Alienware DHS-301 Upgrade Installation Manual

The contents herein are subject to change without notice. ©1996-2005 Alienware Corporation. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this guide in any manner without the prior written permission of Alienware Corporation is strictly prohibited. Trademarks used in this guide: Alienware, the AlienHead logo, InfoPanel, DHS and AlienAutopsy are trademarks or registered trademarks of Alienware Corporation. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this guide to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Alienware Corporation disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own. Rev 1.1.060605

3 Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................... 4 Before You Begin............................................................ 5 Alienware DHS 3 Upgrade Features ............................................................5 What’s in the box......................................................................................5 What’s not in the box ................................................................................5 Getting Started............................................................... 5 DHS 3 Upgrade DVD Overview.......................................................... 5 There are three different methods of installing your upgrade DVD ...................5 DHS 3 Upgrade DVD Methods Overview ........................... 6 1. Direct upgrade from within Windows....................................................6 2. Clean installation from within Windows ................................................6 3. Clean installation by Booting to the DVD...............................................6 DHS 3 Upgrade DVD Getting Started ................................................. 7 1. Direct upgrade from within Windows.......................................................7 2. Clean installation from within Windows...................................................9 2. Clean installation by Booting to the DVD ...............................................12 DHS 3 Upgrade DVD Finishing Up................................................... 16 LCDmon Verification: ..............................................................................16 APPENDIX A:............................................................... 20 TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREEMENT ..................................................20 APPENDIX B:............................................................... 21 LIMITED PRODUCT WARRANTY: DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES; AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY ..................................................... 21 Obtaining Warranty Service......................................................................21 Systems Returned to Alienware for Repair..................................................21 Replacing a Defective Component.............................................................22 Keep in mind..........................................................................................23 30-day Money Back Guarantee........................................................ 24 APPENDIX D: .............................................................. 25 MICROSOFT CRITICAL UPDATES ................................................... 25 APPENDIX E:............................................................... 26 CONTACTING ALIENWARE ............................................................ 26 Sales .....................................................................................................26 Customer Service ....................................................................................26 Technical Support...................................................................................26 Corporate Headquarters...........................................................................27

Alienware would like to take this opportunity to thank you for purchasing an award-winning Alienware system and welcome you to a growing family of dedicated users. Like you, Alienware employees are hardcore computer users. The staff knows exactly what it takes to design a system that will exceed your expectations. The technicians responsible for crafting your machine have spent many hours ensuring that your computer is properly optimized and performs to its fullest potential. Alienware technicians build machines with one philosophy in mind: Build It As If It Were Your Own. The technicians are not happy unless your new machine meets or exceeds very demanding criteria! In order to insure the highest levels of performance, your machine has been extensively tested. In addition to a standard burn-in period, this testing includes the usage of real-world tools such as synthetic performance benchmarks and 3D games. The results of all this testing has been documented and provided for your inspection. Please do not hesitate to either e-mail or call Alienware with any questions or concerns – Alienware would like to hear from you. The entire staff sincerely hopes that you enjoy using your new computer as much as Alienware enjoyed building it for you. Sincerely, Alienware Staff

5 Before You Begin Alienware DHS 3 Upgrade Features • The comfort of upgrading and saving all your media content. This could include pre-recorded TV shows, Music, Video files, and much more. • Windows Media Center 2005 will allow you to record one show while watching another. Hardware support is required. • The upgrade can update your system with the latest Windows patches from Microsoft. • The upgrade can update your system with the latest drivers supported by Alienware for optimal performance of your system.. What’s in the box • One DHS 3 Upgrade Manual • One Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Upgrade DVD What’s not in the box • You might have to locate your 2004 COA on your Alienware system. This will depend on what installation method you choose. Getting Started DHS 3 Upgrade DVD Overview There are three different methods of installing your upgrade DVD 1. Doing a direct upgrade from within Windows 2. Doing a clean install by running the disc from within Windows. 3. A fresh install, booting to the DVD and installing a fresh installation of Windows There are positives and negatives to all methods of installation which will be explained further in the next section. You and you alone will need to determine which method best suits your needs.

