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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. dylan17x

    dylan17x Notebook Enthusiast

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    ok hellooo..
    I'm doing everything right but when I do restart computer everything changes to the normal pics...
    why ? what should I do?
     
    dylan17x, Sep 1, 2012
    #101
  2. long2905

    long2905 Notebook Virtuoso

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    check again, you're not doing it right.
     
    long2905, Sep 1, 2012
    #102
  3. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    Just use one of the free apps to do it. Faster and easier, and can flip to a different logon screen whenever you feel like it.
     
    Mr. Fox, Sep 1, 2012
    #103
  4. MXP

    MXP Newbie

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    Just wanted to thank everyone on this forum for all of the help. My new M17Xr4 was delivered Thursday. On Friday it had a new 256 Gb SSD and 16 G of ram. Clean install of Windows 7 (Did respawn and saved on media) loaded all the drivers. Now have the quickest system that I have ever had in my life. Kept the drive it came with as drive 2 and verified that my new boot drive is identical to the original.

    Couldn't have done it without all of the info here!
     
    MXP, Sep 17, 2012
    #104
  5. Haloruler64

    Haloruler64 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey, sorry to bother, but the download link for the Alienware Wallpapers in that link you provided is dead for me. Any other place I can find them? Can't find it anywhere.
     
    Haloruler64, Sep 28, 2012
    #105
  6. devildoc17

    devildoc17 Notebook Evangelist

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    how do i down load the webcam central ?
     
    devildoc17, Sep 29, 2012
    #106
  7. steviejones133

    steviejones133 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    If you login over at Dell SmartSource you can download each bit of software for your machine. Be careful with each download you use as you only get 3 downloads of each - you might wanna save it to a thumb drive for future use.
     
    steviejones133, Sep 29, 2012
    #107
  8. Haloruler64

    Haloruler64 Notebook Enthusiast

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    For whatever reason, I can't log in. I enter my account details, accept the TOS, and allowed the plugin to examine my computer. "Examining your computer please wait..." shows up and never goes away, never loads. Fresh install of Windows 8 Pro, using IE10 (tried compatibility mode and IE9 mode).
     
    Haloruler64, Sep 29, 2012
    #108
  9. prayogasp

    prayogasp Newbie

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    Hello everyone I want to ask something I got my alienware m11x r2 reinstalled os and I want my login screen back to alienware red glyph but I got a problem here I follow the instruction in this thread when I went to c:\Windows\System32\oobe\INFO there are 2 folders here BACKGROUNDS and DEFAULT when I open backgrounds folder there are 3 wallpapers in here I just copy paste the backgrounddefault.jpg here so now 4 wallpapers in this folder after I copy paste I went to start button and open regedit and follow the instruction going here HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background when I click background there are no OEMBACKGROUND DWORD file here what should I do? I stuck in here now. Sorry for my bad english thanks :)
     
    prayogasp, Sep 29, 2012
    #109
  10. vinnie_febs

    vinnie_febs Notebook Enthusiast

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    Can't remember who it was, but someone had the Glyph Wallpaper login screen in all kinds of colors, not just red. I've been looking for the blue one everywhere, but can't find it now. While I keep looking, if you know where to find it, please post it........ again :) thanks
     
    vinnie_febs, Oct 1, 2012
    #110
  11. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    Then it has to be created :)
    Right click in the right window after navigating to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background folder and select New DWORD.
    Rename it to OEMBACKGROUND and set its value to 1 (double click it).

    For more customization options, see my post here:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...formation-after-os-reinstall.html#post8822675


    Remember to back up your registry first just in case.
     
    katalin_2003, Oct 2, 2012
    #111
  12. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I'm just curious, how do you actually make it the same as when you first turn it on: "Windows is setting up your computer for first use..." or whatever it says.

    I read somewhere you do it within the CMD, but I've got no idea how.
     
    J.Dre, Oct 2, 2012
    #112
  13. steviejones133

    steviejones133 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    When your machine lands, use AlienRespawn (which is preloaded) to create recovery media in the form of discs or USB drive. Keep them safely stashed and if you need to return your machine back to factory condition, just boot your machine from the recovery media you created by hitting F12 at boot and booting from the relevant media. The machine will then go through it's processes and when it's finished, hey presto! - back to day one when you first turned it on!!!!
     
    steviejones133, Oct 2, 2012
    #113
  14. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Ah, okay. I didn't know if this actually did the setup part or not. Thanks.
     
    J.Dre, Oct 2, 2012
    #114
  15. steviejones133

    steviejones133 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Yep. It will do it all......just make sure you create the recovery media and keep it safe!
     
    steviejones133, Oct 2, 2012
    #115
  16. Mickey_kn0x

    Mickey_kn0x Newbie

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    Did a clean install and completely forgot about alien respawn... Anyways, I'm trying to find the alienware wallpaper but the download link isnt working? I have an m17xr3, if anyone can provide some insight on how to get it back to near factory state it'd be greatly appreciated.
     
