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    alienware m17 restore to factory

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by canuckel_head, Nov 20, 2012.

  1. canuckel_head

    canuckel_head Newbie

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    I have a alienware m17 with windows vista and need to do a factory restore. The catch is I have a broken screen and can only see half of it. I know how to get to the boot menu by pressing f8. From there I can not fully read the options. I need a step by step instruction on where to go from there.
     
    canuckel_head, Nov 20, 2012
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  2. jackgarcia7

    jackgarcia7 Notebook Guru

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    Well my friend I would recommend buying a screen but if thats not the case youtube has several how to install videos for vista.
     
    jackgarcia7, Nov 23, 2012
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  3. canuckel_head

    canuckel_head Newbie

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    That's the main reason im restoring, I have been trying to connect to an external monitor. My laptop is not reading the monitor. I know the problem is not the monitor because it works on a different laptop. Ia while back I was screwing with the system and I think I changed something I should not have. So I figure if I restore there is a chance that my laptop will read the external monitor. I have exhausted
     
    canuckel_head, Nov 23, 2012
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  4. jackgarcia7

    jackgarcia7 Notebook Guru

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    Can you boot up the system? If so I would hit the f key on your keyboard that switches the view type of the monitors. If it doesn't boot I would follow a youtube video on how to install vista. If that doesn't work make a bootable drive on a different system on bring it into this system. There always the option to boot from USB if these options don't work.
     
    jackgarcia7, Nov 24, 2012
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  5. canuckel_head

    canuckel_head Newbie

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    Yes the system boots and runs it just wont read the external monitor via VGA. I'll try the "f" key, is there a certain screen I must push it on?

    I tried the "f3" key which switches the windows, all that happens is the laptop screen turns black for a second then right back to normal. For some reason my laptop just won't read the external monitor. Could there be a drive or some software that I have lost or am missing that is keeping my laptop from successfully being able to read the external monitor?
     
    canuckel_head, Nov 25, 2012
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  6. jackgarcia7

    jackgarcia7 Notebook Guru

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    Ok its sounding more and more like there is some damage near the graphical component on your motherboard. Try a different external monitor. If that doesn't help and you have chosen from all four options on the f3 key. Then it will be something serious and I could not further troubleshoot since you would have to check the motherboard.
     
    jackgarcia7, Nov 25, 2012
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  7. canuckel_head

    canuckel_head Newbie

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    Alright looks like im just going to have to take it in, thanks for all your help, its greatly apriciated
     
    canuckel_head, Dec 1, 2012
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  8. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    You can send us an e-mail to [email protected] with your tag and phone and we'll take care of your issue.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Dec 3, 2012
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