*OFFICIAL* Alienware 18 Owner's Lounge Thread

It really just depends on your budget and where the value is at, In Japan the M500's - 2 x 480gb is the same price as 1 x 960 so I'd personally still go the raid 0. 2 x 960 is far more than I need (not that id say no) and willing to spend.
Right now, I have about 600gb of samples for music production on a 1TB 7200rpm HDD which is plenty fast enough for audio of any description. Unless you have an aversion to HDD's there is a new 1.5TB 9.5mm Hitachi drive out now. That might be nice to throw into the mix. Food for thought

 

I heard about the Hitachi, it's the HGST Travelstar 5K1500 but I can't find that anywhere in US yet, so I will probably stick with 1TB Western D HDD. I do have somewhat of an aversion to HDD, its whining sound and vibration pisses me off. SSD to HDD is like bratwurst to cheap hotdogs, or like cigar to cigarette.

I have a Samsung 512GB so I can't do raid 0 with it, well at least it's just too price inefficient. The Samsung 840 Pro 512GB, at its cheapest is about $400. The M500 960GB at $600 just looks too delicious.

 

Hi thanks for the reply. So after I install the 256gb ssd and windows 7 and format the hdd, I won't need to re setup the 64gb ssd cache?

 

\think I've hit a brick wall.

 

Make sure you have a backup of the original Windows. Or just find the product key and save it somewhere.

You will need to do "delete partition override" in diskpart. Refer here: How-to delete the hidden recovery partition on Samsung 9 Series laptop - ESX Virtualization

I had the same problem too when I received my Y500 some time ago.

In general if I could, I will always install Windows on a drive that's clean formatted. Refer here: Use Diskpart to Create and Format Partitions

Or here: Create USB Thumb drive key from Windows 8 ISO DVD or media to be used for install – Step-by-Step | ITProGuru Blog

In general I think you can boot into DOS using USB drive, and run the diskpart there, since you can't format the boot drive which will be in use when you're in Windows. My preference would be to backup the necessary drivers and the product key for the Windows 7 (or just backup the whole thing), then clean format the drives and install the new OS. Alternatively, you could format the drive with the Windows OS installer. But I believe that's not clean format.

 

Whoops, just deleted 'Disk 1 Partition 1'. Should've read the post first.

 

Alien respawn is in action

 

I don' think you would have to. However, if for some reason you need to set it up again, it's a doddle. See this guide:

LINK IS DOWN - I'LL EDIT LATER

The only reason that I can think of whereby you 'might' have to do something is if RST is accelrating the drive on a port basis, meaning if you move HDD to another port, and install the SSD to the port that the HDD was on, it 'might' require you to re-assign the drive to be cached using Intel RST, which you can do with the above guide. Of course, you don't want to cache a SSD, so once you have installed the SSD and the OS, you can check RST to see what drive is being accelerated.

I'd have known more if I had a machine with an mSata port, unfortunately I don't.....but, regardless, it's an easy thing to set up as you can see....

 

not that easy, I'm all claws and have made a right balls of it..

 

D'ya need any help, fella? - where are you up to??

 

Loads unfortunatly.. I re-installed windows 7 on the 750gb hard drive thinking I could then Format the 512gd msata but it will not let me touch the 39MB OEM Partion...it's a bit of a mess now.

 

Crabeye - a few questions...

1. Did you create respawn media? - did I see that you tried to boot from it to undo what you've done already?
2. Are you just wanting to get Win7 clean installed to the mSata, leaving the 750gb for data?
3. Have you got any data on any drive of any importance yet?

 

You need to run diskpart first and force the system to delete it

 

Hey Guys,

A lot of folks on here talking about getting SSD's. I just got this email and link to Amazon for up to 40% off SSD's. Hope it helps.
Amazon.com: Internal Solid State Drives: Computers & Accessories

 

Okay ordered my lappy on 6/28 with EDD of 7/26th and change to arrive tomorrow, 7/16th.
Specs are as follows:

Alienware 18 BTX Base Mod
32GB Dual Channel DDR3L at 1600MHz
Dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M with 4GB GDDR5 - NVIDIA SLI Enabled
Broadcom 4352 802.11 ac 2x2 and Bluetooth 4.0
750GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s + 64GB mSATA SSD Caching
Windows 8 Pro, 64-bit, English
Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BD-ROM, DVDRW, CD-RW)
Overclocked 4th Gen Intel(R)Core(TM)i7-4930MX Processor (8MB Cache, up to 4.3GHz w/ Turbo Boost)

I have 2 Samsung 840 pro 512gb ready to pop in, raid 0...
I have done this many, many times before just never on windows 8 with the new bios format and all.
Also I have read some where in this glorious thread that I have nick named "The Greatest Thread on the New Alienware 18 Ever" that the system will not come with an OS disk although my email says I will receive a "Resource DVD". Not the same thing I gather...
What do I need to know before embarking on this side quest? Will I need to call Dell for a disk? Is there a way to download an OEM version?

