Dell Vista Laptop Reformat and Bloatware Removal Guide

Les,

I brought a xps 1330. How can I do a backup of the 10gb file? Can I use system back up in Windows Ultimate?

Also I divided the drive into three paritition, MD, Vista and Data drive. I need to reinstall vista and MD. Is there a way that I can keep my data drive intact? Or must I only reinstall vista and format the vista drive only?

Thanks!

 

This is something that I have noticed with Vista. Updates cause the system to slow down usually because the data cache gets cleared out.

It will take many full reboots to set the cache back up.

This also happens after SP1 install.

During the install of SP1 on Vista the caches (all of them) get cleared.

This includes caching for the icons, file locations... pretty much everything.


Once you have SP1 installed for vista there are several things that can be done to increase the performance of Vista.

[From command prompt CMD.exe run the following comand:]

vsp1cln.exe

This will clean up all of the old files that will no longer be necessary now that SP1 has been installed.

One little word of warning about running this command.

once it is run... SP1 can no longer be separated from the OS for uninstall. SP1 will become permanent.

Performance tweaks will be more efficient after removing all the unneeded files.

Hope this is of some help to you.

 

I'm reformatting my XPS M1530 tomorrow using this guide. I have a question about the driver though: do I simply have to download the driver from Dell (the R166200.EXE, right?) and execute the file and extract it to a USB Stick?

Are all the drivers on the Dell site up-to-date or should I use the thread on this forum/drivers disc?

As regards the drivers of the other software, do I simply have to execute the files? The files are automatically extracted to a certain map, should I then leave it in this map or copy it into some other map? Is it better to first remove the old driver and then install the new one?

 

Yeah, just extract to a USB drive. You'll use it to load the AHCI driver.

I use the ones on Dell's site. You can always upgrade later, I suppose.

Just leave it where they default to, which is C:\dell\drivers\*

You can delete the drivers folder after all is done.

 

So I have to look up C:\dell\drivers\* and execute the files? No wonder I'm receiving BSODs due to bad drivers ... I just extracted them to that map and that was it ...

Anyway, is this the correct way of reinstalling everything?

- Reformat
- Reinstall MD & Vista as explained in guide
- Vista SP1 stand-alone
- Drivers (is there any specific order?)
- Anti-virus/ Firewall
- Other software

 

Does any one know where the Free Ram Goes?

I was kinda hoping the reformat would help the HD running a lot, and most of the time it does .... BUT .... after I have been up and running a while (launching programs, etc) the HD is really working.

From a fresh start I have about 2085 free, But when the HD starts running a lot the free memory drops down to between 250-350 ???

I had hoped doing away with the bloatware would solve this. What is Vista doing so busy?

 

I find that very odd but you might want to take a look at the Tweaking Thread below. there are alot of related tweaks you may be interested in...

 

I hate Media Direct, I just formatted the whole thing and got rid of the program. Only installed the drivers and it now works like a champ.

 

Thanks Les,
Day off today. So good day to do the "Tweaks". I thought it was odd too. But even just now... I powered up 15 minutes ago and checked. Had over 2500 in free memory. I open Explorer, Word, My computer and Windows Mail. In Explorer I go to my email, send a Video Email, come here and check in. Go to Task manager and it is under 1300 in free memory. Close every thing and it goes up to about 1400 ???

 

Could someone give me the order for the installation of the drivers?
I read it somewhere in this topic but without a working search button it is impossible to find it again ...

*edit* Nvm, found it!

 

Are you reading the systems monitor on the sidebar? If you are, some get the 'memory' in use misconstrued as memory remaining.

For example mine is normally 2x64/1383mb/4093mb which of course means that Im running 64 bit and 1383mb ram is in use of the total 4093mb.

 

OK, I have another question
Dell lists two drivers for the chipset: one is an Intel driver and the other one is a Ricoh driver. Which one should I choose? Or do I have to install both?

 

The Intel is for the chipset. The Ricoh is for the Ricoh sd card reader.

 

Alright, thanks. I wonder why they list it under chipset then ...

 

Where can I get the ACHI driver?

 

You can use either the Intel link in the original post, or the machine-specific Dell AHCI drivers I gave links to in this post: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=3244881&postcount=1163

 

Using Task Manager under Performance/Physical Memory.

FWIW, Task Manger presently says I have 1237 mb free. But checking System Info the Summary page says I have 2.36g of memory Available. Somebody has to be wrong here.

 

I have two partitions on my M1330. A 220GB C: and a 10GB D: .
If I use the MediaDirect method, will I be able to to only delete the information on the C, or will it have to delete both?

If I use the Vista method, can't I just re-install Media Direct later?

 

XPS1330, to have mediadirect, you need to first use the mediadirect disc to set up a separate 3GB mediadirect partition. Mediadirect cannot be installed inside the Windows partition. So you will have to take 3GB from your Windows partition, and make it into a new partition using the Mediadirect disc.

 

Hi,

now I have set up my system the way I want and installed relevant software, should I take away administrator rights for my account and set up another with administrator rights.