1. Direct upgrade from within Windows This method will allow you to run the upgrade DVD from with in Windows. This will be the choice to upgrade when asked by the Installation interface. Positives: 1. You get to save all your media files from your prior Windows installation 2. You get to keep all drivers that are on your system, no need to re-install drivers. 3. All software will be present that was pre-installed on the system before upgrade. Negatives: 1. You will not have all MCE 2005 updates installed on your system until you update manually. 2. You will not get the latest Alienware drivers automatically loaded upon installation. 3. You will have to register your copy of Windows with Microsoft after installation 2. Clean installation from within Windows This method will allow you to run the upgrade DVD from with in Windows. This will be the choice to execute a complete installation when asked by the Installation interface. Positives: 1. Will keep all drivers that are on your system, no need to re- install drivers Negatives: 1. You will not get to save all your media files from your prior Windows installation 2. You will not have all MCE 2005 updates installed on your system until you update manually. 3. You will not get the latest Alienware drivers automatically loaded upon installation. 4. You will have to register your copy of Windows with Microsoft after installation. 3. Clean installation by Booting to the DVD This method will allow you to boot to the upgrade DVD. This requires you to change a setting in the BIOS. It is also recommended by Alienware for best upgrade results. Positives:

7 1. You will have all MCE 2005 updates installed on your system automatically installed. 2. You will get all the latest validated drivers from Alienware, no need to install drivers 3. You do not have to register your copy of Windows. Negatives: 1. You get to save all your media files from your prior Windows installation. DHS 3 Upgrade DVD Getting Started Now you have had a chance to read through the different methods of installation. You will need to decide which method is best for you. Here is where we will begin to upgrade your Alienware DHS system. Please refer to the section that pertains to which method you have chosen. 1. Direct upgrade from within Windows Step 1. Locate your DVD and place it in your optical drive. The disc should automatically run and a window below should open up. If the disc did not run automatically, navigate to your optical drive usually D:\, this can be accomplished by going to My Computer. Then double click your optical drive. Step 2. Click the option Install Windows. Step 3. Once this is complete you will be presented with a choice for installation type to either “Upgrade” or “New Installation”. You will need to choose “Upgrade.”

agreement from Microsoft. Click “I accept this agreement” then next and the installation will continue. Step 5. The following step requires you to locate your COA which is located on your chassis on the outside. The installation is asking you to enter the Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 COA. Step 6. Next you will follow any on screen instructions. The next screen you could see is shown below. Click “Yes” and the installation will continue. If you do not see this screen then

9 just proceed to the next step. There are no issues if you do not see this screen. Step 7. Now at Step 6 you should reach the Microsoft Welcome. The first screen is shown below; follow all the on screen instructions. Once this is complete you should be on your desktop in Windows XP Media Center 2005. 2. Clean installation from within Windows Step 1. Locate your DVD and place it in your optical drive. The disc should automatically run and a window below should open up.

D:\, this can be accomplished by going to My Computer. Then double click your optical drive. Step 2. Click the option Install Windows. Step 3. Once this is complete you will be presented with a choice for installation type to either “Upgrade” or “New Installation”. You will need to choose “New Installation.” Step 4. The nest window that should be presented is the License agreement from Microsoft. Click “I accept this agreement” then next and the installation will continue. Step 5. The following step requires you to locate your COA which is located on your chassis on the outside. The installation is asking you to enter the Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 COA.

11 Step 6. Now you will be asked what setup options you would like. Alienware recommends that you click next unless you are an advanced user and want to explore any customization option available. Step 7. Finally you will be asked to get updated setup files. Alienware recommends if you have a high speed connection and you connected then you may download them, if not continue by selecting “No, skip this step and continue installing Windows”.

screen you could see is the screen shown below. Click “Yes” and the installation will continue. If you do not see this screen then just proceed to the next step. There are no issues if you do not see this screen. Step 9. Now you should have reached the Microsoft OOBE. The first screen is shown below; follow all the on screen instructions. Once this is complete you should be on your desktop in Windows XP Media Center 2005. Step 10. See section LCDmon verification. 2. Clean installation by Booting to the DVD Step 1. You need to verify that your boot order in the BIOS is correct before beginning the Windows instillation. Restart your computer and on the Alienware splash screen press key.

13 Step 2. Once in the BIOS you will need to push the right arrow key and navigate to “BOOT”. Then press the down key until you highlight “Boot Device Priority” Step 3. Now in the “Boot Device Priority” menu make sure to make your optical drive the first boot device. Step 4. Now press and press the right arrow to navigate to exit and make sure to exit the bios by choosing “Exit Saving Changes”.

press any key to Step 6. Once the installation should begin you will be asked to delete and create a new partition on your hard drive. 6-1. Press the letter 6-2. Press 6-3. Press the letter 6-4. Press Step 7. After you have deleted the partition you will need to create your new one. You will need to format this partition. You can either choose the quick or normal partition. The quick partition does a quicker partition; the choice is up to the user.

