Dell Vista Laptop Reformat and Bloatware Removal Guide

How does what work? Its explained step by step on the front page. If your system utilizes AHCI, you need to install the driver during Vista installation or it may hang or BSOD afterwords.

 

I am in the same boat...not comfortable with doing the reinstall. So removing bloatware is my best bet for now. Woukd you all be willing to provide your suggestions on what you think is clearly bloatware. i do not want to uninstall something important. if you think I should start a seperate thread for this let me know. Thanks

XPS 1330
T8300
200G 7200 SATA
Vista Premium

 

I'd be glad to offer suggestions as to which programs you could uninstall. Perhaps it would be best if you could post a list of all the items you have in your Control Panel/Programs list in this thread. Or post a screenshot of it if you feel that would be easier.

 

My print screen button does not seem to be working is there a trick to it?

 

Typically to use the print screen button, maximize the programs window with all the programs listed. Press the Prnt Scrn button once. Open Microsoft Paint, and press ctrl-v to paste the image. Save the file, and then when posting to this thread, click the manage attachments button(to attach the picture file) below the text box you type your message in.

If you are unable to use it or attach the file to the forum, you could just type each item and post it here.

 

I think I just didi that.

 

You can safely get rid of the following bloatware:

- Apple software update
- dell getting started guide
- iTunes (if you dont use it)
- Office 2007 features(if you did not actually buy it, I think these are just trial versions)
- Outlook addinSetup
- Roxio Creator BDAV
- Roxio Creator Tools
- Spelling dictionaries support for Adobe reader
- Adobe Photoshop Elements
- Google Desktop
- Microsoft Office Powerpoint Viewer
- Palm Desktop by Access
- Roxio Creator Copy
- Roxio Express Labeler
- Adobe Premiere Elements 4.0
- Business Contact Manager for Outlook
- Dell Support Center
- Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer
- Microsoft Office Small Business 2007(if it is just the trial version and not the full version)
- Move Networks Media Player
- Music, Photos, & Videos Launcher
- Palm Outlook Conduits Updater
- Quicktime
- Roxio Creator Data
- Roxio MyDVD DE
- Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security (only delete if you have another security program to use). If you dont have another one, you could try using the free AVG antivirus program. Downloadable here
- Adobe Premiere Elements 4.0 Templates
- Apple Mobile Device Support
- Bonjour (no idea what this is)
- Dell DataSafe Online(I never use this anyway)
- eFax Messenger
- Microsoft Office 2003 Web Components
- Microsoft Office Small Business (only if it is just the trial version)
- Product Documentation Launcher
- Roxio reator Audio
- Roxio Creator DE
- Roxio Update Manager

 

How can you tell if AHCI is active or running? I wasn't able to do it during the Vista install because www.intel.com only had a self extracting file and that file wouldn't self-extract except on a system that met the specs.

 

Decon1,

Go to the device manager and look for it.

Right click on "Computer" in the start menu and choose "Manage". Next choose Device Manager.

Under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers look for INTEL(R) SATA AHCI blah blah. Double click on that and then click on the "Driver" tab in the new window. It should say "Driver Provider: Intel"

If you don't see the SATA AHCI in the list you don't have it installed or possibly even enabled in the BIOS.

 

Darthsat:

I did this and used your alternate method for downloading the AHCI driver and "picking one for my system."

When I got there however I had no idea which to pick as there were like 8-10 options so I just chose one near the end of the list that had AHCI in it. My computer is working just fine from what I can tell at the moment, but what are the ramifications if I picked the wrong driver?

Also, how do I know which one I should've picked? I have an Inspiron 1720 with a C2D 1.66ghz (think that's the T5450).

 

Where did you obtain your driver from? Was it the Intel site, or the Dell support page for your notebook?

 

The page you linked earlier in this thread. When I expanded that onto my USB port and when I directed my driver installation to said USB device, it popped up with like 8-10 options it read as compatible drivers.

 

Oh ok then. All of those are ok as they are all from the same expanded driver file.

 

Does it really matter which I picked? Will it make a difference? I picked one that had both SATA and AHCI in the name of it, near the end of the list.

Is there one that will provide the best performance or one that will screw me up royally?

I probably shouldn't have done this walkthrough as it was pretty uncomfortable but seemed so easy. Now I'm just worried that I've slowed my computer down or something by not putting the right driver into it.

