Can I use a normal Win7 disc to format system?

Hey all,

I have an Alienware M15x and I have formatted to install from scratch again.
I'm using the DELL CD but it's giving me lots of problems at expanding files.

Is it possible to use a STANDARD Windows 7 install disc and then just download all the drivers/applications from Drivers & Downloads

If I do that then lights, and all the fancy Alienware stuff will all be there right?

 

as long as you have a CD key, you can use whatever disk you fancy

 

Since you have, like me, an M15x; you should look over this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/488201-new-m15x-owner-information-44.html#post6307409
..
Do NOT use the Black Disk for 'Command Center', it will blow your motherboard and lights ( I did it but got a replacement ).

IF you format your drive, I have 3 times in the past year, you need the Drivers from Dell .com;
Drivers & Downloads

and lots more info in Wattos' thread ( first link ).

Dont forget the forum has a search feature and welcome to NoteBook Review Forums. 'watching and willing to answer PM's'

oh.. Steve is right too..

-hubs-

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-information-read-before-posting-updated.html

 

Did I give bad advice or is it just general info?

 

Your advice was impeccable, but I guess Batboy would prefer that the thread had been opened in the M15x section/sub-forum.

 

Thank you so much guys!

You are all very helpful and smart, brilliant information on that thread too so thanks for that.

I need to post here more often.

I'm formatting my M15x because I sold it and the stupid Dell disc just keeps freezing on me but the standard window disc seems to work fine.

I bought a M17x now had a LOT of problems with it.

Core 2 Quad Extreme QX9300
8GB DDR3 RAM
Blue Ray
1920x1200 res
2xGTX 280M SLI

The problem was the video card driver, the only stable driver was the 197.84 driver so now it's working like a charm since I installed that driver.

Expect more posts from me in the future

p.s Any threads like the M15X one for the M17X?

 

Not at all - sorry, I was on a mobile device when I posted earlier. I linked to the http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-information-read-before-posting-updated.html sticky so the OP had a handy reference for drivers, service docs, community driven threads, etc.



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@kimlo,

Welcome to the forum!

 

@Rev and BatBoy, thx guys. Too good a forum to mess up now. lol and ^5

@kimlo, glad you found the forums. When you have time look at the black/ grey bar above and click 'User CP'. That is where 'we' all edit our 'signatures' (sigs). I started mine by copying another member's and editing it to my own.

 

Besides the topic hub1100 recomends you, you should check this guide: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...er-install-order-guide-alienware-systems.html