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    HOW TO: Restore the Alienware 'Look and Feel' after a clean install of Windows

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by BatBoy, Jan 20, 2011.

  1. eldub0844

    eldub0844 Notebook Consultant

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    Much appreciated - there was some great info here that helped me immensely! :D
     
  2. Emm3

    Emm3 Notebook Evangelist

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    Still having trouble. I saved alienware red glyphs into the righ tfolder and named it defaultbackground. i went into regedit and when I get into /background i see one thing that says:

    [​IMG]

    If I click default do i type 1 in there? currently its blank. n(i put that 1 in there)
     
  3. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    you should've had a binary value in there called OEMbackground try this one, save it on your desktop, extract the archive and double click the file, press yes to add, then navigate again to

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background

    and make sure it's there.

    View attachment OEMbackground.zip
     
  4. Typecast

    Typecast NBR's Tamed Zombie

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    Mine keeps coming back to the default logon screen randomly.
     
  5. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    I think it's after Windows updates, just navigate in regedit and change the value again ;)
     
  6. Typecast

    Typecast NBR's Tamed Zombie

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    Ohh. Its starting to bug me. How come this doesnt happen to me before I clean installed windows?
     
  7. pepemosca

    pepemosca Notebook Evangelist

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    I had the same problem, and I solved by adding this:

    Code:
    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
    
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background]
    "OEMBackground"=dword:00000001
    
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System]
    "UseOEMBackground"=dword:00000001
    Source: Log On Screen - Change - Windows 7 Forums
    To Manually Change the Log On Screen in Windows 7
     
  8. Emm3

    Emm3 Notebook Evangelist

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    I love you long time <3
     
  9. eldub0844

    eldub0844 Notebook Consultant

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    I right-clicked and added it, and then changed it's value to '1'. :D
     
  10. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    i suppose you made it, great :D !
     
  11. Typecast

    Typecast NBR's Tamed Zombie

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    Where do you put this again sir?

    Edit: Solved it. Thanks buddy! +1

    Now My only problem is sometimes when I login in windows not in aero theme. I have to restart to fix it. Anyone has a fix?
     
  12. pepemosca

    pepemosca Notebook Evangelist

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    Wow! I have no idea what to tell you.

    You can check this topics:
    Windows Aero is disabled every time I turn on or restart my computer. - Microsoft Answers

    Aero Peek disabled after waking from Sleep Mode - Windows 7 Forums

    The sort way:
    * Do you have the latest drivers?
    * Are you running on start some video-related software?
     
  13. CC268

    CC268 Notebook Evangelist

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    when i get to backgrounds folder under login ui for applying the login screen there is nothing in the folder but (Default), I click on it and there is no number??
     
  14. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    See my post above #53
     
  15. soulhacker

    soulhacker Notebook Consultant

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    How do we get alienfx and command center back once we do a clean install?
     
  16. pepemosca

    pepemosca Notebook Evangelist

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  17. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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  18. mazda_dalvandi

    mazda_dalvandi Notebook Enthusiast

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    i have deleted and formated my recovery paartition .....(not deleted)

    i want to know can i recreate recovery file or fix it or etc...

    if it may be ..please tell me ....

    i have tried very very much.i the f9 key dosent work and i want to fix it...
     
  19. halfcraft

    halfcraft Notebook Enthusiast

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    so if i upgrade ram and HD this wont mess up my warranty with Alienware?
     
  20. vkt62

    vkt62 Notebook Consultant

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    What happens if you put multiple picture files in the login background folder?

    The warrenty will not cover the new HDD and RAM but the rest of the system will be covered. So in the future if your keyboard/cd driver/ etc has a problem, they can be repaired under the warrenty but the RAM and HDD cannot be repaired under the laptop warrenty even if you bought them from dell separately.
     
  21. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    Nothing bad but you can only have one with the proper name :p
     
  22. iPhantomhives

    iPhantomhives Click the image to change your avatar.

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    Every time clean install of Windows 7 , I notice the alienware FX color will set back to default (mine comes with blue), any idea how to change it with out using alienware CC?
     
  23. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    No other option :/ but if for some reason you don't want to use CC just install it set a theme, apply it and uninstall CC.
     
  24. iPhantomhives

    iPhantomhives Click the image to change your avatar.

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    Will it permanently keeps my FX colour when I clean install , any idea?
     
  25. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    It should, I don't know why your theme got changed.
    Did you install another version of CC?
     
  26. iPhantomhives

    iPhantomhives Click the image to change your avatar.

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    Nop , I think m18x has only 1 Version A01. Thanks anyways not a big deal , I'm just lazy to change the color after every clean install. lol.
     
  27. Minnick85

    Minnick85 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thank you for this! Is there any way known to change the alien with the red eyes during bootup before the Login Screen?
     
