Dell XPS 9560 Clean install guide + custom ISO download.

Thanks alot Gonzo

Instructions were easy to follow and everything needed was in the ISO.

Only problem I had was the USB drive didnt show up at first but resetting bios to default fixed it even though I hadn't changed any settings

 

Should I install the Nvidia experience app? I do play games occasionally on the system but I was getting BSOD in photoshop before I did the clean install.

 

I installed it after using Gonzo's ISO.


Just throwing this out there... if any of you found that Gonzo's ISO saved you some time and headache, throw a few bucks his way. I know he didn't put it together to "make anything", but his time has value

 

The BSOD was related to an older driver, personally I don't install it as it *had* a bug where it would use a cpu core for no reason after sleep (sometimes)
It is a pointless app anyway. Same with the 3D side of things, no use but it still installs it if allowed.

Latest Nvidia and Intel GPU drivers are working ok for me.

It also saves a few services running including shadow play.

If you do install it and wonder why the fans running more than normal now and again check if it is to blame.

 

Ok thanks for the advice,

On another note I just wanted to say how much better much better my pc runs now I have removed the bloatware. It used hang and lag opening programs, file explorer, and some websites were unusable, now all of that is fixed!

 

Thank you Gonzo for this. I have the 1tb HD/32GB SSD i5 version of the 9550, which I recently received from Dell Outlet. The machine came with Win 10 installed on the SSD, leaving no space for any programs or updates. I have been trying to install your image onto the 1tb disk, but am running into a problem with the setup hanging at the installing devices stage. Once at 93% and once at 84%. I left it over night, so am sure I gave it enough time. Do you have any suggestions to get past this? I have reset the bios to default, and have followed your instructions - only difference being that I made the USB disk bootable using diskpart, as the laptop would not recognise it when I used Rufus. Eventually I will replace the 32 GB SSD with something bigger, but I want to just get it working first. Thanks for any advice.

 

So far those who cannot see the USB drive have not done the Rufus correctly, make sure the picture matches, the important ones are "Partition scheme" & File system (must be fat32 of fat32 large) to work, Secure boot on and legacy off.

Make sure nothing else is plugged into any ports as that may cause it to hang.

 

dannykap - we have a similar problem! I think it has to do with re-configuring the 32GB drive as a cache ONLY and migrating all data to the 1TB drive. Just not sure how to do that. . .

 

Below are instructions are an alternative for RUFUS via the command prompt. Double check:

format fs=fat32

They are quite sensitive to accuracy and don't seem to work on larger USB keys (>32GB). As Gonz0 notes above, RUFUS "FAT32 large" should help if you have a large USB key.

http://www.nextofwindows.com/how-to-make-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-to-install-windows-8

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html

 

Hello,
Just bought a new 9550. Ideally, I would like to re-use my 2.5 inch 500gb 850pro ssd (on the place of the 1gb Western Digital disk that came with the 9950). Can I still use the 32 gb cash disk along with the 2.5 SSD (in raid mode)? If I can, do I have to install the IRST driver before installing the OS?

Thanks!

 

No and no

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

Hello GoNz0

I've been lurking these forums for the past 3 days as I am waiting for my 9550 to arrive. Just had a couple of questions regarding integrating the drivers into the ISO.

I looked at the DELL support site for the drivers, and all the driver are .EXE files..

In order to integrate the drivers into the ISO, it seems like they only accept .inf files. How do you integrate the .exe drivers?

Thanks in advance.

 

They are all self extracting to folder, the ones I integrated had inf files, as explained in the 1st post

 

Just a quick update. I couldn't get this to work after multiple attempts, so I used the windows media creator tool, which installed without a hitch. My only issue now is screen flicker. I think this is a driver issue, which I hope I can resolve soon and get on and use this thing. It's taken up far too much of my time already to get to this place.

 

screen flicker with FHD panel at low brightness is a known issue, otherwise install new intel HD530 drivers (not dell branded) and manually install via the device manager.

 

Thanks! that seems to have done the trick for now at least.

 

I just checked the list of the drivers you integrated into the ISO and you have the

• 1830 WiFi

in the list. But I downloaded the 1830 driver from Dell support and I extracted to folder, but it still doesn't have the .inf file. How exactly did you integrate it into the ISO when it doesn't have .inf?

Sorry if I sound noob, I really am a noob at this. I really appreciate the effort you put out for the community though.

