When I get my 1420 should I do a clean Vista install?

If so is there a foolproof guide on how to do it so I don't mess ANYTHING up except get rid of bloatware?

 

Yeah you should. Basicly put the reinstallation CD in boot up the laptop, follow instructions, format partition.. it shouldn't be too hard. Search "Format Vista" on the forum, I've seen a few topics on how to do it before. Good luck.

 

why should a clean install be done? Just to get rid of bloatware?

 

Yes, its the most "clean" method of removing the junk that you don't want that Dell had put onto the computer. Then you can go about and install the drivers you need and the software you want.

 

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Dell Coupon Codes for up to $300 Off, Expire 7/26

Dell has a few coupon codes running right now that can be used on Inspiron notebooks such as the Inspiron 1420, 1520, 1720, 1521, and 1721.

• Use code G01JG242730SDT to save $300 off any $1,399.00+ Dell Inspiron notebook. (valid 7/11/2007 12:00:00 AM - 7/26/2007 6:00:00 AM)

These Coupon Codes work on the following machines:

• Dell Inspiron 1520 Notebook Computer


• Dell Inspiron 1720 Notebook Computer


• Dell Inspiron 1420 Notebook Computer

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Dell Inspiron 1520 One-Day Coupon Code: $799 after $150 Coupon
Link to Product Deal Use coupon code Z80WG11CD0GR9R on the Inspiron 1520 with Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 processor, 2GB of RAM and 160GB hard drive for a final price of $799!

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Acer Aspire 3680-2682 - $370
Link to Product Deal Circuitcity.com has the Acer Aspire 3680-2682 14.1&quot; Celeron Notebook PC for $369.99 after $80 rebate. Features include: Celeron M 440 @ 1.86GHz, 1280 x 800, 512MB (2GB max), 80GB, CD-RW/DVD-ROM, b/g wireless, Vista Home Basic. $80 rebate Exp 7/21/07

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HP Pavilion dv6236us - $700
Link to Product Deal CompUSA has the HP Pavilion dv6236us Notebook for $699.99. Features include: Core Duo Processor T2250, 1.73GHz, with Centrino Technology, 1GB RAM, 120GB Hard Drive, 15.4-inch WXGA TFT Display, 8X DVD+/-RW Drive, Windows Vista Business.

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Toshiba Satellite P205-S6237 - $700
Link to Product Deal CompUSA had the Toshiba Satellite P205-S6237 Notebook 7.2lb, Pentium Dual-Core Processor T2080 for $699.99 after $300 rebate. Features include: 1.73GHz, 1GB RAM, 120GB Hard Drive, 17-inch WXGA+ TFT Display, 8X DVD+/-RW Drive, Vista Home Premium.

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Compaq Presario C571NR - $450
Link to Product Deal Best Buy has the Compaq Presario C571NR Intel Pentium Dual-Core T2080 15&quot; Notebook PC for $449.99. Features include: 15.4&quot; widescreen; 1.7GHz; 1GB RAM; 80GB HDD; DL DVD+/-RW; 802.11b; Vista Home Premium.

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Gateway MT6840 - $599.99
Link to Product Deal BestBuy.com has the Gateway MT6840 15.4&quot; Core Duo Notebook for $599.99, $19.99 shipping or free buy online pickup in store. Features include: Core Duo Processor T2450 @ 2GHz, 1280 x 800, 1GB, 160GB, DL DVD±R/W, a/b/g wireless, FireWire, Vista Home Premium.

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Everex NC1503 - $399.99
Link to Product Deal newegg has the 5.3lb entry level Everex NC1503 NoteBook VIA C7 1.50GHz, 15.4&quot; Widescreen, 512MB DDR2/60GB, Dual layer DVD Burner, VIA Chrome 9 for $399.99.

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Sony VGN-N365E - $700
Link to Product Deal BestBuy.com has the Sony VGN-N365E/B Intel Core Duo T2450 15&quot; Widescreen Notebook PC for $699.99. $19.99 Shipping. Tax in most states. Features include: 15.4&quot; widescreen; 2.0GHz; 1GB RAM; 120GB HDD; DL DVD+/-RW; 802.11b/g; Vista Home Premium.

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HP Pavilion dv6500t - $899
HP Pavilion dv6500t HP Home Store has the new HP Pavilion dv6500t notebook for $899. Features include: Core 2 Duo T7100 1.8GHz, 15.4in WXGA BrightView display, Intel X3100 graphics, 5-in-1 card reader, remote, Free Vista Home Premium.

