DELL XPS 17 L702x Clean Install

I have put it here for a few days: http://www.dellsonly.com/sw/DellWebcamCentral.zip

Once installed, check for updates.

Scott

 

Scott... you are the MAN!

Thanks a ton!

 

Hmmm.. When launching the install it immediately blows the message that it may have installed incorrectly. Nothing happening.

 

If you have Optimus enabled in Win7 64bit, disable it in the BIOS and try again. This happened to me on one of my L702X (non 3D) systems and also on the E6520 system. Once installed and updated, I turned Optimus back ON and all was well. I think this is a bug the update fixes.

Scott-

 

Scott... thanks for all your help with this. I just took a peek in the bios (for the first time actually) and I'm shocked at how skim it is. Anyway, I can't see anywhere to disable Optimus???

 

Optimus is turned "off" in Windows. Right-click the desktop go to NVidia Control Panel. Under the "3D settings" section on the left, there will be two tabs in the right side. One is for system-wide defaults, the other is where you can override the defaults for a specific program. To force the system to always use either card by default, set the default graphics card to that choice.

 

If I have the GT550M L702X,... what should I have the system wide set to? Auto Detect? I changed it in attempt to disable to get the webcam software to install (still didn't work) and I can't remember what it was set to before I changed it! LOL

EDIT:
Just realized how silly this question was. I'll just the the driver decide! Auto Detect it is (for me anyway).

 

Auto-detect is the default setting when you install the driver and is what I use. For the most part it picks up properly which one to use, and the couple odd ones are easily added on the program-specific tab. (for example, mine insisted on running Alien Swarm on the Intel card which meant I got like 25 fps with slightly de-tuned settings. Set to use the NVidia for it, now I get ~80fps min at full res and 4x AA/Filtering and everything else maxed.)

 

Alright guys...

Does anyone mind helping the local forum idiot?

Thanks.

I burned a ISO of W7, put it in my new XPS that I want to do the fresh install on.

Then I rebooted, pressing F12 at the first screen and selected to boot from a cd/dvd.

Nothing is happening other than a flashing dash in the top left corner.

Did I miss something here?

 

Remove one of your hard drives or disable the secondary HDD in your BIOS boot sequence. Also make sure RAID is disabled and ACHI is enabled.

Now try it again. This is a common issue when mutiple hard drives are fighting to be the primary boot device in a "pre-OS" environment. There are drivers to get past this, but it may be easier for you to just proceed with the single drive until Windows installs and the Intel drivers are loaded. Then add the secondary HDD and enjoy.

Scott

 

Remember that tern I used? "Local forum idiot"?

Well I forgot to extract before burning.

Problem solved.

 

Scott, I accidentally deleted my 2nd Hard Drive.

Any idea how I can reverse this?

 

did i miss the L702X getting RAID

 

Hi,

Was wondering if anyone can answer a question for me.

I already have an OEM Windows 7 install CD which I previously used on the Desktop PC I built. Can I use that CD to do a fresh install on my Dell laptop and use the Dell Product Key to activate it?

Thanks in advance for your help.

John

 

It should work just fine, just install the version that the key is for ie: Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate etc.

 

Thanks for that. I`m putting it off as still trying to decided if I like the screen or not

 

If you decide to keep it, it's worth doing. My XPS is very snappy. I can boot up and turn and look at my TV for a few seconds, turn back around and it's already at the log in screen.

 

Just did a clean install in my new L502x and everything went smoothly when following the steps in this thread.

System runs so much better now without all that bloatware.

 

Now that Dell has sent me some new discs, I am going to update this software link to the latest webcam central version and re-upload the .iso image so it should work fine with W7 64bit. Please give me a few hours.

Scott-

 

Here is the latest Dell WebCam Central (Consumer) in .ISO form: CLICK HERE (165MB)

All you need is a blank CD and Win7 has native .iso image file burning so you are good to go.

Enjoy,
Scott

 

After I did a clean install of W7, the backlight of my keyboard stopped working.

