Windows 7 on Latitude E6400

[John Ratsey]

but gave me no joy so far. I also tried to install the latest drivers from dell's website but still haven't manage to get something working.
My drive ref number is PLDS DVD+/-RW DU-8A2S.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Did you update the firmware to version 4D13? It is listed under the E6400 Windows 7 downloads.

Fixes and Enhancements
- Ensure Windows 7 compatibility

I have the PLDS DU-8A2S updated to this firmware and it works fine with Windows 7.

John

[mystery_spell]

Hi, I'm having some difficulty with my Latitude E6400 that runs on Windows 7 (32-bit).

The SD reader isn't working properly. I've installed the driver numerous times, but it doesn't seem to matter. Any suggestions? I'd really appreciate it if someone would link me to the driver for the SD slot on the front of the Latitude E6400. Is anyone facing similar issues? How do you solve this?

[John Ratsey]

You need the Ricoh driver (dated 16 Nov 2009) listed in the Chipset category of the E6400 downloads. You should also check Windows update. I recall seeing an SD card-related update not long back. I think it related to higher capacity support, but one can never be sure whether it has fixed (or created) any other bugs.

John

[MDR8850]

mystery_spell:
symptoms.....
what did you do prior?
is it enabled on the bios?
due you see it at the device manager as an "uknown device"?

[GKDesigns]

6/10 Dell Latitude E6400 Win7 Pro x64 Clean Install Notes

Devices:
o Intel Centrino Core 2 Duo P9500 2.53GHz 1066MHz 6M L2 Cache
o Intel Mobile GM45 Express Chipset
o OCZ 2x2GB DDR2-800
o Ricoh R5C847 Card Bus
o ST 160GB HDD 7200RPM FFS
o TSST 8x DVD+/-RW
o IDT 92HD Audio
o nVidia Quadro NVS 160M 256MB w/Express Card
o NO fingerprint reader
o NO vPro
o Intel 82567LM Gigabit Ethernet
o Intel WiFi Link 5300 802.11agn 3x3
o Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth 2.1
o Modem
o SEC5442 WXGA+ 1440x900 LED LCD
o Webcam and Mic
o Lit KB
o MS BT Mouse 5000

Tips:
o Select relevant OS before downloading latest driver software (software on OEM CDs may not be most recent).
o Dell downloads execute/extract to c:\Dell\Drivers\... and then auto install unless noted otherwise.
o Some downloads are offered both as 'application with driver' and as 'driver only', allowing you to skip the application.
o Non-Dell OEM drivers available elsewhere may be more current but not yet sanctioned/offered by Dell. Favor Dell downloads for new hardware release; otherwise, favor OEM downloads (this install) for latest ongoing fixes after Dell has stopped updating their downloads.
o Backup all user data to another PC and collect all downloads in install order on a USB flash drive.
o Dell E-Family Re-Image Guide (discovered after this install)
o Dell E6400 service manual
o DPC Latency Checker (freeware, no installation required)

Hot Keys:
o F2 boot to BIOS.
o F12 boot device menu.
0 Fn+F1 sleep/hibernate per power management setting.
o Fn+F2 battery charger ON/OFF.
o Fn+F3 DCP Power Manager Battery Status.
o Fn+F4 numlock ON/OFF for embedded Fn+numeric keypad.
o Fn_F5 scroll lock ON/OFF.
o Fn+F7 DCP.
o Fn+F8 display device.
o Fn+D display OFF/ON (conserve battery without shutting down entire system).
o Fn+Z reset fan temperature table and sensor.
o Fn+Right-Arrow keyboard illumination OFF/ON Auto ALS (lit upon input in dim lighting)/ON (lit upon input). Use DCP to set input device, brightness, and auto OFF delay.
o Fn+Left-Arrow display Ambient Light Sensor OFF/ON (brightness varies with ambient lighting).
o Fn+Up/Dn-Arrows override display brightness until boot to BIOS setting and/or power mananagement setting.
o Alt+Fn+F11 screen shot.

