M1330 - Intel Matrix Storage Manager Driver

I decided to reinstall vista after getting frustrated trying to run xp so now I'm just installing the drivers off of the provided cd. I got to on labled 'Intel Matrix Storage Manager - Notebooks Rev: A02' which didn't install like the others. I read the readme.txt which asked me to look down a list and compare it to items in device manager. I didn't see any of the items listed and it says I'm not running in RAID mode... I didn't see any of the other items listed in the following list which apparently means I'm not running in AHCI mode... The thing is, I see something called 'Intel(R) ICH8M SATA AHCI Controller - 2829' which isn't listed but gives me the impression the computer is in AHCI mode.

The most confusing part is that I have no idea what any of that is or why it's important and why Dell is asking me to figure this crap out in the first place.

 

When performing a clean installation of Windows Vista x32 I use the sequence given below:

Dell XPS M1330 Installation Instructions for Windows Vista x32 Ultimate
1. (Dell Media Direct via bootable CD ROM) (F12)
2. Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1
3. Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 Help File Reader
4. (Dell Media Direct Application) (CD ROM Installation only!)
5. Intel Mobile Chipset V9.0.0.1011
6. MS DirectX Update
7. MS Windows Vista Ultimate Updates
8. Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer
9. Intel Turbo Memory Driver V1.7.0.1029
10. nVidia GeForce 8400M GS Display Driver V175.97
11. Sigmatel STAC 92XX Audio Driver V6.10.0.5614
12. Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet LAN Controller V10.10.0.0
13. Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN V11.5.0.32
14. Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Module V6.0.1.3100
15. Creative Labs Laptop Integrated Webcam Driver V9.1.0.429
16. Dell Webcam Manager Application
17. UPEK TouchStrip Reader Application V5.8.2 4489
18. Ricoh Memory Card Drivers V6.0.1.4
19. Dell ALPS Touchpad Pointing Stick V.7.1.104.2
20. Dell QuickSet V9.09
21. (Dell Support Center) (Windows Vista x32 only)
22. (Dell Diagnostics Utility Partition Content Update VA1340A0)

Comments

The drivers listed in parenthesis are optional. Most drivers are provided at Dell's Technical Support website.

The latest Intel Mobile Chipset and Turbo Memory drivers can be found at their support website or here :
http://station-drivers.com/page/intel chipset.htm
I just run the executables for both installation programs and they work fine. You do not need to install the Intel Matrix Storage Manager driver separately, since the Read Me file explicitly states that our chipset already supports this feature.

Dell MediaDirect can only be installed using the CD ROM provided. Any attempt to install this program via the setup executable from a hard drive folder will result in an error message and loss of all data. If the program is not installed, the hot button can be remapped to start Windows Media Center, which will take effect once Dell QuickSet has been installed.

Enable both the wireless LAN and Bluetooth modules to avoid error messages when installing their drivers.

Windows Experience Index must be updated to allow for Aero functionality.

 

Check in the BIOS if the HDD is in AHCI or ATA mode.

Also, in Device Manager/IDE ATA|ATAPI controllers/ check if the AHCI driver is installed.

If it is installed, get the latest MSM from Intel, for the 965GM/PM chipset.