upgrade to windows ultimate on new M17x

So, I have a license from a previous computer and a retail disk to install ultimate x64 on my new m17x. I am having a problem with the install though...

I am trying to do this via an upgrade...I am installing it after running windows vista premium. The disk loads, asks me to enter new license which goes fine...expands and copies files etc...Then when it restarts it never actually boots into the new install...I get a BSD. I am thinking its because of the hard disk drivers. I am currently running 2 drives raided. Any advice where to pick up the hd drivers alone? Or any other free advise appreciated!

Thanks!

 

Hi Fastlappy,
By chance, is your copy of Ultimate a Service Pack 1 version? You have to upgrade from one Service Pack version to another (Premium Service Pack 1 to Ultimate Service Pack 1). Also, keep in mind that this computer does not take upgrading well. Despite the fact that you're going from vista to vista, it will break portions of the Alienware image...... (I've tried numerous times). If there's any chance that you can get a hold of a full copy, I would recommend that.

Thanks,
Gabe

 

thanks for the quick response! It is a full retail version...I didn't know of the service pack issue...But, from what I am reading the issue is the raid drivers. I am doing a full install not an upgrade when prompted though. Do you know where I can get the raid drivers?

 

My next question is whether or not your retail version has service pack 1. Based on my experiences, it won't install at all without that version. The only drivers I'm able to find are buried in the chipset driver. After you uncompress the file with the exe (don't install but cancel), look for the folder entitled "IDE." Unfortunately, there's no guarantee that this will work (I wasn't able to get it to work with a single drive configuration)

Thanks,
Gabe

 

figured it out!! You need to add the drivers at the time of install when using raid. Worked right away when the raid drivers were added. This was a retail disk not dell install disk and didn't have the drivers on it. Hope this helps someone else in the future.

 

Good to know you got it working fastlappy. I'm assuming you added the raid driver you found in the chipset driver. I'm relieve to know that it works for a raid configuration, being that it fails for a single hard drive.

Thanks,
Gabe

 

yes, I think it was in the chipset package, it said nvidia sata raid etc...just make sure and have a copy of it if you plan an install with a retail copy. Thanks again for your advice!