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    How to i return to factory default?

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by canabe, Aug 11, 2011.

  1. canabe

    canabe Newbie

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    I bought this computer a week ago, ignoring all the 'backup now' messages... thinking i'd do it later!
    So i got my connection started and tested out a few games, browsed online, etc for a bit.
    Anyway! I fell for this silly virus, my computer in the few days of using it... received one from a website (not sure where!) and in a panic (i was unable to open any programmes) - i came on here earlier and read all about it. Something as simple as removing a certain file would have got rid of it, but obviously... i was in a panic! and reinstalled windows, with the disk that came with it.
    I'm not exactly computer savvy ;) lets just say, and i thought it would just start over as new again...

    With previous laptops, i've just rebooted them and it's been ok. But i've lost all the alienware programmes that came with it!

    How do i get it all back???
     
  2. Zuu

    Zuu Notebook Geek

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    Ok, so here's what you do.
    First off, Don't Panic!
    Second, you need to reboot your computer, and when you see that wonderful little alienhead startup screen I want you to SPAM the F8 key.

    Once you do this a screen will pop up with a few different options, some like "Boot from disk" "Clean harddrive" blah blah blah...
    Go all the way to the bottom and select the "AlienRespawn" the steps for the program are simple to follow, once you get to the date of the "Respawn" selection screen, click on the "Factory Install" or whatever exactly the name of it is... Once this is done, it should take the computer about 30 to 45 minutes to wipe the HDD clean and go back to its factory image

    And yes, even if you uninstalled all your factory programs, including alienrespawn, it is STILL saved on your computers hard drive via this option, I hope it all works out for you!
     
  3. Zuu

    Zuu Notebook Geek

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    Also, if you now have 2 operating systems installed (Both your fresh install and the factory one with all the programs on it) I can gladly tell you how to delete the fresh OS so it isn't wasting hard drive space once your reset your machine!
     
  4. canabe

    canabe Newbie

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    Hey :)
    thanks so much for the advice, and fast reply!

    Mustve restarted it 5 times now :eek: held down the F8 key, even tapped it a bunch of times ;) when you said .... but it doesn't do anything, or go anywhere however... just makes a very loud 'beeping' noise! then goes to desktop...

    Hmmm, am i doing something wrong here ?
     
  5. canabe

    canabe Newbie

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    nevermind that last message! lol got it up...
    See how it goes from here...
     
  6. Zuu

    Zuu Notebook Geek

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    When I was trying to do this, I found out myself it was also a pain in the arce... just keep hitting it constantly until the screen pops up, start hitting it once you click restart :) if there's still problems please let me know

    Alright good luck!
     
  7. canabe

    canabe Newbie

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    Well, that was easy! ;)

    Thank you Zuu for your help!! :) :)
     
  8. Zuu

    Zuu Notebook Geek

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    Glad it worked, and you're welcome!
     
  9. 1414

    1414 Newbie

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    i have same problem here forgot to make recovery dvd and reinstal windows...

    when i hit the F8 key i go to "advance boot option" and no option like you said "boot from disk" "clean hardrive" or "alienrespawn" am i doing wrong?

    and also i already instal alienrespawn from http://alwdownload.alienrespawn.com/alwdownload-en.html
    when i select restore to factory state my laptop restart and boot to "system recovery option" instead of alienrespawn... any suggestion ?

    sory for my bad english
     
  10. jozeconzeta

    jozeconzeta Notebook Enthusiast

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    On your desktop in windows look under the hidden notification icons and look for alien respawn. once there look for restore and back to factory settings... let me know if that works...