BYG

 

Just reformatted following this guide Thanks!

Any software suggestion for my fresh M1530?

 

IF I use the Vista method, can I just configure the Media Direct button to do something else, like a "Restart" or sleep?

 

I believe there are some guides available somewhere online for re-directing the button to do something else, but it is complicated. I personally don't use mediadirect, and just don't care about the non-functional button on my media panel.

 

Why would you do that? I don't think the default account is like a service account on a server, really. If you have UAC enabled, all accounts will get nagged. So prolly no reason to do that.

Have you tried AOL? There's a trial you can download. Give it a try!

 

Hi, sorry to butt in.

Can anyone give me some idea as to how long a clean install takes? And how much attention it needs during this time? I've read somewhere that it takes about four hours, but if someone could give me a rough breakdown of how much time they actually have to spend doing things during this time, and how much of it is just the computer doing its own thing, that would be great. I have an illness which means I get tired easily, and couldn't spend four hours without a break if it needed constant attention. Alternatively, I don't suppose there is a point in the process at which you can close everything down and pick up where you left off the next day?
Any advice would be much appreciated

 

Sophie,

Once you get the OS up and running you can quit for a as long as needed and then take your time installing the remaining drivers/apps.

The OS Install is in the 30-45 minute time frame assuming you already have the AHCI driver (if needed). It does not require constant attention and as long as your notebook is plugged in it will sit at any prompts until you answer them.

I could probably get a machine up and running in 1 to 1.5 hours if I had a USB drive with all the drivers downloaded and ready to install.

Good luck

 

OK - thanks guys for putting this thread together. I'm getting ready to do a reformat/ reinstall on a new 1420, not so much b/c I'm concerned about bloatware (I immediately unistalled some apps when I got the computer and it runs/starts/shuts down faster than my other Vista machine), but b/c I want to setup separate partitions for my OS and data. So with MediaDirect I guess I'll need three partitions (C: Vista, D: documents/data and MediaDirect - is that a hidden partition or does it show up in Vista?) Anything I need to know about 1) setting up three partitions during the reinstall or 2) doing the clean install on a 1420?

 

I'm new here and i havent long ordered my dell xps m1530 its due to arrive on the 21st may, in the mean time im just searching this site and checking out the topics but this topic is one of the best i have seen, its very useful and the choice of viewing it with pictures or not is brilliant, im defently going to follow these steps once i get my laptop, thanks for the tutorial, ill be sure to reply and say how i got on once i recieve it

 

Thanks for the compliments!

and 23Peter:

You will be given the option to custom set your partitions in the mediaDirect installation right off. You may have to just format the extra partition later when everything is done is all.

 

My apologies with this but I am totally confused with the ahci thing. I can't find it in the 1330 section on the Dell website and of course I can't find it on the Dell disk as it is set up as a program, not to find individual files. I am planning to install 64 bit which gets even more confusing as Trebruin who wrote the 1330 64 bit guide did not mention anything about downloading it from Dell but from Intel and the program just installed the drivers, it did not give me the option to place it on the usb drive. Can someone give me a specific, step by step guide as to how to get the 1330 ahci files, drivers, programs, whatever, on a usb drive or floppy disk if it fits. My apologies as I know this is a newbie question and I am not stupid, just missing steps. I do appreciate all help that you all can give, TIA!

 

Hello Yasdaz. If you want to do a 32-bit vista reformat, the download for the m1330 AHCI driver is here: http://support.dell.com/support/dow...1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=41&fileid=205611

1. Download this file
2. Double-click it and extract the files inside to a USB Flash drive.
3. Start the reinstallation process.
4. When you put the vista disc in, it will tell you to set partitions. In the phase right after that, there will be a button labeled "load driver." Click this.
5. Locate the driver on your FLASH Drive and it will install the AHCI driver.
6. Proceed with installation.

 

Thanks. I believe the file also has the 64 bit drivers too. I will download it and see. Where is it in the 1330 driver list? I looked but could not find it! Thanks again, Yasmine

 

It is in Storage drivers, listed as Intel Storage Matrix driver.

 

Okay, it does not have the 64 bit drivers (nor does the Dell site) but the 64 bit thread says that if I download the latest Intel Storage Matrix Manager and run it and copy the 64 driver file within the program file that I can use that file with those drivers when I install Vista 64 bit. We shall see.

 

You will find all the 64bit drivers u need at www.x-drivers.com

 

Hi guys, first time poster and vista user here..

Ive read the guide and a few pages of the replies, but Im still a bit unclear about this. May I know what exactly is removed after the reformat, and what remains ?

I read somewhere that the Dell backup partition ('Recovery') is removed, so after the reformat I cannot use the Factory Image Restore. Is this correct ? But I still have the setup CDs in the box, cant I just install all those to get it back to the original state ? Also, what can I do if I want to keep this partition and the Factory Image Restore function (just in case) ?

Other things like the MediaDirect buttons, QuickSet, touchpad, fingerprint reader, etc will still be there right ?

