Preparing For Clean Install Of RC Win 7

Hello fellow Dell owners. I own the 1640 and love it. Been running Win7 beta on all my pc's since release. I am concerned, however, as to the shear amount of Dell apps that are pre installed on the 1640 boot partition. I want to keep the dock for ex. ..I know from experience the order in what is installed as well as what is on my utlis disc is important. So-
1. Has anyone already done this install? Would LOVE your feedback.
2.If not what is the consensus in this forum for such an install. ie order of drivers,etc.
Thanks so much for reading this far. I wish everyone a happy May 5th install day!
Regards,
J23

 

I have done 2 clean installs on my m4400. First time with the driver disc provided with the laptop and the 2nd time with drivers downloaded from the dell website. Both times everything worked flawlessly and there was no particular order I installed them in. But if you're going to install 7 you might as well wait for the official RC on the 5th. The dock works fine still, I currently have it set up with 3 external HDDs (2usb and 1 esata) and 2 20" monitors both through DVI. Everything should work so enjoy! XD

 

Thanks for the response. As I said in the header I am awaiting the RC 64 Tuesday. Since the Beta release I've checked out almost every build. Currently running 7068 64 bit upgrade from Vista premium. That is what concerns me. I absolutely want a clean install on my xps studio but as mentioned there is a LOT of software that Dell supplies re web cam,stereo mic, pinch touch yadayda that I do not want to lose . Your laptop is rather different. Still valid data. Any Studio 16 Xps users clean installing?

Thanks again for the great feedback and glad tidings, Windows 7 is fantastic. I cannot wait for Tues.
Regards-J23

 

Going by my experience of installing Windows 7 on the M1330 8400M GS laptop, I think the RC should have most of the drivers already in built for you.

Just boot of the DVD and don't worry too much. If some of the drivers are not already in built, they will be installed during the first Windows Update.

 

I think the main ones not found straight away are the Fingerprint Reader and some of the Card Reader formats

So you will need the drivers for them

 

I did a clean install of Win 7 but it's build 7057. I've left it as is so far but will most likely be doing another clean install of RC tomorrow. I've had no issues getting everything to work, even Blu Ray playback. There was one driver that didn't want to install, can't remember off the top of my head which one, but everything is still working. The Dell camera software and Facial recognition work fine. I did have an issue with the IDT driver for the sound card, it was using 50% of my processor resources, but I read that others were having the same problems. I deleted the driver, let Windows find it's own, and it works great and sounds better in my opinion. Right now I'm having a small issue with the Bluetooth, but it started after I installed another program. I'm sure with the fresh install it'll be fine again.

 

I have been testing windows 7 since the beta was released. (evaluating legacy software programs for work....god I hate inhouse developed software)

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Well here is Dells recommended order. I generally follow this order when I do fresh installs of windows 7 64.

1. I skip this step, it is meant for Vista or XP updates not Win 7
Notebook System Software (NSS) - A vital utility that provides critical updates and patches for the operating system. If you are reinstalling Windows or updating all drivers, it is important that this software be installed first. This is located under the System Utilities Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

2. Chipset - Helps Windows control system board components and controllers. This is located under the Chipset Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.


3. Video Adapter - Enhances video performance. This is located under the Video Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.


4. Network Interface Card (NIC) - Enhances the network controller for Internet or network access. This is located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.


5. Dell Quickset or Dell Control Point Manager (DCP) - Controls power management, ambient light sensor, wireless profiles, and security features on laptops. This is located under the Applications on the Drivers and Downloads page.

6. Audio Adapter - Enables and enhances the audio controller. This is located under the Audio Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.


7. Modem - Allows dial-up capability. This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.


8. Wireless Network Card - Enables and enhances the wireless network controller. This is located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.


9. Touchpad, Pointer, Trackstick, Mice, and Keyboards - Enhances the pointing device features. This is located under the Input Device Drivers Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.