    Mickey_kn0x, Oct 28, 2012
    #116
  17. steviejones133

    steviejones133 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Why not just grab the background that BatBoy posted at the very start - the one close to the bottom of his first post, two glyph pictures as attached thumbnails - logon background one on the left. Then you should just be able to follow the instructions from the same post to set the log on screen back to default Red Glyph. Some nice wallpapers can be grabbed from this link too: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...stomization-themes-wallpaper-collections.html
     
    steviejones133, Oct 28, 2012
    #117
  18. Mickey_kn0x

    Mickey_kn0x Newbie

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    That's what I'm going to do for log in/avatar, But I was hoping someone had the default wallpaper pack?
     
    Mickey_kn0x, Oct 28, 2012
    #118
  19. pianoforte

    pianoforte Notebook Geek

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    I tried the method for windows 8, but sleep and restart is kind of buggy, keyboard and trackpads stop working, sometimes computer hangs shortly after. What drivers handle waking from sleep mode?
     
    pianoforte, Oct 28, 2012
    #119
  20. BrightStar

    BrightStar Notebook Enthusiast

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    Does anyone know where can I download the default wallpapers as the link via dell site is broken. It says object not found.

    Thanks
     
    BrightStar, Oct 29, 2012
    #120
  21. Prasad

    Prasad NBR Reviewer 1337 NBR Reviewer

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    Prasad, Oct 29, 2012
    #121
  22. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    updated link in post 1
     
    BatBoy, Oct 30, 2012
    #122
  23. DumbDumb

    DumbDumb Alienware !Wish money wasn't the problem.

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    remeber the m17x the start menu button and the awesome icons? is there a way to get that back on newer systems?
     
    DumbDumb, Nov 4, 2012
    #123
  24. ratchetnclank

    ratchetnclank Notebook Deity

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    Nice guide :)
     
    ratchetnclank, Nov 4, 2012
    #124
  25. millertime

    millertime Notebook Consultant

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    thank you, thats brilliant

    why its not an exe file tho i dont know!

    last question...see the theme i got off alien guise...its changed my folder icons and my start menu etc

    i quite like it, but are there ways to change different ones of those with different colours etc?

    also, the "stealth" mode isnt working still?
     
    millertime, Nov 17, 2012
    #125
  26. DDDenniZZZ

    DDDenniZZZ Notebook Deity

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    In terms of stealth mode I had an issue, but it was a wrong setting, is just the keyboard switching off with the speaker grills? Media bar and power button and trackpad still on? On the alienfx taskbar icon right click on it and disable status lights. That should make it all black.
     
    DDDenniZZZ, Nov 19, 2012
    #126
  27. Alienware-Luis_Pardo

    Alienware-Luis_Pardo Guest

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    Quite a nice guide, haven't seen it until now +1

    The only thing I didn't see was the Breed theme, you can download it here.
     
    Alienware-Luis_Pardo, Nov 19, 2012
    #127
  28. ratchetnclank

    ratchetnclank Notebook Deity

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    Sysprep -reseal
     
    ratchetnclank, Nov 19, 2012
    #128
  29. The Sand

    The Sand Notebook Consultant

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    I used these instructions when I cleaned installed Windows 7 Ultimate and it worked perfectly. I just cleaned installed Windows 8 Pro and I can't get the "log off" to show. I did not have that registry key so I added it - but I still did not get the log off to show the Alienware picture. Maybe the instructions are different for log off for Windows 8???

    Did anybody get the log off to show an Alienware Pic for Windows 8?

    Thanks,
    Sandy
     
    The Sand, Jan 27, 2013
    #129
  30. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    Hello, Sandy, Microsoft actually made it easier in Windows 8, read here:
    Change Windows 8 Logon Screen (Lock Screen)
     
    katalin_2003, Jan 30, 2013
    #130
  31. long2905

    long2905 Notebook Virtuoso

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    i wonder what the new M17x R4 with Windows 8 looks like in term of theme and wallpaper and whatnot.
     
    long2905, Jan 30, 2013
    #131
  32. The Sand

    The Sand Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for the link... I have changed all of that - it is the logoff that isn't showing. I had the same Alienware screen for logon as log off in Windows 7. For windows 8 the logoff for Alienware isn't showing. Windows 8 log off is the theme color you select. Which isn't bad because the logoff is very quick I was just wondering if anybody was able to get their Alienware screen to flash for log off like Windows 7.

    Thanks for your response!
     