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Acer TravelMate 2480-2968 - $479.99
Acer TravelMate 2480-2968 Buy.com has the Acer TravelMate 2480-2968 Notebook for a $479.99. Features include: Intel Celeron M 440 1.86GHz, 14.1&quot;, 512MB (2GB max), 80GB, CD-RW/DVD-ROM, Vista Home Basic.

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ThinkPad T40 Refurbished - $499.99

Link to Product Deal TigerDirect.com has the 4.9lb ThinkPad T40 Refurbished Laptop - Intel Pentium M 1.5 GHz, 512MB DDR, 40GB HDD, DVD ROM, 14.1&quot; XGA, Windows XP Professional for $499.99.

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Andrew are you sure you've posted this announcement properly here ?

 

a few random replies on top andrew
seem like fragments from some other thread
BTW that hp 6500T looks real tempting for that price

 

The $300 off on the Dell 1420 is crap...it's $9 cheaper just to go with the standard instant saving

 

I would definantly do a clean install

 

Dont they only come with recovery partitions? How do you go about doing a clean install? Do you just borrow a Vista dvd from a friend and use the CDKey on theCoA Sticker?

 

Dear Andrew,
Regarding Dell coupons, r u sure tht its expiry date is 26th JULY?
Actually i'm new to this forum. Pardon me if this seems a stupid q's to u.
When i visit dell, they inform that this coupon will expire today.
Wht shud i do?
Dr. Khan

 

Is it safe to delete the recovery partition? That's just a backup of the factory settings isn't?

 

Yea I have the same question,

Can you delete all the partitions and create your own ones?

I've heard on 1520 Vista cd won't install if you remove a dell media partition or something, that could be very annoying, since I'm the type of guy that likes to wipe everything and create his own custom partitions.

 

No, I think in that case the Dell Media Center won't work.. pressing the button won't do anything, but Vista should be fine.

 

Super! I don't care about the media center anyway

 

Actually, there IS a way to make media direct work even with the clean install. I dont remember how though.

 

I think you have to tell them to ship you / find your media direct reinstallation disc... not completely sure, since the threads I've read on this were from around the end of 2006 = MD2 and not MD3.

 

If you want to clean install vista in your system then do so, but just a little reminder that will also delete your image copy of the system bec Dell installed an image copy in their systems just in case there might be any problem in the near future. All Dell system that shipped w/ vista should come w/ a vista DVD where in you can just install in your system. If you really want to do a clean install just press F12 when you see the dell logo and insert the vista DVD then select the cd/dvdrom drive and then follow the prompts. IT will just load all the native drivers that is needed by the system so you dont need to download any drivers, well it depends if ever you dont have any other 3rd party hardware in your system. Then you will need to install those drivers separately and then after that just install the softwares that you need in your system.

 

For media center to work properly, you need to create a different partition in your hdd, just load the media direct cd and that should take care of everything then install your OS in a different partition.

 

The day I got my 1420 I deleted the recovery, media direct and the main partition and formatted the HD. Then followed the instructions to reinstall media direct and it created it own partition (for those that don't know, it needs it own partition). Then I installed Vista. After vista was installed I went into the windows disk management and found a 3rd partition that I didn't create that seemed to be automatically created when I installed Vista, it's about 45MB and I have no clue what it's for. Is this normal or did I do something wrong?

Anyone have any ideas what this could be from?

 

When I get my Inspiron 1520, I plan to do a clean install. I'm just worried about the drivers. Are all the drivers on the DVD or will I have to look for them on the Internet?

Another concern is activation. Will it already be activated when I do a clean install?

 

they all come on a disc, but I would just download them from the dell support website so you know your getting the latest drivers.

 

i doubt i am going to do a reinstall, i am just gonna remove the things i dont want.

 

I am with u limpshot. I think the bloat wear can be removed without a drastic format and re-install.

 

Ya, I've seen plenty of posts on how to get rid of all the bloatware without having to go through the hassle of a format and reinstall, especially if you want to keep the recovery and media partitions.

 

Yea its 10x easier just to uninstall it using add/remove programs...then i usually just go into regedit to clear the registry...no need to reinstall vista and make more problems for yourself.

 

I'll probably not reformat it, too much work and it's a risk I don't feel like taking. Installing and running CCleaner should fix all my problems

 

I think I'll just uninstall using add/remove programs too.... but I'm not too experienced when it come to editting the registry... is there a program that you all would recommend me using for such a task?

 

If you do a clean install, do you have to activate Vista?

 

CCleaner will do the job.