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May 16th, 2021 05:00
Help with Alienware 17 r3
Hello,
I purchased this pc from a 3rd part reseller. It is a 2017 Alienware 17 r3. I purchased a win10 pro installation drive with key. It wont complete install. It appears as if there is a “Server” version of os that is booting and however this is configured is preventing my from updating or repairing system. How can I actually WIPE this pc for fresh install when this rogue server os is preventing these actions taking place. Any help would be nice.
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ejn63
12 Elder
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30.9K Posts
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May 16th, 2021 06:00
Boot the system from the Windows 10 installer and then open diskpart -- wipe the drive clear, and then do the install.
https://neosmart.net/wiki/diskpart/
derek77
12 Posts
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May 16th, 2021 07:00
Depending on how detailed and custom you need to be with your OS install, you might consider using the dell OS recovery tool. you search for that and navigate to it on Dell's site, put in your system ID and it will create a factory recovery. It might be win10 home but you can just upgrade using your key from there.
the OS license from the OEM is bound to the hardware so you can always install the original OS even if the system changed hands.
you might have to uninstall some factory software using this route but it should be much faster to get a functional system. You might not even need the win 10 lic you purchased if you're ok with 10 home or if the system came with pro initially
mattyb3
7 Practitioner
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May 16th, 2021 18:00
To do a clean Windows 10 Install you can grab an 8gb USB flash drive and use the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to download the Windows ISO onto the USB.
Reboot the laptop with the USB inserted and press F12 during POST to get into the Boot Menu. Select the USB.
The Windows installation will start and you will get to a screen where you select the drive to Install Windows on (ie DRIVE 0). Format this drive to remove all the previous data and OS that was on the drive. The drive may be split into a number of partitions (ie DRIVE 0, PARTITION 1, DRIVE 0, PARTITION 2, etc). If you want you can delete each of these partitions until you just have one that says DRIVE 0 UNALLOCATED). Then select New and you can get the drive ready to install Windows. You may now see the drive split into two again with one of them saying DRIVE 0, SYSTEM RESERVED. You install Windows on the other option that has the larger amount of free space.