***Format & Reinstall of XP Questions (PLEASE POST ALL FORMAT QUESTIONS HERE)***

[hazard]

rllngthndr plz do let us know if u find any solution for it

it will help others too ...

[rllngthndr]

so far just started playing with diferent sizes getting it better might just be hit or miss

[rllngthndr]

Lost my hibernate icon on the shutdown dialog, enabled it in power options but its still not there.

[bTaryag]

Lost my hibernate icon on the shutdown dialog, enabled it in power options but its still not there.

Same problem here. Doesn't bother me, though.

[rllngthndr]

Still installing software finally got audigy mb on but in the settings the subwoofer is greyed out anyone know why and how to enable it?

[jasperjones]

i would suggest to go for clean installation of windows xp Pro.
For that u need to format and install xp pro from scratch

Thanks hazard. For that, I can just follow the instructions in the forum, i.e. all the XP Home drivers will work under Pro as well, right?

[Amber]

Thanks hazard didn't think there would be that big a difference i need to find out dells settings cause the windows & text were perfect for the wuxga screen anybody who didn't reformat wanna try and get a list of dells orig settings the widow,text,and icons size was perfect for the screen TIA

I don't know if you have found the solution yet, but go to the tab where your screen resolution is, and click advance. You probably need to adjust your DPI to 120. Most users like it at 96 which is what XP sets it to, but Dell sets it to 120. This will cause everything to get bigger.

As for the hibernation issue - this is a problem with XP. There is suppose to be a hotfix released or going to be released soon to fix it. When you go to the shut down box, hit your shift key. This will cause the stand-by button to go to a hibernation button.

Personally, I just set my power button to send the laptop into hibernation. Less clicking

[Amber]

I am hoping to receive my D620 Monday. I ordered XP Home and want to upgrade to XP Pro which I get for free at work.

Has anybody been in the same situation? Should I reformat and do a clean install or can I choose upgrade or something like that after inserting the XP Pro CD? After all, there shouldn't be too much junk on a business Dell...

jasperjones

I would format also just to be on the safe side. Latitudes do not include any junkware, but this way, you know that it is completely 100% clean. A couple of things to note:

Yes, you can follow the XP guide. 90% of the guide will apply to you - the only part that I can think of that will be different is your partitions. You'll most likely only have 1 or 2 partitions depending on if your laptop supports MediaDirect. I thought all of the latitudes came with Media Direct, but apparently they don't, so that is why i'm not sure about the partitions. You should have the dell diagnostics partition and the XP partition, but not Dell restore or anything like that. If you have any questions about the partitions once you get to that stage, post their size and label on here and I can tell you which is which.

You'll most likely have to request Cyberlink PowerDVD and Sonic RecordNow if you want either of those discs. PowerDVD is the dvd player/decoder; RecordNow is burning software - but you can use your own personal choice.

Everything else is pretty much the same. You can find your drivers on the driver's disc or on the website. I also recommend backing up your driver's folder on your laptop just as a precaution. The drivers for XP Pro/Home/MCE are the same - Dell just labels it as Windows XP drivers on their site.

Like I said, the general XP format will be the same. It is partitions that is different.

SG

[Amber]

Still installing software finally got audigy mb on but in the settings the subwoofer is greyed out anyone know why and how to enable it?

Make sure to install your Sigmatel Driver first. SB Audigy is only software - not the hardware driver, so you are still required to have the Sigmatel Driver. Once that driver is installed, your subwoofer should not be greyed out and fully functional.

[rllngthndr]

Southern Girl the problem with the soundblaster was a zero in the key thought it was th letter o, got another Q for ya when i did the repair to media direct it worked except for when your running xp and hit the button it no longer brings up MCE any ideas? TIA