Dell Vista Laptop Reformat and Bloatware Removal Guide

[benojir]

Les, Perhaps it would be better to have people download this Dell Intel Matrix Storage driver for use during the driver load prior to vista installation phase.

http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=205611

This is the version that allows you to expand the actual driver files that can be loaded onto a flash drive. The .exe file in the Original post does a straight installation of the driver(which can be found in program files/intel).

Hi guys,

I´m a bit confused as to which AHCI Driver I should use after Ive installed Media Direct.

http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=205611


http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=224400

Are these two the same, one being a newer release, or are they two different things.
Also, I´m getting the 200Gb 7200 rpm HDD. What partition arrangement is recommended. I have music, videos, download large files, and also use Photoshop/ProEngineer/Autocad.

I´m getting ready for my first de-bloating. My 1530s arriving tomorrow morning!

cheers,

ben

[Boostleak]

I have the same question 1530 isn't listed in the first driver.

[darthsat]

Hi Ben. In practicality, they both should be about the same, but use the one that is provided for your specific machine. So use the 2nd one for the m1530.

1. Download the R154200.exe(for m1330) or the R166200.EXE(for m1530) file.
2. Double-click it and it will ask you where you want to extract the files to. Tell it to extract to your flash drive.
3. It will then attempt to install itself, so cancel it (STOP the installation of the driver).
4. The extracted AHCI files should be in the R166200 folder in your flash drive now. So when you click load driver during the vista re-installation, point to that folder in your flash drive and it will install the drivers within.

So:
m1330 AHCI driver: http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=205611

m1530 AHCI driver: http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=224400

[Les]

I just checked the Intel file and it is as I had stated, probably the most compatible. Many people have had problems with the different versions yet this one is the most up to date and works for all. When you execute it it expands the required files on your media, even if you cannot see them. When you look for them while directing the driver search in the install process, all is fine.

I went with this because it is the only one that is compatible with all and does not execute a program like the older dell executables did.

[darthsat]

I think the confusion with the current intel exe file is that users see it installing the driver onto their machine as soon as they double-click on it. The actual driver files actually get placed in the C:\Program Files\Intel folder, whereas with the older dell AHCI driver exe files, it first asks you where you want to extract the driver files to, so it is convenient to just extract them straight to the flash drive.

[Boostleak]

Everything is going smoothly the guide is pretty much straight forward except the AHCI part, I downloaded the .17 version which is the one for 1530 and extracted it to flash drive. Thanks for helping guys. For those that haven't done this before like myself it's much easier once you start the process.


Edit: Just finished installing my dell resource CD and only 2 drivers that are checked were intel wireless and ethernet card?? Is there a way to check what else is missing?

[vremix]

I get get the error Code 8000FFFF when I try to update Vista. Can anybody help me solve this?

[Les]

There we go...You are right Darthsat and wrong. My description tells users to download to their media and extract...not the hard drive. It needs to be on the dvd or usb to extract and keep it there. If they are downloading it to the HD and then startinhg it, bam...misreading the directions again.

Think we solved this caper...unfortunately much to the confusion of a few Im sure.

[Boostleak]

I get get the error Code 8000FFFF when I try to update Vista. Can anybody help me solve this?

I now have the same error failed to install update on vista Let me know if you get this fixed.

[Les]

There is a fix on the internet as I had the same problem; I just cannot remember it though. It consisted of removing 2-3 registry entries and restarting.

Search the internet for this under things such as "vista wil not update" and see if you can find it.