TOTAL GUIDE: 1420 With XP!!!

There is a way to install it afterwards. Read here:

http://www.notebookforums.com/showpost.php?&p=2010767&postcount=112

If you're running out of primary partitions (allowed 4 maximum) and want to use an extended partition to overcome this limitation, you can gain some information from the following link:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=3113451&postcount=8

 

What does quickset do? What do you use it for?

 

Thanks guys, where could I get the MediaDirect installer from? In vista OS CD or Dell resource CD?

 

It came on it's own CD with my Vostro 1400, separate from the resource and OS CDs.

 

The video driver the OP provided seems a bit weak/slow.. Anybody know of a better one? Most benches are seeing 3100+ in 3DMark05, i'm getting 2900ish under XP.

 

You can turn off AHCI from the BIOS, then install normal Windows XP (without SATA support) and then turn ASHI back on normally.

I'll write a step by step explanation, but later on, cause I'm busy setting up my Vostro 1500 now

 

You can do this but won't WindowsXP not load up after you turn SATA back on due to the lack of drivers in WindowsXP?

 

It will run normally, cause you install sata drivers from within Windows XP and then turn on AHCI.

 

I just recieved my 1420.
1.5 GB Ram
Intel Built in Video Card
80gb 5400 Hard Drive
Vista Home Premium
Camera
SB Audigy

Vista is too slow.

I have followed all the instructions in this forum carefully.

XP PRO CD with SATA Drivers brings up a blue screen when loading.

Any suggestions?

 

Another important thing.

I have not recieved any OS CD with My laptop but I do have the recovery partition.

1) Can I go back to VISTA if something goes wrong?
2) How can I recover using the recovery partition?
3) Can I burn a recovery CD with my 1420 before the XP Install?
4) Will I be able to see the recovery partition in XP?

Thanks.

 

My 3DMark05 jumped to the levels you were seeing by simply updating the drivers from the those provided by Dell.

http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/drivers

In my case, I used the latest v165.01.

Vista
2949 -> 3163

XP
2953 -> 3171

If you are brave, you can also play with overclocking

-LQ

 

Purchased a Vostro 1400 with Vista Basic. Slipstreamed and successfully formatted to XP (installed MediaDirect partitions first). QuickSet works fine (as seen here). I didn't really follow the directions on these forums and just installed the latest drivers from the manufacturer's sites (if available). I wonder why QuickSet doesn't work for some people. Could it be the video card differences (intel gma x3100 on mine)? Perhaps the wifi card (dell 1390)? Perhaps the screen type (wxga+)?

 

thanks for posting this guide i think this would work for me if i really don't like vista

 

I have the Dell 390 and WXGA+.

However, I have the GeForce 8400m. Can a video driver and chipset really be the breaking point for QuickSet?

 

Someone in the other thread noticed that the latest version of QuickSet was released just a few days ago. Perhaps thats when compatibility was improved -- try it out.

http://ftp.us.dell.com/app/R165094.EXE

 

Worked like a charm on my Vostro 1400. Dell definitely fixed some compatibility issues.

 

Awesome guide... downloading all the files now and preparing to get on XP tonight.

Vista is terrible, links in control panel don't work, some program links don't work and for 3 weeks my hard drive hasn't stopped churning. Goodbye Vista.

Where can you get the drivers for the Dell Wireless N card for XP? It appears like they only have it for Vista. Or do the 1390 drivers work for the 1505-n as well? **Edit ** looks like it works!

 

But it cannot wake up from sleep with 165.01. I switched back to 156.13.

 

Just gotta say thanks to everyone who helped with this. XP is AWESOME on the Vostro, much better than Vista.

Does anyone know the difference with ATA and AHCI? I installed it on ATA and when I switch back to AHCI it blue screen crashes after the post. I thought by installing the Intel drivers afterwards it would work but its not.

**Edit**
After many attempts I could not get XP to load up in AHCI after having installed it in ATA so I had to reinstall XP by loading the drivers directly onto the XP cd. Differences... if you install XP under ATA, I experienced far less trouble installing the drivers. Under AHCI, I experienced minor difficulties installing the sound card as described on page 1, and also minor difficulties with media card reader. Again, just had to be installed a couple times, but both issues were non-existent with ATA enabled.