 

No, it should be fine. You won't experience any performance hit or anything by using that driver file.

Which post of mine specifically did you obtain the driver file from? I have posted links to several different drivers for different machines throughout this thread for different people.

 

I can't remember which post honestly...it was the first one where you pointed out that Les was linking an .exe and you were saying "So download here for the M1330 and download here for the M1530 then expand.."

The very first instance where you showed a different download than Les had provided.

 

Ok. In those 2 links I gave, they were respectively for the XPS m1330 and XPS m1530 model laptops. You have an Inspiron 1720, in which Dell provides the same driver version as for the m1330. It is the R154200.exe version. I'm just making sure which version you used.

 

Yep I used the R154200. It just had multiple controllers listed on it, like 8-10 of em.

I just picked one randomly..they were a lotta options.

Now it says in my device manager


Intel 82801 HEM/HMB SATA AHCI controller

underneath the IDA ATA/ATAPI controllers.



I'm guessing that's the one I picked.

 

Yes, that one's perfect for your machine to use.

 

Awesome, thanks very much. Glad I managed to pull it off!

+rep for you.

 

Thanks for that. And enjoy your laptop.

 

I will...just need to upgrade the RAM I think and I'll be good. 2gb is fine but 4gb would be better. Got the Razer hooked up to it and everything already heh

 

I just got a XPS1530 and I'm trying to following the instructions at the beginning of this thread.

For the link that downloads the Intel Matrix Storage Driver (iata78_enu.exe), how am I supposed to "expand" it. It's an installer and not an archive. Did I download the wrong file?

 

That question is asked on nearly every page of this thread since AHCI came in to question. Look in the pages for your answer I don't recall what he said off the top of my head.

 

I got the same problem/dilemma. Skip the AHCI driver update/upload during VISTA (re-)install process and update the driver (from DELL website) when VISTA is (re-) installed. It works for me.

 

I have amended the thread as the file supplied by Intel has changed and is an executable, as you mention. This will not work during the installation process on every occasion. Some may be able to install the OS and then install that executable after the fact but many may not.

I have suggested you go to your driver disk or Dell.com to find the driver and then click to open/expand it and it will install by creating a directory with proper file on the usb drive or dvd you choose. You cannot do this by installing it to your hard drive and it must be an external medium.

For the M1530 for example, the file at dell is 166200.exe and, once expanded, the files will appear as below. PLEASE NOTE: Do not install to C: and I have only done so to illustrate the point of the files that are created on opening the file.

Once you are installing, and direct Vista to these files in the driver search, it will automatically recognize and highlight the AHCI driver.

 

You could even upgrade to the intel latest and greatest once you get the OS installed and booting after you instaled the DELL matrix driver via USB stick.

For the record 99% of all installers do decompress the necessary files somewhere on the drive prior to actually installing. Usually in the current users temp folder in his/her profile. In this case though the installer was found at c:\windows\temp for my vista 32 bit install. The directory was called IIF. You can obtain these files without installing. Simply download the latest drivers (iata_78xxx) and double click on the EXE. When the initial splash screen comes up with the "Next" or "Cancel" prompt browse to the c:\windows\temp folder and copy IIF to the desktop or your thumb drive or wherever you want. This MUST be done prior to the next step as the directory is deleted. Once you have copied the IIF dir to the desired location you can hit the Cancel button the Matrix driver install window and your GTG with just what you needed.

If you copy the full IIF folder to your thumb driver prior to Vista clean install you may have to browse to IIF\winall\driver or driver64 for your OS. I suspect the install boot will scan the full IIF folder once pointed to it but I don't recall off the top of my head.

 

Followed the guide and all went well except I've got a yellowed out network controller device in device manager. I have an XPS M1330 with a Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card. Can someone help me find the right driver for this? Help appreciated...

 

Its a broadcom driver...Look on dell.ca or...nope... go to www.x-drivers.com and you will find it there. Go to drivers then broadcom and you will find it.

 

hmm... I don't know, I still do not really understand how it works with the AHCI drivers and what they do and where to get them and so on...
I will soon receive a dell inspiron 1420...
is it going to work without the AHCI drivers?

 

It will be fine as received. If you wish to do the Clean Install, you may need to install the drivers during the installation process.

