Aurora Recovery Issues

Question

Hi people, I've got an Aurora and I'm hoping someone can help me.  Here is what happened, I was trying to run dell data safe to restore back to factory settings ( I've used it before with no problems ) and instead of working it went through the routine and got to where it says windows is preparing for first setup but after that  the screen just stayed black. After 3 hours of waiting and knowing it shouldn't take anywhere near that long  i finally decided to press reset. Then the pc wouldn't start it just kept going to the starting windows screen followed by an endless blackscreen,  so i stuck in the windows7 dvd  to reinstall  and that worked.  it's running  now but it doesn't have any of the thermal contols or other software etc that came with it. I've seen in another post if u tap f8 while the alienware screen is up u go to the menu and u can load the recovery partition from there by choosing ' dell data safe option' ive done that  but there is no option to select  dell data safe or the recovery patition as was stated in the post , i think this is because i reinstalled off the disk. I realise now that i should of tried that before i reinstalled windows off the disk. I'm hoping I'm not completely screwed and there is a way to get back to factory defualt.  So thats what happened can any one help me on how to reinstall to factory default from the recovery patition now that dell data safe is gone ........

Tesla1856 · Answer

If the hidden RECOVERY partition is still there, and you can find and re-install DataSafe (maybe it's on AW Drivers DVD ?) ... you can reinstall DataSafe into your fresh install of Win7, and try again. This way should return it to Original Shipping Config.

If you want to run on your newly installed copy of Win7 ... Get all the latest drivers from support.dell.com (for your Service Tag). However, there is a certain install order you have to follow for trouble-free install and operation. When done this way, you can get it pretty close to Original Shipping Config but I think it will be missing the Alien wallpapers and icons.

Tesla1856 · Answer

With the fresh Win7 install ...

After initial boot and setup, Dell recommends installing these drivers in this order:
Intel Chipset, Silicon Image eSata, ATI or nVidia driver (latest Dell version), audio, latest Command Center.

... the other drivers (ethernet, etc.) are just enhanced versions of the Microsoft supplied ones (I think optional not required).

Even in the other threads about DataSafe, I don't think they ever found it. If you want to go that route, you will

have to contact AW support or Chris (here in the forums) and ask them where exactly you are suppose to get it from (or how to use it when you lose the app. but not the partition.

AuroraGuy · Answer

Thx for trying to help tesla. The recovery partition is still there but i cant find the dell data safe app anywhere. The website has an update when i enter my service tag but not the program :/   I did manage to get the command centre so now i have the thermal controls (really what i was concerned about not having) and pretty lights backs  :)

AuroraGuy · Answer

Hopefully they make it available or something cause im having issues with the realtek drivers i cant get the control panel up i dont think they installed right. I've had enough for right now , more happiness tomorrow trying to make it work i guess. Thx again for helping

*Edit* thanks to these guys posting a link in this thread i got the app. For anyone else having the same issues you can get the app from the link in this thread.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/3526/p/19304576/19589802.aspx

Just thought i'd add, other then this minor hiccup which was my fault really the Aurora has been freaking great !!!

Tesla1856 · Answer

You might try uninstalling the Realtek audio drivers (reboot if asked to). Then go into Device Manager and delete the device. Reboot and it should be re-detected. You can just use the Microsoft driver if you want. I remember it worked fine (and had a lot of the functionality of the Dell enhanced one). Depending on what you use your soundcard for ... the Dell one could be called optional.

But like I said in previous post ... you have to use that order. If you didn't and have been jumping around you might have problems in the long-run. Just start over.

Yes, that was the old post I was referring to. Looks like they finally found it. You could give it a shot if that's what you really want.

Tesla1856 · Answer

Trying to use an older version of Command Center on a MIO Board that has already had a newer version run on it (and flashed it's firmware newer) is an issue on the desktops also.

If you decide to use Dell DataSafe, this will possibly be an issue for you as well:

http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/p/19340915/19729062.aspx#19729062

I guess it depends on the version in the RECOVERY partition. I read the release notes on some of the later versions of Command Center. They introduced some new code to help prevent problems on driver roll-backs, but I don't know if that will apply here. However, we do have a jumper on our desktop MIO Boards that might be able to help you recover if it gets corrupted.

It might be a non-issue ... just a heads -up.

AuroraGuy · Answer

Ok first off thanks for the help. I've got it all sorted out now I've gone with a fresh windows install off the disk with just the drivers etc. to avoid any problems with command centre rollback. I don't want to create more problems. I also think I worked out why it was staying black screen. I have my monitor plugged in to the dvi and i also have the tv plugged into the hdmi  The Tv was set to off but some how when it was reinstalled it was displaying on the tv even tho it was set to display screen not main display, as soon as i unplugged the hdmi cable bang screen came back.   ( commence laughter and slow clapping now ) So if any one is using data safe and u have 2 displays and  your main display goes black even tho you think u have it set right make sure u only have one screen plugged in for reinstall.

Tesla1856 · Answer

You are welcome ... glad to hear you got it sorted out.

You ran into one of the many problems that can happen if you don't follow another important general rule that's good to follow when loading Windows onto any computer ... Always disconnect any extra peripherals when loading Windows from scratch. Try to only use the keyboard, mouse, and main monitor. After the Windows install routine is finished ... then install your specialized drivers for the hardware inside the machine ... then start connecting your secondary peripherals.

AuroraGuy · Answer

One Thing i have noticed is now the hard drive seems louder  nothing to extreme just seems louder then b4. I'm tempted to use data safe to go back to factory default but now I'm not sure if i wanna risk it after of all the things i've read about it. The only Application i havent installed is the intel storage matrix. I'm only running one 500 gig sata drive. Could that be making the drive louder, I did read that its suppose to improve power consumption etc.

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Aurora Recovery Issues

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