Win7 Pro x64 Clean Install:

STEP 0 (optional): Boot F12 to Dell DOS Diagnostics CD and run all hardware tests
Source: Order with system or see Dell Latitude E6400 Win7 x64 downloads

STEP 0: Flash Dell BIOS to 6/8/10 A25
Source: Dell Latitude E6400 Win7 x64 downloads
Note: Set SATA controller in BIOS to AHCI (don't need/want IRRT/RAID controller activity). Confirm all devices are enabled in BIOS to ensure their discovery during OS installation. Enable external WiFi switch.

STEP 0: Flash TSST ODD TS-U633A to 7/13/2009 DW10 A03
Source: Dell Latitude E6400 Win7 x64 downloads
Note: Dell download extracts to disk, then firmware flash app runs... must browse extract subfolder to select Windows firmware BIN file before selecting 'download' button. If distorted popup window appears with caution message, select barely visible 'continue' button in bottom border of popup window to dismiss.

STEP 0: Boot F12 to Win7 Pro x64 DVD and install Win7
Source: Dell OEM DVD, educational DVD, or retail OEM DVD
Note: Delete partition(s) except small OEM partition (used by Dell Diagnostics?). Create/Format system partition (100%). No F6 slipstream driver installation is required; Intel ICH9M-E/M SATA AHCI or ICH8M-E/ICH9M-E SATA RAID controller driver will be installed by Win7. No key or activation is required with Dell OEM DVD. Select option 'Ask me later' to NOT run Windows Update automatically (for now). Skip joining WLANs and homegroups.

STEP 1: Install Dell System Software DELL_SYSTEM-SOFTWARE_A01_R260746.exe 4/12/2010 7.0.1 A01
Source: Dell Latitude E6400 Win7 x64 downloads
Note: Restart. Appears to install some Windows hotfix updates upon restart.

STEP 2: Install Intel Chipset Software infinst911autol.exe 12/22/2009 9.1.1.1025
Source: Mobile Intel GM45 Express Chipset
Note: Restart.

(Optional: Intel Turbo Memory flash module driver here, if required.)
(Optional: PCMCIA/Smartcard controller driver here, if required.)

STEP 3 (optional on non-RAID system): Intel Rapid Storage Technology (Matrix Storage Manager) iata96enu.exe 3/23/2010 9.6.0.1014
Source: Mobile Intel GM45 Express Chipset
Note: Skipped it!

STEP 4: IDT 92HDxxx Audio Driver R267814.exe 5/4/2010 6.10.0.6274 A15
Source: Dell Latitude E6400 Win7 x64 downloads
Note: Restart. Win7 audio driver works, but tweaking IDT's SRS option can improve audio quality.

STEP 5: Install nVidia Quadro NVS 160M Video Driver (Verde Notebook Release) 257.21_notebook_winvista_win7_64bit_international_whql.exe 6/15/2010
Source: nVidia Driver Downloads
Note: Restart. Must use the Dell download video driver if you need audio out on the DisplayPort. Tune ClearType and bump text size to 125%.

STEP 6: Install Ricoh R5C847 SD/MMC Host Controller R188776.exe 11/16/2009 2.07.01 A01
Source: Dell Latitude E6400 Win7 x64 downloads
Note: Restart.

STEP 7a: Install Dell ControlPoint System Manager 1.4 Dell_ControlPoint-System-Man_A15_R261132.exe 4/19/2010 1.4.00001 A15
Source: Dell Latitude E6400 Win7 x64 downloads
Note: The ambient light sensor driver has issues under Win7 and appears to have been pulled by Dell (not installed; not missed).

STEP 7b (obsolete): Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager LAN Driver Pack
STEP 7b (obsolete): Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager WLAN (Intel) Driver Pack
STEP 7b (obsolete): Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager
Note: Skipped it! Wireless connection profile management. Win7 makes this DCP module obsolete... Dell has omitted this DCP module from the newer E6410 downloads. LAN, WLAN, WAN, and WWAN drivers should then be installed separately (below).

STEP 7c (optional): Dell ControlPoint Security Device Driver Pack
STEP 7c (optional): Dell ControlPoint Security Manager
Note: Skipped it; no fingerprint reader on this system! Security features/trusted platform module and fingerprint reader management. Broadcom USH device remains banged in Device Manager; right-click to disable it.

