Reinstall Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Mess

I decided a new Windows install was a good idea and it may have been but not the way I have done it. I installed the typical Windows 7 Home Premium 64, not the Alienware version that came with the laptop, thinking it was no big deal to install all of the drivers and themes to make it Alienware. So far I don't have a computer that works at all. I tried to read the procedure at various places and have downloaded and installed some drivers but nothing works and it still looks like a non Alienware laptop.

Not wanting to mess with that procedure further now I can't figure out how to restore from the Windows old files on the hard drive which may or not be possible but it isn't easy if it is possible. The recovery partition shows nothing and I don't have the original installation discs. I tried to reinstall respawn without completing that process, it failed for some reason several times. I called Dell to see if I could just buy the installation disc and use my key but had no luck with that option although I have now also sent that request by email. Running the Windows Installation disc, downloaded from a link at the Microsoft help website, doesn't give me the repair option for some reason, only install option.

It is probably clear, I am not very skilled at this sort of thing and would like to find an easy way back to where I was before I started this process. It is an Alienware M15X, Intel i7 740QM if that matters.

 

as i understand, win 7 works fine, but has no AW features, like command center or wallpapers? use following link to get them all back


http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...re-look-feel-after-clean-install-windows.html




btw i myself have installed win 7 ultimate that is not provided by AW. heres also a link on how to install drivers after fresh OS install


http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...er-install-order-guide-alienware-systems.html

 

Thanks for response. Unfortunately it really doesn't work at all. It boots and Windows loads but I can't get on the internet. I have downloaded drivers to a USB drive on another computer and installed the drivers on the M15X. Trouble shooting doesn't provide any reason why I can't get ethernet or the Wi-Fi adapter to work, I am assuming the drivers aren't right but it doesn't tell me that. I had looked at the links provided above which appear to be the same drivers I tried to install from the Dell site but when I get a chance, I will download those to the USB drive and try again.

I forgot to mention when I entered the key during the install, it indicated it was invalid. I don't know how this stuff works, it may have accessed the key on the hard drive and did accept it without me being aware which is why I was able to move forward with the installation, I really don't know. I guessed since the key is for the Alienware version, not the version i installed, that might make have caused the invalid message.

 

im not sure on this, but i think once you remove original AW windows, you cant use the key on sticker at bottom of laptop.

assuming you still have stock Intel Wi-Fi Link 5000/5100/5300 card, use this

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/De...0+and+Intel®+WiFi+Link+5100+products&lang=eng

 

Yes the stock Intel Wi-Fi adapater is still installed. Will try the driver from that link to see if that gets me online and maybe headed in the right direction. Thanks.

 

Installed that Windows 7 64 bit Intel driver, still won't work.

 

if you have ethernet cable, if you plug it in, you should get internet straight away even without drivers. win 7 has default LAN drivers included. if this doesnt work, then probs win 7 version you used might be buggy

 

Thanks, got it back up and running with the old Windows 7 Home Premium. I am going to decide if I want to buy a Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 8 or try again with a fresh Windows 7 Home Premium install. The steps outlined above will hopefully be something I can follow without screwing things up again although an Alienware version would be easier for me, if that can be obtained.

 

I'm glad you got it working already.