Windows 7 and M17X (What to Expect)

Hi Everyone,
I thought I'd created a thread that stated some common issues that you'll be facing if you decide to install Windows 7 on your M17X.

Common Issues:
1. Command Center isn't fully compatible. (no Alien Sense or Fusion)
2. Coprocessor Issues (the chipset driver isn't compatible)
3. Video Card Issues (the video driver isn't fully compatible and gitters)
4. Alien Stealth Flicker (Alien Stealth causes video to flicker when enabled)
5. Retail Versions of Vista will not Install (non service pack versions)

Common Fixes:

Command Center
Currently, there is no fix for Alien Sense or Fusion. These features are not supported.

Coprocessor
Download and attempt to execute the chipset driver. It will state that the installation is complete. However, the installtion didn't install the chipset. Open device manager, choose "update driver" on coprocessor, and point it to the chipset folder you downloaded.

Video Card
There is an occassional gitter after installing the video card drivers. The driver is currently not fully supported. Perhaps a modded driver would clear it up.

Alien Stealth
The flicker is caused by not fully resuming with the 9400. There is no resolution other than to restart the computer after enabling stealth.

Retail Vista
Non service pack retail versions of vista don't support the sata driver that is required to install. This driver is currently unavailable. To resolve the issue, switch your hard driver mode from ACHI to ATA and reinstall.
More as discovered.....

Gabe

 

Great thread, positive it'll be very helpful in the future

 

I think we can expect these problems to be solved by Alienware and Nvidia quite soon since Windows 7 is only months away.

 

This is simply a starter thread for those who wish to take the plung early. These are only minor issues at the moment, and I'm sure solutions will be provided prior to the release of Windows 7. However, for those of you that are discovering issues, please send me a private message and I'll be happy to append your issue to the first post.

Gabe

 

I actually installed it just a few minutes after unboxing the PC but I had to install Vista back due to many problems I could not solve.

 

Hi Joe,
Unfortunately I can't private message you. Please let me know what issues you had, if not already on the list, and I'll add them.

Gabe

 

The sound was not working and none of the drivers I found solved that issue.

 

Gabe

I think the sata/nforce RAID driver is on the resource dvd. Instead of switching modes, you can put the dvd in, install the driver, then put the os dvd back in to complete the install of windows.

 

Well, I'm going to do the same thing I did with my M1710. Keep the OS that came with it. I'm still gun shy after ME.

 

Hi sleey0,
I already tried the nForce driver. Although Vista did acknowledge the driver, it still wouldn't locate the hard drive. Unfortunately, the correct driver will have to be added in the future

Gabe

 

damn... i like win7 too... well i guess its back to vista with loads of tweaks lol...

 

I know oj, those are some deep scars... It happens to the best of us.

 

Well tomorrow the Vouchers for windows 7 are supposed to be offered with the M17x, so I will just stick with Vista Ultimate until the issues are resolved

 

i went back to vista myself until more mature drivers come out, i still haven't found any video drivers other than stock that works on vista. I tried Dox's drivers and couldn't get them to work properly, will try others eventually

 

I heard Windows 7 even runs better than XP, if this true I can't believe it.That means microsoft actually did something right.

 

yes windows 7 is what vista should have been in the first place, i run win 7 on 3 machines and all perform alot better than when they had vista. Only reason i took it off my new M17x is driver issues but that will change in the future.

 

Please let us know when all the driver issues are gone. We are all impatiently waiting to install Windows 7 on our M17X.

 

The voucher appears under the options when configuring a M17x so it's only a matter of time before all the official driver's and apps are available at dell's support site.

 

Good good, I want to install win 7 asap.