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/632931-cannot-restore-recovery-partition.html

I suppose that if you are upgrading to Windows 8, the upside to that is that you should be able to make your own "user defined" recovery partition once installed - the new AWR software allows installation of a new recovery partition at a time of your choosing. This can be when you have Windows set up the way you like it, maybe with some programs/apps installed.

 

Double posting as I just posted on another thread and it may prove handy for you too, Zelda.

If you are still having issues booting from the USB, and you still have the recovery partition in tact, I'd suggest trying to create a set of recovery discs instead of USB. Try that and if they get created without issue, try booting from the optical media instead of USB. This just worked for the above member over on a different thread - he was encountering a similar issue booting from recovery USB - he was receiving the same "recovery not found" message about recovery image not present. Creating discs solved it for him, might do for you too....

 

Hmm at this point should I just say screw it and upgrade to Windows 8? Format all of my partitions and then reassign them once I have Windows 8 Pro?

 

Maybe. It's worth one last shot, I'd say, to create a working set of factory recovery media for your Win 7 install as it was when it shipped. If you still have the recovery partition in tact, try creating recovery discs (not USB) via AlienRespawn and see if you can boot from them. If it works, great - stash 'em and keep 'em safe. If it doesn't work, looks like your recovery partition is hosed anyways so you might as well then move on to Windows 8 and nuke all partitions during the install. The new version of AWR will allow you to create recovery media for your Win 8 install anyway - and a user defined one at that.

 

Ok, I have Windows 8 Pro now. I have my my installation thumb drive setup and ready, all I need to do know is perform the disc version alien respawn and backup Windows 7, Ok, just to make sure I need to reformat ALL the partitions on my hard drive when performing the clean install. I just want to make sure I am not going to screw anything up lol. Also I know I will need to update my drivers...how do I go about updating all of them on Windows 8..or is it just the same as Windows 7 (download, click, install, done) ?

 

Sounds fine to me. After you have backed up your files that you want to keep, made AWR recovery discs you should be fine to proceed. You might want to try booting from the recovery discs to see if they work - up to you. You can safely delete the partitions to clean install Windows 8 - it will create it's own partitions and once you have completed the install, you can re-download the latest version of AWR and make a new Win 8 recovery partition and new Win 8 recovery media.

Windows 8 will install a lot of drivers automatically. There are some you will need to update manually. See the post below (obviously you would need the relevant drivers for your machine but the process is the same really):

 

Ok, I made the upgrade but I am not able to do much atm because I have finally proven that AT&T is the worst IP ever and that my computer is not the problem they claim it is <_< so a repair man is being sent over tomorrow to attempt to figure out why I cannot download my games at more then 17kbs. But I have noticed some things, I found a link posted by someone on here and downloaded the beta drivers 12.11 I installed those and I have noticed on occasion I will get a white screen and I have to press the power button to put it in hibernation mode and it will fix it, but that is still an issue. Also I have no idea where to get my switchable graphics drivers from, or at least those that are not from the Dell website. I cannot really test any games at the moment but once I can I will get back to you all with information on any issues with games.

 

Now it seems as if it is only using my integrated graphics. I have installed Skyim and it ran it's hardware detection which put my settings at Low. I have also noticed strange skipping and jumping on some things as well. If someone can please help me get this sorted out sooner rather then later I would be really appreciative.

*EDIT*
I have also noticed that it continues to inform me of an error with ST Micro Screen Detection Sensor. As well two of my devices in Device Manager are unknown devices now.

 

Are you running on the Integrated Graphics? - you can check by right clicking on the desktop or there should be an Intel icon in the task bar notification area. Regarding the unknown devices, since installing Win 8, have you installed ANY Dell Drivers? - you do need some......if you open device manager, select the unkown device, go to the general tab, use the drop box to select hardware ID, you can then Google the top line of it and it should point you in the right direction as to what is missing.....

 

I am an idiot it seems ahaha, I simply had to disable the Intel graphics and it picked up my 6990m. Though I am having a few other odd problems. For one my locked screen goes completely white and does not display my chosen image, as well when I move my mouse to exit the lock screen it created several small colored lines on the right hand side of the screen before returning to my normal desktop. I plan to go and download allot of Dell drivers but something is very disturbing to me....the entire reason for me to switch to Windows 8 Pro was to fix a problem I was having when gaming. I will continue to have the screen freeze up for a bit and then return to the game, it was so bad for awhile that it affected my whole computer even to the point of typing. Even on this forum when typing it would freeze for a few seconds and then jump to what I had typed during the freeze. As it seems some of it may have been a software issue sense the clean install fixed the majority of the problem...it still exists in the game. Could this issue be a faulty graphics card and less of a software issue?

