Alienware Area 51 m17x - Restore Disc

Hello,

I'm new to this site but hoping someone can help me out. I am not technically savvy by any means so please be gentle with your responses.

I was in the process of doing a system restore and received an error. I'm not certain but think the disc is corrupt. I've also lost the back-lighting on the keyboard.

The screen I'm seeing is titled "Windows Boot Manager"

"Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:
1. Insert your windows installation disc and restart your computer
2.Choose your language settings, and then click "next".
3.Click "Repair your computer"

If you do not have this disc, contact...blah blah blah

File: \Windows\system32\config\system
Status: OxcOOOOOOf
Info: Windows failed to load because the system registry file is missing or corrupt"

I'm assuming I need a disc or the files. I called Alienware and because the system is from 3/2009 they said they can't help me.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

If it came with Vista you should be able to use another Vista disc with your key on the bottom to restore.

 

It did come with Vista but unfortunately there was not a Vista disc or key included. All I have is the restore and support discs.

 

So there is no Vista key on the bottom? And Vista on it now doesn't boot?

 

Okay, now I feel like a complete moron. Yes, there is a key on the bottom of the laptop.
Yes, Vista does not boot and I lost the illumination on the keyboard.
I really don't know what the hell I'm doing over here.

 

Do you have or can you get / borrow a Vista disc?
What version of Vista is the key for? Home Premium, Pro, Ult?

You need to re-install the OS:
You can try calling Dell if you need the disc, perhaps they can provide one.
If not someone may be selling one on Ebay.
You could also purchase a new version of Windows 7 which would run fine.
If you don't want to spend any money and will entertain another OS you can also get Linux Mint for free and load that on. Linux now has Steam support and a good amount of games will work with it. If you still use the laptop for gaming check to make sure the ones you like support Linux. Linux will also have a little bit of a learning curve so if that sounds bad stick with Windows.

 

I was able to download a copy of Vista IOS but then rcvd a disk read error. From what I can tell, the hard drive has crashed???
If so, any idea what I can use to replace it - the original is Samsung 250gb 7200rpm ffs sata hdd system drive?

 

Vista IOS? Sounds like a child that Microsoft and Apple had back in 2006 lol.

What version of Vista did you get? Careful if you didn't download it from a legitimate site it's not just a virus loaded disc unless you know your way around that type of stuff.

I think Seagate now owns / supports Samsung drives. If you want to make sure the drive is dead you should be able to use their testing tools which can be burned onto a bootable cd. Here is the link and instructions:

http://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/item/seatools-dos-master/

If you don't want to bother testing the old drive you can grab and new SATA 2.5 inch notebook drive SSD or HDD and load the OS onto that. Just make sure your Vista disc version matches the version printed on the key's sticker.