Selling M15x: format & clean install

Hello all.

I'm selling my M15x, and I want to format it and reinstall Win7 (to delete my data and leave it as good as new).

What is the best way to do this?
From some recovery software installed? Using DVDs?


How do I avoid all that "Do not install CC from DVD" stuff I've been reading about?

thanks.

 

Did you ever make the recovery cd's with respawn? Or the USB recovery? If so it will install the recovery partition and everything like it just came from the factory and set up you first boot. If not you can have a friend make it for you.

 

As the recovery partition will possibly install the old Command Center I have to advise you against loading the recovery partition. (As this can brick your mobo)

Just put in the Win7 CD, reinstall Windows and then install the latest drivers manually. Here you can find the driver order and some additional inofrmation:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/556721-how-clean-windows-7-install-driver-install-order-guide-alienware-systems.html

 

It should all depend on how old his system is my recovery has the new COM CENTER due to the fact it was built less then a month ago. why not check what ver. your command center is and see if its the same as the faulty one

 

Actually, it wont. When using Respawn or re-imaging the system, Command Center is not being told to flash the firmware. The whole 'brick your firmware' was a result of the older firmware being flashed over the newer version. This whole issue was corrected but we still have folks who from time to time, run the CC installer off the resource disc. At the end of the install process, the resource disc version of the CC installer package went into a flash process. Revised versions of CC do not do this. They first check the firmware version.

@OP, if you have your DataSafe Local Rescue Media - you should be fine. Just restore to factory and sell as-is. No need to run through the initial set up. let the new owner do it.

 

Ok, thanks for the clarification BatBoy!

In this case using the recovery partition is the easiest way (as long as you still have it).

 

I used it when selling my old m15x and it worked perfectly. Like BatBoy said let the new owner setup their own system.

 

ok, that sounds about right.... I never used the DataSafe thing, but I know its in there, so I'll try with that.
I assume it also wipes out my HDD, right?

thanks a lot for the info everyone!


EDIT: also, if DataSafe Local Rescue Media fails for some reason, would I be ok just inserting the Win7 DVD and then installing drivers manually? or what is the second best options?

 

a clean install would be fine too, just takes a little longer.

 

I'm sorry, but thats exactly what I'm confused about...

whats the protocol for a "clean install"?
-Insert Win7 DVD
-Following on-screen instructions and say I want to format.
-Install Drivers manually.

Is that it?

 

yeah that pretty much sums it up. batboys guide that svl provided was everything you need.

just insert your win 7 disk and boot from the disk. reformat the drive then install windows. after that just install all your drivers, chipset first then everything else with command center last.

 

great, thanks!