I'm not that sure if I have a backlit one (Any way to confirm it?)
Anyway, it doesn't work (even without button combination, quickset, etc...)

Help!

 

I may end up doing it myself when mine arrives...but I've heard Dell doesn't have a lot of 'crapware' on a machine...why are so many compelled to wipe the HD's and reinstall everything. Would not unintalling certain things work. I've heard some anti-virus programs can really dig deep into a registry. I wonder if they would leave off the MacAfee...

It seems like it would be easy enough, but ever so often I hear horror stories.

 

Thank you for all of the great information, especially the driver list from Scott. I have been wanting to perform a clean install of a new version of Windows 7.

When I inserted the Dell Resource CD, I noticed some multiple choices for the Network and Video Drivers. How do I know which driver(s) to install?

My laptop has the Integrated 10/100/1000 Network Card and Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000. So do I only load the Wireless-N 100 driver (not sure since multiple drivers are checked). The Network drivers that have check marks are:
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030
Relak RTL811EL

My laptop did come with NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M 3GB graphics with TV Tuner. Do I load one or multiple drivers? The Video drivers that have check marks are:
AverMedia AVerMedia H339 Hybrid Analog/ATSC
NVIDIA N12E-GE-B
NVIDIA N12P-GT-B
nVidia Stereoscopic 3D USB Controller

Thanks for your help.

 

When my new XPS 17 arrives I am debating whether to do a 'clean install' or use something like PC Decrapafifier or the full version of Revo Uninstaller. Would anyone be able to clue me in as to why a 'clean install' would be preferable over the other options?

 

Might see a marginal performance increase. I personally like having the peace of mind of knowing that there is absolutely no crap on there.

 

Install the wireless for the 1000-N and the Realtek (that one is the LAN port). As for the video, do you have 3D screen or not? If not, I believe the one you want is the N12P-GT-B, but it will say which card it is for when it begins to extract. You can just cancel and grab the other one if it is for the 550m. For the TV tuner the AverMedia driver will be wanted. For a 3D screen emitter, you need the 3D controller at the bottom of your listing.

Well here's the thing. I have tried that game before where you just uninstall everything. I uninstalled all the stupid stuff, cleaned the extra registry entries out, etc, and yes the system ran better. But I ended up needing to reformat anyway due to a HDD issue and even when I reinstalled EVERYTHING that I hadn't removed before, I had roughly 20 fewer processes at idle and the system was overall dramatically quicker than when having just done the uninstall the crapware route. This has been true for a couple of systems in the last year. A fresh install isn't that bad, if you have the Windows disc and the drivers disc, you are golden. Install Windows, install drivers from the disc at least enough to get you online, install your own programs profit. After you've done it a few times it is nothing. Just the first time it can be scary. Pull any data you put on there off to an external first, or do what I usually do and just do the format as soon as you open it and confirm it is all working.

 

Sorry to bring an older thread back to life, but.....

I just received my XPS 17 (i5) an hour ago, I am on the "fence" as to whether I want to try a clean install. I got one disc with it, the driver and utilities. I have a WIN 7 OEM disk I used on my desktop I built the 1st of Jan. (legal to use that?)

I definitely know I don't want the anti-virus "bloat ware", and likely will not use most of the utilities, (I think), never had a laptop before sooooo.

I guess my main question is, are the reply's/ recommendations in this thread still valid after around 8 months?

The laptop will be used primarily when I am out of town working, to check the weather, email and occasional movie or light game if it makes any difference.

I do know I love my desktop, she's a power house with nothing but the software I have installed, so I assume the principles would be similar with a laptop??

Thanks for helping an "old guy" out

 

I always do a clean install, for a couple reasons. First, as delievered from Dell, there are usually a couple extra partitions, a large one with Dell recovery data from which you can theoretically reinstall Dell's factory image, and a smaller one created by Windows that's only needed if you use Bitlocker encryption. I installed on a smallish SSD, and I'd rather have the extra disk space.

Second, as has been mentioned earlier in this thread, you just get a cleaner system with a reinstall rather than trying to delete or uninstall factory installed software that you don't want. You can also configure windows as you like, step by step, during the install process.