 

Have you checked your temps? Sounds like your card is throttling. As to installing drivers, all i had to was use the old dell drivers and then installed 12.11 beta drivers over top. Graphics switching and all that jazz seems to work flawlessly so far. Just don't use driversweeper or it will screw up your driver installation. Hope this helps!!!
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S2 running Resurrection Remix

 

Ok, I turned my computer off last night and once I turned it on today.....it has gone bat crazy! First upon turning on my computer it booted in to having a resolution 1280-1024. I checked the resolution and the slider was grayed out and I could not change the resolution. I turned on my Intel graphics in device manager and that fixed it. But now when I check my resolution, my monitor is listed as "digital flat panal 1024x768 60hz". I turned the integrated graphics off and attempted to play wow....but my fps was down to 4....so I repeated my steps to fix the monitor issue, but after enabling the integrated graphics I disabled and then renabled the 6990m which seem to fix it......What on earth is going on

*EDIT*

Nevermind...my fps is still utterly worthless....please, someone help : /

 

sounds like something went south with your graphics card drivers. I would go and remove all AMD driver files by using the AMD uninstaller found under uninstall a program in the control panel. Once you have done that, reboot, and install the 6990m stock drivers from dell. Reboot again and install either 12.11 beta drivers or the newer drivers of your choosing and you should be good to go!!

 

Hi guys, I have an m17x r3 with an Intel 6300 WiFi Card and I used to be able to connect and create wireless hotspots, but after upgrading to Windows 8 (and having to uninstall the Intel WiFi utility beforehand), and installing the new intell Wireless Tools and drivers, I don't have the option to do that anymore. Anyone else had the same problem?

 

I heared windows 8 keep breaking up games or other apps is that true is that a hardware problem people are having rather than the OS

 

Haven't had any issues with any games or apps not working at all.

 

Everything is running fine but microsoft is having more issues with .net 4 apps rather than .net 3.5 anyway here is a guide for Windows 8 http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...dows-8-clean-install-drivers.html#post9065543

 

My Windows 8 upgrade seems to be a bit of a mess right now. I made the mistake of doing an upgrade from Windows 7 instead of a clean install to Windows 8. I started with a fresh factory install of Windows 7, as I had not yet added any applications since receipt from Dell Outlet. Here are some of my issues:

1. I have to exit AlienFX before restarting or shutting down; if I don't Microsoft .NET hangs up and prevents the restart/shut down.
2. After the upgrade, I attempted to load iTunes. However, I cannot connect to the iTunes store, even though I have functioning internet connectivity. After spending hours troubleshooting based on what I could find in various forums, my next step is to call Apple Care, I guess.
3. I cannot load Windows Update KB2770917. I don't have the easy problem to fix, where it fails at 15%. Mine fails at 30%, and all of the workarounds I come across don't work. This includes doing msconfig.exe and stopping all non-Microsoft apps, restarting w/o startup apps, etc.
4. I wanted to upgrade from Dell's installed Cyberlink PowerDVD 9.6 to PowerDVD 12 Ultra to get blu-ray playback capability, as I have a new Panasonic Blu-ray RW ODD that I want to install. However, the upgrade won't work, and Cyberlink's best advice so far has been to redownload and try again. Ugh! I have tried, again, restarting w/o any startup apps running, but it still fails.

So, lesson learned, definitely do not do an upgrade. I'll be doing a fresh install once I have more time using the great info in this thread (Thank you!!). Does anyone have any other advice?


Alienware M17x-r3 Stealth Black | i7-2860QM 2.5GHz (3.6GHz w/Turbo Boost, 8MB Cache) | Dual 256GB SSDs in RAID 0 | 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M | 16GB, 4X4GB, 1600MHz RAM (upgrading to 32GB, 4X8GB, 1600MHz G.Skill RAM) | Killer Wireless 1103 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO | 1920x1080p 60Hz WLED | DVD RW (upgrading to Panasonic Blu-ray RW) | Windows 7 Ultimate (upgrading to Windows 8 Pro)

 

You should be able to redownload Win 8 via the confirmation email from Microsoft - there's a link at the top. Create a Win 8 install USB and do what you intend - a clean install deleting all existing partitions. (make sure you have created factory recovery image of your Win 7 install before hand.