 

You're blind or have very poor folder navigation skills
From the extracted folder
Drivers\WinThresh\WL\x64\bcmwdidhdpcie.inf

Now jog on I am downloading the May refresh that just came up on techbench. (you can just extract everything to a folder and point ntlite to it and it will pick out the folders with drivers, then if you want to keep it tidy work backwards picking out the stuff you know you won't need in the ntlite menu or leave the lot in. you have to keep the install.wim under 4gb or compress it into a install.esd so you can put it on fat32 and do the secure install)

2 versions will be out in the next few days based on...
en-gb_windows_10_multiple_editions_version_1511_updated_apr_2016_x64_dvd_8724986.iso (Queens English)
en_windows_10_multiple_editions_version_1511_updated_apr_2016_x64_dvd_8705583.iso (Simplified English as I like to call it)

 

Doh, can't believe I missed that... I'm going to blame that on my tiredness and the time (it was 4 A.M. at the time )

And thanks again, but I'm aware about the 4G.B. limit as I have read everything you posted in the earlier posts as well. (I have been lurking these forums for the past 3 days)
I will be brewing together the ISO let's hope my 9550 doesn't explode when I use it.. crossing fingers..

Also I went to Google techbench to see what you were talking about, and it seems the first thing that pops up on Google is the Microsoft site, but it's in German. I wish I can read German, what exactly is it?

 

The new release is just a patch round-up m8, do you want the stock us version link?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

Sure, can't seem to find it on my own

 

Probably as you need a MSDN account
https://filescdn.com/6lttras21w9k/e...ion_1511_updated_apr_2016_x64_dvd_8705583.iso
File Name: en_windows_10_multiple_editions_version_1511_updated_apr_2016_x64_dvd_8705583.iso Languages: English SHA1: 1B247B5B348E78C9BC3AFD3C1CBE10CEE3D1B9D5

Make sure you check the SHA1 before using.

 

Thanks, this is the bare ISO file without the drivers integrated correct?

 

yes

 

So to summarize, if I have the 4K I7 version, with 1 TB SSD, I simply flash your iso with AHcI enabled in the bios, and then install the Dell Color and sound drivers manually?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

yep

 

Thanks Gonz0, I appreciate your time and expertise.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

trying to work this audio driver into a post install script at the mo. Everything else seems to install once online!

 

Could someone please explain the bug when one installs the British version and then downloads the USA language pack? It was mentioned briefly a few pages back.

Gonzo, when will you be creating a version including US as a language? I know you said it will be when MS updates their image, but do you have a more exact date?
Also, I believe I read that your download includes the pro version, correct?

Thanks in advance.

 

US ones in progress, it is done but I wanted to nail installing the Dell audio suite post install.

My ISO's are both home and pro, you select pre install via the options screen.

 

About to test a US ISO that runs post install scripts to install audio, nvidia (nvidia did install but it would show as nothing installed when you went to update it, even though this didn't cause an issue it still bugs me), premier colour, Intel Management Engine & Chipset.

1st go failed, it sat on please wait...

attempt 2 compiling, I really need a pro licence of NTLite!

 

US ISO (Pro/Home) is uploading to mega, It now installs all drivers without the need to go online, post install script installs audio, bluetooth, chipset, Intel management engine & premier colour, the other drivers install during install.
Once it gets past the getting ready screen it will go to a blue please wait, this lasts about 5 minutes while it installs everything else so don't worry. It will also restart a couple of times. Just sit back and let it do the work.

 

UK & US ISO's uploaded.

 

Thank you! I have 2 more questions:

1. Could you provide us with a checksum for the new iso?
2. Does the new iso still include Intel wifi drivers?

I'd be willing to make a donation if the response to my questions is affirmative!

Thanks again.

 

Yes it has the Intel wiFi drivers.

Win10UK
CRC32 791CB991
MD5 121D018B74CA66F9DF2742D4BE1D7908
SHA1 B4889665A5B6F8F7F616DCF8DF6E1912367B0D42
SHA256 7A98DD05D9E40E53B8C733E83ACD3A86F5B1669B605EFC2CB9EDA620946E0268

Win10US
CRC32: ECA9D7B3
MD5: 2CF3A2BFA943979619FF81860B9A3E48
SHA-1: 592FEBF0CB683761E2CF280C3F8B9B2F29F632C2
SHA-256: CDF1966374FB0F27B01276AB832BBD4AAC23A3C0235A1176387340B3B5B3E5AB

(I prefer SHA256)

And if you are willing to make a donation then please feel free to pass it this way
https://www.paypal.me/GoNz0

Thanks.

 

Donation received thanks Chris, as you said you hope it would buy me a beer I will put it towards several bottles of Spitfire

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, but.. I have a 9550 due to be delivered tomorrow. It has w10 home on it, and I have bought a w10 Pro key. Will I have an opportunity to provide the key, or will the installer use the license information in the BIOS.
Thank you in advance!