 

I know it will be fine as received, but I want a clean install anyways...
it is actually just the media direct and the AHCI drivers that are complicating the process...

I just don't see the explanation of how to do it with the AHCI... ok... so you download it on intel.com where I guess I will look up something for my t8300 penryn processor and then it will ask me during the instalation to put it in and that's it
(?)

 

Its exactly as explained. The driver is available as we discussed.

 

I made a post in here explaining how to do it without AHCI on during install and turn it on later. It works perfectly well if you don't mind editting a single registry entry prior to turning AHCI back on. Search on my name as author in this thread.

 

i'm confused

 

Sparky....

This does not work on every system. I have experienced it and others have as well where you have to install AHCI or the system will BSOD on reboot or just not complete the install.

Its also a very dangerous proposition having a newbie jump into the registry.

 

Les,

Read the post I was referring to above. It involves turning AHCI OFF(setting drive controller to ATA) in the bios first, installing, and then turning it on later after install and only after changing the MSAHCI service registry entry start value to 0.(Thus enabling MS's AHCI driver) What I am suggesting came from microsoft's web site and I have done it on 3 different Dell's an HP and a Lenovo machine.

I also asked "if you don't mind editting a single registry " I don't know what you think I mean by that but more or less I am suggesting if a person is comfortable with...

Perhaps I should write one that includes all the info on how to turn off AHCI and include a .reg file the reader can just double click so they don't have to edit the registry.

Since your post seems to be the authoritative way to do this I thought you might be interested in adding it as a simpler alternative.

Edit:


Here is the MS link:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976

Seeing as several people have trouble with getting and/or decompressing and/or installing the AHCI driver you might read about the above info.

I am not guaranteeing this is a 100% solution for everyone.

I apologize if I came across as confrontational last night. I was dealing with a puking son for pretty much all of yesterday while preparing for and hosting a dinner party

 

I'm wondering... can I achieve a similar result with simply uninstalling all the preinstalled bloatware and simply running a registry cleaner afterwards ?

 

You can uninstall the bloatware if you can identify it but no registry cleaner is going to be 100% perfect or guaranteed. Most of the good ones I have seen were on and monitoring a product install for changes and then when it is removed it knows what can go.

Just uninstall

 

Good morning everyone,

wow this thread is long lol. I have a few questions since I never have owned a dell anything before and this will be my first vista system.

What programs will come on my m1530 thats considered bloatware other than
the normal trial of office and aol and such?

Im a bit confused on the partitions that MD will allow. Sounds like out of the
box there's 3 Md, vista and recovery. I like to partition with OS and data partition. I have a 250 gig or will have it when I get the 1530 lol. If I
make my c: 90 gigs will MD just make it's own d: 10 gig partition leaving the 150 gigs alone for me to create a E: from disc management?
Am I right to think that I will loose the recovery partition, I mean if your
going though this process why need the recovery partition anyway right?

After reinstalling does all that dell diagnostic stuff and dell this dell that come back after a clean install?

Has anyone ever just deleted the bloatware or those programs they didnt want installed with add/remove, then use a few reg. cleaners to clean up the registry. I know its not as good as a clean install but is safer.

Thanks

Evan

 

I just got my M1530 and I didn't really notice any bloatware besides TrendMicro. The previous inspirons that I've gotten had a ton more than this..

 

I have just deleted the bloatware but ended up re-installing because SP1 for Vista would not apply. Presumeably because some drivers were incompatible. I just installed Vista without those drivers, did SP1 update and then the rest of the drivers and installed my apps afterwards.

I can't recommend reg cleaners because I have never found one that is that great and that I was not afraid wouldnt delete something necessary. As for just uninstalling you can post your installed list of apps on here and myself or probably Darthsat I think can help you with what to remove. I also posted in another thread a list of processes I disabled from the Run registry area as well as services I shut off to lower my running process from the high 50's to the low 40's.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=234106

The dell diagnostic stuff will only be there if you choose to install it after a clean install. The Vista CD that comes with your machine will just be Vista install no added anything. Pay particular attention to the AHCI driver instructions if you do a clean install as this has been confusing to others.

As to Media Direct...