Not sure why everyone seems to have issues with Blu Ray playback. I have recently rolled back to Win 7 but when I had Win 8 installed, I simply installed 9.6 from disc, did an update and Blu Ray works fine for me. Windows Media Center, on the other hand, does not have Blu Ray Playback or so it seems......

 

I'm using Windows 8 from Developer release on my m17x R3, currently experience some issues with INTEL drivers.

Please also add information for AMD/ATI owners, they should install only stock drivers from DELL site, in any other cases, they will see instability in IE, Flash, FireFox (they are crashing for me every day).

Onyone, please, add your comments to Alienware support forum, Re: Intel driver issue with m17x R3 - Alienware Forum - Alienware Club - Dell Community

Also I am experiencing troubles with DELL sound card drivers (skype crashing, AIMP crashing), I have to turn off all sound effects on output device. Windows drivers not good, because they do not turn off S/P DIF.

Please vote and comment on dell support forum: http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/p/19488133/20284208.aspx

 

Duplicated - Can't remove

 

Ok that did fix it....but now even after instally 12.11 the Catalyst Control center is like that of the Dell Drivers. Before I uninstalled the old drivers I had the ability to update to 13.0 drivers and now I do not have half the options of my old control center....how do I fix this?

 

Great.....now my frames in World of Warcraft when using my graphics card were like 85 which was all right for Ultra.....but then, it would drop down to nearly nothing and then come back up once I had been in an area for so long....and now I can barely even get 8 fps in Ultra and 34 in Fair......what the flying is wrong with my laptop =_____= -throws out the windows and goes to buy OriginPC laptop- <___<

 

have you cleaned your vents and everything? sound like a throttling issue. As to losing options, does your CC look like mine? all I had to do was hit preferences up in the top right hand corner and select enable advanced options.

 

Seems like the R3 users have the less problem no ? Mine also only have a minor issues here..... Installing all the beta since 13.1 came out and never have any problem..... I mean the major one.....

Just realize it today, does your Volume control worked during playing game ?? Playing with DMC 5 and Borderland 2 and seems I can't get to increase or decrease the volume during the game from the top right keyboard panel. Do you experience the same issues ?

 

I did the clean install this weekend, and everything is working perfectly, except for Bluetooth. I tried to install Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth Module, v.6.3.0.6300, A00, but I get a message the I need to turn on my Bluetooth module. I tried toggling my Wireless button, but the installation still didn't work. I then tried to install only the driver, but I didn't see any results from it; I still do not see the Bluetooth indicator in my system tray. I don't see a Bluetooth module anywhere when I look in Devices. All systems are supposed to come with Bluetooth, right? I looked on Dell Support at the listing of my original configuration, but I didn't see a separate Bluetooth listing; is is supposed to be listed on its own line or is it bundled with my Killer Wireless card? I recently received my system from Dell Outlet, and I didn't try to use Bluetooth before the upgrade, so I couldn't tell you if it was working prior to loading Windows 8. Any help would be appreciated!

Alienware M17x-r3 Stealth Black | i7-2860QM 2.5GHz (3.6GHz w/Turbo Boost, 8MB Cache) | Dual 256GB SSDs in RAID 0 | 2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M | 16GB, 4X4GB, 1600MHz RAM (upgrading to 32GB, 4X8GB, 1600MHz G.Skill RAM) | Killer Wireless 1103 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO | 1920x1080p 60Hz WLED | DVD RW (upgrading to Panasonic Blu-ray RW) | Windows 8 Pro

 

Also, if I indeed just don't have a Bluetooth module, would you recommend that I order the newer DW380 (for the R4 and has supported Windows 8 drivers) instead of the BT375 (for the R3)? I know I'll have to get a cable, too. I found the PN for the 375, but no luck so far finding the cable PN for the 380.

 

From the M18x R2 parts list:

3YX8R Wireless 380 Bluetooth Module, WiFi

 

Thanks Stevie! I ordered 3YX8R (Bluetooth Module) and 99MD9 (the cable that goes with it) from Dell. The grand total was $27.02 for these parts, which was much cheaper that I expected. I had seen the 3YX8R on some other websites for $47, and that was without the cable! Dell was able to confirm that my system did not have the module installed. I'll get Bluetooth 4 with this module (vs. Bluetooth 3, which is what I would have had on my R3 had the module been installed), and I'll be able to use the driver for Windows 8 that is available under drivers for the m17x R4. So, it worked out well in the end.

 

yup, seems like an issues with the OSD software and not the GPU drivers though.