STEP 8 (optional): Chipset Intel vPro and Intel AMT SOL, HECI Drivers
Note: STEP 7c is prerequisite to STEP 8. Skipped it, no vPro on this system and not using AMT!

STEP 9a: Install Intel 82567LM Gigabit Ethernet Driver and Application PROWinx64.exe 4/29/2010 v15.2
Source: Intel Ethernet Controllers
Note: Restart. May need to decline/hide older driver offered by Window Update.

STEP 9b: Install Intel Ultimate N WiFi Link 5300 Driver and Application
Source: Intel Ultimate N WiFi Link 5300 and Intel WiFi Link 5100 Products
Note: Restart.

STEP 9c: Install Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Mini-Card Driver and Application 11/4/2009 6.2.0.9600 A01
Source: Dell Latitude E6400 Win7 x64 downloads
Note: MS bluetooth mouse worked fine from the beginning of the Win7 setup. After installing this Dell driver, had to add mouse device to get mouse working again (but may have just been weak batteries in the mouse).

STEP 10: Install Conexant HDA D330 MDC1.5 v.92 Modem Driver CONEXANT_D330-HDA-MDC-V-92-M_A01_R230790.exe 1/4/2010 Drv_Win7-64_7.80.4.0 A01
Source: Dell Latitude E6400 Win7 x64 downloads

STEP 11: Install Dell Multi-Touch Touchpad (for E6410) DELL_MULTI-TOUCH-TOUCHPAD_A04_R269801.exe 5/18/2010 7.1x07.101.205 A04
Source: Dell Latitude E6410 Win7 x64 downloads
Note: Restart. The newer Latitude E6410 touchpad software seems to work fine.

STEP 12: Configure/Run Windows/Microsoft Update and defrag
Note: Install Windows Live Essentials for its mail client. Perform drive cleanup to remove temp and trash files before defrag. Then leave the computer ON for awhile/overnight to allow Windows Search to index all relevant files.

STEP 13: Install/Configure anti-malware (anti-virus, anti-spyware, personal firewall)
Note: Win7 comes with anti-spyware (Windows Defender) and a bi-directional firewall (Windows Firewall).

STEP 14: Configure Windows
o Confirm scheduling for auto-defrag, Windows Updates, anti-malware scans, and backup.
o Win7 default webcam driver works with latest Dell Webcam Central s/w 9/09 that arrived with a new E6410.
o Win7 plays DVDs without installing additional codecs.
o Win7 plays iTunes rips without installing iTunes or additional codecs.

Performance Ratings:
o Current Win7 Pro x64: WEI 3.3; CPU 6.1; RAM 6.1; GPU: 3.3 (5.3 gaming); HDD 5.9
o Previous VistaBiz x64: WEI 3.4; CPU 5.4; RAM 5.9; GPU: 3.4 (4.6 gaming); HDD 5.8
o DPC Latency Checker is mostly green but with regular yellow spikes to 1000us.
o For reference: New E6410 i7 M620 NVS3100 Win7 Pro x64: WEI 4.9; CPU 6.8; RAM 5.9; GPU: 4.9 (5.9 gaming); HDD 5.9


Other Resources:
Source: Adobe Flash Player
Note: Deselect the free Google Toolbar.

Source: Adobe Reader
Note: Deselect the free Google Toolbar.

Source: Cobian Backup 10

Source: Frisk F-PROT Antivirus

Source: Google Picasa

Source: Google Talk

Source: Microsoft Security Essentials for Win7 x64
Note: A free anti-virus and anti-spyware solution (disables Windows Defender).

GK

[GoodBytes]

- Get the Latitude E6410 touchpad drivers, they work better.
- 256 series drivers works on the Latitude E6400 just fine. Please note that only Video card drivers from Dell gives you the ability to have Audio out on Display port. If you don't care about that, Nvidia own drivers are fine.
- Step 8 will not work on your configuration
- Step 7b, Windows 7 has an excellent wireless connection manager. Just click on the wireless icon on the system tray and a small pop-up window will appear on top of the icon, showing all the wireless connection. Pick one, type in the password if any, and your done. Windows 7 will connect to it next time automatically. Also, the wireless connects back really fast when you wake your computer from sleep of hibernate.