Thanks.

 

If you start with the Media Direct disk, it will create a small partition for media direct. then once vista is installed reinsert media direct and it will install and still work fine.

If you are using Media Direct 3.5 once you restart and boot from this disk for the first time you will be given a selection. choosing option 1 will give you only the small partition for Media Direct and the most HD space for drive C:.

 

I am about to try this guide's reinstall instuctions but I just had one question - you have to activate windows once you reinstall? With a product key dell gives you?

 

No, you won't need an activation key. I don't know *exactly* how it does it, but there is something (in the BIOS maybe?) that automatically activates the OEM version of Windows. So you will not have to worry about a Windows key.

 

awesomeness - I dont have to ask microsoft each time then. Bring on the dban.

 

Hi, thank you for the tip and I know how hard you are working to help all of us and am very thankful. One issue, this site has no search site and would I be searching for Intel Matrix Storage Drivers or ??? I did check their Intel section and did not find anything that obviously leapt out at me. I am sorry to keep asking for help but would the advice to use the 64 drivers file in the latest Intel Storage installment work? Much thanks, as always

 

I personally used the AHCI drive directly from Intel for my m1330 64Bit Vista. I downloaded and expanded it to a disk and then followed the installation as the thread recommends, swapping disks and directing the system to the driver when required.

 

Hey folks - great site/forum, very helpful getting my M1530 up & running on Vista x64.

I've had a couple really odd problems that my search fu is not turning up solutions two and was hoping sage minds could assist. I believe I have all the right drivers, haven't had any crahes or other obvious problems except the two below.

First, and I believe this happened after SpeedFan was installed, my fans have failed to kick into high under load twice. The first time was after I installed Speedfan. I couldn't change any settings anyway, so I uninstalled it and my fans didn't kick in. I reinstalled it, and my fans kicked in just fine. I've left it installed for now. The second time my fans didn't kick in was when my laptop got stuck into a reboot-cycle, see below. I can usually fix this by doing a shut-down and unplugging power for 30s, then booting up. My machine ran fine for a couple of weeks at least prior to this coming up.

Second issue seems to be with sleep/hybrid sleep/hibernate not working consistently. Hibernate doesn't work at all, the laptop just reboots. I first noticed this after Vista SP1. I've checked and I have my hiberfil.sys. I did the on/off from the cmd prompt, nothing. Machine reboots everytime I try to hibernate manually or via the timer. Sleep is even more odd. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Usually when I manually try to enter sleep (FN+ key or via the Start/ menu), the laptop looks like it's going to sleep, then it reboots. When I let the machine sleep via the timers, it sleeps fine, usually. Every once in a while it reboots.

On a reboot the HDD trashes unmercifully. By the time I get into perfmon, I notice MS Defender has high read/IO on pagefile.sys (Why my pagefile is as big as it is w/ 4GB RAM I don't grok). After I disable Defender, my machine consistently goes into sleep mode.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

I went to the Intel site which had the AHCI driver form November 9th 2007. Then I went to the x-drivers site which Les pointes out, that had this driver
Intel Matrix Storage Manager v.8.0.0.1039 form May 1st 2008.
http://www.x-drivers.com/catalog/drivers/sata_controllers/companies/intel/models/index.html
I'm just curios, I don't necessarily need the most up to date (which would be preferable though) just one that works, why would the Intel site have an older version of the driver than some third party website??

Is this driver now up to date or is it somehting else.... ?

PS: I don't have my m1530 jet, I'm just preparing, excitment is killing me though

 

Thanks for giving me the link with the x drivers site. I downloaded it and we shall see what happens, lol!

 

Hi Les,

I followed Trebuin's guide to install Vista 64 bit on my M1330 with SSD. It went very smoothly, but before I started that, I followed your steps to partition my drive so I can do Media Direct later.

After I installed Media Direct, i shutdown, and pressed the media direct button. It went into the dell screen, and then gave me missing NTLDR.

I looked around on the net, and found a way to boot from Vista DVD, go to command prompt and fix the MBR. Now NTLDR is gone, but both my Power button and my Media Direct button, just take me into Vista... Difference being, with Media Direct button, first it boots Vista, and then brings up Media Direct.... so in essence , I have to wait for VISTA to boot up, and the button is really useless.....

Any suggestions? Have you made it work with Vista Ultimate 64?

I have M1330 with Rev A10, 64 GB SSD, and 4 GB of RAM.....

I would love for Media Direct to work.

Thanks in advance for your help... and if this is already discussed, I apologize, as I have tried searching, but I couldn't find any reference anywhere to this problem.

 

Yes, I follow the exact steps I have laid out whether it be in 64bit or 32bit.

You MUST remember to finish the MD install after Vista is .finished installing...as it states.

 

Followed the steps to the last detail... one more time... and it gave me a NTLDR missing .....

 

I'd offer help, but I don't know squat about 64-bit installs.

 

Yes and I havent a clue why it comes up with that file missing. If you search out yahoo though, there are ways to fix it.