Some recommendations:

If you don't have an SSD and can afford one, get one, and do the clean install on it. Assuming you only got one hard disk, remove it for the install and replace it with the SSD. You can put the original drive in the second drive bay whenyou're satisfied the install is done and correct.

Before you start, download all the latest drivers from Dell and save them to a USB thumb drive, USB hard drive, or as a last resort, CR-Rom. Not strictly neccessary I suppose, as you could always get them with your desktop during the install process.

Second, it sounds like you only got a driver disk with your shipment. If your OEM disk is not from Dell, chat Dell Support and ask them to send out the Windows install disk. They have always agreed to do this with no argument for me and friends I have worked with. If you do get some static, stand your ground, be polite but firm. Tell then you want to do a clean install and you need the media. They will eventualy agree to send it. In my experience, it has always been sent 2nd day air, so you won't have to wait long.

I generally haven't installed using Dell media, but I did it with an Optiplex a couple weeks ago that came with the Windows disk, and the install process was very smooth. The Dell media was "prePIDded" in MS parlance, I did't have to enter a product ID, and it activated right way with no issues, transparently, as part of the install process.

Your OEM disk may work, if you enter the Product ID from the Windows sticker on your laptop, you can try that first if you want. Make sure you verify that it activates using that media before you spend a lot of time doing the rest of the install.

If you want to get a single partition install, check this thread on this forum, it's from the last few days:

"Did a clean install; Partition issue"

I wrote a description of how to get single partition install using the Windows setup process.

Finally, if you are technically inclined and want to provide yourself some insurance, download the Windows Automated Install Kit (google "WAIK") install it now, and save the ImageX folder to a thumb drive for use during the install prcess. This is a free MS imaging tool that creates relatively small images. I generally take an image after the intial install, activation, and tweaks to appearance and performance settings, driver install, and installation of all current Windows Updates. If you hose something later, you can restore to this image and only redo subsequent steps. I take addtional images at various points in the build process, e.g., after installing, configuring, and updating MS Office.

Imagex is a command line tool. If you do decide to use it, google and download Gimagex, which is a GUI that makes it much easier to use. The Imagex and Gimagex files all go in the same folder.

 

It is not necessary to clean install if you want to remove the extra partitions. I removed the Dell Recovery partition to free up almost 20 GB. I left the hidden diagnostic partition in place, as it is tiny (100 MB) and may one day be useful. I did not need to clean install Windows to do any of that.

 

As Toronto points out, there are tools that can reliably modify partitions on the fly, even free ones. I didn't realize that EaseUS Partition Master had a freeware Home Edition until I saw it mentioned here on the forum. The last time this came up for me was a several years ago, and people were buying Partition Magic for a one-time partition change.

I probably should have listed my resons in reverse order, and said that if you've decided to do a clean install, you can deal with partitioning as part of the Windows setup process.

 

Thanks for the replys, I hadn't considered adding an SSD, but that may be a good idea. The desktop I built, I have a Crucial M4 128gb for my OS and critical stuff. Then a Hitachi 1TB for my games, work related stuff ect tra. Works really well on the desk top. I was just under the impression it would void my warranty, so haven't put much thought into opening the case.

Since I have the Utilities and Drivers CD, would it still be best to download the drivers separately (Was going to use the list Scott posted earlier in this thread)?

In the mean time, I will order a copy from Dell, rather have a hard copy in my file cabinet anyhow.

 

No problems with the warranty, other than any new disk you add won't be covered by Dell. The disks are easily accessible under the large cover on the bottom of the latptop; one screw, a bunch of snaps. Unlike some previous Dell laptops, the caddy is already present in the second drive bay.

You might want to have a small magnet handy when you R&R a disk. The screws are really tiny, and they are in kind of a tight space. I had a bit of an adventure when one got away. A magnetic screw driver wouldn't hurt for getting the screws started.

I would get the latest drivers from the web site. I've yet to receive a Dell driver disk that didn't have at least a few out of date drivers.

