Installing Windows XP on Dell Inspiron 1520

Hey everyone, thanks a lot for this thread! I've given up on Vista and moving to XP Pro. We all have our reasons, I can't run my software development stuff on Vista. Thanks MS!

So can I get by with the OEM version of XP Pro($140 newegg), or do I have to get the full blown version ($280 newegg).

Thanks again!
Dave

 

Never mind, I figured it out. I just got the OEM version. I also repartitioned my HD because I figured I have to reinstall everything anyway. That way I also got rid of all the DELL installed crud. I like that about installing your own OS, it's very clean when you are done.

BTW: THe drivers listed on the first page are for a specific configuration. I didn't get the premo graphics so the GeForce driver didn't install. I used the following instead (the first msg has link to the complete download page)

Intel_GM965-Express-Chipset-_A05_R173064.exe

Thanks again. My downgrade to XP Pro went w/o a hitch (I don't consider the graphics driver a hitch). Woo Hoo ... I'm Vista free!

-----------------------------
update 1/19/2007
I'm not sure if it's my imagination or not, but my display doesn't seem to be as crisp. I definiately needed the Intel GM965 driver I listed above, but I'm curious if anyone else has this perception, or is it just me. I checked the Intel site for the GM965 driver, but there recommendation is to stay with the OEM version, not the generic version Intel provides. Anyone have ideas or opinions?
Thanks

 

hello i have a problem... i just buy an inspiron 1520 and when i want to use the webcam it show a black image... i instal the driver for the webcam from dell oficial's syte, but i have the same proble. if someone can help me i will be very happy .. and i have another problem.. in device manager it shown an error (question mark yellow) with tha name base system device... thanks anticipate

ps. sorry because i don't know very well english...

 

As i have very little knowledge abt the s/w's..
Can any one help me install xp on vista...
my lappy bios configurations had been set by default and later
when i tried to install the xp cd.. it says that the program is blocked due to compatbility issues
do i have to install the xp drivers first or do i have to install the xp cd??

 

tanks alottttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

 

Hi to all.

I have a problem installing XP to my Inspiron 1520. I've downloaded all the drivers from the 1st page. But when I try to install the wireless its says - driver not installed. When I open the device manager i can see the yellow ! on the - Other Devices-> Network Controller. Does someone can help me. Thanks in advance.

 

@ everybody having problems with the WLAN install

Maybe this will sound stupid but might as well save other people some time. I had the ''no driver instaled'' and ''unable to detect a supported wireless adapter'' while trying to get the WLAN card to work. After 45 min. (dah) I checked what kind of WLAN card have I ordered with my Dell. Turned out I do not own an Intel one and that's why that driver didn't work.
I used this driver instead:
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...=5&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=5&fileid=236819

Everything works fine now.

 

Ive been trying everything, your method for some reason is not working for me, putting the drivers on a usb stick to use for the f6 method in the installation, nor updating the ata drivers directly in the device manager, and then rebooting to the bios putting back ahci on, the stupid matrix storage manager does not want to go throuhg the installation, say that my system does not meet the minimum requirements so install the software, im a real newbie at this, i dont know if its my dell model that is screwing everythinng up, i got the same 1520, with gm965 chipset (ICH8M), with the A03 bios, splitstream cd just too complicated for me, and i really fudging hate vista, would really need some help, iv been looking everywhere,

 

Wait, nevermind, god damn it, i finally found a way without reinstall, everything works fine now. For anyone (possible, like me) who have had problems with the ahci issue, you can also try this way:

1. download R154200.exe(drivers) and R154198.exe(intel matrix storage manager).
2. download http://sinrsw03.sg.dell.com/fileup/at.asp?fn=200792810585320059.rar.
3. run R154200.exe and unzip the rar file you downloaded from step 2.
you should create 2
directories with the names like R154200 and ATA2AHCI
4. go to ATA2AHCI directory and right mouse click on ahciraid.inf and
select install from the menu.
5. go to R154200 directory and right mouse click on both iaahci.inf
and iastor.inf and select
install from the menu.

