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m7700i cant re-install windows?

post #1 of 29
3/11/09 at 10:25pm
Thread Starter 
I have the Alienware m7700i and I'm trying to re-install windows XP. Yea, not easy. I've browsed through the forums looking for solutions but I cant find any that work. Here's what I've tried.

1 - Insert OEM disk. Put RAID drivers on a floppy, f6'ed it.
-- Error, Windows only see's the media card reader

2 - Same as above, but disabled the media card reader
-- Error, Windows cant find a hard drive.

I also tried using Nlite and the "slipstream" method, but had the same problems.

Any ideas as to how I can re-install windows XP. I am at my absolulte end with this thing. Been reading and trying things for 4 days now.

Any direction is greatly appreciated.
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post #2 of 29
3/12/09 at 5:07am
The only thing that comes to mind is either you happen to be using the wrong driver or the HDDs aren't set up for RAID properly. Since you are using RAID drivers (not PATA), I'm assuming you have built the raid array which means the controller can see both drives (look at the HDD controller menu during boot up). If that all looks ok, make sure you're using the proper RAID drivers from Alienware's download site.

Alienware's Guide to RAID Arrays for the 7700:
http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/a...i=&p_topview=1

Note about USB floppy drives:
http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/a...i=&p_topview=1

I have never had success with Nlite and drivers, I've always used the floppy method. Hope some of this helps, let us know how it goes!
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post #3 of 29
3/12/09 at 11:14am
Thread Starter 
There is only 1 HDD. Not sure if its a RAID set up or SATA, though I'm thinking its SATA. Post screen shows the Promise FastTrack 378, which I've also tried to include on the floppy. I was reading on another post here that you had to include the RAID drivers regardless.
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post #4 of 29
3/13/09 at 4:37pm
What you read is almost correct. You need to include drivers for your hard drive controller in order for Windows to talk to your HDDs (through the controller). Since the controller can be set up as RAID or SATA, you should use the corresponding driver for your setup.

Since you are using only one HDD, use the SATA driver (I believe it is called "Non RAID driver") instead of the RAID driver. You should also switch the BIOS to SATA instead of RAID. After that, perform the same steps to install windows but with SATA driver only and you should be good to go.
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post #5 of 29
3/13/09 at 10:54pm
Thread Starter 
Any idea where I can find this driver? I downloaded the RIAD drivers via this forum from a sticky post.
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post #6 of 29
3/14/09 at 2:11am
Alienware.com -> Support -> Drivers & Downloads

Here is the Intel version of the 7700: http://support.alienware.com/Support...anu=8&item=831
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post #7 of 29
3/17/09 at 11:57am
Thread Starter 
The non-raid drivers were a go. That worked out perfectly. Much appreciated.
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post #8 of 29
3/17/09 at 12:39pm
congrats..cheers
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post #9 of 29
3/17/09 at 2:38pm
Glad to hear it.
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post #10 of 29
3/17/09 at 2:59pm
I have this same problem but i get a resource conflict error, did you ever get anything like that? after the error i would get the no os found message.
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post #11 of 29
3/18/09 at 1:55am
I've Never received or heard of that error. Do you get this error during the install or while trying to load the ATA drivers? I would make sure the drivers downloaded correctly and, if possible, burn another copy of Windows XP. Also, try disconnecting everything and temporarily disabling the media card reader in the BIOS. If you still have problems, try removing all but one stick of RAM (if you have time, run a RAM diagnostic overnight).

These are all guesses, hope some of this helps.
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post #12 of 29
3/18/09 at 2:19am
I get this error before boot, i also get it with no ram or HD in, and everything disabled in bios that i dont need, including the card reader.
its before i do anything with any os.Bios doesnt detect a hard drive(with it in) and ive reflashed it already.
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post #13 of 29
3/18/09 at 3:02am
Sounds like an IRQ conflict. What exactly does the error say? Does it mention any particular component or ID number?
Is there any particular reason you decided to reinstall XP (maybe this will help clue me in)?

You mentioned a re flash. Are you using the latest BIOS from Alienware along with the latest Keyboard Controller (separate BIOS)? Just to be safe, I would also try restoring the BIOS to default settings after flashing.

After a quick Google search, I found a forum mentioning a similar problem for a another notebook. http://www.techsupportforum.com/hard...ict-error.html
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post #14 of 29
3/18/09 at 3:10am
http://www.notebookforums.com/thread226063.html
that is the other thread i started, it all started with a virus and i tried to reinstall windows and couldnt.
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post #15 of 29
3/18/09 at 3:35am
Ok. This seems similar to the thread I linked. The HDD controller may have developed a hardware problem. Unfortunately, that PCI device is responsible for controlling your hard drives so you won't be able to see your hard drives until error is resolved.

Since you mentioned you have/had the motherboard out of the machine, I assume you have physically removed every device possible to troubleshoot this IRQ error. I know of the modem under the keyboard (far left, mid-way up) along with any mini-pci cards.

While booting Linux from the CD, you said you could see the HDD controller? Are you able to see any / attempt format the drives?

Any difference if you switch between SATA and RAID (even if you don't have multiple HDDs) mode in the BIOS?
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post #16 of 29
3/18/09 at 3:42am
i saw the raid controller and no, no change between the raid setting and sata setting in bios, both options showed up as a raid controller under linux.
Any attempt to change any data including installs of windows and linux failed at locating a hard drive.
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post #17 of 29
3/18/09 at 4:00am
I wish I could help you further, however I have run out of troubleshooting ideas. Hopefully someone else with more knowledge of the hardware and IRQs can help you out.

I would check out this article if I was you to see about external HDD solutions. Never tried, but worth exploring if the controller is indeed fried. Let me know if you try it out as I would like to know if it is possible on the 7700.

http://www.ngine.de/index.jsp?pageid=4176
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post #18 of 29
3/18/09 at 4:01am
i do have a working gentoo external setup for it but that defeats the purpose of a laptop! thanks for the help though!
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post #19 of 29
3/18/09 at 4:04am
The article is for installing Windows on a external HDD. Theoretically it would be fully capable but tethered to the external.
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post #20 of 29
3/18/09 at 4:11am
i have a 1tb external that requires a power source other than the sata/usb/firewire it connects to the computer with. id need to be at a wall socket at all times.

sucks that this alienware laptop is a 3500$ brick, grats to alienware...
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