Reinstalling Windows 7

Hello all, I have a M11X R1 and I want to reinstall/reformat Windows 7.

I lost the CD alien ware provided me with so should I just download a 64-BIT Windows 7?

and enter my key that's under my laptop.

Do I have to do anything else to activate it?

Thank you very much.

 

isnt there a recovery partition on the m11x?

ill check for you in a few hours if all you want to do is a system restore

 

DVD provided by Dell normally contains ONLY windows7x64. There are no drivers included - this is not a recovery disc, just pure windows7. Be very careful while installing fresh win7, not to erase normally hidden partition called RECOVERY. That's where original factory image is stored. Dont erase OEM(reserved) partition either.
You can recover back to factory settings also if your windows is working, either via:

-F8 before windows loads up -> repair my computer then after choosing language you'll see the screen with AlienRespawn recovery option on the very bottom of the menu.

or:

-if it boots into windows, you may run AlienRespawn software (should be in menu start folder) then choose Restore option (second from the top)

By installing independent windows you'll erase original MBR and will loose option of recovering via F8

Also if your windows is still loading ok, you may try to create your own recovery discs by launching AlienRespawn software, and choosing first option from the top.

If not, there is a way of creating recovery discs, even if your Windows partition is screwed, as long as RECOVERY remains intact. but you'll need any win7x64 DVD to start with.

Just post here how's it going.

 

Sorry if this is off-topic. If you install a new hard drive, how do you go about installing that recovery partition or OEM partition onto this new drive?

 

It's a wild guess, but I noticed that recovery discs created via AlienRespawn, will recreate fresh recovery partition. Don't quote me on that though as may be wrong.
I had my partitions screwed up pretty much, including RECOVERY, C:, some logical D:, previously recovered by some partition recovery software, and after using AlienRespawn discs, it all came back to:
OEM(reserved)
C:
Recovery

...so it looks like it restores original factory parition configuration, creating RECOVERY patition too.
Also during recovery itself, it says "formating partition" and this process lasts far longer than normal partition formating, hence my assumption it copies all data from discs to freshly made RECOVERY
...and then it reinstalls windows etc from partition during "recovering" part, as DVD drive goes dormant for that time untill whole process is finished.

But like I said, can't be certain for now - spent far too much time recently sorting "refurbished" alienware out. Gotta rest a bit

Just one thing for sure:
Recovery disks wipe whole HDD completely. It says "Only drive C: will be affected" - and this is not true. It erases all partitions, including all primary/logical - whichever, and goes back to factory set like i wrote above. So back up your data from other partitions first!

 

You don't need to as it does it for you... I put in my new SSD, installed windos 7 and didnt even have to enter key. Now when i look, the small 100mb OEM patition is there. No recovery though, thats a dell thing... (i think)