Questions on Clean XP install on Inspiron 9300

Hi,

I just got my Dell Inspiron 9300 and I love it....well, only the hardware, but there is just too much junk softwere that came with it. I want to do a clean install of XP without any bull$hit programs. I read the Sticky for a clean XP install but I still have some questions.

1.) When I call Dell to order my "XP Backup CD" and "Drivers & Utilities CD". Is that what I ask for because I dont want them to send me a Recovery CD or something.

2.) If I just installed from my own XP CD, are all the hardware drivers that I need available from http://support.dell.com?

3.) I have the nVidia GeForce 6800 Go in the machine, but I found out that I cant install official nVidia drivers on it. Is there anyway to install them?

 

1.) yes, that is what you need to request. Although as far as I know it is the same as the recovery CD except that Dell makes it instead of you. The recovery CD and CD from Dell are OEM and will give you a clean install. The restore partition will restore your laptop back to factory conditions.

2.) yes, except if you don't want to log into your account everytime, the drivers website is http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

3.) Dell does include the 6800 Go drivers on their website. Last I checked nvidia did not have any compatible drivers for the 6800 Go on their own site (someone correct me if i'm wrong).

SG

 

Thanks alot
This just made my day...lol.

Is there a option on the 9300s to make a backup CD through Programs>Dell?

I'm at work now so I cant check! Laptop is at home.

 

There should be option under start-->programs-->Dell Folder. I can't remember the exact name but it is something like "Dell Recovery CD Burning Utility". You can only burn to a CD one time, but it does give you an OEM version.

Dell has been changing their policies on the CDs for the last few months, so I'm not 100% if the burning utility is still included on the laptops. If its not there, then you can call and request it.

SG

 

You can make an OEM Windows XP CD. To make an image of the hard drive you'll need something like Acronis True Image. It works quite well.