Dell XPS 9560 Clean install guide + custom ISO download.

Have you tried pulling the key from the BIOS and activating manually?

Did you install pro instead of home? (or home instead of pro)

As I didn't have that issue I don't know, what I do know is people who contact Microsoft via live chat soon get it fixed

I think I will dig up the way to save activation for the anniversary update.

 

Oh well, here we go again. UK & US Anniversary editions downloaded. Should be ready in a day or 2 when I tested the UK ISO.

 

1st post updated with the Anniversary edition info and links.

I have removed post install scripts as they caused issues for some people. Most of us only need to install Dell Premiercolor as everything else that couldn't have the inf added to the pre install drivers installed but see the 1st post for more info.

4 versions now included on both UK and US ISO's.

• Pro
• Home
• Home (Single language edition) - This may be why some peoples didn't activate so both versions included
• Education

Those of you who were making ISO's no longer need to add the intel raid/achi drivers to the boot image as Microsoft updated that to include 100 series chipsets now. I still updated to the new 15 series drivers and removed the 13 series from the image as a test to see if it helps fix the BSOD leaving no drive on restart. (untested)

US ISO is untested but done the same as the GB one, I will test when I get the chance but I went to bed at 2am having got both ISO's uploading to MEGA.nz

 

GoNZ0

A big round of applause for getting these turned around so quickly.

Things are working better for me now but still contemplating another clean install into my alternate boot partition when time permits and as you've advised that Mega can be slow, I've started the ball rolling by downloading the update.

Is there any chance you can post checksums for the updated ISOs when you've had time to draw breath?

Thanks in advance.

 

Yeah I had the ESD files the day before so I had a head start!

1st interesting fact.

With the chipset installing direct from windows update I had a look and noticed the drivers version is now showing as 15.0.0.1039 matching the RST drivers I used to build the ISO, I also removed the 13 series from the ISO.

I did the same on the last build using 14 series (most recent at the time) as the BIOS module already had 14 series so it made sense as an attempt to cull the BSOD issue the Dell build had. It didn't help stop them all in the last build so lest see if the 15 series makes it any better as it didn't pull the driver last time so we had to use Dell's

The lack of included drivers this time was to allow windows update to put on the most recent it could offer.

Checksums in the 1st post now.

 

Hey guys, I am doing the fresh install, got to the point where the install program asks which partition I want to use.
And I am not quite sure what are the steps there, I understood from the explanations that i have to delete all other partitions ? Is that correct ?
(I am not 100% sure, rather ask before.)



Thanks Gonzo for the efforts


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

yep wipe the lot so you have one big unpartitioned drive then click next and it will do its thing!

 

Hey there, have exactly the same issue - how did you fix it?

 

I had the same and reset the BIOS, seems to be a bug with Dell flashing a pre configured BIOS image.

BUT please re read the entire first post and check you did everything correct...

 

Hey Gonzo, first things first - you are a legend, massive props for taking on this ISO mission. Great to be bloatware free.

I did everything as stated. Left the HDD connected and installed onto SSD 950 Pro. Then I just couldn't get that HDD drive to show. Solution:

Enable legacy option
boot sequence UEFI
Secure disk off

Seems to have worked for me somehow. Went through so many combinations. Just a heads up. Oh, was using latest flashed BIOS, resetting to BIOS and Factory defaults didn't do anything.

Cheers

 

Dunno but you may not have a UEFI install now

 

Shock! Turned out to be user error I just needed to move back from ACHI to RAID.

For everyone with the 1TB drive who want to upgrade the SSD, have W10 on the SSD and use the 1TB for storage do the following:

Follow everything that GoNz0 has said. To the letter. I summarised it for myself like so:

1. Use Rufus to create bootable media with Gonzo’s ISO (1st see post)

2. Restart, F2 into BIOS. Ensure Secure Boot enabled and Legacy Off (reset BIOS to factory defaults if issues later)

3. Replace SSD

4. Restart, F2 System Configuration --> SATA Operation = AHCI

5. Reboot, F12 and install windows

6. Move AHCI back to Raid in SATA operation

Note you did not need to remove the HDD. Just replace the SSD.

Now you want to clean down the 1TB drive, you won’t be able to remove all the partitions using disk management. So do this:

1. Start

2. Diskpart

3. list disk

4. select disk 0/1/2... be sure to select the correct disk else u will end up wiping out the wrong volume.

