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    M11x: Reformat to Factory State

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by Vallejo, Jun 15, 2011.

  1. Vallejo

    Vallejo Notebook Consultant

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    Well, I would want to reformat my m11x without touching the partition that dell installed on my HDD. I dont really want to make a "fresh installation".I was thinking in either of this ways (I dont really know if this will delete/use the partition):

    1-Use the USB recovery that I made using Dell DataSafe Backup
    2-Dell DataSafe Backup>Restore>Restore your entire system to a previous date or to the factory state.

    Or if anyone has a better method that would like to share with me, it would be great :)
     
    Vallejo, Jun 15, 2011
    #1
  2. JTOverath

    JTOverath Notebook Evangelist

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    Number 1 should work fine to get back to factory.
     
    JTOverath, Jun 15, 2011
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  3. Vallejo

    Vallejo Notebook Consultant

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    Do you know if it would erease/use the partition if I use that method?
     
    Vallejo, Jun 16, 2011
    #3
  4. NedKelly

    NedKelly Notebook Enthusiast

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    Why do you not want to touch the partition?
     
    NedKelly, Jun 16, 2011
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  5. dredd1893

    dredd1893 Notebook Consultant

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    would concur with NedKelly.. as long as you have created recovery media, there's no reason to refrain erasing recovery partition, as you would be able to recover partition with recovery media. It basically reformats your hard drive to its factory state.
     
    dredd1893, Jun 16, 2011
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  6. Vallejo

    Vallejo Notebook Consultant

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    I just dont feel confortable by touching the partition, thats why i dont really want to touch it, but if I can get back the partition after using the USB method... then I think then its ok if I touch the partition.

    By the way, I just want to confirm this : I can reformat the system (To the Factory state) as many times as I want with the recovery Usb , right ?
     
    Vallejo, Jun 16, 2011
    #6
  7. dredd1893

    dredd1893 Notebook Consultant

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    well, I've toyed with clean install and factory restore some time ago, and if I'm not mistaken, I've restored to factory partition about 5 times, three of which after clean install and completely formatting the harddrive, including OEM partition. So I guess you can use the usb method to restore as many times as you like. Hope that helps.
    Keep us in touch should you have any trouble. IMO, as long as you keep tab with clean install guide (it's on alienware root forum), it'll be ok.
     
    dredd1893, Jun 16, 2011
    #7