Step by Step Guide to Clean XP Install

heh, i experienced the same quick, brief online dell chat too, but i received a case # and a dispatch #. well, as long as the shipment arrives i'm happy.

 

First I'd like to thank everyone for all the time they've put into this tread. It's very kind (and patient) of you to help put those of us who are clueless about computers.

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new Insipiron 6000 (been in boxing for 5 days now) and after reading this tread, I'd really like to do a clean install when I get it. I've already sent an email to Dell requesting the cds - no reponse yet. I'm still unsure if I'm actually going to do the clean install or not, because I'm a little scared to attempt it.

My main question/concern right now is re: the drivers. It seems that it's recommend to get the drivers from Dell's website to ensure that they're up to date. I just checked out the website and it asks you to select your model and your OS, but it doesn't list Windows Media Center Edition. Has anyone else noticed this, and will it be any problem for me if I do choose to reformat?

 

Windows MCE is more or less Windows XP wearing a zebra pattern outfit and faux 'gator shoes.

WinXP drivers will suit your needs just swell.

Cheers!

 

I figured as much. I just wanted to check before I did anything potentially stupid. I'm still unsure about reformatting. Anyone in the Twin Cities area wanna come do it for me when my computer finally gets here?

 

(Off-topic)

Well....I am in Wisconsin...I can do it if you pay for the trip...I wouldn't mind going to the Mall of America again.

 

I was kidding of course. Thanks for the offer though!
And sorry about the Packers season. That's rough

I'm sure I can get it done myself with the help of these wonderful boards. Luckily I have two other computers I can use to come here for help if I need it.

Back to the drivers - How do I know EXACTLY what I need to download from the Dell site? If I put in my Service Tag or whatever it asks for, will it list only the specific drivers that I need for my laptop? If I accidentally download one I don't need, will that cause any problems?

 

You can either enter you service tag or just choose your system using the menus. Then choose XP for the operating system, and it will bring up several categories.

Generally, the categories will only have 1 download, making it easy to tell what you need. There are some categories that you can omit depending on your hardware. If you know what hardware you order like which wireless card or video card, etc, then you'll just have to download the driver for that card in the list of choices. (hopefully that makes sense)

If you download the wrong driver and try to install it, you'll get an error saying something to the effect of "No supporting hardware found".

If you aren't sure, you can post your hardware here, and I'll try to get a list for you.

SG

 

I did a clean install yesterday. Everything went smoothly. My thanks to the guide and for everyone's help.

My notebook is free of junk now it seems. Its weird starting with no icons on the desktop. You almost think something must be wrong. Booting up is amazingly quick!

A couple of things though:

XP never asked me for the key!!!

and

I downloaded the nvidia driver (6800) from Dell's website and not from nvidia. couldnt find a 6800 driver on nvidia's own site. Just wanted to make sure i use the lates one. any comments?

 

Yes its normal that XP didn't ask for the key. The OEM cd from dell only installs on dell and detects your hardware before installing, you don't have to enter a key.

Retails CDs -- the key is required because the CD can be used on any system.

nVidia doesn't have the 6800 driver on their website. I'm not sure if Dell's is the latest one, but normally it is.

 

Hey Southern Girl, nice guide, but I've just one question, i've heard form some people that you can "de-install" windows and get rid of everything on the hard drive and then install windows, for example, if you have a lot of viruses. Is this true, or is it all rubbish?

 

To a certain degree that is true. If you only have 1 partition on your HDD -- meaning that you only have a windows partition and nothing else, then yes reformatting would get rid of any spyware and viruses.

Problem is when you have multiple partitions. Like on my system, I have a spare partition that holds all of my documents, music, etc. If one of those files contained a virus, even if i reformatted the windows partition, it wouldn't get rid of the virus on the spare. I would have to reformat the spare partition also.

 

Ok, my laptop is finally scheduled to be here tomorrow! Yippee!! (even though Dell promised next day delivery and didn't follow through, but that's a different story)

I have requested the CDs, which are supposed to be here within 2 days. I think I am going to go ahead with the reformatting and the one thing I'm most nervous about is getting the right drivers. Here is my system:

