XPS M1210 Reformat

Hi 1210 users,

I've read through SG's reformat guide, but would like to hear from 1210 users who have formatted your laptop once you received it from Dell.

Are there any extra steps or different steps from SG's guide?

Especially with regards to re-installing the drivers (specifically video card, wireless card, bluetooth, sound card, and webcam).

Any advice is much much appreciated.

Thank you.

 

Unless you want to save some of the software that Dell bundles with their system (which I personally don't and couldn't wait to get rid of), then, reformatting it is just as easy as doing it on any computer. In my opinion there isn't really anything that needs to be done specifically.

Anyhow, here is what I do with ALL my new notebooks: Dell or Toshiba (which are the 2 main brands I've stayed with)

- Download all the latest drivers from Dell, or better yet, directly from the device's manufacturer if you want everything to be most up-to-date and maximum performance. (I obtained the Intel Chipset INF from Intel, and I use a modded nVidia ForceWare driver from nVidia and LaptopVideo2Go for my system). Save it onto a removable storage device (like a USB Flash drive), or burn them onto a CD.
- Insert the Windows XP CD/DVD into the optical drive bay
- Reboot, press "F12" at startup to start the "One Time Boot Menu", and boot from the optical drive
- Follow the instructions as per normal Windows installation
- Wait around 30-40 minutes while it does its own thing, have a snack, go watch a TV show etc.
- Once you are first booted into Windows, start installing the drivers (from that CD you burned or from a USB Flash drive): Intel Chipset INF update, Video Card (nVidia ForceWare or Intel Integrated), Sound Card driver, Network Card, Wireless LAN Card, BlueTooth, 5-in-1 Card Reader, Logitech Webcam (if you have it) (I recommend you do those in that order).
- Go online, and run Windows Update. There should be (on last count) at least 70 updates around 40MB total (for Windows XP Professional SP2 at least).
- Install a Virus scanner, and then, update its Virus defination online.

Afterwards its just a matter of reinstalling all the software back onto the machine, and tweaking everything back to your liking.

Good luck!

 

Hi Angrymob,

Thanks for the information!

What is the Intel chipset INF update? Is that the wireless card?

With regards to the drivers, can I simply copy the entire drivers folder onto a thumb drive when the laptop arrives and just copy it back after reformatting? Do I need to physically run the executable files after copying it back or will it auto detect?

As for downloading the drivers from Dell, should I download everything or download the drivers while looking through my hardware profile?

Btw, if I place the files on a thumbdrive, will the USB ports detect the thumbdrive? I'm guessing the ports don't need drivers?

Lastly, after reinstallation of drivers, do I need to tweak anything with the hardware? I'm not exactly an advanced user and don't really need the latest drivers. Just something reasonable.

My fujitsu was easy to reformat cos the system recovery disk automatically booted up the driver installation software after XP installation.

Thanks again.

 

Let me go through your questions one by one...

- You cannot simply just copy the drivers folder and copy it back, as the drivers does not just reside on a specific folder, they are integrated tightly with any Windows installation, and into the registry. So, everytime you do a reinstall, you have to run all the driver setup again.

- Windows XP (original to SP2) have a basline USB driver for almost any chipsets out there so you can use the USB ports straight away. Therefore you won't have any problems using a USB flash drive to hold your drivers even when you don't have any drivers installed yet (just that it'll run slower at USB 1.1 speed and not USB 2.0 speed).

- I do not understand completely what you mean by "tweak", but, you do not need to tweak the hardware in order for them to work. All you need is to install the drivers for them.

- As for which drivers to install, assuming you have the same XPS M1210 config as I have (dedicated NVIDIA graphics with A/V communications pack), I'll give you a basic rundown of what's needed, what they are, and the link to download them (and in order which you should install them):

* Intel Chipset INF Utility - This is the driver for the motherboard chipset, which controls bascially a lot of the features/interfaces of the system (USB 2.0, PCI Express interface, SATA/IDE ports etc.).
-> The latest version is v8.1.1.1001 (21/08/2006) and can/should be downloaded directly from Intel.

