Respawn

* Boot the system up as we sent it from the factory
* Once everything is running correctly, use AlienRespawn Basic to create the recovery DVDs
* Install the SSD
* Boot to the 1st Respawn Recovery DVD and tell them to load the image onto the SSD

AlienRespawn Basic =
* Restore your system back to factory state
* Create Recovery DVDs

AlienRespawn Premium =
* Restore your system back to factory state
* Create Recovery DVDs
* Full system backup and restore
* File and Folder backup and restore
* Backup and restore based on file types (mp3, jpg, etc.)
* Backup to a local external storage device
* Automated scheduled backups

AlienRespawn http://bit.ly/M9VBGn (Do steps 1,2 for Basic, 3 for Premium)

What is AlienRespawn? http://dell.to/TCrYRL

For desktop systems, all added external devices should be unplugged. You only want the mouse, keyboard, and monitor plugged into the system.

UEFI is turned on by us at the factory on the Aurora-R4 and the X51. Therefore, AlienRespawn is not available. Your options are as follows -
* Use Windows 7 Backup and Restore
* Wait until a new UEFI compatible AlienRespawn version is released (no ETA)
* Reinstall the operating system using Legacy boot mode (changed in BIOS). Then install the AlienRespawn application http://bit.ly/M9VBGn

Does UEFI also explain why pressing F8 once or repeatedly during boot has no effect?
* Yes.

If I reinstall with the Dell supplied software in legacy boot mode, will I regain the RECOVERY boot ability?
Yes, if you change the boot mode to legacy, just reinstall windows and installing Alienwarespawn will recover the F8 functionality.

Is there actually any recovery data in that partition?
* With UEFI no.

If there is, will restoring from it reset the boot mode to UEFI?
* Since there is not one, no.

Should I simply eliminate the RECOVERY partition and abandon all thoughts of AlienRespawn? This has already been suggested but somehow I think a feature advertised and included in this system should be made to work properly.
* Yes, even though we are sending systems with UEFI, it looks like manufacturing are trying to install respawn but since it is not working, the data is not useful

Launching AlienRespawn from within Windows
* Click Start- All Programs- AlienRespawn
* Click Restore
* Click Restore your entire system to a previous date or to the factory state
* Restart the system when prompted
* Once the systems restarts, click Restore without preserving new or changed files
* Click Next
* Click Yes, continue
* Click Next
* A progress bar will move forward through the process. Once it reaches 100%, click Restart
* The system will restart and take you back into Windows

Launching AlienRespawn outside of Windows
*  This will erase the hard disk drive so save all of your documents, favorites, MP3's, etc. to DVD or USB key.
* Restart the system and press F8 as the system restarts to get into the Advanced options menu
* Choose Launch Startup Repair (recommended) [press Enter]
* Once there, choose Repair your computer
* Select your keyboard language and then click Next
* Your user name and password may be required. Just enter the login information and then click Ok
* At the System Recovery Options, choose Dell DataSafe Restore and Emergency Backup or AlienRespawn Restore and Emergency Backup
* Once the systems restarts, click Restore without preserving new or changed files
* Click Next
* Click Yes, continue
* Click Next
* A progress bar will move forward through the process. Once it reaches 100%, click Restart
* The system will restart and take you back into Windows

Issue: The Alienware Respawn Boot CD and Image DVD never shipped with the system
Discussion: We cannot send the Alienware Respawn Boot CD and Image DVD out. These discs cannot be made after the PC has shipped. If the PC shipped without them, you have to manually install the operating system, drivers, and all other Dell/Alienware software. You can try this but it is not supported by Dell.
http://recovery-cd.com/system/Dell/DellAlienware/Dell-Alienware-M15x-Data-Recovery-Boot-CD-98-XP-2000-538307.html
http://recovery-cd.com/system/Alienware/AlienwareM17x/Alienware-M17x-Data-Recovery-Boot-CD-98-XP-2000-Vista-548372.html