15 Step 8. The next window you will see in the installation process is the License Agreement from Microsoft. Click I accept this agreement and next and the installation process will continue. Step 9. The next Window you encounter will prompt you for a name and organization; this step is entirely optional. You can continue without entering any information. Step 10. Once the installation restarts for the last time you will presented with the following two Windows. Please click OK for both Windows.

first screen is shown below; follow all the on screen instructions. Once this is complete you should be on your desktop in Windows XP Media Center 2005. Step 12. Once in Windows you will see a lot of screens that look like they are installing software and drivers. This is exactly what is happening; the Alienware upgrade disc installs all the latest drivers and software for your system. Step 13. See section LCDmon verification. DHS 3 Upgrade DVD Finishing Up LCDmon Verification: This step is important as this the font LCD which displays information when in Windows. This will display DVD titles, music track information, TV show titles, and etc.

17 Step 1. Step 1: Locate the LCD in front of the chassis. Step 2. Next make sure you’re in Windows before checking the LCD. Once you verify you are in Windows look at the LCD and make sure you can see the information it displays. If you’re LCD displays the below information when in Windows then this means your drivers and software installed are working correctly. You can stop and your installation is now complete. If you’re LCD displays the below information when in Windows then this means your drivers and software are not installed or working correctly. You can proceed to Step 3 Step 3. Shut down your system completely, this does not mean restart. You will have to choose shut down by going to Start Æ Turn Off Computer Æ Turn Off Step 4. Turn on the system, once you are in Windows you should see the below image. 4-1. Make sure “No, not this time” is checked and then hit Next.

software automatically (Recommended)” and click Next. 4-3. Next you the screen will be say that Files Needed. This screen is asking you for the LCDmon.sys file. Click Browse and navigate to C:\Windows\system32\drivers and you should find LCDmon.sys; next click Open then click OK. Step 5. Click Finish once the driver has been updated. Step 6. Restart your system.

19 Step 7. Verify that your LCD now displays the following image when in Windows. If it does not follow steps 1-7 again. If this does not resolve the issue please contact Alienware Support.

Please visit http://www.alienware.com/terms to view the terms and conditions agreement. We recommend that you print a copy and file it with your invoice for future reference.

21 APPENDIX B: LIMITED PRODUCT WARRANTY: DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES; AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY Please visit http://www.alienware.com/warranty to view the Limited Product Warranty, Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liability. Obtaining Warranty Service Please contact Alienware Customer Support. Have the guide, warranty number and proof of purchase information available. The Technical Support staff will assist you in diagnosing the problem over the phone. If the problem cannot be resolved over the phone, a Technical Support representative will explain your options which may include onsite service, sending your system back for repair or sending part(s) back to Alienware for exchange. Systems Returned to Alienware for Repair If the Technical Support representative determines that your system must come back to Alienware for repair, you will be issued an RMA number. All systems arriving at Alienware without a valid RMA number will be refused and returned to sender. The expected turn around time for system repairs is 10 to 12 business days from the time the package is received in our Service Center to the time it is shipped from our Service Center. If you are sending your computer to the Service Center, all you need to send is the tower itself. DO NOT send your monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse, joystick, other peripherals, cables or software unless advised otherwise by your Alienware Technician. We have everything to test your system in-house. Be advised that your computer will be formatted and reintegrated. This is necessary to purge your system of any viruses or worms that may be present on your system and to protect our diagnostics network. Please back up all your important data before sending it in. Alienware will not be responsible for any lost information. All systems that come into our Service Centers for repair will be configured with only the software necessary to restore your system to its original performance. This will include your original OS and any software necessary for benchmarking your system. Please use the original box and foam inserts to pack your computer. If you no longer have the original box, please be sure to purchase the necessary packing material in order to insure that your system is protected during shipping. Also, in the event that you decide to use the original box - remember to remove or black out any previous shipping labels and / or barcodes. Alienware Corporation is not responsible for any computers / components that may suffer damage due to improper packaging. Return your system using the small package carrier specified by Alienware. Include the following: a brief description of the problem, RMA number, your name, contact information and current shipping address. The carrier’s shipping document must be printed clearly and include:

2. Total declared value (Insurance) 3. Package weight 4. Your return address Alienware will not be responsible for the contents of under insured packages. Please contact Alienware support to schedule a pick-up. Replacing a Defective Component If a Technical Support representative determines that a component is defective, you will be issued an RMA number. All components arriving at Alienware without a valid RMA number will be refused and returned to sender. The two options for returning defective components are: Return First Return the defective part using the small package carrier specified by Alienware. Simply package the component along with any corresponding documentation and/or accessories. Include the following: a brief description of the problem you are having, RMA number, your name, contact information, account number and current shipping address. Including this information will speed up the replacement process. The carrier’s shipping document must be printed clearly and include: 1. The RMA number next to your name 2. Total declared value (Insurance) 3. Package weight 4. Your return address Alienware will not be responsible for the contents of under insured packages. Contact Alienware support to schedule a pickup. Once Alienware has received the component, it will be tested. If the component is deemed defective, a replacement will be shipped. The entire replacement process will take approximately 5-7 business days from arrival at Alienware to shipping from Alienware. Replace First If you would prefer to receive a replacement before returning the defective component, a deposit – equal to the cost of the component – will be charged to your credit card. This deposit will be refunded upon receipt of the defective component. It will take 2-3 business days to ship your component depending on inventory and approval of the deposit charge. After receiving the replacement component return the defective component using the small package carrier specified by Alienware. Simply package the component along with any corresponding documentation and/or accessories. Include the following: a brief description of the problem you are having, RMA number, your name, contact information, account number and current shipping address. The carrier’s shipping document must be printed clearly and include: 1. The RMA number next to your name

