Reformatting an i9300

Hi all!

I am a first time laptop buyer and I have never been that great with optimizing the performance of computers - I usually leave that to my friends who are willing to help me. None of my friends have ever reformatted a hard drive before though and reading some of the posts on here I see that there is a lot of bloatware and things that Dell loads on that slow the computer down, and they can be removed by erasing and reformatting the hard drive. So, searching for your help, I was wondering whether any of you who have already been through the experience could write a step-by-step guide, shall we say, of what I need to do. That way I could access it from my other computer and feel safe about not screwing up my computer.

So, can anyone walk me through the process, keeping in mind that I am new to this and things might have to be explained a little more to me?

Thanks in advance.

 

put your xp cd in the drive

reboot your laptop

hit f8 during POST

choose to boot from CD

xp will begin the reinstallation process, during this process, you should consider the following...

1. you want a new install of xp, not a repair
2. if you so desire, you can remove the dell partition(s) and create one large partition... dell takes about 4 gbs of space for their image restore which you can take back during the partitioning process

reformatting/repartitioning is extremely easy, you only have to interact with the installation process a couple times, the rest of the time is just waiting

before you start, make sure to download the drivers for you system from dell.com and get them onto a CDR, flash drive or some other media... you really only need to the network drivers (wifi or nic), once you reinstall those, you can hit dell.com and get the rest of the drivers.

 

1. You'll need to get a copy of XP. You have a couple of options. There is a dell program on the 9300 called Dell Recovery Disk (something similar to that). Its under the start menu in one of the dell folders. It will burn a copy of XP to a CD. If you don't have that program, you can call dell and request the OS CDs (3 in total). They'll send them to you for free and you should receive them in 2 business days.

2. (skip this step if you called Dell) go to Dell's Site and download your wireless or network card driver and burn them to a CD. This will allow you to get on the net once it is installed, so you can get the other drivers.

3. Back up any personal documents (email, music, pictures, etc) to a CD.

4. Once you get your XP cd from step 1, insert it into the cd-rom and reboot. Once it restarts, you should see "hit any key to boot from cd", so hit any key. If it does not ask you this and boots into Windows, then restart the system again. Once the dell screen appears, hit "f2" and go into Bios. You'll see an option to change your boot up sequence, and make sure CD-Rom is first, and then reboot.

5. From there, this website will provide you step by step instructions (scroll down to about mid section and it gives directions with pictures)

6. When you get to the part about partitions (step 5 on the website), you'll want to choose the largest partition. If you want, you can delete each partition and it will combine them into one partition. Then you can install windows on that partition.

7. Insert the drivers cd (if you called Dell) or the CD from step 2 and install the wireless or NIC driver. Once you get access to the internet, then go to the site listed in step 2 and download/install the other drivers. You'll want to do this even if you called dell because the drivers on the website are more current.

[edit]I can't remember if it is "F2" or "F8", but Drumfu is right, it does take time and patience to do.

 

Ah, thank you. I'll be getting my I9300 soon, so I think I'll be doing this. I know this may seem like a stupid question, but you can use a CD-RW to burn XP to, right? Since I don't have any CD-Rs that work for anything other than coasters.

 

you can use any burnable media to make the disc as long as the media and drive are compatible

 

Sounds like what I use mine for. As far as I know you could use CD-RW, but I've never tried it. If it doesn't work, you could call Dell and tell them that your burned disk didn't work, and they should send you the CDs

 

Ah, that's good. Also, is the version of XP it burns already updated with SP2, or would that have to be installed after the reformat? Every aftermarket install of SP2 i've ever seen has caused tremendous damage and forced a reformat, so I'm not going to reformat if I have to take that chance.

 

I want to say that it is SP2, but i'm not 100% sure. My disk got messed up and wouldn't install properly, so I had to call Dell and request the CDs. I do know if you call and request the cd, it will be sp1.

 

XP SP2 on my i6000.


.

 

the cd should be the sp2 xp cd. i think your fears are unfounded since i reformatted / repartitioned about 10 seconds after i got my machine with zero problems. as well, of all the people who have reformatted / reparitioned on this forum, i don't recall reading about any having problems with the sp2 xp cd

 

Ah, thanks for all of your help. I guess SP2 would be easier to install on a modern, freshly formatted computer than a 3-year-old HP P700 with an Athlon XP 1800 or a four-year-old Celeron 738MHz. Definately looking forward to getting my I9300.

Actually, I have one more question. Should I install my new RAM before reformatting? I'm thinking yes for two reaons: the system will be configured correctly for when I activate Windows, and it may make the reformat go faster. Thanks guys!