- Fn+D actually turns off the monitor (but not the system) until pressed again, or any key of mouse activity. Great way to save on battery life when low. (Turn off at moments you don't need to look at your screen, but don't want to put your computer to sleep, despite the fast wake up of Win7).

- Fn+Z doesn't turn off the fan, it resets the fan temperature table and sensor.

- IDT audio drivers are recommended, thanks to SRS option which allows you to fix the weak audio of the sound card. Some prefer the sound from Windows 7 generic drivers.

- You are missing to open the sound panel, then double click on the playback source used (Speakers), and go to the Advance tab, and select the max quality from the drop down box for the best sound output from the program that read that settings (ie: Windows Media player/Center)

- Once all done, put all your personal data, empty temp directory, and defrag. Leave the computer ON overnight, to allow Windows search feature to index every folder concern, so that in the morning, the computer is very fast and snappy.


- Anti-virus: Microsoft Security Essential 64-bit is all you need (spyware + anti-virus, will disable Windows defender automatically).
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
It's free, very fast, the best free security solution based on reviews, best interface, easy to use, doesn't slow down your system nor boot, fast startup.

- Of course, let's not forget codec pack. I recommend Shark007 codec pack. It has a 64-bit codec pack (install 32-bit first), well designed and doesn't interfere with Windows excellent built-in codecs 32/64-bit. It has a nice panel that allows you to customize nicely all codecs and configure common settings between codec packs. It comes with an ability to "unlock" Windows Media Player 12 64-bit to use the 64-bit (changes all shortcuts form Windows Media Player 12 32-bit to the 64-bit version) and change file association in a mouse click. In addition, it offers thumbnail support.
Link: Shark007's FREE Codec solutions - Windows 7 codecs

[GoodBytes]

o if STEP 2 is required or if Win7 provides this Intel INF. Or maybe Dell put this bit in STEP 1?

I recommend to install the Intel drivers. Windows 7 only has generic drivers.

o if the Dell Ambient Light Sensor bit is missing (STEP 7a)?

I can't get mine to work properly like it did under Vista 64-bit.

o if using the Intel Ethernet driver STEP 9A is ok?

Should be fine.

o if Win7 provides a driver for the webcam?

No idea, the moment I knew it was a Creative, I did everything possible to avoid it having it on my system.

[GKDesigns]

GoodBytes, thanks, I've revised my install notes with your helpful feedback.

I've got it down to a few uncertainties:

o Dell Ambient Light Sensor support?
o Creative webcam support?
o Does original Webcam Central software and patch work under Win7?

GK

[veritas72]

GoodBytes, thanks, I've revised my install notes with your helpful feedback.

I've got it down to a few uncertainties:

o Dell Ambient Light Sensor support?
o Creative webcam support?
o Does original Webcam Central software and patch work under Win7?

GK

a. the ambient light sensor can be used properly, though it largely seems to depend on which graphics drivers you have installed.
b/c. there is no support from creative for the webcam, but the dell utility/patch work absolutely fine under win7x64. If anyone needs the cd with the webcam central for business software, please send me a PM -- i have it iso'd/zip'd. i had to use it to get the software to install properly.

[GKDesigns]

a. the ambient light sensor can be used properly, though it largely seems to depend on which graphics drivers you have installed.
b/c. there is no support from creative for the webcam, but the dell utility/patch work absolutely fine under win7x64. If anyone needs the cd with the webcam central for business software, please send me a PM -- i have it iso'd/zip'd. i had to use it to get the software to install properly.

Thanks!

I did the Win7 install today. Did not try the ambient light sensor bit yet... may not bother. Lit keyboard does respond to ambient lighting... comes on when dark enough. May just control the display manually.

Win7 Pro plays DVDs without adding any codecs.

I'm using the Win7 MS driver for the webcam. And my E6410 arrived so I installed the latest Dell Webcam Central on the E6400 (no patch required) and it appears to work fine... downloaded its own update.

New E6410 with silver top and various mechanical refinements looks very nice... no complaints on the exterior.

GK