Dell Vista Laptop Reformat and Bloatware Removal Guide

[SmoothOperator_r]

Okay, I'm in the process of installing drivers. Only 4 of them contained checkmarks so I'm trying to go through and figure out what I need. One question regarding the network drivers though...
These were all ticked except "Dell Wireless 400 USB Mini-card". Pretty sure I don't need it, but asking to be safe. Do I require this driver? I proceeded to extract all the other network drivers.

*edit* also unsure about these modem drivers! d'oh!

[MacGyver1]

Just went for this. Not able to start computer without the vista disc now, says there is a file missing.

Also, network connections has a missing driver, which it can't locate.

I've no idea what I did wrong...guess no choice but to start over ;/

[bubbatex]

Yeah but I've read a million times in this thread to back em up before proceeding with the reformat, so I'm doing so! Also many of the drivers on the disc are out of date. Believe me I've read the original post...repeatedly for about 2 weeks now (since before my laptop came in). Just want to make sure my bases are covered.


darthsat: Thanks a million!! I'm going to start right now!

BTW - I read it a lot too! Then I did it three times in 2 days. Its like old hat now. But the driver disk does work until you can look up those you need - and it saves you from pulling those you don't really need. I looked up all I needed for 64-bit install and put'em on a USB. However, I just used all of the original Dell disks to "downgrade" today (I am returning the 1720). And I screwed up a few times and just started over. I think Les said it WAY above on page 2 or 3, of you screw up, just start over as you are not going to "hurt" the hardware. Good luck - its easy!

[bubbatex]

Okay, I'm in the process of installing drivers. Only 4 of them contained checkmarks so I'm trying to go through and figure out what I need. One question regarding the network drivers though...
These were all ticked except "Dell Wireless 400 USB Mini-card". Pretty sure I don't need it, but asking to be safe. Do I require this driver? I proceeded to extract all the other network drivers.

*edit* also unsure about these modem drivers! d'oh!

Most of mine were not checked either even though they were on the disk and my 1720 had them onboard. Just follow what your configuration from Dell says - the online version for your product code.

[MacGyver1]

Most of mine were not checked either even though they were on the disk and my 1720 had them onboars. Just follow what your configuration from Dell says - the online version for your product code.

Do you just pick up all the drivers from the dell website? The disc was sorely out of date, it seems

[bubbatex]

Do you just pick up all the drivers from the dell website? The disc was sorely out of date, it seems

Yep, just typed in my model number and got'em all. I just dl'ed the ones I needed.

[MacGyver1]

Problem worked itself out. God knows how, but I'm not complaining

[SmoothOperator_r]

I got it all done in a little over 2 hours last night, then passed out cause I work super early in the morning. Everything seems to be working fine, but I'll get a better chance to tinker this evening.

Thanks to Les and everyone else helping out!

[Sparky 1720]

For those of you who get "x file missing" at boot time and it halts it is easy to repair with the Vista CD. Just put it in and instead of choosing install (the big shiny button in the middle of the screen) go for repair in the bottom left corner. Then let it do a startup repair. That almost always gets rid of the "file missing" error. Essentially the boot table is hosed and it doesnt know where the files are. BCDedit can usually be employeed to fix this problem but it is a cumbersome tool and the vista CD does it all for you automagically.

As for drivers I always DL them directly from Dell. That will get you the latest and greatest. I have had my 1720 a month and there is already a new nvidia driver (3-18-08) that takes care of an issue I was having with settings not sticking on resume from hibernate/sleep. The fastest and best bet to get the right drivers is to use your service tag. The model will usually get you the right info too but the service tag is a guarantee assuming you put in the right info. You can confirm the model once the service tag is entered on the DL page.

[eoen]

will doing this remove all data/program files from the hd?

thanx for helpen teh nubbin