New SXPS16, Critique please.

My notebook will arrive tomorrow and I plan to do a Clean install of vista, just want to make sure I have covered all my bases, so if there is anything I am missing please let me know.

So, I plan to do a clean install on my 1640, upon its arrival. I hope you guys will critique me incase i am doing anything wrong! Thanks!!

Couple questions I have are-
I must install the AHCI intel matrix driver when I re-install windows vista right? Anyone know where I can find the link? I'm having a hard time finding it.

Will mostly all the drivers be located on the driver disk?

To keep my Anti virus, lo-jack, and online back up I must register all products prior to reinstalling the Os correct?

I've read a lot of people have had trouble finding PowerDVDX after the reinstall, is it that hard to reinstall?

Is there anything I am missing? Please let me know! Never done this before, thank you!!

Full system Specs:
1 224-5213 XPS 1640, Intel Core 2 Duo T9800(2.93GHz/1066Mhz FSB/6M L2 Cache)
1 320-7330 Obsidian Black High Gloss Finish with Leather XPS 1640
1 311-9487 4GB, DDR3, 1067 MHz 2 Dimm forXPS 1640
1 320-7329 16.0 inch Wide Screen 16:9 1080p FullHD RGBLED LCD W/2.0 MP, XPS 1640
1 320-7337 ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3670 - 512MB
1 341-8982 256GB Dell High Performance Solid State Hard Drive, 2.5MM
1 420-9319 Microsoft Windows Vista with SP1 Home Premium Edition 64-bit Edition English
1 330-1917 DELL RESOURCE DVD,BACK-UP XPS 1640
1 420-6576 DELL WELCOME,Software Dimension/Inspiron
1 420-9100 Dell Dock Consumer
1 463-2282 Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access
1 420-6436 Vista, PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
1 420-7938 Dell Connect 2.1
1 421-0092 DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG
1 421-0323 Windows Live Search,Multiple User Interface
1 421-0187 Dell Support Center Software 64 Bit 2.0
1 420-9691 DataSafe Local BackUp 2.0 Basic
1 430-2600 Integrated 10/100 Network Card
1 410-1883 ADOBE READER 9.0 MULTI- LANGUAGE
1 313-7056 BluRay Combo Drive
1 420-9850 Roxio 10.2 DE
1 420-9681 PowerDVD DX 8.1 Bluray Playback, True Theatre High Definition
1 421-0170 Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi MB(Panzer) Application 1.0
1 430-3478 Intel 5100 Wireless-N (1x2) Half Mini-Card
1 410-2089 McAfee Sapphire MUI, 24-Month
1 312-0811 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion P Primary Battery, for XPS 1640
1 412-0148 No ISP requested
1 420-8051 Microsoft Works 9.0, English For Inspiron
1 993-3488 Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Extended Year(s)
1 993-3487 Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Initial Year
1 986-0561 Third Party At HomeService, 24x7 TechnicalSupport, 1 Year Extended
1 992-4500 Third Party At HomeService, 24x7 TechnicalSupport, Initial Year
1 950-3338 2 Year Limited Warranty
1 900-3981 CompleteCare Accidental DamageProtection, Inspiron, 2 Year
1 412-0358 Soft Contracts - Consumer Complete Care
1 412-0360 Soft Contracts - Banctec
1 991-1149 Bund. LoJack Theft Recovery - 2 Year DHS
1 467-7772 Thanks for choosing Dell!
1 420-8652 LoJack Theft Recovery Softwarefor Laptops, 2 Year
1 902-0941 Warranty Support,1 Year Extended
1 960-8710 Warranty Support,Initial Year
1 991-9799 50GB DATASAFE ONLINE 1.1 FOR SDO/DIM/INS/XPS
1 988-0099 To activate your online backupaccount, go to Start, Programs, DataSafe Online
1 420-9328 DATASAFE ONLINE 1.1 50GB FOR DIM/INS/XPS
1 330-0171 S and P Drop-in-Box Marcom forDHS Notebooks
1 430-3206 Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate)
1 320-7618 Premium HD WLED Display Obsidian Black, Leather 2.0 MP Webcam
1 420-8223 Dell Video Chat
1 420-9330 Dell WebCam Central 1.0 XPS 1640
1 420-9699 Facial Recognition Sensible Vision
1 330-1757 Intel Centrino 2 Label
1 310-8628 You have chosen a Windows Vista Premium System


Thanks

 

My 1640 package did not include installers for PowerDVD, Facial Recognition software, and Webcam Central. Note this before you do a reinstall.

Yes, all drivers are provided on a CD, BUT it's better to get the updated/latest drivers from Dell Support website.

 

Okay, so I should just disreguard the drivers on the CD and get them straight from the support downloads?

How would I get the Facial Recog, Webcam, and PowerDVD?

 

Interestingly, the driver CD on my refurb M1330 had two newer drivers on it than were listed on the Dell site (wireless and one other), so just check the "R" version to be sure.

 

You can get them all here.

https://smartsource.dell.com/Web/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/web/main.aspx

*I was told PowerDVD is there, but I just logged into mine and it's not available. The only 3 things on there are Fast Access, Roxio and Webcam Central.

 

Webcam central is for the webcam right? Also, what is fast access? I guess that leaves us with where on can get powerdvd.

 

^^Thanks guys. Also, does one know where I can find my intel matrix(AHCI)? To confirm I would download that to a usb drive, and install it during my vista reinstall correct? I need to do this for my SSD?

 

what do you guys use to clean the fingerprints off the sxps16?

 

dont they provide a cleaning cloth with in the packaging ?

 

That black sleeve thing that came with it.

 

Be aware... If you reinstall you will lose the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi MB(Panzer) Application 1.0 that you paid $25 for, and Tech support will be useless

 

FYI, I finally got Tech Support to send me the software! Item Number C961H "KIT;SW;CRTV;PANZER;1.0"