 

I just installed XP using this guide however it seems that my cpu usage is always like around 30% and the fan is on even though the computer is just idling there. The temperature is hovering around 45% most of the time.

I followed the instructions for the audio but each time I try it out it doesn't work. any help?

 

That's just a big coincidence, as AHCI has nothing to do with the sound-card and the card reader

I installed all my drivers (including audio) without any problems when I installed XP with AHCI.

 

I would really like to applaud your hard work. The post is awesome. Everything worked great. The only issue I had was with the Wireless Driver. I have a Dell Vostro 1400 with a Dell 1490 Wireless card. Driver posted here did not work for me. This is in addition to the drivers from dell for the Vostro. I finally found one. It is: http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&releaseid=R151517&SystemID=INSPIRONI6400/E1505&servicetag=&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=9806&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=9&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=5&fileid=202136 The are for the Inspiron 6400/E1505.

 

Hmm, I'm doing this with my Vostro 1700... and I'm just wondering.... couldn't you have integrated all those drivers into the Windows XP CD anyway?

 

Could you (or anybody) please point me to where I can download video driver for intel x3100 ?

 

never mind, found it

 

Hi,
I completed this tutorial recently on my Inspiron 1420 and XP is working great except its giving problems going in hibernation. After a restart the computer will go in hibernation when requested but after some usage it gives the error that its out of memory to complete that operation and then goes on stand by instead. Anyone know why its doing so ?
i have 2gig of ram

 

It's a known XP bug. Basically if you've been using the system for a while, or you're running some memory-greedy programs at the moment you try to hibernate, hibernation fails.

There's an official patch for it, but doesn't solve the problem for everyone. The best I can do is make sure I close bloaty programs before hibernating, and to restart the laptop every couple of days.

NOTE: Knowing this bug, make sure you witness your laptop going into hibernation before packing it into a case or a bag. You don't want it failing hibernation and staying on, causing overheating in the bag!

 

I'm buy this 1420 in HK, the config as below,
- Processor: *Intel® Centrino® Duo Processor Technology - Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7100 (1.8GHz/ 800 FSB/ 2MB Cache)
Specifications - Processor
- Operating SystemGenuine Windows Vista® Home Basic(Traditional)
Specifications - Operating System
- Memory2GB*(2x1GB) 667MHz dual-channel DDR2 SDRAM Memory
- Hard Drive120GB*(5400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
Specifications - Hard Drive
- Graphic CardIntel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Specifications - Graphic Card

I was trying to follow you procedure to install XP, but fail, I burn the CD, it just like the original setup CD, I can't choose the "install Window XP", Can someone help me, as I was very painful to use this Vista, Vista was limit everything, pls help, thanks~~

 

Lightflux,

Your post is great, but doesn't address the issue of restoring MediaDirect. I read several posts from users that are having trouble using MediaDirect in Windows XP. Is this because of the QuickSet compatibility issue? I am trying to leave my options open, and have backed up my C drive containing the original Vista OS with Norton Ghost 12. If I decide to go back to Vista, will restoring Vista on the C drive allow me to use MediaDirect again so long as I leave the logical drive containing MD intact? What if I wanted to get rid of MediaDirect altogether? Will the XP installation disk "see" the partition in order for me to delete it when I reformat? Alternatively, have any of you had success in erasing the hard drive, and then creating a new partition in order to reinstall MediaDirect before installing Windows XP (per Dell's instructions for formatting a new hard drive for MediaDirect)? Or does the inability to use QuickSet in XP cause MediaDirect to fail no matter what? Right now, I'm willing to brave the issues people have had with the card reader and sound card (which sound surmountable), but I'm concerned over whether switching to XP will cause me to permanently lose the ability to use MediaDirect.

Thanks!

 

Hi dude:

I have a full working image of win xp sp2 and drivers including the mediadirect patch, everything (I mean everything) working except for ACPI state 4 (hibernation). The only thing is that windows is in spanish as I'm mexican but all the drivers are multilanguage. You can search Miniova or Demonoid for "windows xp inspiron 1420" (instructions and brief are in spanish, if you want I can translate it for you) the torrent is a full download of both packages but in many clients you can download selectively to choose only to download the drivers and apps package and don't download the OS image.