 

i guess the reformat will go faster, but it doesn't matter to windows when you upgrade. it's all transparent to the user; i.e., BIOS automatically recognizes the change in ram size and windows follows suit.

 

OK then, thanks again. Now to actually order the RAM from newegg.com...

 

On the topic of reinstalling the OS... I was wondering if the programs included on the computer are part of what dell will send to you when you request it. What I'm looking for is the Sonic burning program that came standard with the computer. Thanks.

 

When you receive your laptop, there should be a Sonic CD as well as a CyberLink. This is how the CDs are sent..

With your laptop (depending on what you order): Cyberlink, Sonic, and you should get any extra software that you ordered

Call Dell: OS cd, Driver & Utilities CD,

There is one CD called Dell Tools System Software which I think comes with your laptop, but I'm not 100% sure. It has all the junk software on it.

 

Ok, thanks. I probably just missed it.

 

Eh, I'm afraid you're wrong, SouthernGirl. Mine came with only the WordPerfect "Productivity Pack" CD, and a cd-shaped piece of paper informing me that everything else was on a recovery partition. No CDs for Sonic or Cyberlink, even though they came installed.

Of course, I took Sonic off...it was causing issues with DooM3, Chaos Theory, and a couple other run-from-CD games. Besides, the Windows burning software is fine for me, and I didn't get a DVD burner (the now-belongs-to-my-parents Gateway has DL DVD+/-RW drive, so I didn't need it).

 

hmm...that's weird. Thanks for letting me know lowlymarine. According to their site, they are still sending out the CDs with the Dimension/Inspiron systems. If you don't have them and need them, contact Dell and request them.

I searched their forums on their site to verify about the CDs. This post was made this morning, and even states that you should have them.

I also got the same stupid piece of paper. Sorry for posting the wrong info.
SG

 

What's the number to call to request the CD's?

So what are all the possible CDs to get?
XP
Driver and utilities

Cyberlink?
Sonic?
Dell Media Center?
PowerDVD?

I didn't order any additional software but would like everything possible so that I can reinstall the OS.

 

I would try emailing first before calling... here is the email link
http://support.dell.com/support/top...t/dellcare/en/email_hub?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Phone: 18006249897

These are the CDs that i have (no purchased software): XP, Applications, Drivers & Utilities, Cyberlink (PowerDVD), Sonic. I think there is one more but I don't remember what it is.

The only that you might have problems getting is XP. Apparently they've stop sending the other CDs, but you can request those fairly easy with no hassle.

Hope this helps,
SG

 

Yeah I was planning on reformatting too and I noticed that I only received the Wordperfect cd. Thanks for the email link Southerngirl. I plan on sending the email now.

 

Which one do you email, order support or product support?

Can I just be like, "I'd like all the software included on my computer to be sent to me, including windows XP, and drivers" and assume they'll understand and send me everything?

 

try product support. Your statement should be fine. If they deny you the first time, then just keep trying.

 

i got a quick question..
whats the difference between reformatting and just going to add/remove and removing all their junk they put on there?

 

Reformatting will give you the basic windows system, and it is easier for most users but does take some time to complete. With add/remove, you'll remove the program, but there is the possibility that it will leave registery keys behind that you will have to go in and remove manually. If you look on your c: drive after you have remove a program, you most likely will see folders and files left behind on your drive. If you reformat, you never have that stuff on their to begin with.

 

Although, the question is, through the cd's they provide, are you getting all the programs originally included?

Also, do you remove that ghost partition or no?

 

I did remove the spare partition. In my opinion, it was a waste of space that I needed since I only have a 60gig drive. Plus, you won't need it since you'll have the XP cd. In all honesty, I'm not even sure if the recovery partition would work if you do a reinstall. The XP Cd will just have the standard software that comes with XP. Its like you bought it from the store. All of the extra software will be on the other CDs that you will have to request.

The other CDs will have any of your software that came with your hardware (like burning software, DVD decoder, etc). Dell's software is included on one of the CDs as well as you can download some of it from their site. I can't think of any software which was included on your orginial configuration that is not included on the CDs or on Dell's website.

Hope this helps,
SG

 

Thanks! Yes, that does help.

What is the 4gb or whatever partition for? Why is it you can get rid of it if you have XP reinstall cd?

 

The 4gb is basically a recovery partition. It will restore your pc back to the first day you got it with all the junk software. If you have the XP CD, then you don't need to the recovery partition because you have a copy of your operating system on CD. Any other software that you need from the first day you got your laptop, you can get from Dell.