    The Sand, Jan 30, 2013
    #132
  33. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Anyone know why after a clean install, everything on the screen (icons, text, etc.) appears smaller than it does from the factory, even though I've set both to 1980x1080?
     
    J.Dre, Jan 30, 2013
    #133
  34. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    Yes, because from the factory they have Windows display scale set to use oversized fonts and icons. Windows default scale is 100% and they are like 125% on a factory Alienware Windows installation. It's actually a lot better using "normal" (100%) size. No need to waste screen space on larger objects unless you have poor vision.

    DisplayScale.JPG
     
    Mr. Fox, Jan 30, 2013
    #134
  35. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Oh, didn't know that. Thanks.
     
    J.Dre, Jan 30, 2013
    #135
  36. The Sand

    The Sand Notebook Consultant

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    I change my DPI - it's on the same page as your resolution (right click on desktop and pick Screen Resolution) then select "Make text or other items larger or smaller." After you select that, on the next page you can select 150% which is what I use. That makes everything "bigger."
     
    The Sand, Jan 31, 2013
    #136
  37. Jubei Kibagami

    Jubei Kibagami Notebook Consultant

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    Can someone help me? I've been to Dell's page for M18x r2's drivers, downloaded most of the drivers, but I am still missing three device drivers under "other devices". The three devices are Ethernet Controller, SM Bus Controller, and Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller. I've tried the update driver under properties for each device, but didn't work and mine replacement laptop did not come with a resource DVD disk.
     
    Jubei Kibagami, Feb 2, 2013
    #137
  38. steviejones133

    steviejones133 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Go to device manager, select each unknown device in turn - for each one, go to the general tab and select "Hardware ID" from the drop down and the you can Google the top line of the populated field. This should point you in the right direction of which hardware is missing it's driver. From what you've listed, it looks like the Atheros Ethernet Controller driver, eXtensible USB Driver and possibly Chipset Driver - I'd Google to check though.
     
    steviejones133, Feb 3, 2013
    #138
  39. Jubei Kibagami

    Jubei Kibagami Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks Stevie!
     
    Jubei Kibagami, Feb 5, 2013
    #139
  40. steviejones133

    steviejones133 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Have you got 'em all sorted now?
     
    steviejones133, Feb 6, 2013
    #140
  41. lucas14.27

    lucas14.27 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Awsome!!!!!!!!
     
    lucas14.27, May 18, 2013
    #141
  42. mrigankp

    mrigankp Notebook Geek

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    Thanks batboy! +1
     
    mrigankp, May 25, 2013
    #142
  43. Alienware-Luis_Pardo

    Alienware-Luis_Pardo Guest

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    Alienware-Luis_Pardo, May 28, 2013
    #143
  44. Vayeate

    Vayeate Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hope this is not late. I have some to add... The one named "backgrounddefault.jpg" is my recolor of the default logon screen one that comes with the laptop when shipped. Hope you like them!! :)
     

    Attached Files:

    Vayeate, Jun 7, 2013
    #144
  45. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist

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    Here's a new wallpaper I made that I thought would be nice to share...

    [​IMG]

    Download: [ LINK v.1 ] [ LINK v.2 ]

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    Mr. Fox, Aug 27, 2013
    #145
    amitvig22 likes this.
  46. Alienware-Mark_O

    Alienware-Mark_O Company Representative

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    Very Nice. Currently my new wallpaper. Well done.
     
    Alienware-Mark_O, Aug 27, 2013
    #146
    Mr. Fox likes this.
  47. clemenzina

    clemenzina Notebook Consultant

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    Good grief! You could teach me a thing or two about neat desktops ;-) Very nice!
     
    clemenzina, Aug 27, 2013
    #147
    Mr. Fox likes this.
  48. amitvig22

    amitvig22 Notebook Consultant

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    Thank you so much for this thread, i used it earlier to get the look and feel for Windows 7, does anyone know how i could get the factory look and feel after a clean install of windows 8 ?
     
    amitvig22, Oct 17, 2013
    #148
  49. T-ravisty

    T-ravisty Notebook Consultant

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    Hey guys,

    I'm setting up my M15X for sale.
    I just did a clean install and there seems to be no DWORD value in the Registry Editor.
    I know I can create a new one but how do I set it so t links to the background?

    Cheers.

    EDIT: Sorry, went back and had a look. I just created a new DWORD and named it "OEMBACKGROUND" and changed the 0 to 1.
    Thanks.
     
    T-ravisty, Nov 2, 2013
    #149
    katalin_2003 likes this.
  50. dsaem

    dsaem Notebook Enthusiast

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    Wow. Thanks. This really helps outs. gives the computer back the extra WOW factor.
     
    dsaem, Nov 7, 2013
    #150
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