Inspiron 6000 Intel® Pentium® M Processor 750 (1.86GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
Display 15.4 inch WXGA LCD Panel
Memory 1GB DDR SDRAM 2 Dimms
Video Card 128MB DDR ATI's MOBILITY™ RADEON X300 PCI Express x16 Graphics
Hard Drive 80GB 5400rpmHard Drive
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
Combo/DVD+RW Drives 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Wireless Networking Card Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless (802.11 b/g, 54Mbps)
Office Software Corel WordPerfect word processor only
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) No Security Subscription
Battery 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery (53 WHr)
Miscellaneous Award Winning Service & Support
Financial Software No QuickBooks package selected - includes limited use trial
Dell Recycling Free Recycling Kit
Operating System Backup & Recovery PC Restore recovery system by Symantec
Media Center Enhancements TV Tuner w/ Remote Control
Dell Digital Entertainment Starter Entertainment Pack - Basic digital Music, Photo and Game experience

And here are the Drivers listed when I enter my service tag:

Applications:
Dell Dell Support 3.1
Dell MediaDirect
Dell QuickSet
Sonic Solutions DigitalMedia v7 (Application and Utility)
Sonic Solutions Sonic DMX 3.0

Audio Drivers:
SIGMATEL STAC 975X AC97

Chipset:
Intel Mobile Chipset

Communications Driver:
Conexant D110,MDC,1.5,v.92 (Driver, Diagnostics Utility, HTML, and Utility)

Diagnostic Utilities:
Dell 32 Bit Diagnostics (Graphical User Interface version) (Floppy, Hard-Drive and Hard-Drive)
Dell 32-bit Diagnostics Utility Partition Contents Upgrade Tool

Display Drivers:
Dell 1505FP
Dell 1704FPT
Dell 1704FPV
Dell 1905FP
Dell 2001FP
Dell 2005FPW
Dell 2405FPW
Dell E153FP
Dell E173FP
Dell E193FP
Dell E196FPf
Dell E773c
Dell M783p
Dell M783s
Dell M993s

FlashBIOS Updates:
Dell Inspiron 6000 System BIOS

Input Device Drivers:
Alps GlidePoint/StickPointer

Network Drivers: (I think this is all I’ll need for Network drivers, right?)
Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller (Driver, Diagnostics Utility, and HTML)
Intel (R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection

Removable Media Storage Devices:
I know I have an 8x DVD+/-RW, but I’m not sure which:
Sony DW-D56A slim 8x DVD+/-RW
NEC ND-6500A Slim 8X DVD+/-RW

System and Configuration Utilities:
Dell Internet Explorer Scaling Utility
Dell Notebook System Software

Video Drivers:
ATI MobilityRadeon X300
Emuzed Angel USB TV Tuner
Intel Graphics Video

I assume that for categories where there is only one driver listed, I will need to download that. I'm a little unsure about some of the other categories. If anyone could advise me of exactly what to download, I would love it! Thanks in advance!

 

Yes the categories that only have 1 selection, that will be the driver you need (like for bios and chipset). If you download these before you reformat, make sure to download and save them so you can burn them. Based on your system, this is what i'm assuming you are going to need.

Applications:
any of these are optional. If you like any of dell's programs, this is where you can download them from.

Audio Drivers:
SIGMATEL STAC 975X AC97

Chipset:
Intel Mobile Chipset

Communications Driver:
Conexant D110,MDC,1.5,v.92 -- driver only

Diagnostic Utilities:
optional -- never used any of them.

Display Drivers:
only if you buy an external monitor from dell.

IDE and EIDE
Western Digital Scorpio 80gb 5400rpm

FlashBIOS Updates:
Dell Inspiron 6000 System BIOS

Input Device Drivers:
Alps GlidePoint/StickPointer

Network Drivers:
Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller -- driver only
Intel (R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection

Removable Media Storage Devices:
check the device manager to see which you have. (right click on my computer --> manage --> device manager --> dvd/cd rom) If it is the NEC drive, it will say _nec.

System and Configuration Utilities:
Dell Internet Explorer Scaling Utility -- only if you use I.E.
Dell Notebook System Software -- yes, this will fix any hardware conflicts.

Video Drivers:
ATI MobilityRadeon X300
Emuzed Angel USB TV Tuner -- only if this matches the tuner that you have.

 

Thanks!!! I'll probably give it a shot this weekend.

 

Two days ago I wrote a post here about an amazingly quick and painless chatroom session to get a copy of Windows sent to me.

I received it today via Airborne, and will begin working on my laptop in a few minutes.

However, the box included a RETURN WAYBILL and I found this:
"Please follow the instructions to return product to Dell to avoid billing collection."

So.....as I obviously don't have a broken part to send back to them, what to do here? Anyone else seen this?

 

That's the standard for anything you order from Dell's Tech Support.

Unless you get an invoice in the mail, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Ah, I see. Guess nothing to worry about here.