I have the diag partition as restored by the Media Direct CD and my Vista Partition and the Media Direct one. You can let Media Direct do that partitioning if you wish to keep media direct that is and then create your data partition after. I did this myself because I think it was in another thread on this forum someone said it couldnt be done and being someone who didn't know any better.... I did it. Once you have your 3 partitions and Vista up and running you can open your Computer Management Console. (Right click on "Computer" in the Start menu right hand side and choose manage. Now choose "Disk Management". You can right click on the Vista install partition and choose "Shrink Volume". By default the new menu tells you the maximum you can shrink it by but you can adjust that number. I wouldnt shrink to the minimum or you want have enough room for updates and the like. As I said, being someone who didnt know that doesnt work when you have media direct I did it with my full blows install of Vista + apps and my data a couple weeks ago and both Vista and Media Direct worked fine. Further I deleted the new partition and re-merged it with my vista install partition and all still works fine. If you go this route I don't recommend doing it with everything you want on the machine, do it right after you install vista just in case

 

I attached a screen shot of my Uninstall Programs folder. The only program I have uninstalled is TrendMicro.

Yeah, my Windows Update isn't showing SP1 either, so I am manually d/ling it and installing it.

 

Michael1284,

If that were my computer I would remove:

Browser Address Error Redirecor - That just puts up an error page dell made.

Dell Datasafe Online - Online backup of your data provided by dell for a fee

Dell Getting Started Guide - Self explanatory

Dell Webcam Manager and Center (two items) - If you don't plan on using their web cam software. MSN works fine with just the driver.

DellSupport - Diag tools for Dell support techs but you can reinstall if needed

Google Desktop - Mostly because I don't like it but if you do, keep it.

Google Toolbar - You can just choose google as your default search engin in IE.

Live! Cam Avatar Creator and Live! Cam Avatar v1.0 - Same reason as Web cam Center software

MediaDirect - Only delete if you don't want to use media direct

Music, Photos & Video Launcher - Your call if you don't think you need or have your own media manager you can dump this.

Product Documentation Launcher - You don't really need that if you have the manual handy anyway

User's Guides - Its small and you can keep if it you want but I would just get the PDF of the manual and go with that.

The Banctec Service Agreement is part of the Dell agreement as I understand it and probably not necessary but I won't swear by that.

 

Thanks for your help, going to delete most of what you said, they do a better job at naming bloatware nowadays...

 

After removing bloatware I can't install my Dell Bluetooth Drivers. Specifically when I try to install R140135.exe I get "This installer be run on Windows Vista only." If I go to the Win32 folder and click setup I get "This installer be run on Windows Vista only." The problem with is error message is that I AM running Windows Vista that has been updated to SP1. When I try Install.exe it starts the InstallShield Wizard but then just hangs. Then I get a message that says"Please execute "setup.exe" for install or upgrade. It will use microsoft driver 6.0.6001.18000 but this isn't the driver that works best. Any advice?

 

Vista version = 6.0.6000.0
Vista SP1 = 6.0.6001.65536

at least thats what my enterprise version is anyway...

Sounds like Dell forgot to update their version checking in the MSI install package.

You can just go to the Device Manager and right click on the bluetooth hardware entry and choose "Update Driver". Next choose "Browse m computer for driver software" In the dialog box browse to the path the above drive you downloaded decompressed to. Usually c:\dell\rxxxx (the package number). Make sure the "Include subfoldes" option is checked so it can search the entire path. That should get you the driver without having to run the installer package.

However, it won't install the widcomm drivers if that is what this is for.

PM me the Download link, I can probably modify the MSI to have the correct version number or remove OS version checkig altogether... wouldnt be the first time I have had to do it

 

Ok. This is what I did. I disabled the bluetooth thru the device manager. I clicked update driver and pointed to R140135 unzipped folder and it finally updated to broadcom 6.0.1.2500 but not to 6.01.3100 as it should have (according to Dell's website). In addition, It "branched off" Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator 6.0.6001.18000 (I only have home premium). I have VERY VERY sluggish internet performance if I use a bluetooth device so I am trying to remedy that issue.

TIA

 

While it does update the device drivers, is this also the "widcomm" installer ?If it is there is a WPAN NIC driver and sterio audio etc... that wont get updated unless you do the same update as described above for each device.

I will get the Download later for R140135 and see about removing OS version checking.