23 2. Total declared value (Insurance) 3. Package weight 4. Your return address Contact Alienware to schedule a pickup. You will have up to five business days to ship the defective component(s) back to Alienware. No refunds will be issued if the defective component(s) are not shipped within 5 days of receiving the replacement component(s). Keep in mind In order to prevent any delays in the refund or replacement process, please be sure to return all materials including guides, CDs/disks and accessories corresponding to the defective component. Incomplete materials will result in additional charges. Most small package carriers will only pickup packages in the afternoon within a four-hour time window. All returned components are tested for defects. It is Alienware’s desire that your repair goes as smoothly as possible; once you have received the replacement component(s), please contact us so that Alienware technicians may assist you in its installation. When returning a component, be sure to use Alienware’s preferred small package carrier. Alienware will not cover expenses for any other shipping method. Items to check before returning your system or component(s) to Alienware: • The RMA number and personal contact information are on the carrier’s shipping document. • The correct package weight and declared value (Insurance) has been clearly printed on the shipping bill. • You have included a brief note explaining the problem encountered. Please include your RMA number, name, contact information, account number and current shipping address on this note. • The system or component(s) is properly packaged and secured in its box. • For components only - Include any corresponding documentation, CDs/disks and accessories with the component(s) being returned. Missing parts will result in an incomplete refund or credit.

In addition to the standard warranty, Alienware offers a 30-day money back guarantee on every system. If you are not satisfied with your system, you may return it within 30 days for a refund. The refund will only be issued for the amount of the sale and will not include shipping costs. All systems and parts will be subject to a 15% restocking fee. To return merchandise, you must obtain an RMA number. Please call the Alienware Customer Service Department and provide the invoice number, item description, and serial number(s) of the merchandise you wish to return. Returned merchandise must be placed in original packaging, include product guides and other accessories. All sales on software items are final.

25 APPENDIX D: MICROSOFT CRITICAL UPDATES Your new Alienware system was updated with the latest available Microsoft Windows Updates at the time of shipping in order to ensure the highest possible level of system stability, security, and performance; however, due to the frequency with which Microsoft Windows Critical Updates are released, Alienware highly recommends visiting the Microsoft Windows Update website at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com to view a list of and install the most recently released Critical Updates. Alienware also highly recommends visiting the Microsoft Windows Update website immediately after recovering a system from any Alienware Recovery or Respawn CD to view a list of and install the most recently released Critical Updates. Doing so will ensure the highest possible level system stability, security and performance.

your computer sales needs. They specialize in making sure you get exactly the computer you want. US and Canada Sales: 800.ALIENWARE (800.254.3692) or 800.494.3382 International Sales: 786.388.5705 E-mail: [email protected] Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM EST Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST Customer Service For an instant response related to billing information, tracking information on returns, or general questions, you may contact a support representative using the Alienware chat system. Go to http://support.alienware.com to visit our Support Area. Alienware Support Chat is available Monday through Friday. Please visit our website for current operational hours. Have your Alienware account number available on your first visit to set up a support account. Customer service representatives are also available by telephone. Please have your account number on hand when calling. US and Canada: 866.287.6727 International: 786.388.5705 E-mail: [email protected] Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday 10:00AM–7:00PM EST Technical Support We have compiled an extensive Knowledge Base of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and their Solutions. You are able to search by key words, categories or both. It is likely that you will find the information needed here. This area is open and does not require warranty coverage. Go to http://support.alienware.com to visit our Support Area. For an instant response related to technical issues and troubleshooting for your computer, you may contact a support representative using the Alienware chat system. Go to http://help.alienware.com to visit our Technical Support Area. Alienware Support Chat is available Monday through Friday. Please visit our web site for current operational hours. Have your Alienware account number available on your first visit to set up a support account. Chat support is available for computers under warranty. Technical Support representatives are also available by telephone. Telephone Support is available for computer systems under warranty. Please have your account number on hand when calling.

27 US and Canada: 866.287.6727 International: 786.388.5705 Email: [email protected] Hours of Operation: 24 hours a day / 7 days a week Corporate Headquarters Mailing address: Alienware Corp. 14591 SW 120 ST Miami, FL 33186-8638