Dell Vista Laptop Reformat and Bloatware Removal Guide

[PieWai]

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AHCI Concerns: On new Dell systems, they are set up to run in AHCI mode which will give you a 15% system performance boost. In many instances, the AHCI driver MUST be installed during the initial installation process for the installation to work. Those not installing it are finding that their system may BSOD or hang during the installation and saying "Completing Installation Process". One must find the driver specific to their system either on the drivers disk that came with their laptop or at www.Dell.com in the drivers section. Download and expand it to a USB drive or disk; the USB is prefered but it is important that you expand it on the media you just saved it to. Once done, put it aside for now.
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Does this still apply if I use the Vista installation dvd supplied with my Dell XPS M1530?

I read somewhere that this (Dell) installation dvd already has the SATA drivers on it. How come it doesn't ask for the AHCI drivers when you don't point to them yourself?

[stoy]

You still need the drivers for the AHCI, most hardware dont ask drivers automatically. and i don't know if the drivers are included in the disk.

[westcoast01]

this may sound like a stupid question- but say I follow the steps- if I had a program installed from the factory such as photoshop, would the disk contain my pre-installed program? (or would I need to go search for a registration number and go through the program's website online)

[PieWai]

this may sound like a stupid question- but say I follow the steps- if I had a program installed from the factory such as photoshop, would the disk contain my pre-installed program? (or would I need to go search for a registration number and go through the program's website online)

The disk won't have any of the programs that were installed as factory default. Dell might have included them on additional discs (like the burning software), but it won't be installed if you follow the steps in this thread since that will only install Vista with the drivers for your machine.

[westcoast01]

you guys are awesome. It worked perfectly- and both the words and visual guide were great. Thanks everyone

[stoy]

Gd to hear westcoast.

Eastside :P lol

[basskiddanny]

If I follow your steps from the first post will I end up with:

- Fully functioning Media Direct
- Two partitions - One with Media Direct (2-3GB) and one for Vista (rest of space)

What I will "lose" is:

- 10GB Recovery partition, which I should gain back in space

Just want to check this to ensure that the guide does what I think it does. I won't need the recovery partition because i'll just use this method each time to re-install right?!?

Also is everything I need included with my new Dell laptop when it arrives in 2 weeks? (Apart from the Vista Disc which I have myself)

[basskiddanny]

Also I am getting the Intel Wireless N card with mine. Can anybody link me to where I can download the driver?

Are there ANY drivers I need to download before I do a clean install that aren't on the CD that comes with the laptop? Apart from the AHCI one?

[westcoast01]

I have the N card as well and the driver I needed was on dells support driver site listed in communication i think.

moved questions to Dell XPS branch of Dell Forum

[Monk]

I have the N card as well and the driver I needed was on dells support driver site listed in communication i think.

moved questions to Dell XPS branch of Dell Forum

I also have the Intel chip, and when you install and insert your driver cd, it will usually have a check mark next to it and say intel wireless drivers...its the full set. Its on your disk but if not

http://support.dell.com/support/down...g=en&TabIndex=