5. clean (that’s all)

Now in disk management u can a single drive unallocated, proceed as usual from there.

Also I downloaded Dell Command Update which is useful IMO, but avoids some of the bloatware.

Also for activation, magic jelly bean couldn’t find the correct key, so I used produkey and that did the trick to find the OEM key.

I hope that this helps someone and I wouldn’t have bothered posting all this, but Gonzo’s example shamed me into it J

 

Good tip if upgrading the drive, I will link it to the 1st post.

 

From memory unplugging the HDD when installing onto the SSD solved it for me.

 

added windows 10 (x64) enterprise to 1st post.

Using this as a "windows 2 go image" for my Sandisk extreme USB3 stick, have to say it is bloody fast for a USB based operating system.

 

hi!

Thanks a lot from Spain but, could you tell me how I can install the spanish language for my S.O.? Thanks and keep going on!

 

Details are in the 1st post

(go to settings > time & language > Region and language then add a pack click the installed pack, go to options and set as default.)

 

Thanks!!

Can I install the 84wh instead the 56wh stock one?

 

umm the batteries have nothing to do with windows

 

then ok ty!!! you´re the best

 

Can anyone help me put the W10 on the cache drive to allow me to use 1TB as storage? 1TB is really sluggist.

 

Not really enough room to do that, you have an expensive laptop, go buy at least a 256gb SSD to replace the 32gb. If you insist on doing it detach the drive in Intel rapid storage then use fdisk to wipe it so you can install to it.

Google will help if any of that went over your head.

 

I tried using that 32GB cache whilst my SSD was on backorder. Don't waste your time.

The Windows updating process needs far more space (despite the official specs, even if you have added no programs or files, and even if you are not jumping to the Anniversary W10). And you don't want Windows files scattered on your 5200rpm HDD and 32GB cache.

Also that cache drive is really a dog so even it it worked it is sluggish.

Shockingly mine came shipped that way from the factory; first thing I did was disconnect the HDD, second thing was try to update Windows. Didn't add any files or programs. But not enough space on the cache for minor windows updates

 

Possibly tempting fate now but I always found sleeping the laptop between uses would end up in a BSOD within a day or 2, 5 days and counting of sleep only (hibernating after 5 hours of sleep) no shutdowns and so far no BSOD. I wonder if the 15 series storage drivers fixed it?

 

One of the updates certainly claims

• Improved reliability by allowing more time for devices to recover from connected standby mode.

so that could well be relevant.

My usage profile is such that I rarely use standby as I'm normally deskbound. When I do travel with my 9550 I'll normally do a complete shutdown. (I had several bad experiences with my old 1557 waking up in its backpack and nearly melting itself in the boot of the car!)

However I applied the latest updates on 11th August and would agree that the frequency of BSODs have reduced somewhat. They're now every 3-4 days rather than up to several times a day. At least two of these I believe were due to Bluetooth via the 1830 as I was listening via a BT headset with screens blanked by screensaver and otherwise idle. In both occasions there was no 'bluescreen' as such, had to force a power-off and after re-booting, the system indicated the headset was connected but it was still u/s. Tried powering the headset off/on but it needed the BT turning off/on before the headset would work again.

To me this would tend to indicate some problem with BT on the 1830 or it's associated drivers. Currently awaiting delivery of Intel 8260 to try.

 

I have bluetooth always off. Haven't had a BSOD all summer so that might be your problem.

Try some wired headphones in the meantime...

 

pressing. Glad to hear you're BSOD free and thanks for the heads-up on BT.

I did go through an extended period of using wired headphones (with BT and WiFi off) before I did a clean install about a month ago and at that time, it didn't seem to make much difference.

Having done a clean install, things are more stable now so I might just be seeing residual BT issues (or something else completely different). Have ordered the 8260 so may as well try it as I prefer the convenience of BT if it will work reliably. Will probably need 7-10 days before I get any idea if it's better or I need to try wired headphones again.

 

lol - BSOD free for now...

 

Hey all
Thank-you Gonzo for the bloatware free ISO!
Can I ask if anyone installs the Dell Update application to keep up with all the latest drivers?

Cheers, Paul

 

Nah it doesn't work

Sent from my SM-G920F

 

Why install bloatware free ISO then install bloatware?