MediaDirect works fine on and off windows, remote control and quickSet working. Also I let you the list of packages with their code for you to donwload them from the ftp site if you want (the mediaDirect patch I can't remember where I've downloaded it so I let you a rapidshare link)

I instaled the mediaDirect pack which comes in the DELL disc provided along the laptop. And then install the patch on top.

MediaDirect Patch:
http://rapidshare.com/files/54893354/XPePatch_070627.exe.html

QuickSet:
ftp://ftp.dell.com/app/R165094.EXE

Sometimes the drivers or app installers are listed only under windows vista (as happens with the integrated camera drivers) even if they're compatible with windows Xp. Some other cases you must look for the download page of another laptop model (eg 1501) which have the same hardware and download the installers from that page. To avoid the laptop model check just unzip the exe with any unzip utility (i prefer 7-zip, it's OpenSource, fast and compact).

I leave a list of the drivers along with their reference number so that you can download them from the DELL ftp server.
If it's a audio driver look under: ftp://ftp.dell.com/audio
If it's an app look under : ftp://ftp.dell.com/app
for BIOS ftp://ftp.dell.com/bios
and so on...

Full list each downloadeable from ftp://ftp.dell.com
Audio SigmaTel R153908
Bluetooth R161378
Dell Diagnostics Tool R153320
Dell partition utility R153319
Dell Support R157986
Dell Support Center R160059
Herr de Diag para NIC Broadcom R151336
Intel Chipset R153997
Broadcom Ethernet R155246
Lector de Tarjetas Ricoh R141246
Quick Set R165094
Touchpad R155653
WebCam Integrada (Center) R155105
WebCam Manager R160320
Wireless Intel ABGN R164255
BIOS 142_A00
RAID SATA R154200
Modem Conexant R147115
Conexant diagnostic tools R147130

 

You just earned some rep, Santiagordgz.

 

I just made the switch to XP from Vista on my Inspiron 1420, and everything is working - including card reader, QuickSet, MediaDirect, all drivers, and the fn key. A couple of observations:

I had to hand install the driver for the Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator. (Got the dreaded yellow exclamation mark in device manager, and the video looked extremely funky.) You can download it from the Intel web site at: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/dow...All&OSFullName=All+Operating+Systems&lang=eng

No need to reformat your hard drive using the MediaDirect cd before installing XP, to get the MediaDirect program to work. It's already installed on one of the partitions. Just leave all of the partitions intact and install XP on the C partition using quick format option. Once you are in Windows, pop the MediaDirect cd in but do not allow it to run using auto-play. Simply right click on your cd-rom drive, and select explore. Navigate to the WindowsMD3 directory and double-click on Setup. Once you've installed the software from the cd you will be able to access MediaDirect both within and outside of Windows.

Hope this helps. I'm now really happy with my XP installation!

 

I have a Vostro 1700 and I have tried the Intel driver mentioned and after reboot and the windows splash screen the screen goes black. I have to reboot iinto safe mode and unistall the driver. I have the Intel GMA 3100 intergrated graphics. Any help would be most appreciated!

 

My screen briefly goes black after it boots into the Windows desktop but then loads normally. Are you saying the screen goes black before you even boot into Windows?

 

I get the Windows XP Splash Screen with the load bar and then the screen goes black but I hear the windows login sounds. I can hit start, arrow up and hit enter then 'R' for Restart and it will restart. So I boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the driver. So I am not sure why this video driver doesn't work. Within Safe Mode I go to the Devices Screen and under the Display there are no exclamation marks or anything and it lists the 965 chipset.

I checked Dell's driver site to make sure I have the right driver. I looked under Vista since there are no video drivers listed under xp. The driver is Intel GM965 Express Chipset Family. I went to Intel's site and found the XP driver but it didn't work. So I am not sure if Dell does something to the drivers to make them work on their hardware.