Another question: From reading posts here and other threads I realize DVD decoder and Sonic are NOT included in the 3 CD's I received.

However, Trend Micro PC-Cilin is not found anywhere. Since I have more than a year left in the 15month subscription I'd like to retain it somehow. Should I have asked for PC-Cilin CD as well or can I find it somewhere?

Thanks again.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it. I had a replacement part sent, and didn't send the broke part back. I got an invoice also, but they haven't been bugging me about it. I wonder if they even care.

Yes, you'll need to request Cyberlink and Sonic DVDs. As for PC-cillin, you'll probably have to request that also. That should have been included in CDs that you got with your package, but they might have change their policy on it.

If you have the key for PC-cillin, then you could go to Trend Micro's website, and download a trial version. Then register it with the key you got, but I doubt Dell sent you the key.

SG

 

I read this thread after I got my Inspiron 6000 today. I knew about the bloatware, but I think there might be something else wrong as well with my laptop. I think this because I have to wait 4 to 5 minutes after clicking on something for it to launch or execute. This is especially shocking because I have 2 gb of RAM!!! with a pentium 4 processor.

I tried installing the winxp Pro but because i have the media experience edition it tells me that that is impossible because this is an older version than the one I currently have.

Because it is so slow I have not had a chance to contact dell to sent me the software on discs but I also want to know if the speed can be so slow that it takes several minutes before you can do one action and then have to wait another moment.

 

yeah, i received my cds this afternoon from dell too. problem is that i'm missing the Sonic burning cd and the cd that's titled "For Reinstalling Dell Tools System Software (Antivirus Software, Support Software, Multimedia Software, and Internet Software)" does not support my 700/710m series i recently formatted later this night and clearly seen the increase in speed and hard drive space but am i truely missing anything from Sonic or the Dells Tools System Software? it's not much of a hasstle to ask for those cds, but i just don't have the time to always sign for the packages.

also, the inspiron windows xp home cd is (light) purple right (full version and not backup, right)? and can i just continue using Nero instead of waiting for the Sonic CD/DVD burning software?

 

Ok, some questions having clean installed.

I got all the drivers properly from Dell, did a clean install and things are going ok.

1) Except, I can't play DVDs because I haven't got the right 'codec'. What codec is this? and where can I download it?
Some online videos appear as 5 bright colours, the video still plays in these luminescant colours, but it is impossible to watch. Is this a codec also?

Thanks,

 

Try to add/remove as many programs as you can until you can get the disks. If you have a smaller HDD, it could be that it is too full to run at optimal speed. We also have a thread in Dummy Guides that is about how to optimize your system. If nothing else, use MSCONFIG to turn off any unnecessary programs from starting (this is gone over in the guide).

If the WinXP disk is either OEM or upgrade version, that is probably causing the error -- I'm guessing. If the disk was retail and NOT an upgrade disk, then it should work on any system.

SG

 

Sonic is on a separate disk. Personally I would just keep using Nero. I can't stand sonic. All of the XP disks from dell are full OEM versions -- meaning you can only install it on Dell systems. You can download most of the dell software from the link in the first post that I have. Again, it is a preference thing, but I don't think you are missing anything. Most of the stuff on there is just junk.

SG

 

The codec or dvd decoder is Cyberlink's PowerDVD. This is on a separate disk that you'll have to request from Dell. Once you install that, you shouldn't have any problems playing dvds. As for the videos, that shouldn't be related to the codec. The codec is for DVDs. You might try updating your media player.

SG

 

cool. thanks again for the guide, tips, and heads up sg ^^

 

Great thanks, SG, Dell had just sent me all the discs so I could install the software, and updating Media Player solved the bright colours problem.

Thanks again!

 

Thank you, THANK you, THANK YOU SG! I got my new 'toy' today and successfully reformatted thanks to your tutorial!! I really appreciate your help!

 

SouthernGirl, You are really a SuperGirl!

I got my Dell 6000 yesterday. And requested the CD's today after holding the phone line for about 40 min. At first the guy asked me to burn all the CD's by myself, but eventually he agreed to send me the CD's (windows, drivers and applications). Hopefully I will recieve it soon.

One thing I asked in another thread before I've seen this one is: There is one thing bugs me. The DVD player dell installed seems not good. The screen is very dark, compare to my desktop, and can't hardly see sometimes. I have tried windows media player to play the movies I downloaded from the internet(which is not in DVD format), and it's all good.

Is this a problem? or just need to change the setting? and if so where Can I change it?