 

No, I inserted the ei.cfg in the sources folder to force it to offer you a selection of home or pro to get round this as I did the same on my 1st 9550 and it bugged the hell out of me when it scanned and used the bios key!
Pick pro and it will not activate with the home key and will either ask you as it finished the install or fail to activate then ask for your pro key when you hit the desktop, I expect it to ask during install though

And no it isn't a stupid question

 

Just a quick note to say my new xps 15 9550 is running a treat after using your install usb. Many thanks and hope the Spitfires offer appropriate sedative qualities when appropriate

cheers Chris

 

GoNz0, I read all 99 pages of the ' problems' thread, and learned so, so much from your responses throughout. Thanks a ton for investing so much time in sharing your knowledge and skills. Like you, the first thing I do with a shiny new rig is wipe its brain and do a clean install to get rid of all the crapware and bloatware, and was out of my depth this time round with what appeared to be zero drives in the 9550 (head scratching indeed!).

I'm downloading your latest ISO via Mega now, very much looking forward to it completing so I Rufus and install that baby.

Out of interest, which driver/s did you choose in this ISO? Is the >64bit Intel RST(e) AHCI/RAID Drivers v14.10.0.1016 WHQL< ? I'm finding the win-raid page a little overwhelming, and I'm trying to chip away at my ignorance of the matter

Thanks again! I'll let you know how the install goes once Mega takes its foot of the brake.

 

Always section B
B. Intel RST(e) Drivers from v11.5 up and their RST(e) Software:


Always the last set of 3 as they are the most up to date


And you want the 64 bit drivers only 64 bit again

• >64bit Intel RST(e) AHCI/RAID Drivers v14.10.0.1016 WHQL<(>MIRROR<)

BUT
My ISO contains a current set to allow you to boot as of the update, no need for you to download and add them to a USB as they are not part of the BOOT.WIM and the INSTALL.WIM I did last week so it is as simple as doing the rufus based ISO and you are ready to go (but be prepared for a BIOS reset as something Dell did in the last BIOS configuration seems to ignore the SSD unless you do a BIOS default and put the basic settings back such as AHCI mode )

 

Perfect advice, thanks GoNz0

Sadly my laptop went to sleep overnight (I was sure it was set to never sleep on AC power, but there you go), so Mega still has a couple of hours of downloading to go [EDIT: turns out was still on default of sleep after 30 mins. Probably should have checked that before going to bed ]

 

And so it begins, have had a couple of bsods in the last 4 days. So I guess I need to start reading all the posts in the forum

 

What were they?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

Today's was store exception. Have mostly read the hardware/software issues thread now

Had updated to the latest .20 bios, changed to achi then did the clean install using your iso (just have the 256GB samsung 951 ssd). So am a bit surprised. What do you think I should look at first, trying an older nvidia driver than the one supplied, perhaps? cheers

 

That errors the great unknown and believed to be the chipset as that has not been updated.

 

First of all, great job on creating this clean install ISO and tutorial, not to mention the extra help when it comes to troubleshoot, Mr. GoNz0 .

As a 1st owner of Dell XPS 9550 I have encountered nothing but issues with this laptop. Hopefully software base only, but I'm starting to think it might come to hardware in the end.

My configuration is as follows:

4K, upgrade from 16GB in-built RAM to Crucial 32GB RAM, upgrade from built-in Sammy PM951 512GB to Sammy PRO 512GB. The biult0in wireless card replaced with the Intel Dual Wireless AC 8260 card.

Have had numerous BSODs before, so clean install was a logical step. Unfortunately, right after the clean install the system seems to be plagued by the infamous 100% DISK usage in Windows 10. Nothing else installed, but Chrome only. 100% disk shows up with or without Chrome running. Happens when trying to install software (like Office 2016).

Just to clarify, I've had the 99-100% disk usage even before with the PM951 and the PRO SSD as well, however it hasn't been there always.

Any help is much appreciated here!

 

I started to get that a few months into an install and installed an earlier macrium backup.
Did you install the samsung driver?
Does resource monitor offer any clues?
have you disabled windows defender? easy on pro as you can use group policy on home you can use Ultimate windows tweaker4 under security settings

 

Yeah, have the Sammy driver installed as a first thing actually, mainly because from what I could have read it's better to keep the system free from BSODs. So you recommend to stick with the original Microsoft driver, correct?

I'll disable Windows defender ASAP, was planning to have Malwarebytes running instead.

Resource monitor doesn't show much really.

I'll post back after execution of the two above steps

 

As a former Samsung 3rd party engineer I called them and in the end got told it doesn't play well with this chipset and wasn't a priority as you can see by the lack of updates from them

So I stuck to the windows driver.

I still get the odd one with this 32gb + Toshiba 1tb SSD so it may be a wild goose chase.