Dell Vista Laptop Reformat and Bloatware Removal Guide

[digi111]

Hey I got a question, Before I do a full format can I make a copy of my dell recovery partition before I delete? and how do I reinstall the recovery partition back?

[Monk]

Hey I got a question, Before I do a full format can I make a copy of my dell recovery partition before I delete? and how do I reinstall the recovery partition back?

you gotta do an image of the enitire system not just the recovery partition. When you reformatt the drive you lose many extensions that are necessary for the partition to activate and then install properly. If you only image the recovery partition, you wont be able to actually use it again. Using Acronis, image the entire system and subfolders and that will allow you to use every aspect of the recovery partiton. To reinstall it back, you run acronis, hit recover, and select the location of where you copied your entire sys image (i use external HDD). It takes about 25-45 min to fully recovery an image that size.

[Signal2Noise]

Is it odd that after a reformat/reinstall of the o/s I never have to key in the Product Key? I've reformatted the laptop three times now. Once when I first got it to clean it (following the guide here) and then twice after to install 64-bit (I wasn't happy with the partitions the first time). Every time the activation status says Windows is indeed activated with an 'OEM' key. Is it hardcoded in the BIOS or something?

[Rurouni Kenshin]

Oh man, I've just forgot install AHCI driver at the start >.< Is there anyway I can install AHCI driver after I've finish install windows and everything... I just took a day off to install everything back and now I don't want to do it again just for the AHCI driver. Is it really a big performance boost when you install AHCI driver? Thax

[antujibam]

Hi, I need help here. Just bought vista ultimate x64. tried to install but got halted with "required CD/DVD drive device driver missing". I'm using dell studio 1535 with vista home x86. It's so frustating.. Anyone ...anybody..help me please. I did follow the guide over here but my Media Direct 4.0 just does not boot.

[Monk]

Hi, I need help here. Just bought vista ultimate x64. tried to install but got halted with "required CD/DVD drive device driver missing". I'm using dell studio 1535 with vista home x86. It's so frustating.. Anyone ...anybody..help me please. I did follow the guide over here but my Media Direct 4.0 just does not boot.

Media Direct 4.0 installs right into Vista as anyother program does, MD 3.3 and 3.5 need to be install first. Either reformatt with just using Vista disk first and install Media Direct after, or just pop the MD disk in now, while your in Vista..the drivers and suited should install and that "required...." should just go away.

Oh man, I've just forgot install AHCI driver at the start >.< Is there anyway I can install AHCI driver after I've finish install windows and everything... I just took a day off to install everything back and now I don't want to do it again just for the AHCI driver. Is it really a big performance boost when you install AHCI driver? Thax

You need to reinstall AHCI...without it, the system can become very unstable and be the cause for several different sightings of BSOD. Also, with AHCI installed, you can estimate at 15% increase in alsomst all aspects, so it is def worth the extra work, also the more you reformatt the better and quicker you will get at it. I can now do a full sys reformatt and program install in around 3 hrs..WELL WORTH THE TIME!!

Edit: followed up further with the AHCI installation, the only way to install the AHCI is during the windows installation, not after. If you want AHCI, redo everything..AND I WOULD HIGHLY ADVISE DOING THAT

Is it odd that after a reformat/reinstall of the o/s I never have to key in the Product Key? I've reformatted the laptop three times now. Once when I first got it to clean it (following the guide here) and then twice after to install 64-bit (I wasn't happy with the partitions the first time). Every time the activation status says Windows is indeed activated with an 'OEM' key. Is it hardcoded in the BIOS or something?

Correct...the Key is stored in a sys file that was coded into the bios that tells it which version on vista you have and that it was supplied to the manufactor. OEM disk formatt can be done infinante times w/o using a diff key, and they still activate everytime.

[Rurouni Kenshin]

Thanks for the answer Monk. But I'm not sure now if windows vista automaticaly installed the AHCI driver yet cause when i go to my BIOS and look at the hardriver setting its still on AHCI not ATA ,does that mean I've already installed the driver without knowing ^^!

[Rurouni Kenshin]

So this is what I've found out.. If you are installing a windows vista sp1 disk then the AHCI driver is already supported by vista and there is no need to install it during the windows installation. To make sure you'r running on AHCI go to device manager and check for IDE ATA/ATAPI controller if there are already something called SATA AHCI controller that mean the driver is already installed by windows

[maxwellJF]

hi. i'm just about to attempt this. can i ask for advice concerning the recovery partition that the laptop arrives with? do i need it? why would i want it? if, when i reinstall mediadirect, i only create one drive (C, can i still set restore points?

[maxwellJF]

what is the most secure way to save your windows "situation" in the event of a minor/medium problem? i will be backing up files and program setups on an external drive.