Plus, I've never actually seen it work either. I tried to use it when I had problems, but it never did anything.

 

Well I got the email back and it says:

if I understand the issue correctly, you are missing the installation CDs.

A request has been submitted to ship the Windows CD, Sonic CD, PowerDVD CD and the Drivers, Utilities and Applications CD to you.

I just said that I formatted the hard drive because I didn't need all the extra software.

O and by the way, I emailed product support.

 

????

1 Kit,Software,Overpack,WXPHSP2 Compact Diskette W/Documentation English $10.95
1 Kit,Documentaton On Floppy Disk,Software,PDVD,5.3.1012 $10.95
1 Service Kit,Operating System WXPPSP2,Resource Compact Disk Applications,Inspiron $10.95


They charge for the CD's?

Or did I do something wrong and I should go call them up and complain?

 

I would call them up and complain. They try to get you to pay. I think the XP pack costs around 23 or something near there. You should be able to get them for free since you've already paid for them once ( you might tell them that).

 

Chatting with some guy said that I'm not charged and it's for Dell's internal records only.

So how many CD's did you say you got? 5?

 

That's good news. I have 5 or 6 (i've lost one, but it must not be important since I don't remember what it is). If you end up only getting 3, then you'll probably have to call and make a request for the software pack.

 

I got the 5 disks today.

Reinstallation xp pro w/ sp2 cd
Reinstallation of Dell tools system software
Reinstallation of Dell Inspiron system software
Reinstallation of Sonic MyDVD and Recordnow
Cyberlink PowerDVD

I think I will do the format sometime this weekend.

 

When you do so, I'd appreciate if you could list any places where you ran into problems and how you solved it so an idiot like me can do it too. For example, getting rid of partitions, etc.

 

could anyone give me quick rundown from this site as to what drivers i need to dl? all of them?
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...n&s=dhs&SystemID=INSPIRON 9300&os=WW1&osl=EN#

or am i supposed to be getting a disk with all the drivers on it?
im just trying to make the disk with drivers now to speed the process along even tho i dont have my laptop yet

 

If you call Dell and get the XP cd, they will send a drivers cd, but it will most likely have old drivers on it. Its kinda hard to tell you which ones you need without knowing your hardware set up. I would just go thru each one and find which hardware you ordered, then you can download/burn it. You won't need anything from Applications, Printer, and from System and configuration, you'll need notebook system software.

 

i updated my sig with most of my config.
i downloaded the correct drivers for the wireless/ethernet adapters, and the gforce drivers, not exactly sure what else to dl

 

Okay, based on your sig, here is the list of what you need to download:
The following only has one choice:
BIOS
chipset
audio
input
---------------
System & Configuration Utilities: only need notebook system software. If you use I.E., then you'll want to get the internet explorer utility also.
---------------
On the removable storage, I'm not sure which one you will get. I have the _nec drive, so I would suspect that is the one you will get. You'll either have _nec or sony. Once you get your system you can check which drive you have using Device Manager.
---------------
applications: if you are going to use Sonic, then you'll want to get the update. The others are actual Dell Software (not updates). If you want to use either of those, you should have them on disk, but these are the most current releases.
---------------
display devices: only if you bought an external monitor
---------------
ide/eide: nothing applies to your drive except for maybe the HDD acoustic management (not really sure if you'll really need it or not)
---------------

I think that is it.
Hope this helps,
SG

 

i just found this.. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=5787

is it better than reformatting or does reformatting just skip all this

 

its hard to explain. You really should reformat. You will have a ton of junk and trial software that is useless and will just use resources. Once you reformat, then you'll want to use the suggestions in that thread to make your system even run faster. XP has several things that are part of their system that you will not use very often, but you can't remove them from your system. So, you have to go thru services.msc to disable it and set it manual. Same thing for software. There is alot of software that is set by default to start on boot up, but this creates a slow boot up time.

Just as an example, I have bluetooth to sync to my pda. I use it maybe once every couple of days, but it thinks it should run all the time. I've had to change msconfig to make it where it doesn't start up unless I tell it to. Alot of software is like that, but if you reformat, you will get rid of alot of it.

Hopefully this isn't too confusing.
SG

 

i think i got it
thanks

cant wait for it to get here......

 

You are getting it pretty quick. Only took 3 days to build and ship? Mine took 3 days just in boxing.

 

I would read carefully the advise in this article some of it I would never do. For instance I would never turn off System Restore. if you need the performance this give save your money for a better computer.