trasharmdsister12 said: Do you still have access to Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer but the file browser where you can see your drives)? You can type web addresses into the location bar in that and download a browser using that. Unfortunately you erased any surefire way of getting your old Windows stuff back when you overwrote the partition with Linux so you lost your files and such.

Don't know about Windows Explorer...where do I find that?

It is a custom made PC though. So I lost everything and there is no way to get it back?

I think this may help you, maybe:

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/windows-7-clean-install-part-1.htm

Internet Explorer is part of Windows 7. Do you need to install network drivers? Try using another computer and downloading the programs and drivers you need and save them to a USB flash drive. Copy them to the problem computer and install them there.

Would that work? 

Would a laptop work?

There is no way to get those files back. It should be a simple matter to reinstall Windows using the disk though.

trasharmdsister12 said: *Sound Of Rain said: trasharmdsister12 said: Do you still have access to Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer but the file browser where you can see your drives)? You can type web addresses into the location bar in that and download a browser using that. Unfortunately you erased any surefire way of getting your old Windows stuff back when you overwrote the partition with Linux so you lost your files and such. Don't know about Windows Explorer...where do I find that? It is a custom made PC though. So I lost everything and there is no way to get it back? Nope there isn't.  There are many ways to open Windows Explorer. I've never actually had to explain opening it so here goes nothing. Go to the start menu in Windows (you're running Windows 7, yes?) and type "explorer" into the search bar there. Something called "File Explorer" or "Windows Explorer" should be listed in the results. Click on it. A window that looks like this should open.  In that Window, you know where it says "Libraries -> Documents ->" at the top? Click there and type in "http://www.firefox.com" or "http://www.chrome.com" or "http://www.opera.com" (whichever one you use) to download a browser. You can also go to Google or any other website using that. EDIT: While you're at it, also type "Internet Explorer" into that search bar in the start menu. If you've installed Windows 7, you should have IE9 bundled with it.

Very helpful, will have to try it later!

trasharmdsister12 said: *Sound Of Rain said: trasharmdsister12 said: Do you still have access to Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer but the file browser where you can see your drives)? You can type web addresses into the location bar in that and download a browser using that. Unfortunately you erased any surefire way of getting your old Windows stuff back when you overwrote the partition with Linux so you lost your files and such. Don't know about Windows Explorer...where do I find that? It is a custom made PC though. So I lost everything and there is no way to get it back? Nope there isn't.  There are many ways to open Windows Explorer. I've never actually had to explain opening it so here goes nothing.

The shortcut is windows button + E. :P

well assuming the software come with the alienware, chances are there is a hidden partition for recovery (i.e. full reinstall with dells custom apps). NFI as I don't have an alienware though.

If it is your own custom software from the past then you will need to redownload and reinstall

what did your computer come with? Did it have a disc that was for reinstalling windows? Did it come with a repair partition that you can activate to install windows? Alot of newer computers dont come with a disk but instead have a repair partition. You may have deleted that though too.  But that is ok. Look on your tower for a shiny sticker that ways windows and has a code on it. as long as you have that you are good to go. You can use any windows disc (of the same verison so if you had pro use pro, basic use basic, etc) and use that code to activate it.

EDIT: did some more research, if this guy is correct than your pc came with a windows 7 disc for repair and reisntall, it should have your drivers on there too, and maybe some programs that came preloaded if your lucky. He list how to do it and some of the drivers so read over his post and if you still have questions let me know.

http://www.alienwarearena.com/forums/topic/14061/hardware/hidi-5-alienware-x51-clean-windows-7-installation/

The software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and an anti-virus thing came with the Alienware.