Clean Install of Windows 7 - M17x R4 (I have read Batboy's Driver Guide)

I have had some driver issues with my M17x R4 (7970M) in which the drivers don't install correctly no matter how many times I try (roll back/uninstall/AlienRespawn etc.).

Now, technical support said to reinstall windows cleanly (as have a number of members on here) from the Windows 7 disc supplied. I have done this on a number of occasions today - I am at my wits end.

I need a concise way in which to do this correctly as I do not know which partitions to delete in order to cleanly reinstall everything - even after reinstalling windows (3 times today) still have the Alienware wallpapers and AlienFX lighting on my keyboard - hinting to me that I have not fully CLEAN installed windows.

Someone please help me - I have no Alienrespawn any more (USB pen drive messing about) so I'm currently stuck with an incredibly expensive paperweight.

I have the OS partition, recovery and OEM partition. How do I get my system to be like it was out of the box? I feel like pulling my hair out... All because of AMD's drivers...

 

A clean install usually refers to deleting all partitions and installing Windows cleanly. However, you will lose respawn and anything recovery stored. Backup all valuable information and files before doing so.

1. Delete all partitions (do not leave your USB flash drive or external hard drives plugged in when you do this)
2. Install Windows 7 to the empty space (do not create partitions unless you need them)
3. Install all drivers (I recommend downloading the most current ones from the website)
4. Install system/notebook software
5. Install all Windows Updates

Order of drivers
(I would strongly recommend not being connected to the Internet before installing drivers so that Windows does not try to download and install its own drivers)

1. Chipset
2. Video
3. Sound
4. Network
5. Extra peripherals
6. System/notebook software

Good luck,
Gabe

 

Great stuff +1

Also, here's a step by step guide on How to Install windows 7 in an Alienware Computer as well as the specific drivers needed.

 

You can stop this from happening by typing "change device installation settings" into the start menu>enter. You would then be greeted with the options to change as per the pic below: you would want it set exactly like that to stop driver auto updates from windows.



Also, if you still have the original recovery partition in tact, I would strongly suggest that you recover your system from it and re-create recovery media so you have a working factory image for future use. Once you have that, feel free to nuke every partition in sight, quick format and install to the one large empty partition.

I believe that the latest version of AlienRespawn will actually install WITHOUT the recovery partition being in tact and it will let you create an image....never used to be the case as before it was a requirement that the recover partition be in tact for correct installation. Check out this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/669480-cannot-make-system-restore-2.html