 

Yeah you wont get the OS or Cyberlink either. At least I didn't. As for the Sammy's I went ahead and replaced mine before realizing the bios was set to UEFI Boot and I could install from the bluray drive. I went back into the bios, switched to legacy boot and disabled secure boot and I was able to install off of dvd after. For UEFI I think you have to make a UEFI bootable USB drive which I think one of the guys already did and it worked fine. Here's a link: UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows. There's no more performance, just more options if you want to make a pile of partitions. Here's my bios boot setting:

 

My current setup for my 770 GTX's has driver version 311.48. I see on nvidia they now have 320.49. Anyone using this driver already and seen a performance increase, issues, etc?

NVIDIA DRIVERS 320.49WHQL

 

thanks .....what did you do about the discs, did you call dell for the windows and cyberlink dvds?

 

Haven't had the chance yet. Dell forgot the base to the latitude 10 I ordered (which by the way is awesome) with the 18 as well. I bought it during the Alienware checkout as the had a $299 special. Some dude in India told me to send the 18 and the tablet back just because they forgot the base... completely horrible customer service. Fortunately I have Windows 8 on my own.

 

thanks and bummer on the dell screw up...so you installed your own w8 but with the aw serial? was the sticker on the bottom like w7?

 

Yes my own Windows 8 with my own license key. Installed all drivers from the Alienware resource DVD.

 

thanks for your time stoyles

 

If anyone is missing the Cyberlinks DVD just google "my dell downloads". Register, let it scan your system, viola, you'll have your software.

 

I hope somebady can tell me more things about this,not only the reviews by official! I want to get one.

 

Hi Steve. Thanks for the help.

I did create a respawn dvd and I did try to undo what I'd allready done.
Correct, I just want Win 7 installed on Msata.
I Have nothing important on the drives.

Thanks

 

hi.. where are are all the pics of the inderds..lol I would have thought that by now some one would have some up.. im most interested in the screen port and plug.. detail shots of those would be nice..
also can some one take pics of the wireless menu under the bios please..

 

As soon as I get my OS Sorted I'll strip it down.

 

Brother Crabeye,

Firstly, did you 'respawn' from your recovery media to your 750gb HDD to get the OS on it or did you clean install to the HDD?? - only asking because if you DID respawn, you don't need to worry about deleting recovery partitions later on, as the recovery media is proven to work, and you KNOW that it will restore the factory image, including the recovery partition, if needed again in the future - from your screenshots, it looks like you now have the recovery partition on the 750gb HDD instead of the mSata, so I assume you DID respawn to it - is that right??

Side note: Going back briefly to your previous screenshots, the reason you could not install the OS was simply down to the fact that you were trying to install it to the wrong partition - you should have selected partition 3 on disk 1 because that was the partition with the free space - the other partitions on disk 1 were system/OEM, so already in use.

Moving on, assuming you DID respawn to get the OS on the 750gb HDD, and assuming you now want to perform a full clean install to the mSata instead, all you need to do is to boot from the Windows 7 OS disc (F12 at boot>boot from CD/DVD) and let Windows do it's thing

At the point where you are asked 'where would you like to install Windows', you would choose your mSata (think it will be disk 1, going off your previous screenshots, as disk 0 is close to 700gb) and you can delete any partitions on your mSata (disk 1) because you should already know that respawn works if ever needed in the future - assuming that's how you got Windows onto the 750gb HDD.

By deleting any partitions on your mSata, you should end up with that disk showing as one large partition which is show as all 'unallocated space' - no need to format it, as Windows will do that during the OS install - and that is the partition that you want to select as 'where you want Windows' installed to. Just highlight that partition and carry on with the process. That should get a 'bare' Windows 7 OS onto the mSata. From that point on, you would need to follow the clean install guide, posted earlier, to get all the relevant drivers back onto the machine. The new 18 drivers are up on Dell UK here, and I'd recommend downloading the ones you need before starting to clean install:

Drivers & Downloads | Dell UK

That should be about it for getting the OS and drivers onto the mSata in true clean install style. From that point on, you should be able to format your 750gb HDD for use, and if you wanted to use a portion of the mSata space to cache/accelerate your HDD, you can set that up via Intel Rapid Storage Technology Software, as per below:

How to Enable Caching on mSata SSD for Alienware Laptops? | Dell UK

If you have any questions before hand, now's the time to ask 'em. If there is anything that you are unsure of, it's best to ask.....I hope the above helps, it's the process that I would probably go with.

 

I sent back my 18 because the GTX765m was nowhere near powerful enough. Currently haggling with the discounts team at Dell but looks like I'm going to just be going for the refund (£1990). I have a £2500 budget and the best price I've got on a build with Dual GTX780m and MS office included is £2790.

Think I'll just be upgrading my desktop and buying a standard laptop for Uni.

 

If an AW 18 is too expensive for you, you can look at the Sager P370SM like I did. Not as flashy as AW, but it's cheaper and also has 780M SLI configuration.
Or, you can take a look at HIDevolution.com They sell Alienware's for a cheaper price.

Oh, by the way: Before you guys start hating, take note that I would take an AW 18 above anything else. It was just out of my budget.

