XP driver questions for new 1545

I'm getting a new Inspiron 1545 (should be delivered this week).

Long story short, part of what I am doing with the PC is setting up an additional hard drive for use with XP (keeping the installed harddrive for use with VISTA, switching out the 2 drives as need be).

I think some of you folks here may have already done some of this so I'm hoping you can give me some advice on some of the things I am not 100% on.

I understand pretty well most of the hurdles I will be facing with installing XP on the new hard drive, especially the SATA vs ATA problems trying to setup XP and have a plan for that, and hopefully how to install the various other drivers that I need after setting up XP.

What I want to ask about are about some of the drivers that I found on Dell's website at this link:

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...D=INSPIRON1545&hidos=WLH&hidlang=en&TabIndex=

(1) Starting with the BIOS, dated July 2, 09, Version A08. I guessing that since they are building my PC after this date they will be including this already applied - or a newer one - already applied to the BIOS but - is that a wrong assumption? I guess this is dumb of me to ask since I will see the scoop when I boot the PC first time & I can update it if need be...


(2) My PC is coming with the basic video, called "Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD" according to Dell's inventory sheet for my purchase on their website. There are 2 different video drivers on the link above, one called "ATI - Driver" and the other "Intel - Driver Applies to: GM45 Video". I am 99% certain that the latter driver corresponds to the video I am getting and is what I need for my XP build. I say this because from what I have figured out thus far is that this PC is an Intel "MGM45RM" or similar/compatible model. Is this correct?


(3) Regarding the motherboard/chipset - and this is one of the most important things I need to understand (to get SATA support under XP for instance) - Dell has 2 different "Chipset" drivers at the link above. One is for "GM45 Express Chipset Family" and is listed as being version "8.7.0.1007" and the other is for something called "Realtek RTS5158E Card Reader".

I have no idea what the hell the "Realtek RTS5158E Card Reader" thing is (actually I have a guess and I asked about that in a different thread I called "dumb questions" up here), but I think I know what the ""GM45 Express Chipset Family" driver is and that is what will give me SATA support under XP. But what I want to ask about is the version#. Dell's website offers version "8.7.0.1007" of this driver yet INTEL's website has a NEWER version of this as "8.7.1.1007".

I'm wondering which one I should use - the newer one, or the one that Dell provides?? Any opinions?


(4) Dell's inventory sheet lists "Integrated Gigabit (10/100/1000) Network Card forXPS 1340" as the network card yet the download driver page shows "Marvell - Driver - 88E80XX 10/100 Ethernet Controller" as the most likely candidate for the driver for this in XP - is this the correct driver for the ethernet card? I'm confused by the huge disparity in the names used.



(5) I'm pretty sure I have the wireless, audio, and touchpad drivers straight, but here is something I am unclear of what it is or if I actually need it for anything:

- "Dell - Utility - System Software - Dell System Software is a utility that provides critical updates and patches for your operating system. Dell System Software is necessary for correct operation of your Dell computer. The program automatically detects your computer and operating system and installs updates appropriate for your configuration."

Goes on to mention some "Microsoft hotfixes". So I am guessing that this might just be something relating to regular Windoze update of some kind? Or is it something needed/unique to the hardware on this machine?? Does anyone know?



(6) The downloads list 4 "applications" that I'm definitely confused on as to whether any of these are necessary. They are called "Support Center", "QuickSet", "PC Tune Up 2.0", and "Remote Access".

"The Dell Support Center is a centrally-located, easy-to-use application providing personalized support resources"

Looks useless to me (?). Again this is for my XP (unsupported) install, so why would I need a Dell Support Center program - what does it do anyway?


The "Dell QuickSet" looks possibly useful though. It appears to have something to do with power/battery functions. Anyone have any thoughts on this one?


The "Dell PC Tune Up" I haven't a clue on. The title of it calls it "Dell PC Tune Up 2.0" yet the details on it call it "Dell PC TuneUp 2.1". I haven't a clue as to what it is for. Comments????


The "Dell Remote Access" is another I can only guess on. Perhaps used to have a Dell support person take control of your PC? I have no need for that if that is the case. Can anyone tell me what this thing is??



Thanks for any clues. I've spent days trying to figure all this stuff out to even get where I am now and am just trying to get clarification on a couple things.

 

See my responses in bold in the quote - hope it helps.

 

Regarding point 3:

Yes the realtek is your card reader, it will have separate drivers as in reality it is a USB device. The GM45 express is your chipset, basically you need this one to make sure everything works as it should on your machine. It is not the expresscard as Karan posted.

To be honest it probably doesn't make any difference between the Intel & Dell versions. Dell can sometimes be slow updating drivers because they like to test them and sometimes just because they are busy with other things.

 

THanks peoples!!

 

P.S. I also made a thread I called "dumb questions" but it seems to have disappeared, or not get posted (???). I will repost that one.

 

No need to repost it, it is still there..... http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=407638

 

THANKS. I had bookmarked it but my link didn't work, and I didn't see it looking iin the forum overview. I am getting old I guess....