10. Other Devices

Intel vProTM or AMTTM - Enhances system manageability. This is located under the Chipset Category on on the Drivers and Downloads page.

Bluetooth ® Module located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

Dell Wireless Mobile Broadband Cards located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

PCMCIA/Smartcard controller located under the Security Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

Touch Screen Digitizer Enables touch screen mouse control available on select Dell laptops. This is located under the Input Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

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Personally I have never had a problem with the dell programs being loaded before or after other programs. (I don't use dell dock)

 

The RC release will allow to be installed on top of Vista, will this not insure that all will go easily and should find drivers automatically? Just a question as I am looking for the easiest way tomorrow to do the install. I have limited to no computer experience!

Thanks

 

Honestly I do not know how well the over vista install will go. With Beta software and RC's I usually do a clean install. You never know what will mess with the install.

If you are going to try and install over vista, you need to save all your data. But to be honest I have never tried this (because of my old experiences with Vista over XP....very horrible) so maybe someone else can answer that for you.

 

I installed Window7 build 7068 on top of Vista Premium 64 and it went flawlessly. Still running on it as I type. So for shear ease it will work via the RC 7100 build as an upgrade. The pro-you have all your files in tact and Dell specific drivers,apps etc.
The con-Microsoft themselves are strongly advising, as do I, a clean install of the RC to experience the actual speed and stability. Like Rebellion I tend towards clean installs myself . But I've tried both and from xp and vista, clean install/upgrade.My Dimension 4700 and Inspiron 6400 are both still running Win 7 Beta 7000x86 with out a hitch. Hope that helps.
Regards,
J

 

Great, Rebellion! As I've mentioned it is the issue of having just purchased the xps 1640 that I am being extra careful. This was exactly the list I was looking for. Never thought of checking Dell (go figure)...Thanks a ton.
Regards,
J23

 

Any Dell drivers you installed prior to the iso?

 

What do you mean? I formatted the HDD and then installed the OS.

 

That's all. Some people are saying that a bios update is recommended. I fail to see how my bios (which is the current one) would not hold. I was just checking. All is good. Enjoy Win 7 rc everyone!
Regards,
J23

 

I had updated to the AO6 bios already before the install.

 

i'm also trying to get the RC tomorrow and install it on my m1530. So far, from what i read, there arent any driver conflict issues? like camera and mic not working or what not. (already know about the finger scan issue)
So any opinions from m1530 users who used beta?

 

I've been running it on my M1530 for two days now and apart from the previously mentioned missing drivers I've had no issues at all

 

has anyone been able to get mcafe working on win7? when I tried to install from the cd it said it wasn't compatible.

 

Nope, it's not compatible.

I used the Panda Free Scan, it works just fine, for now.

 

I'm using Avast Home Edition - again no issues

 

Rc is installed and all is working. Except, and is that not always the case I am unable to get my card reader working. Win 7 threw me to the dell site for a driver that turned out to be 32 bit but I was very impressed at the response) so no go there.
Has anyone that is running the hd 3670 radeon catalyst
card managed to get it (the Catalyst right click into software or anything other than the driver) to work on the RC 64 Ultimate? Man I hate this merger ATI did with Amd. Navigating the site is a nightmare! BTW-I was once a proud Atholon seller. Such as it is now I hope ATI can disengage from amd. They are dead in the water anyhow.
I hope you all are enjoying the RC.
Regards,
J23

 

Esets Nod32 also works great. Version 3 or 4.
J

 

Who makes the Card Reader?

Windows 7 x64 Drivers are here http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Pages/radeonmob_win7-64.aspx

 

I am using a 64-bit version of the Windows 7 RC. I upgraded over Vista Premium 64-Bit. So far all is good except for Dell Quickset, volume works just no on screen display of it, if you guys have a fix for this I would appreciate, besides that, no notable conflicts, any drivers that were not compatible was take care of by Windows Update right at first boot, AWESOME!