Dell update did not work too reliably for me and I have read similar accounts. Also you frequently need to go to the suppliers for the latest drivers (e.g. Nvidia, Intel, RealTek...). Sometimes the official Dell driver is several months behind the supplier driver. Just because the drivers come from Dell does not mean they did much or any QC work.

You can get email alerts from Dell to remind you of updates also so you know of any BIOS or others that are only Dell supplied. This is what I do.

 

Thanks for the reply guys.
I'll keep my ear to the ground & eyes on the forum

Cheers, Paul


Sent from my SM-T710 using Tapatalk

 

Hi, I did the clean install and now I'm getting bsods(unexpected store exception) plus mouse over USB not functioning properly. Any ideas? Should I chang the sata back to raid?

 

Now it sometimes shows critical process died during the bsods

 

You can try raid, it works for some. It seems to be the Samsung NVME drive, others have installed the samsung 950 pro driver and had good results.

 

Hi all,

I am about to have my XPS 15 9550 delivered tomorrow, and was planning to do as above. (i.e have a 128GB SSD for OS and a 1TB mechanical HDD as the mass storage drive).

Just a question : Why is it necessary to go 'back to RAID' after the windows installation? I don't plan on using the drives in raid / cache and wish to keep them completely separate. Wouldn't leaving it on AHCI work?

Thanks so much.

 

If you read the 1st post I suggest AHCI and in your case it should work fine.

 

I have a similar setup and use AHCI without issue

 

Great, thank you! Does this rely on unplugging the mechanical HDD during windows install? Or is that not required?

Edit: I should also mention I am planning to use a Nvme SSD so does that make a difference?

 

I did not unplug HDD during install.

My m.2 drive is a samsung 850EVO so I can not answer your question on the nvme. However, there are a lot of posts here at NBRregarding the most stable BIOS and drivers for various nvme SSD in the 9550 so it is worth doing some research on these forums as it seems a few experienced users have documented some good solutions (and what does not work).

 

So long as you see the 2 physical drives and pick the right one to remove the partitions from you should be fine. tbh if this is a clean install and you intend to wipe both drives anyway then it should be fine, some people got stuck and needed to fdisk both drives to clean them via a command prompt but see how you go.

 

Trying to clean install, but every time I choose to boot from my USB I get a BSOD and restart loop back to BSOD until I remove the USB drive. Tried multiple USB drives, and both ports on the laptop. Any idea what could be going wrong?

Edit: ah when resetting the bios I forgot to move to AHCI. all good now

 

I just finished the clean install and with AHCI all seems good (so far...)

One small question: I installed most of the drivers but I was unsure about these three. Are any of these required?

1)ST Microlectronics LNG3DMTR Motion Sensor Driver
2)Realtek USB GBE Ethernet Controller Driver
3) ASMedia USB 3.0 Extended Host Controller Driver

Device manager doesn't show any missing drivers but I haven't installed any of the above.

Thanks for the help!

 

Windows pulls down those drivers, I leave them on the ISO just in case of for offline installs. As device manager is ok then no you don't need them.

Dell did drop in a new thermals, 1830 wifi and bluetooth update this past week. Optional though.

What SSD do you have?

 

Thanks for that. Yes I did pick up the new Dell drivers for thermals, wifi and bt.

I have a Toshiba XG3 NVMe SSD installed at the moment.

 

Stick the Toshiba driver on then
https://ocz.com/download/drivers/nvme/windows/ocznvme-1.2.126.843_whck.zip

The utility also works https://ocz.com/download/software/ssd-utility/2.2.2645/SSDUtility_2.2.2645.exe

So far I have not had the dreaded BSOD with this ISO and my Toshiba drive.

 

Thanks so much for that. So far, I havent installed any specific drivers for my SSD and speeds seem fine. Would you still recommend me to install the above drivers?

 

No problem using it here but the windows one worked ok as well with the Toshiba.

 

Can you reinstall windows 10 to the pro edition even if you order the windows 10 home edition in your xps 15 setup?

 

The Windows 10 Home key wont work for pro. You need to first purchase a key. After that, you can either do a clean install of Windows 10 pro or 'upgrade' the home edition. But a clean install is always recommended. So in short, if you get the home edition with the laptop, then no, without additional purchase you cannot install the pro edition.