Windows 7 installation help.

[Steve Mahanahan]

Currently not enjoying windows 10. Not looking to limit myself with linux yet.

I have no doubt that there is drivers for windows 7, and have only gotten so far to attempt to boot from a windows 7 USB. I can confirm that the USB stick does work on other PCs, but it does not seem to be useable as a bootable media. I can install windows 10 from usb and already have twice.

Current HDD is a 120gb OCZ Vertex 3 SSD.

I have no issue setting USB to be bootable, and as said got windows 10 to install without an issue.

I have been out of "tweaking" PCs for a few years. I no longer have a working HDD with windows 7, but if the solution is to clone a HDD I can certainly do just that. Id like to do this before the recent windows 7/10 policies keep me from installing it onto this hardware.

[Player]

Off-topic to your question, but I also plan on installing Windows 10 onto my Steam Machine.

When you installed Windows 10, did everything work properly as it would if one installed Windows on any typical PC? Did you run into any issues related to drivers (Windows 10, NVIDIA, etc)?

Lastly, why do you not enjoy Windows 10 on your Steam Machine? Is it mainly a preference thing or were there any issues?

I apologize for the lack of solution for your question. I've been researching to prepare installing Windows onto my Steam Machine and want to supplement my overall basic knowledge on the process.

Thanks

[Steve Mahanahan]

Mine came with windows, so it is an Alpha, versus the steam machine designation.

There are drivers on the dell site, and they are fully working. I used the latest Nvidia graphics drivers from Nvidia's website (12-2015 date). I have no issues with anything working. Just have to make sure you have proper drivers prior to installation.

Don't instal anything you don't need. Dell had/has an issue with one piece of software that is called "Dell Foundation Services". Trust me, it is unnecessary for even the purpose they aledge it is for...which is vague at best. Google it if you have doubts on trusting a random person on a web forum.

I have been disliking a number of "features" of windows 10. I do not want/need cloud based storage, Cortana or forced updates. No matter how you try to disconnect yourself from forced updates, the computer still downloads AND installs software that you specifically do not want and removed. I have had a few "apps" that come with windows by default that I have removed at least 3 times. A few days later, the apps are back. Recent news regarding the internet use of w10 sending out info at odd times to odd places scares me. I do nothing wrong, but also feel that forcing apps and programs to install (no matter the size) is wrong.

I don't like the w10 interface. I have done what I can to make it look less like an xbox's interface.

I have had this windows 10 pc for over 2 months, and I can honestly say I gave it a try. Windows 7 was what I enjoy.

[Player]

Originally posted by Steve Mahanahan:

Mine came with windows, so it is an Alpha, versus the steam machine designation.

There are drivers on the dell site, and they are fully working. I used the latest Nvidia graphics drivers from Nvidia's website (12-2015 date). I have no issues with anything working. Just have to make sure you have proper drivers prior to installation.

Prior to installation? My understanding was that you'd install Windows, then go to the dell/NVidia websites to detect the drivers you need, right?

[Steve Mahanahan]

Originally posted by CUMON STEP IT UP !!!:

Prior to installation? My understanding was that you'd install Windows, then go to the dell/NVidia websites to detect the drivers you need, right?

I downloaded mine to a external storage device so that I had the drivers I needed for the wireless internet. I figured I might as well download them all while I was on their site. I haven't been to dell's site since before my recent reformat.

[Player]

Originally posted by Steve Mahanahan:

Originally posted by CUMON STEP IT UP !!!:

Prior to installation? My understanding was that you'd install Windows, then go to the dell/NVidia websites to detect the drivers you need, right?

I downloaded mine to a external storage device so that I had the drivers I needed for the wireless internet. I figured I might as well download them all while I was on their site. I haven't been to dell's site since before my recent reformat.

Do you have to use Dell's website to download the drivers? Do they have ones specific to the Steam Machine since Dell's the manufacturer? Sorry if these are dumb questions lol

[Steve Mahanahan]

Originally posted by CUMON STEP IT UP !!!:

Do you have to use Dell's website to download the drivers? Do they have ones specific to the Steam Machine since Dell's the manufacturer? Sorry if these are dumb questions lol

Dell's site has all the drivers for the Alienware Alpha.

The steam machine IS the Alienware Alpha. Their hardware is identical in all ways. The only difference from an alienware alpha and an Alienware Steam machine is the operating system. There is no license for Linux (Steam OS)...whereas Windows requires a license key.

[Steve Mahanahan]

I finished installing Windows 7 on my Alienware Alpha.

Bios options needed changed in order to boot from my ISO on flash drive:

I had to turn off secure boot, and I had to set it to Legacy boot mode.

This allowed me to set the USB as something the computer reconized. I used the windows 7 installation to delete all the partitions of Windows 10, and get a good clean install.