Thanks!

 

Ok i got my first Dell notebook today (Dell Inspiron 6000) and i got a question before i reformat. I have much experience in doing fresh winxp installs, since i work a lot with linux and keep formating my computers and trying different distributions, so the actual format procedure and drivers installation won't be an issue.
What i want to know is what happens if you have windows media center edition instead of windows xp preinstalled?
I got my laptop with Windows Media Center Edition 2005 and i also ordered the remote control. I dont have media center edition to reinstall after a format, i only have windows xp pro sp2. Will that be a problem? Will i still be able to use the remote control i ordered? Do i lose any other functions by replacing windows media center with windows xp?
Thanks!!!

 

I was searching around the internet and I found this article on pcworld.com:

http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,122487,00.asp

According to the article, anyone with Windows XP on their computer can create their own WinXP installation CD using the install files already on their HD. So you could avoid paying Dell the extra $10 for sending the CD, or avoid calling them up and asking and waiting for them to send a WinXP CD. At least thats what I think it says...
Anybody ever try that method? SG what do you think??

 

I'm not 100% sure of the answer. According to dell's site, the remote is designed to work only with MCE, so it is probably safer to install MCE instead of Pro. I doubt you'll lose any functions by replacing MCE. You just won't have "one centralize location" as Dell calls it.

If you just recently bought your 6000, you can still call Dell and request the MCE CD.

Sorry I wish I could be more of help, but I don't have MCE so I'm not sure of all the functions or how Dell has it set up.

 

Well the remote only works on Windows XP MCE. I would call up Dell and ask them to send a copy of XP MCE to you, usually you can get it for free. I wouldn't install XP pro if you want to use the remote.

Hope this helps.

 

Sounds legit. I've heard that you can reformat with i386, so maybe that is the way. Thanks for finding this article.

 

can you do all this with a desktop computer rather than a notebook? I've had a dell desktop since may or june and I recently ordered an xps m140 which should be coming in tomorrow or tuesday and i know i'll probably reformat that one...not sure about the desktop since it's a family computer and i don't wanna lose other people's stuff.

 

Yeah, the guide can be applied to desktops and notebooks. I'm sure what all was sent with your desktop, but if you want to reformat it, you'll need to get a copy of the same OS system. If it is the same as your M140, and you are getting a disk with the M140, you can use that disk.

SG

 

Hi SouthernGirl. I just purchased a new Inspiron 630m and followed your guide to a clean install.
The machine was shipped with XP MC OEM, 3 CDs, 2 titled APPLICATION (myDVD &PowerDVD) and 1 titled DRIVERS & UTILITIES.
My question: As I am nearing the end of the driver installation stage, and trying to be very careful not to re-install the bloatware that lead me to do this in the first place. How do I distinguish between essentials and bloatware? I want my new machine to be as fast as can be. I did install all of the drivers ticked in the dell resource cd utility but still have a yellow question mark under: Other Devices>>PCI device.
I also found that my machine does not play any sound even though there were no yellow question marks for the sound controllers in device manager.
And this message came up when I tried to play a DVD: Audio error, video cannot be displayed because no audio device has been detected.
Please help...have I missed something..

Incidently I did check on the dell support site but found it impossible to use

 

First, check your volume properties and make sure that the mute or sound isn't turned down. I've had that happen a couple of times. If everything looks correct, I would reinstall your audio driver again just to be sure. You should see your audio driver installing. Some of the drivers do require a restart if you haven't rebooted yet also. All of the drivers are essential, but I noticed with my CD that dell didn't check off some of the drivers that I needed.

I'm still trying to figure out what driver is for the PCI device. I'll try to find it this afternoon and post it for you.

All of the junk ware should be on a CD, but you didn't list it, so there is a chance that you might not have gotten it. If you do have that CD, you'll notice it pretty quickly. You have the choice to install whatever software from it that you want. Its like the drivers CD where you click and download it, then it will install. It won't install automatically from the CD, so you don't need to worry. PowerDVD is your dvd playback, and MyRecord is the burning software.

LOL, its okay about Dell's website. I've been having trouble finding what I need on there also. Its not very user friendly with some problems like the driver for the PCI device.

 

Thanks so much. The problem was with DELL not ticking off all of the required drivers. The one missing was called sigmaTel high definition audio CODEC, which when installed resolved the one remaining yello question mark.
They had only ticked a couple for chip set two for network and one for Video graphics. I then went back after your advice and downloaded the one under audio drivers

So it looks like everything is back to normal well except for a wrong RAM reading in system properties, no hibernate option in shut down and an unpersonnel account titled: Administrator ... instead on my name..
I suppose you can have it all...especially if your not tech smart like me lol

ANy ideas would be appreciated

 

Good to hear.

