To install Respawn or not.

Question

Hi, looks like not right now.

I have a question about AlienRespawn; since AlienAutopsy is pointing me in the direction to
install it. When I run the environment check I get: “AlienRespawn
cannot be installed because your hard drive does not have the Windows
Recovery Environment.”

Now on My Computer I get OS (C:) 1.75
TB Free of 1.81

Recovery (D:) 482 MB free of 749 MB The
respawn check software apparently doesn't see this?

Files listed on D:

Name:

65b0e4303............ 3/30/2012
1:35PM File folder 50.5 MB 145 Files, 2 Folders

a8e302d4d... 3/30/2012
1:35PM File folder 6.09 MB 14 files, 2 Folders

Recovery 3/27/2012
6:50PM File folder

Temp 3/30/2012
1:35PM File folder

Now I would like to be able to restore
this Alien Aurora R4 with OS and Files to the state it is in now or
at least to Factory state. I would also like to back up to an
external hard drive. I have a GoFlex disk external hard drive that
comes with some software installed. I haven't opened the files yet
because I wanted to ask first. Can I set this up to do a full system restore as well as backing up documents/pictures/videos etc.?

OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Manufacturer Alienware
System Model Aurora-R4
System Type x64-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3820 CPU @ 3.60GHz, 3601 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Alienware A03, 2/8/2012
SMBIOS Version 2.7
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7601.17514"
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 8.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 5.95 GB
Available Physical Memory 4.42 GB
Total Virtual Memory 11.9 GB
Available Virtual Memory 8.93 GB
Page File Space 5.95 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

DELL-Frank Lz · Answer

Hi, the Aurora R4 system is running under a boot mode named UEFI; right now AlienRespawn is not supported under UEFI. So to get AlienRespawn in to your computer you will have to reinstall using another boot mode (AHCI or RAID). This would be only until we can release a UEFI compatible AlienRespawn version

Charles Sawyer · Answer

That is exactly what I was thinking and why I am wanting to do an image on an external hard drive now that the system seems to be running well. I have some more updated drivers to install and would like to back this up before I do anything else.

rstear · Answer

Yes, thanks very much from me too.  Correct me if I'm wrong but I assume that this means that the 'factory fresh' information on our hard drives is and will be invalid.  Would you be able to tell us whether there will be  a method of refreshing that data when a UEFI compatible AlienRespawn version is released?  Or how long such a release might be in coming?  It has historicaly been required by Dell support that we be able to restore to 'factory fresh' before they will analyze suspected hardware issues.

Charles Sawyer · Answer

Thanks Mr Frank,  I don't know if that is worth the trouble; mean while I'll look up UEFI, AHCI and RAID to make sure I have a full understanding. I have an email into Seagate to see if the GoFlex Dest model can create a disk image.

DELL-Frank Lz · Answer

Hello, well yes you can copy the image on to another HDD. It would work perfectly ok, but you would only be able to boot from another computer using UEFI mode (http://bit.ly/HlQHhu) neither AHCI nor RAID

Charles Sawyer · Answer

O.K. Say I have to replace the hard drive on the R4; it would be nice to have an image of my old hard drive to recover/ install on the new one. I may be over complicating this? Any suggestions?

DELL-Frank Lz · Answer

Well... back up just media and info?, let the Operative System Re-installation to us. We will install the OS, drivers and all the software the system came in when you bought it. That considering the system failed on its own... if it is because you wanted to install the OS on your own, it won’t be covered. Sorry if I sound too automatic but I'm just trying to help you avoid any misunderstandings :D

Charles Sawyer · Answer

Oh, that is easy enough to understand and then it would be up to me to do the windows security updates and any drivers that are out of date. Thanks.

rstear · Answer

Does this peculiar boot mode also prevent windows backup from completing a system image backup?  I keep getting an error.  I'm really perplexed here.  I haven't gone to third party software yet but it does seem that I should be able to make some sort of system backup in this computer.

Spamfighter · Answer

@FrankatAW 'Well... back up just media and info?, let the Operative System Re-installation to us. We will install the OS, drivers and all the software the system came in when you bought it. That considering the system failed on its own... if it is because you wanted to install the OS on your own, it won’t be covered. Sorry if I sound too automatic but I'm just trying to help you avoid any misunderstandings :D' Hmm, if I understand you correctly, all the customers who customarily re-install Windows and drivers when they receive their PC - as was suggested to me when I had some problems - (although not yet done on my Area 51 ALX) - have lost their warranty? I just like to be clear on that if I ever go that way - Have always done my own software (re)-installation right at the outset on my previous Dells and had no problem with getting support from Dell, even a motherboard replacement on one Dell.

morblore · Answer

I think what he is trying to say is if you install the OS and then have trouble with the OS then you need to sort that out on your own. I really don't think the warranty can be voided out by installing the OS. The warranty is hardware only. I dont think the basic warranty covers software. That costs extra.

If you reinstall the OS because tech support told you to and there are issues then they would be obligated to fix it.

rstear · Answer

How is it my  BIOS says ACHI???

Charles Sawyer · Answer

Check out the windows forum under back up errors.

Charles Sawyer · Answer

Check to see which files didn't backup then see if they are on your computer. You can select to omit them on the backup or make folders for the missing ones in the proper place "tree" on your computer.

This is the information for if a regular back up fails due to missing files. Backup should work after the fix but as usual keep a record of all that you did.

Spamfighter · Answer

Thanks morblore, that makes more sense. I have opted for the (at that time) maximum available warranty.

On my "original" Area 51 ALX, I had a lot of being snowballed back and forth between Dell and MS re help as to changing Office 2010 from 32bit to 64bit as it was not installed as a 64-bit version. both saying time and time again the other is responsible. Finally had a Dell person talk to a MS person directly in a three-way conversation. That call took over an hour, but my respect to both sides, they didn't give up and insisted to talk to the next level until it was solved.

As to O/S re-install, for them to install it they would have to sent out a technician, as it can't be done by them taking over the PC. When, on my original Area 51 I was told to re-install Windows, they told me to reformat the drive and to install it myself (not a problem for me) - which contradicts FrankatAW comments - hence my question for confirmation - They "offered" to help me with the drivers. I took them up on that offer and they "took over" the PC and installed all the drivers. But I again was told to install all the other software which came with the PC (other than ACC), including MS Office which by that time I knew how to install it at a 64-bit version, PC eventually replaced and they couldn't fix the BSOD problems, having replaced a lot of hardware.

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To install Respawn or not.

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