 

New to the sight and need some help. I have a xps l702x non 3d.
I installed a Dell XPS Avermedia A306 Mini Pci-e TV Tuner Card hybrid
i think its a 306, might be a 312, but it is-int showing up at all, in the
task manager there is a unknown device that wont load any drivers i
try to load, went through all clean install directions that were posted
and nothing. any help would be nice, tuner does work just pulled from
my latitude e6410.

 

Not sure if any tuner besides the H339 model will work in the L702X. If you didn't install drivers it won't show up properly.

 

Thank you for reply. now if i could find the driver i might be getting some place

 

Firstly, thank you for the guide, much appreciate the work because i'm assuming some trial and error went into the guide, which saves me doing the same! i have just purchased an L702x and will be immediately doing a fresh install on new drives, and storing the original 500gb drive for if i sell the system.

Now a couple of questions if i may.....

This is not my first foray into USB3 driver territory, and as such know the OEM supplied drivers are usually miles behind !
As such, can someone confirm which pack i should be grabbing from the link below to ensure the latest setup of firmware and drivers (previously i have downloaded for add-in cards which are listed in the compatibility listing, so it's easy!)
RENESAS/NEC Drivers & Firmwares
I think the one i am looking for is "Firmware Version 4.0.1.5.0.2 (Windows 32 & 64bits)" and "Version 3.0.16.0 Pour Windows Xp/Vista/7 32/64bits" for the drivers if they are not installed with the firmware (seem to remember this was the case previously)

unless i am mistaken, this has been updated with this one right ?
Drivers and Downloads | Dell [Australia]


Graphics.... can i assume that these...

have been superseded by these......
Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]
Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

Thank you for the attached software in your other post, i assume i need to install that and then the facetracking software afterwards as per your comment
* If installing the face recognition software, make sure the webcam central software is installed first or you may have some "switching" issues.
- are these really needed ? or will the webcam perform without them ? (drivers obviously are needed) and where can i get the face tracking software ?

I have the 6230 card, so i am to install both of these right ?
and is this an update for the first one,
Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]
and this for the second ?
Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

Has this been updated with this one ??
Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]
or do i still need to install the one you linked first ??

what's this then ? can't see any reference to it - i did not get the discs with my system, because it was an outlet store sourced unit, i will be trying to get them from Dell,

Also, is there any of the dell supplied software that is genuinely useful, and not just bloatware ??

TIA

 

Forgot to ask, does anyone know what this driver does, and if it's important ?

Intel Management Engine Interface

this link has some info on page 95-100
http://www.intel.com/en_US/Assets/PDF/general/ug_Intel_MEBX.pdf
if i do need it, where in the sequence would be best to install it ?

(ps. i also hate the way the dell site constantly trips back to the us site)

 

UPDATED 5/18/2012
These should be the latest "Dell approved" drivers to get your L702x up and running.

When doing a fresh install, driver installation order does make a difference. If done in the proper order, things tend to be less stressful.

Below is the install order I like to use:

1. Confirm you have the latest BIOS installed. Currently, it is A17.

2. Install Windows 7

3. Once the Windows install is complete and you are on the desktop, start with the most important driver first, the HM67 chipset.

(Optional) Intel Management Engine Interface.
This is a centralized background utility that allows oversight of all the Intel based devices.

Now... I do the rest in this order:

A. SATA-II/III Drive Management.

B. Renesas USB 3.0 Host.

C. Free-Fall Motion Sensor.

D. Touchpad.

E. ALC665 Audio.

F. If you DO NOT have the 3D/120Hz compatible system, install the Intel HD3000 video FIRST ...then the NVidia GeForce driver.

Note: If you DO have the 3D/120Hz compatible system, install ONLY the NVidia driver (the Intel GPU is not used/accessable), then install the Nvidia 3D glasses IR emitter driver.

G. HD Webcam.

H. SD Media Card Reader.

I. Gigabit LAN.

J. WiFi Card (this driver supports most Intel cards offered with the L702x).

--- If you have the Intel 6230, now install the Bluetooth 3.0.