 

Anyone from Canada had their order cancelled again? I was happily waiting for my order which is to arrive in 2 weeks, then BOOM! I checked my order status today and found out that my order was cancelled for the THIRD TIME in one month! I called dell for an explanation and they told me it was a technical issue and my order was replaced and now the shipping is pushed back to August 5th. This is really getting retarded.

 

My order just got "modified" again yesterday and been pushed back to EDD august 5th. I'm pissed off and about to cancel it altogether... maybe if i get an upgrade from 765 to 770 cheap or some kind of compensation for this I wont cancel my order. ordered june 20, 3 order modification later (not from me) the EDD is postpone to august 5. this is just Ridiculous. Should i speak to an other person at dell ?

 

As soon as I get my OS Sorted I'll strip it down brother dumbdumb. I still can't install the alienrespawn on my ssd.

 

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaa. Thanks Steve. Os installed.......finally. I even managed to save 64gb(unallocated) like Mr Fox said for IRST. DO I need to allocate it first?

REP 1

 

She is here, she is bold and she is beautiful!
Called Dell today and they are sending me the WIndows 8 usb drive to arrive tomorrow but it comes preloaded with the 18's drivers minus the NVidia ones...pros and cons I guess but it will make install much easier...I will update the drivers once installed....No Cyberlink dvd but as mentioned easily downloaded from dell support. No dents or scratches, booted up like in a dream and thanks to "the greatest thread on the new alienware 18 ever" I anticipate smooth sailing as I install the 840 pro's tomorrow. Steam came preinstalled which was a surprise as I don't remember ordering that option. I have ordered stardock8 and will install that as well. Tested it on my surface pro and it made windows 8 digestible. Not going to overclock right now but I will run some heat and graphic tests once all is set and stable....

 

excellent. have fun brother.

 

I'M working on it to!

 

I'd be surprised if they send you one with the 18's drivers preloaded. I asked for that, too, but only got the support drive which will put the OS on your 840's. The resource cd that came with your 18 has all the drivers you'll need to complete the install, including the NVidia drivers (as the ones from NVidia don't recognize the 780's in my system. Maybe you'll have more luck? Haven't tried modding the INF files, but as of now, games like Bioshock Infinite run so smoothly on ultra, I'm not in a rush to fix what isn't broken.

 

Woohoo!! - I knew you could do it, Bro +rep! & well done!! - hope my little guide helped a bit. As for the mSata, you should just be able to select the mSata as the drive to do the caching, select the size from the mSata to actually work as the cache and finally, select the drive to be cached - your 750gb HDD.

 

THANKS! i was wondering if there would have been any thing on ac in there but i guess not..

 

glad you got it worked out!!! waiting on the strip down..

 

My Canadian order was in production for 2 weeks and now it is cancelled again and back to order processing with an EDD of Aug 6, originally ordered Jun 14, got cancelled and reordered Jun 28 and now this.

 

View attachment 99166

My msata is here, RAM is coming in before Friday, CPU should be here tomorrow. What's left is just the Crucial 960GB, which I will order later this week. It's a double whammy, the AW will come at the same time as my paycheck. Queue the music.

A-Team Intro High Quality - YouTube

I shall have it in an endless loop while I'm working on the AW.

 

Nice pics

 

Thanks. The AW 18 was an impulse purchase, it will be used for uni work as well as gaming but I don't start until September.

Very very tempted to bite the bullet and say yes to the upgraded AW18 but I know very little about laptop components and specs. Took me about 8 weeks before I picked my desktop, which could do with some upgrading and some ssd's put in, I have an ASUS GTX 690 in there and 16gb of Corsair Vengeance RAM.

Really not sure, I might have to do some research again or ask some guys on here.

 

I feel for you GreaseMonkey90 ... I have no pleasure in saying "Welcome to the club", I'm from the UK and have had my order cancelled twice ... so I'm on my third order with the EDD pushed back to 2nd August. The only explanation from Dell has been an internal reference amendment and the latest for the extended EDD is "They have a shortage of keyboards!!!"

This is on top of two cancelled m18x's (which I didn't mind given the new system).

So unfortunately, it's not just a Canadian issue. Sorry

 

i will update on the usb tomorrow. Funny thing is I didnt ask for the drivers to be included, he just told me about it.

 

So I decided to cancel my AW 17 yesterday due to the throttling problems every1 has been having. Called in today and got an awesome rep to get me an amazing discount on the 18. I added the 4930 mx, 4 yr accidental and it came with the dual 770’s. He discounted me 20% off the price before Taxes and somehow was able to give me 10% back for the EP GC which amounts to $400. I love this forum and I have his contact info if any1 wants a decent discount. BTW, he also told me that some of the reps are authorized to give 3 17% coupons per day.

 

I’ll be receiving my new beast by the 2nd of Aug. I have an SSD I want to install from an old laptop. How do I erase Windows on it so I can install Windows from Dell. Can I just swap it in and turn it on since Windows 7 is already on here. Newby here Thanks

 

Did you activate SLI? Last time you didn't like the performance you said it wasn't in SLI. Two 765s should be very close to a 780, which is pretty powerful.