NOTE: someone said step 4 is enough, but i did both step 4 & 5 and it worked.

6. reboot your system. press F2 at startup screen to go inside bios.
change SATA operation
from ATA to AHCI. change Flash Cache Module from Off to Enable.
7. save and exit bios. now xp should boot normally.
8. in xp, run R154198.exe.
9. after reboot, you should see Intel 82801 HEM/HBM SATA AHCI
Controller is installed
under device manager / IDE ATA/ATAPI controller. DONE!


Taken from this link:
http://www.dellcommunity.com/suppor...p_bios&message.id=44623&query.id=99181#M44623

Thanks to that guy, everythings set up and ready go, after 4 days of trial and error

 

Hi Guys,

I have installed all the drivers mentioned in the first post to my Dell 1520 Windows XP OS. But i am having the following problem

1) In the device manager, getting no driver found for 'Network Controller'
2) USB Root Hub - Driver not found!!!

Please help me out, My system is not able to detect USB products like Pen drives or Wireless mouse etc

But things are working fine in my another OS Windows Vista!

Thanks in advance!!!

 

Please help me guys with the above problem!!!

 

Hi
After installing XP sp2, will the USB or CD work? (before installing all the drivers)

thanks for your help

 

That sounds like the Broadcom driver. Did you install that already?

 

omg
I've installed the XP... and have just found out that the audio dirver reports an error as well as the wireless one... help me please
What shall i do? i've tried to install all those drivers from audio and network section from dell's official site.

 

i've installed XP on my 1520 but i m unable 2 install sound driver on it, can any1 help me plzzzzz.

 

I've brought the " Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition" and it obviously had software on the Vista Pre-Install..

How I've upgraded to XP.. What do I need to do?

 

Install drivers for the Sigmatel Audio.
The "Audigy" is just software, not drivers.

 

Hi I am also facing the same problem with my new Dell Inspiron 1520
unable to detect USB sticks and any other USB based devices.
Need urgent help if I should install any drivers.

Secondly, screen resolution is just horrible. I am currently using 1024 by 768 and all other options I can hardly look at the monitor.

Please help. Thanks

 

Hi guys......I need some help. I restored my Inspiron 1520 today installing Windows XP instead of Vista.

The installation went smoothly and the laptop runs fine. I installed all the drivers listed here, minus the Bluetooth one because I don't have bluetooth.

One problem remains and I don't know how to fix it. The internet isn't working. It says that the Wireless Adapter can't be recognized. Has anybody had a similar problem? Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

 

Hi All,
it's really good info,
i have same Model but after install Xp & Intel® Chipset Software
i got black screen cannot see any thing ,
format it 3 times & install the Intel Chipset give me black screen again any ideA?
did someone have any idea what could be!!

 

after you disable the flash cache module and sata do you re enable it after xp is installed?

 

Hi, i just installed win xp in my inpiron 1420, but i can not connect to ethrnetm and i lookc in "hardware" and it shows "????" fot the ethernet controller.
and I also installded the "partition magic" but it doesn't run, it says ir can not found the partition.

Well, thanks for any help you give me.

 

Hi I want to do this on my inspiron 1520, I have xp pro with sp2 in it can i skip the step for ahci as sp2 comes with sata drivers so would this work please

 

Hi
I have inspiron 1520 and i formatted my laptop with XP.
Now on clicking the dell Media direct library button on the lappi gaive an incompatible error.
I don't have the cd to install the dell Media direct library.
Please help how to install it?

 

Hey,

how have you done that? When I am pointing into that directory, he isn´t finding anything... Could anyone help please? I've got the Inspiron 1520 also and now with XP. Want to enable AHCI...

 

Has noone got a clue?

 

It probably has something to do with the fact that mbruno222, the guy you quoted, hasn't visited this forum since October of 2007.