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    HOW TO: Clean Windows 10 Install (Driver Install Order) Guide for Alienware Systems

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by [Nikos], Nov 16, 2015.

  1. [Nikos]

    [Nikos] Notebook Evangelist

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    Based on this other guide.

    This guide explains how to do a clean install of Windows 10 as well as the best choice of drivers for your system (I will do the first version of this guide based on my system and will add more info as you give me some feedback to do so :)).

    I am going to need your help selecting the proper driver version for this OS. At first I am going to post the Driver version I am using right now as well as a list of installed programs which are running just fine with the OS (I did not have any issue with the LCD but this is important)

    Windows 10 + GeForce Drivers are Killing Samsung and LG Notebook LCD Display Panels
    Uninstall both EVGA PrecisionX & MSI Afterburner (Keep RTSS)


    Windows 10 Clean install:
    Important: Systems with RAID arrays need to have the proper Intel RST driver loaded during the installation, otherwise the RAID won't be recognized or the installation will fail.

    Windows 10 Media Creation Tool
    1. Select the “Create installation media for another PC” option and click Next (even if you’re using the computer on which you’re installing Windows 10).
    2. Choose your language and edition of Windows. If you bought Windows 10, it’ll say which edition you have on the box or in your email. If you upgraded from Windows 7 or 8, you can check which version you have under Control Panel > System and Security > System.
    3. Choose what kind of media you want to create. We recommend using a USB flash drive.
    4. The Media Creation Tool will download and burn the installation files for you. When it’s done, restart your computer, keeping your flash drive plugged in.
    5. Boot from your flash drive. You can usually do this by pressing F12 (or a similar key) at startup, then choosing your flash drive from the list that appears. If that doesn’t work, read this article for more options.
    6. You should be greeted with the Windows 10 installer. Follow the initial prompts and, when given the option, choose “Custom: Install Windows Only”.
    7. Select the hard drive you want to install Windows 10 on. If you aren’t sure which drive or partition it is, look for the largest one, or the one that says “Primary” in the right column—that’s probably it (but make extra sure before continuing, because you will erase that hard drive!)
    8. Click the “Format” button. (If the Format button is grayed out, click “Delete”, then click “New”.) Press Next to install Windows on that drive.
    9. Allow the installation wizard to guide you through the rest of the process.
    Source: How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 10


    Driver Install Order:
    Note: If a driver installer prompts for a restart, be sure to do so before proceeding with the next driver.
    1. Chipset
    2. Intel Management Engine Interface
    3. Intel Rapid Storage technology
    4. LAN driver
    Windows 10 AutoInstall - No need for specific driver.​
    5. Wireless Driver
    Windows 10 AutoInstall - No need for specific driver. Otherwise use this one.​
    6. INTEL/AMD/NVIDIA Display Driver
    • If you have an M14x or M17x with Nvidia graphics install the Intel HD graphics driver first.
        • I am not going to post a link for this drivers till someone leaves me the correct one below.
    • If you can't install the discrete graphics driver on the M18x you need to press Fn+F7, select yes and reboot. This will enable the discrete card and let you install the driver for it (If you're having trouble with an AMD card you need to switch to the iGPU, install the intel driver then switch back to the AMD card and install the catalyst).
    • I am currently using 358.91 WHQL. I will talk to @j95 for linking this part to his mod if he agree with doing so.
    7. Audio driver
    Windows 10 AutoInstall - Need advice for this driver.​
    8. Bluetooth driver
    Windows 10 AutoInstall - Need advice for this driver.​
    9. Media Card Reader
    Windows 10 AutoInstall - Need advice for this driver.​
    The following drivers might require Microsoft .NET framework 3.5 support to work properly, you can download it here.
    10. Touchpad driver
    Dell's website. ​
    11. Alienware On-Screen Display driver
    Dell's website. ​
    12. Alienware Command Center
    Dell's website. ​

    ****Regarding Webcam****
    The webcam does not require a device driver; it uses the Microsoft's driver. To download the webcam software that came with your system see below, item #13.13. Log in over @ My Dell Downloads to grab any apps that came bundled with your system.
    *****TODO LIST*****
    - Complete driver's links.
    - Screenshot of current software installed (software which works without breaking LCD.)
    - Any suggestions?    ​

    Please feel free to leave a comment for upgrading the guide. I will modify the weaker points within a short time.

    Hope it helps to anyone :)
     
    [Nikos], Nov 16, 2015
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  2. [Nikos]

    [Nikos] Notebook Evangelist

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    Come on :p help me out with others models to fill up the guide :D
     
    [Nikos], Nov 23, 2015
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