K. Lastly, the Dell Quickset driver.

===============

At this point, you should have all the important devices working and your system will be wanting to retrieve its Windows updates, etc. Once all this is done, you can add any additional drivers and/or software for anything additional you may have or want such as the Intel wireless display (non-3D systems only), TV module (if purchased), webcam software, audio upgrade software, face recognition software, DVD/Blu-ray software, etc.

** If installing the face recognition software, make sure the webcam central software is installed first or you may have some "switching" issues.

Hope this helps.

Scott-

 

When i look on the dell download site for example, under chipset i have Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United Kingdom] instead of your link, should i stick to your links or use the same order but the ones on the website as they seem more up to date, A00 for your links compared to A03 for the website, your help is muchly appreciated.

Edit: as a noob, it seems my link is not the chipset even though it is listed under chipset on their website, i think i shall stick to your links. Thanks

 

Thanks Scott, appreciate the update
(btw, how do i get my system into the signature line like you have - i cant find the option/setting for that)

 

To confirm, these links are all from the USA Dell web site and are listed as the latest tested drivers from Dell's viewpoint. You can always allow Windows update to check and offer more recent versions if available or go directly to the chip producer and see if they have something newer. Intel has this November, 2011, .INF update package available for their chipsets - including the 6 series.

CLICK HERE

Scott-

 

While signed in, just go here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/profile.php?do=editsignature#

It is the top left link on your user control panel side bar.

Scott

 

Would there be any problems doing a clean install with 2x500gb hard drives, if so how would i solve these problems.

 

No issues, but I always like to format the primary hard drive before I do anything. If needed, just specify which drive you want to be your OS drive. Otherwise, Windows will do it automatically (the HDD on SATA port 0 will be the C:\ drive by default). The second drive will just be your additional data drive.

Scott

 

Problems? No, you can have 2 drives. Might be a good idea to remove the one you don't want to install Windows to until you do the install, just so you don't install on the "wrong" drive. But totally up to you and shouldn't matter.

 

ahhhhh, i can not see that option, and when i click your link it says i do not have permision to have a signature, no problem, i just wanted to put my system specs in there because it's helpful if i forget to post tehm when asking for help, no worries, thanks for the link.


This Intel Management Engine Interface thing, i am still trying to work out if i want it or not, from the stuff i've read so far, my initial reaction is hell no! but i am curious to know exactly what i will lose by not installing it, anyone ?

and Scott, u mentioned updated audio, i can only see the one file for audio install, am i missing something ?


Thanks for the updated list, that is pretty much the order i was planning, the only thing i think will be different is the BIOS, i have not got the latest installed, i have got it, but as far as i can tell it's a "from inside windows" installer, so was going to install Win7 fresh and then immediately do the bios before moving on to the rest of the drivers etc

 

Hey scott, or anybody for that matter, can you confirm cardreader driver right here works?

ftp://driver.jmicron.com.tw/CardReader/Windows/JMB38X_WinDrv_R1.00.67_WHQL.zip

I'd like to know as mine's not showing up under "my computer"

 

I actually found this one on the dell site, looks like version 1.00.64.1

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers...rFileFormats?DriverId=W68J2&FileId=2796138471


that came from here...

http://support.dell.com/support/top...c=us&cs=04&docid=545795&doclang=en&l=en&s=bsd

 

Will give it another try Wayne. Thank you!

EDIT: Sigh, it doesn't work.... I will have to contact dell on Tuesday after my big school test and get them to do what they need to do to fix it.

 

This might be of some help, but i'm no guru, there might be a reason why the Dell ones would be prefered that i don't know...

JMicron JMB38x

there is a newer one there listed that has not been mentioned yet.


Question, is it just missing in my-computer ?
If so....

1. Win 7 has an option to hide icons for empty drives, intended for such multi-in-1 type devices ..... are you sure this feature isn't enabled ?
or...
2. Does it show in device manager ? and is not set disabled ?
3. unlikely, but is it possible to disable it in BIOS ? (i saw very little in the way of option sin the bios when i peeked in there the other day)