Instructions for Inspiron clean install?

I'm sure it's been asked and answered before, but I can't find instructions for reinstalling Vista to get rid of bloatware. Also, after the clean install, will some functions cease to work? That would be really sucky. Do I just download the drivers individually or is there like some package? Or just use the CD?? I don't wanna mess this up

 

It is very simple to clean install, but i don't really know the answer about the driver's. I just used the cd.

To clean install all you do is put in your OS disc,then restart the computer. When it gets to the dell screen hit f12(boot menu). Select boot from cd/dvd. Then just follow the on screen directions.

Edit: dell screen as in the black background with Dell in blue and a load bar under it.

 

The disc Dell gives you should be a restore disc. I think it may actually install a few of the apps back when you restore the OS install.

 

Ehh, not completely sure, but i think all i got was the basic windows stuff. Still got rid of most of the bloatware if not all.

 

Ok I just reinstalled Windows Vista, however I did not run the program from boot. I put in the disc and used the instructions listed in this thread. I know its not a 1705 or 1505, but I figured they were pretty much the same thing. Or is it?

 

Yep that should work. As the second posted said in that thread, delete the old windows install that gets compacted into an archived file, to free up space when you're done.

 

K here goes...grab a coffee....

You are getting rid of bloatware so you might wanna consider whether you want to redo your partitions and whatnot. The risk of redoing partitions is that you will lose the system restore feature should something ever go wrong but, then again, you just have to reinstall Vista.

Do you have Media Direct? If so, your gonna wanna install that. let me know and I will go over this with you.

K..the simple method. Simply throw the Vista disk in, reboot from disk and reinstall Vista. It will get rid of your bloatware. It will also leave your system hungry for lots of drivers that arent on the Vista Disk.

I choose not to use the system disk that comes with the system because it may be outdated even if you just got the system. Similarly, thats also where the bloatware is.

Instead, go to the dell drivers section on dell.com and enter your service tag. It will then bring you into the drivers needed for your system. Ensure you have an idea of what you have on the laptop as per hardware because, sometimes you get many options (ie 3945Wifi/1515WifiN)

After installing what you think you need, go into Control Panel/Device manager and see if there is still any uninstalled drivers. there may be. Its usually hit and miss from here but I have found if there usually are drivers your not sure of, it could be Ricoh SD and memory card reader drivers.

Now...to close it all off....dont be afraid. If you format and it doesnt work, your system restore function will be available to let you set the PC as you bought it. Conversely, you can just reinstall Vista again till you find the configuration you want after driver installation...

Look at it as a fun project; it really is. Think like your computer...lol

 

@ flamenko
Would you mind telling the rest of us how to reinstall Media Direct during a clean install?

Thanks!!

 

Is Media Direct whats in control of all the volume/brightness? When my computer goes into sleep mode, I can't get it out of it unless I hit the Home button or power button. When I hit the home button, it took me to the Media Direct installation or whatever, but then I couldn't get back into Windows for some reason.

Anyways, what drivers do I need? There's a lot of them....

 

Pretty sure media direct is the thing that just boots to play dvds or music without actually starting windows.

 

Media Direct is for viewing media when you don't want to boot up the full OS. The volume/brightness controls are usually just a combination of the Fn key along with the labeled keys.

To wake from standby. you should be able to just press the power button.

 

It's like Dell's Media Center. You can use the Media Direct button instead of the power button to boot directly into it without launching your OS. This is supposed to save battery life when simply watching a DVD/listen to music. If you push the button while already booted into Windows, it will launch the software.

 

So how much bloatware actually comes with the 1520? Does dell give you backup cds that will let you install some of that software again?

 

Yes...media Direct is a separate power button that alows you to power your system to utilize just the DVD, pictures, music or documents. Its a huge battery saver and there is a separate button for it (with a picture of a house on it) if you have it.

As for reinstallation of mediadirect if you have it...It simplifies everything in the format process. You need the proper MD3 disk, however. if you havent got it call Dell, they will send it free.

To use it...

Insert disk/start/F12 and start from disk.
It will give you options with regards to partitions...I always choose to delete all and create my own but I dont require System Restore for any reason.
Once the partitions are created it will create space and install MD3 where it is supposed to.
Remove the disk when it says and install Vista by doing the same (Restart/F12/Boot from Disk)
Once Vista is installed, your pretty much done.


Here is some good info yet it deals with Media direct and XP:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=54366

PS Rep me if I did good...

 

Could I ask a stupid question? What's wrong with just uninstalling the bloatware?

 

I didn't find much bloatware at all on the 1520. There's really no reason to do a clean format imo unless you're a purist and just don't want ANY Dell software on there. You can uninstall Google Desktop and Roxio and you're basically set if you selected "No preinstalled software." You'll pretty much be left with the Dell utilities.

 

There really isn't anything wrong with it. It is an option, but it leaves folders and registry keys. Some users feel like it is just better to completely start over from the beginning. This way you decide what is installed and can customize it more to your liking.

Usually the advance users like to do formatting.

 

Or you have extra time on your hands and are just bored

 

Do I need new display drivers? The one off the nVidia site doesn't work. It says my hardware is incompatible.

 

Yes, personally i recommend downloading the ones from support.dell.com . They are located on your drivers page under the video category.

 

Dell is propietary...all the drivers you need will be here on Dell....or alot of times not work.

This was also the case with SB Audigy for the longest times as well as seeral nVidia cards.
When Dell uses a card, thedriver is specialized for the laptop, or rather for Dells use.

 

I have formatted my XP several times, and there was a disc that came with my dell with all the drivers. It was a pretty simple process. I have never done it with Vista though. There is probably a disc with the drivers that were put on it at the factory.

 

The media center buttons doesnt work (volume) unless Media Center is on top. What do I download to fix that?

 

Do you have Dell Quickset installed?