This post is more than 5 years old
10 Posts
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1251
November 23rd, 2016 09:00
cannot install win7 on my x3
Hello,
I was subject to a phishing/hacking issue early this morning. My system was infacted and hijacked. In order to prevent greater damage to my network I unpluged my beloved alienware x3, booted with linux and formated the hdd.
When I bought the computer, win10 (64) was pre installed. Problem is, I do not own a physical copy of windows 10. What I do have is an "old" windows 7 (64) version. It is not that old, so I thought it could work. Well, thought so.
It seems that there is something inside the BIOS which prevents windows 7 from installing. I always receive a bsod implying "the bios system is not fully ACPI compliant." Sadly I'm not a fully trained computer technician, I'm only a chemist.
I try googeling for like two hours now, but I feel I just step deeper and deeper into a cave I won't be able to leave on my own. Wanted to get some thoughts and suggestions from people who actually know what they are doing.
[edit] When I found out what happened to me and my computer the last I thought of was recovery. I wanted to get rid of the infection, that is why I formated it with linux. I have to admit the Dell Direct USB key and the Alien respawn are smart ideas. But due to the formatting I'm forced to install windows manually. I guess?
The problem remains the same. I cannot install windows from my CD, due to the above mentioned bsod.
Now I think about aquiring a physical official copy of windows 10. Maybe windows 7 already is too old for the bios. Would it work with a new win10?
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17K Posts
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November 23rd, 2016 14:00
As HindeSite says, the Windows-10 Key is stored in the BIOS.
http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19997686
Yes, with any "man-in-the-middle" hack or possible root-kit infection, Microsoft recommends a complete "nuke-and-pave" of the system. I recommend that all existing partitions of the drives should be removed.
I would set BIOS to AHCI and UEFI (non-legacy). SecureBoot should be Enabled. Then, clean-install Windows-10/64-bit. Windows-10 is more secure than Windows-7.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17K Posts
0
November 23rd, 2016 12:00
I'm not familiar with an "x3". What machine do you really have and did you buy it new?
downloads.dell.com/.../
hindesite
276 Posts
0
November 23rd, 2016 12:00
Windows 10 is free to download and install, if you have a valid license (which you do). Unless you really want to go back to Windows 7, I'd just re-install Windows 10.
Easiest way is to use the tools Microsoft provide, on another computer.
HnRkLnXqZ
10 Posts
0
November 23rd, 2016 13:00
Ah sorry. My bad. The model is Alienware X51 R3 not X3. Sorry about that.
I bought it new, one year ago.
Where can I find my license-key? Is it written down on the Resource DvD?
HnRkLnXqZ
10 Posts
0
November 23rd, 2016 23:00
The downloaded windows 10 works.
The windows 10 is accepted by the bios, no errors so far.
If it really grabs the key directly from the bios, im a big step closer to the goal.
Thank you very much!
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17K Posts
0
November 24th, 2016 00:00
After install completes, check Device Manager for errors.
If something needs attention, try updating from Windows Update. If that fails ... look at support.dell.com . I like to keep my machines lean and only install essential drivers.
If Windows Activates online, you are golden.
Run "msinfo32" and check that "SecureBoot State" is ON.
Be sure Windows Firewall is on and Windows Defender is active.
HnRkLnXqZ
10 Posts
0
November 24th, 2016 05:00
After a few smaller issues I was able to install it on my SSD. The installation of win10 failed twice in a row and succeeded on try three. Now I'm writing from my regular computer again, and I am happy ^^.
Windows activated online and as you predicted the key was taken straight from the bios.
Thank you very much, both of you!