I had to use drivers from dell's site for windows 8. The windows 10 drivers were not working...At all. I wish I had downloaded the W8 drivers in advance....ALL I had were the W10 versions. Not even the physical network worked. Thankfully there are other computers to use, and I found the ethernet driver...from there it was quick and painless.

It may not matter what serial key you have for windows 7. I have never had an issue with my key, and I in the past have installed that exact key on my desktop dozens of times....On the same computer. It proceeded to tell me that my cd key was invalid. I had to go through MS's phone system to prove to them I was a legitimate owner.....What is odd is that I did nothing to verify my identity or where I got this serial from. I bought it from newegg years ago if it makes a difference to anyone here. I paid full retail price for it too.

I don't know if that sort of process would happen every time no matter the key, or if it just happened that time because I had used it on a system that is literally in pieces of 4 other computers now.

*EDIT*

I am actually quite suprised that the drivers for the Alienware lights AND the HDMI pass-through worked. Very suprised. I don't use this as an entertainment center pc, but I will be using it for something....Currently looking for some sort of composite cable to hdmi converter to run my PSX through it. I have a hankering for some FF Tactics.

[kss1992]

Hey! So everything with the Win 7 drivers is ok? You can use the HDMI without any problems?

Also do you think this could work with the Alienware Steam Machine (the i5 one that comes with Steam OS can I overwrite that with Windows 7?).

Originally posted by Steve Mahanahan:

I finished installing Windows 7 on my Alienware Alpha.

Bios options needed changed in order to boot from my ISO on flash drive:

I had to turn off secure boot, and I had to set it to Legacy boot mode.

This allowed me to set the USB as something the computer reconized. I used the windows 7 installation to delete all the partitions of Windows 10, and get a good clean install.

I had to use drivers from dell's site for windows 8. The windows 10 drivers were not working...At all. I wish I had downloaded the W8 drivers in advance....ALL I had were the W10 versions. Not even the physical network worked. Thankfully there are other computers to use, and I found the ethernet driver...from there it was quick and painless.

It may not matter what serial key you have for windows 7. I have never had an issue with my key, and I in the past have installed that exact key on my desktop dozens of times....On the same computer. It proceeded to tell me that my cd key was invalid. I had to go through MS's phone system to prove to them I was a legitimate owner.....What is odd is that I did nothing to verify my identity or where I got this serial from. I bought it from newegg years ago if it makes a difference to anyone here. I paid full retail price for it too.

I don't know if that sort of process would happen every time no matter the key, or if it just happened that time because I had used it on a system that is literally in pieces of 4 other computers now.

*EDIT*

I am actually quite suprised that the drivers for the Alienware lights AND the HDMI pass-through worked. Very suprised. I don't use this as an entertainment center pc, but I will be using it for something....Currently looking for some sort of composite cable to hdmi converter to run my PSX through it. I have a hankering for some FF Tactics.

[Steve Mahanahan]

Originally posted by kss1992:

Hey! So everything with the Win 7 drivers is ok? You can use the HDMI without any problems?

Also do you think this could work with the Alienware Steam Machine (the i5 one that comes with Steam OS can I overwrite that with Windows 7?).

Everything has been great. I can use the HDMI passthrough with no problems. I would assume that IF you use a bootable USB flash with the image of W7 you should have no problem getting it onto a "Steam Machine" version. The hardware is identical to an Alpha.

[kss1992]

Cool thank you! :) they are pretty much the same just the machine has i5 as opposed to this ones i3. do you think the difference is worth it? My highest power games are Bio Infinite COD BO2 and Alan Wake and Star Wars Force Unleashed 1 & 2 I want to be able do them all on medium at least with 60fps lol.

[Steve Mahanahan]

Originally posted by kss1992:

do you think the difference is worth it? My highest power games are Bio Infinite COD BO2 and Alan Wake and Star Wars Force Unleashed 1 & 2 I want to be able do them all on medium at least with 60fps lol.

I can't say. I bought this machine on a whim because I bought a house, and it came with a special "thank you" gift card...however the card was only usable at very specific places.....None of which I ever herd of....Except dell. I have been planning a computer upgrade for years, and new that the minimum I would need is an I5. I found a SSD on the internet, and added that as a boot drive, and took the factory HDD and put it into an external. This machine boots up from a cold start and is on a game in 30 seconds of less.

I don't play any "intensive" titles. STALKER series is probally the most intense, and it runs at a speed that is close to or better than my 660ti & Amd PhenomII Dual core.....At much less power draw. More than acceptable framerates at maxed settings.

I get 140+ constant FPS in cs:go on Dust2 with all the graphics on maxed @ 1080p. I don't know how the I3 compares....