For the hibernation option, check your power setting properties (in control panel) and make sure that you have hibernation enable. You might have to update windows also for this. I had that happen the last time i formatted.

To change your name, go to control panel-->user accounts-->click on Adminstrator, and you can change the name. It might be better to create a new profile all together and leave the administrator alone. This is in case something happens you get locked out of your account, you can get into the admin account to fix any problems.

As for the ram, it should read the right amount of memory. If it shows half of what it is suppose to, then chances are one of the ram modules is lose or needs to be replaced. You can check your service manual and it will show you how to remove and replace the RAM. I would just remove each stick and put it back in there. Then reboot your system. If the memory doesn't change, you might have a bad stick.

Here is the service manual
http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xps140m/en/sm/index.htm

SG

 

to update the PCI card, you need the following driver:
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...9&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=XPS_M140&os=WW1&osl=EN#

Under chipset, you need to get the ricoh driver

 

hi, can I copy the drivers folder installed on my computer onto a cd and then install them after the boot or do I actually need the drivers cd?
Second, I just got my xps m140 today...hurray...but dell didn't send any cd's with it exceot corel and norton antivirus. Am i supposed to ask them for the others like for the dvd player?
Thanks for your help. It's highly appreciated.

 

Hello All,

I just received my b1300 the other day.
I upped the ram to 2 gigs.
I then attempted to do a clean install of xp pro.
I can get the cd to boot, however after some time,
I get a fatal error and the dreaded blue screen.
Anyone else experience anything similar?

Thanks in advance,
r.

 

Yes, you can use the method that you stated, but I'm not sure how updated the drivers will be. If you do that way, be sure to check the device manager. I transferred the drivers over like you described last time I reformatted, and some of the drivers did not install. If that happens, you should be able to right click and tell it to update drivers. Worse case scenario, you can go to dell's website and download the current drivers.

Yes, you have to call or use the chat to request CyberLink PowerDVD and Sonic RecordNow.

SG

 

Can you give us more information? Did you get the disk from dell or is this a disk that you previously had? Do you remember any information that was on the blue screen like an error?

 

Hi,

I tried to use a disc that I had.
It is an xp pro disc that was purchased some time ago.
I recall seeing something like this at the bottom:
pci.sys and then some numbers after it.

I should mention that I ordered the laptop with xp home.
And I am trying to install xp pro.
This should not matter should it?

Thanks,
r.

 

Well there could be a few possible reasons as to why you are getting the blue screen of death.

If the disk is an OEM version and not retail, then it won't install. OEM versions have to recognize certain hardware from the laptop manufacturer before it will install. If it is OEM, then you'll need to contact dell and request a disk from them.

Another possibility the disk could be scratched. Have you tried installing it on another computer?

XP Home shouldn't really matter as long as you are planning on using the key that is associated with the disk, and not the one located on the bottom of your laptop.

 

Hello again,

I know the disc is not an OEM version, and I am using my own serial number.
I checked the disc and it is not scratched.

Thanks for your help,
r.

 

Well you could try to make your own disk. either on the last page or the page before, there was a thread about how to make your own disk.

I would guess that the disk (eventhough it has no scratches), is damaged somehow.

 

I see.
I will try to make another disc and try again.

Thank you,
r.

 

I have a question... I just got my XPS m140 last night, and i've been wading through bloatware ever since... im not quite sure what to keep and what to get rid of... how bad would it be to remove everything from the 'add or remove programs' window? and even if i did, would it even help? or is dells bloatware even deeper rooted than that?

I do have WIN XP Pro i bought a few years ago, but then how am i supposed to get MCE back if i reformat?

Finally, is there anything on these Dells that the machine absolutely has to have kept installed?

an example of programs i'm not sure i can remove are (because im unfamiliar with MCE and have no idea what it needs to run properly): Broadcom Management Programs// Dell Support 3.1// Dell system restore// Gemmaster Mystic// Learn2Player// ModemHelper// Musicmatch// NetWaiting// Otto// QuickSet// Sonic// Synaptics Pointing Device Driver// Viewpoint Media Player//WebCyberCoach 3.2 Dell// WildTangent Web Driveer//

edit: I JUST read that if i have the backup CD (which I do) I can do a clean install without all the junk... is that true? I thought all the junk was on the disk also?