  28. Luxferro

    Luxferro Notebook Consultant

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    That's embedded in the bios. You'd need to modify the bios to change the image.
     
  29. FreddeN

    FreddeN Notebook Consultant

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    In REGEDIT I can only find a default REG_SZ file with no value in the background folder. If I try to change this to 1 and I try Windows plus L it's not there.
     
  30. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    You'll have to add it manually yourself.
    I'll make one and attach it here for you when I get home if you want.

    Cheers

    L.E. here you have it. Just extract it and double click it. No other action needed, i already set its value to true (1). Enjoy!

    View attachment OEMBACKGROUND.zip
     
  31. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    For those that are wondering where to find it after a clean Windows install, the Dell Webcam Central, PowerDVD and other software that comes pre-installed is not available for public download.

    You can download them from your secure login at support.dell.com by going to My Account and clicking the link for My Dell Downloads. This link will take you to "My Download Locker" after you have authenticated on the support page. You may need to register your system at My Dell Downloads.

    ------------- My Account -------------
    [​IMG]
    ---------- My Dell Downloads ----------
    [​IMG]
     
  32. Emm3

    Emm3 Notebook Evangelist

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    You saved me yet again with my new R3 =)
     
  33. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    Glad it helped, my friend ;)
     
  34. weskycn

    weskycn Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thx mate, great for a backup
     
  35. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    I am seeing new forum members asking a lot of questions about Windows reinstalls, so I am bumping this thread with some information noobs might find helpful with respect to the Alienware logon wallpaper.

    I've been using this program for a long time and it works great. It's easier than manually making changes and let's you change the logon screen "on the fly" whenever you feel like it.

    Windows 7 Logon Background Changer
     
  36. quickie

    quickie Notebook Evangelist

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    Mr. Fox, if you use the Windows 7 Disc that comes with the laptop it puts a fresh copy of 7 on the computer with all the wallpapers and windows log on screen. I also use the windows 7 logon background changer i dont like the red wallpaper it has so i usually change it to one of the blue backgrounds. Also if there is a way to change the bios boot image from the red eyed alien head to the blue eyed one that would be real nice. I cant find any program to do it.
     
  37. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    You'll have to edit the BIOS and flash it in order to change the post screen.
     
  38. willoc

    willoc Notebook Enthusiast

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    sweet! just plan to install ssd on my m17x!
     
  39. RavenManiac

    RavenManiac Notebook Enthusiast

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  40. Kalashnikov5

    Kalashnikov5 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sweet great job +1
     
  41. long2905

    long2905 Notebook Virtuoso

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    hey guys I was wondering when you click on my computer -> system properties, you will be shown most of the basic information of your laptop. And there is a Alienware logo there right under the windows logo and to the right of the WEI score.

    Is there anyway I can replicate that after a fresh windows install?
     
  42. smithda794

    smithda794 Newbie

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    I just want to say this post is awesome for a NOOB like me and this forum is awesome and all the people that contribute. I am most grateful!
     
  43. 517a

    517a Notebook Enthusiast

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    Add OEM Logo to Windows 7 System Properties - Windows 7 Forums
    I found this the other day, but I haven't tried it yet, because I haven't got my m17x R4 yet :(

    http://www.askvg.com/add-customized-strings-in-system-properties-dialog-box-of-windows-vista/
    This is another one, which you can keep the win logo and add an OEM logo.
     
  44. long2905

    long2905 Notebook Virtuoso

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  45. clemenzina

    clemenzina Notebook Consultant

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    Are there instructions anywhere for a fairly non-techie type? I'd really like to change my boot-up screen.
     
  46. Clifford103

    Clifford103 Newbie

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    Can i also point out two programs that are preinstalled on the M14x R2 - Dell Webcam Central (Adds effects and decorations to your webcams display), and Powerlink DVD can be a pain to reinstall, but add to the 'new' Alienware look and feel
     
  47. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    Here are some of my favorite Alienware wallpapers. Some I have collected from a variety of places on the web. Others I have created or modded using Photoshop.

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]

     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 6, 2015
  48. Prasad

    Prasad NBR Reviewer 1337 NBR Reviewer

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    It seems the Alienware wallpapers download link at the Dell site has been pulled. Does anyone have this archive? Can someone mirror it, please?
     
  49. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    Hey, Brother Prasad. I did a search on Dell's web site and found an alternate location for all available Dell/Alienware wallpaper downloads by product line. I also updated the dead link in the opening post.

    For your convenience, you can download here. (12MB worth)

    Also have a look at the album in my NBR profile. You'll find some available for download there that are not included in the Alienware wallpaper package from Dell. Some of those I have also posted at the Alienware Club in the Dell Community.
     
  50. Prasad

    Prasad NBR Reviewer 1337 NBR Reviewer

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    Thanks a ton, Fox! These will be most cherished on the new Windows 8 installation! +rep. :)
     
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