Re-install Studio 1749

Question

Hello, I have a Studio 1749 which I want to re-install for our kids as it is running slow.

Initially Windows 7 was installed and I upgraded to Windows 8 and currently running on 8.1

The upgrade as online so no disks.

I am looking for a way to re-install the laptop (to factory settings) but cannot find a way after investigating a lot of options already provided on the net: I cannot choose F8 at startup, do not have any disks and there is no recovery partition anymore.

Does anybody has any idea how to solve this issue?

Many thanks and greetings from NL, The Netherlands

ejn63 · Answer

Once you upgraded the OS, the factory restore is gone - if you didn't prepare a set of recovery media (or a set of Windows 8 install media) you're going to need those. If the system still works and you want to reinstall 8, just use your Windows 8 upgrade media. If you really want to take the system back to Windows 7, you must contact Dell to purchase a set of Windows media for the system.

Philip_Yip · Answer

Since it is a retail Windows 8 license, follow the tricks in this video to download a Windows 8.1 retail .iso with a Windows 8.0 product key:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/download-windows-8-1-iso/

If you get the "We Can't Connect Error" you will need to call Microsoft support because of their lousy downloader.

Once you have the .iso follow A Clean Install of Windows, I advise carrying out the secure wipe with DBAN. These guides will take you through the installation of Windows, Windows Updates, the system drivers and instruct you in creating new factory settings with Dell Backup and Recovery:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/a-clean-install-of-windows-8-1/

pascalnl · Answer

Hi, first of all: thanks for your reply.

Indeed I do not want to downgrade to Windows 7 but just re-install Windows 8 as the systems is working very slow.

I upgraded (from W7 to W8) online, so do not have W8 install media neither recovery media.

Microsoft seems to offer the possibility to create a install media online, but after entering the product code the tool does not accept it ....

So it is driving me a little mad: Windows 7 pre-installed, legally bought Windows 8 and now "stuck" :(

Any ideas?

gryphen · Answer

Can I suggest another small upgrade to really speed things up...

Install a 500gb SSD (SAMSUNG EVO 840) I did that with mine, and its like have a completely new laptop, also if you are worried about moving the OS from one drive to the SSD, its easy the Samsung software provided allows an easy transition.

pascalnl · Answer

Hi thanks for your help: IT WORKED!

I have 8.1 re-installed and now installing all my programms/apps.

I only have one issue: my wifi receipt is really bad.

Nothing changed at the wifi site (and other hardward is still perfect connected) but now on the 1749 sometimes it even drops.

Any advise there?

Philip_Yip · Answer

What wireless card/hardware IDs? See here for instructions on finding the hardware IDs:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/downloading-drivers-checking-hardware-ids-and-downloading-and-installing-dell-system-drivers-in-the-correct-order/checking-hardware-ids-in-the-device-manager/

pascalnl · Answer

ACPI\VEN_SMO&DEV_8800ACPI\SMO8800*SMO8800

pascalnl · Answer

I also have another issue: PCI\VEN_1217&DEV_8130&SUBSYS_041B1028&REV_01PCI\VEN_1217&DEV_8130&SUBSYS_041B1028PCI\VEN_1217&DEV_8130&CC_018000PCI\VEN_1217&DEV_8130&CC_0180

Philip_Yip · Answer

That's the free fall sensor and O2 micro card reader, not the wireless card, look under network controllers in the device manager and provide the hardware IDs there. I assume you have installed no system drivers.