 

Windows 7 x64 Drivers are here http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Pages/radeonmob_win7-64.aspx[/QUOTE]

Nice! I had this for the beta 7 but lost it. Thanks. I will give you great feedback.

Oh that reminds me. Seeing as I started this thread and have answered the q's ( always responded with good feed back )I can it would be nice if someone-anyone? lol Gave me some user feedback? Preferably good. I have none. Yes, I am that dysfunctional & needy

Regards,
J23

 

Ricoh makes the card reader, it should work with 0 issues. I just installed RC last night and it went smoother then 7057 did.

 

I've got the M1530 with Ricoh R5C833

The Vista x64 Drivers for that is here http://ftp.us.dell.com/chipset/R201214.EXE - can't see why they woudn't work.

When I installed 7 it will pick up the SD part fine, but needs the drivers for Memory Stick etc

 

This is rather odd. I'll try the link you gave me. I have NO idea why it would not pick it up?
On a completly differant subject I was just looking for FastAccess Facial Recognition software in the downlods section. I then checked my discs.3 shipped with mine. Vist 64 sp1, Dell resourse and apps disc and Norton (which I promply deleted and threw the disc in the garbage naturally) sorry lost my way there. Point is I cannot find the Facial Recog SW? I must be staring @ it under a differant name or something? I'd love to know where yours was/is?
Thanks,
J

 

Re the fastaccess Face Recog software , it turns out the only place it can be obtained is from the downloadsdell site. So the Bill from xps tech told me. Unfortunately the site is down for a while ( about 24 hrs) so I shall see if Dell was right about this. He tried to access the site with his account and it hung for him as well. I
I'll post as to other developments.
Later,
J23

 

@ J23: the fast access software does not work on windows 7. I've tried it with several windows 7 builds since build 7000. The result was that I got constant error messages from fast access tray bar icon because it was not compatible with new task bar on windows 7. This problem has been fixed on this RC build though, still there is one more rather annoying problem with fast access that I have experienced in all builds, fast access will automatically lock off you computer anytime it wants to. So my suggestion is to wait until they update the software for windows 7.

 

Fast access works fine on windows 7. If you need it I can upload the image in a bit. Let me know.

 

weird. What version are you using? Dell gave me two discs and they are all fast access, but one doesn't work with my windows vista and windows 7. The other one, as I said above, can be installed on both systems. I update the software every time I install it. I don't know how, but every time I have it on my system, my system starts to go into sleep mode randomly. When I remove it, everything works just fine.

 

I don't know the version, I'm on my phone now, but when I get home I'll look. I ran it on build 7057 for about 2 months with no issues. I just reformatted to RC so I'll let you know tonight if it works it but I'm sure it will.

 

It is working fine for me (using RC1) and I used the latest FastAccess software from the Dell support website.

 

seems like I got a bad version in the disc Dell sent me. Would any of you guys please upload your working copy for me? Thanks

 

I'd like to dual boot the RC with Vista 64 on my M1530. Does anyone know if this can be done while leaving the Dell Media Direct partition intact?

 

I should be receiving my SXPS 1340 next week and I was wondering:

Does the latest Win 7 x64 work well with the Studio XPS 13?

Has anyone tried this and is hybrid sli working correctly?

Would you recommend Win 7 for using general programs such as office, photoshop, utorrent etc.?

Also the best way to make a separate partition to install win 7 without losing any dell partitions (if any)?

Thanks

 

Thanks for the offer. Sincerely. Fortunately the site did come back online a few days later and I have the FA software installed (and backed up on disc and all is great. Save the fact that eset Nod 32 4 reports it as a trojan? But that is between them and myself now.
Thanks to all who offered support. Sorry for the late reply. Lost in Windows
Regards,
J

 

In the control panel under "other devices" the os doesn't seem to be able to install drivers for the 3 items. Any idea what to do?

Also I'm not getting any sound unless I plug in my external speakers.

tia.