 

Have you tried seeing if the Dell driver for the Vista OS works? Sometimes Dell will list a driver under one OS, but it's a multi-OS driver. If you can't get the driver working and don't want to go back to Vista, the only other option I can think of is to install the NVIDIA GeForceTM Go card that is an optional add-on to the unit, but that seems like an awfully expensive solution.

 

I just located an updated XP driver for the Intel graphics accelerator. It was released on 9/4/07:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Det...All&OSFullName=All Operating Systems&lang=eng

 

I was wondering if I could get some help. I'm still abit confused, i have a vostro 1400, and its been said that you need two drivers, yet everyones linking to only the AHCI driver and not the raid driver. am i missing somethign here?

secondly are there any drivers for the Dell 1505 Wifi-N card and my bluetooth card.

 

The single Intel driver pack comes with both AHCI and RAID drivers.

It's only when you're inside the nLite program and integrating drivers that you select the two drivers:

SATA AHCI Controller (Mobile ICH8M-E/M)
SATA RAID Controller (Mobile ICH8M-E)​

For a few of us who tried, we have to include both drivers (not just the AHCI one) or else XP won't boot after installation.

 

oh thanks alot, that certainly cleared things up

 

Installed XP on my 1520 this weekend. I couldn't figure out why my wireless card wouldn't work...then realized I was downloading Intel drivers and my card was Dell.

I'm stupid.

 

Ok, I am so thankful for this thread.
When I found this thread I was down to the Bluetooth and Quickset on this 1420.

I followed another users suggestion to browse the FTP on my own.
I sorted
ftp://ftp.dell.com/app/
by date and found that the most recently posted file: ftp://ftp.dell.com/app/R161139.EXE is a new version of quickset that DOES NOT BOMB OUT!

thanks so much for this thread OP!

 

Hi Guys,
What about speedstep now ? I have installed all drivers, everything on my inspiron 1420 to have XP, but.... notebook hardware control that I installed shows still same CPU speed and it is only 1,8 Ghz . maximum speedstep.

Anything I tried, didnt work, and CPU is hot. Speedstep doesnt work. Even if I set up not to use speedstep in bios, to leave it on slowest speedstep (1,2Ghz) it is still in system in 1,8 Ghz.

Help please ...

 

What is QuickSet anyways? I didn't install it on my 1420 and don't see any hardware left in Device Manager that needs to be installed..

 

It's actually pretty useful.

For starters it offers an onscreen display when you do certain stuff, like turn on/off Wi-Fi with the switch, change the volume (a volume slider or mute icon shows briefly), change LCD brightness (a slider appears too).

You also get a profile sort of system, where if it detects Wi-Fi connection to certain access points you specify, it can automate some tasks like adding/mounting a printer and changing around other network settings automatically depending on which access point you're connected to.

Also lets you specify display brightness on battery and while plugged in without having to do it via bios settings.

 

I just installed the quickset drivers on my Vostro 1400 with XP. Everything works fine but now when i adjust the volume or mute there are two different on screen displays. One is quickset and the other is a big ugly green meter like what you would see on a TV screen when adjusting volume. How do I get rid of the green one so that all I see is quickset?

 

i have a problem, that i can't install the display driver for my 1420.
when i use R158222.exe to install the Nvidia 8400, it said can find any compatible driver, is anyone have this problem too, or i got wrong at something? please help~~~

 

Nifty.. although WindowsXP will retain your brightness settings under power and under battery without the use of Quickset... it knows what brightness it was left on when you switch from power to battery and vice versa, that is.

Jay

 

Just go to www.laptopvideo2go.com and download the latest or most popular WindowsXP 32bit Nvidia driver... you should be directed to the thread where the driver is on that website.. get the driver package and make sure you also download the Modified INF file.. extract the video driver package to it's own directory, replace the INF file with the modified one you downloaded then run setup.exe and it will detect your video card.

 

I installed quickset but the wifi switch does not work, i tried sliding it and also tried holding it for 10 seconds not lights come on and the wifi didn't turn on in the taskbar. I went into BIOS to make sure it was enabled and it is. Any thoughts why this isn't working? I am running quickset version 8.3.11.