* Graphics Driver (NVIDIA) - This is if you have the dedicated GeForce Go 7400 configured with your system.
-> A stable version is Dell A01 (ForceWare v84.69, 20/06/2006), download from Dell Support.
-> If you are "adventurous" and want maximum performance, obtain the latest driver from LaptopVideo2Go, however, read their FAQ and how-to closely before installing. Version ForceWare v92.91 (24/08/2006), download from LaptopVideo2Go.

* Graphics Driver (Intel) - This is if you have the integrated Intel GMA graphics configured with your system.
-> The latest version is v14.25 (10/09/2006), download directly from Intel.

* Sound Card Driver (standard SigmaTel HD audio)
-> Dell version A06 (23/06/2006), download from Dell Support.

* Sound Card Driver (Creative Audigy HD audio)
-> Dell version A02 (18/08/2006), download from Dell Support.

* Network Card Driver (Broadcom 440x 10/100Mbps)
-> Dell version A14 (30/04/2006), download from Dell Support.

* Wireless LAN Card Driver (Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG)
-> Dell version A06 (19/09/2006), download from Dell Support

* Bluetooth Driver (Dell Wireless 350)
-> Dell version A17 (23/06/2006), download from Dell Support

* Bluetooth Driver (Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth 2.0+HDR)
-> Dell version A01 (17/07/2006), download from Dell Support

* Modem Driver (Conexant D110 V.92)
-> Dell version A05 (23/06.2006), download from Dell Support

* 5-in-1 Flash/Media Card Reader
-> Dell version A00 (23/06/2006), download from Dell Support.

* Logitech Integrated Camera Driver - If you have the A/V communications package and a webcam sitting on top of the lid, then you'll need this.
-> Dell version A01 (09/06/2006), download from Dell Support.

* Dell QuickSet - This is the application which control your Dell's Media Keys, power saving schemes, along with other extra functions.
-> Dell version A38 (29/08/2006), download from Dell Support


These are the ones that you'd need. Download and install the ones applicable to your system configuration, i.e. no point/need to download the Intel Integrated Graphics driver if you have the NVIDIA card installed.

Good luck!

 

Oh wow!

THANK YOU for taking the time to link the latest drivers for me. My laptop will be arriving in five days and it does have the integrated webcam together with soundblaster software upgrade and the Go7400 card.

So I'm guessing the best way would be to download all the executable files onto a thumbdrive, copy them back after reformatting and just run them one by one?

Do I need a display driver? And what's the difference between the two bluetooth drivers you listed?

Your help is very much appreciated!

 

No problems, always glad to help others, especially another M1210 user

Yes, the best way to approach this would be to download all the applicable driver EXEs, save them onto a USB flash drive and install the drivers from there once you have reformatted the system (and follow the instructions of each driver, some might need a reboot so be prepared to reboot a few times).

You do not need a display driver (I am assuming you mean the screen/LCD), as Windows can corrently recognize the panel type and resolution automatically even before you install the graphics card driver (through the DDC protocal that almost all monitors/displays have these days).

The difference between the 2 Bluetooth driver depends on which Bluetooth module your M1210 is shipped with. Almost all M1210 shipped since the middle of September contains the Dell Wireless 355 v2.0+EDR module, however, best to double check your configuration beforehand.

 

Yes. I'm referring to the screen/LCD. Reason I mentioned this is because I saw the driver on Dell's web site.

I will definitely check my configuration and also the drivers CD that came with the system.

Thanks again.

 

I once reinstalled stock winxp sp2 and noticed a drop of 15 secs in superPI results. I ran superpi several times to confirm. Then wen i used the restore partition to put bak dell's winxp superpi gave expected results. any reasons for it?

 

One thing about the Display drivers is that you must install your video card drivers. Yes, Dell does not have seperate display drivers that controls your LCD, but if you do not install your video card driver, you will not be able to run at native resolution (depending on what screen resolution you have). Until you install this video card driver, your screen might look a bit weird since normally XP has a lower native resolution that the video card drivers on most laptops.

 

I understand that I must install the Nvidia video card driver. However, do I need to install the display driver?

Dell seems to have listed display drivers and video adapter drivers and the integrated and dedicated video cards are listed under video adapter drivers. I'm guessing the display drivers are LCDs? If so, sorry for the confusion.

 

Again, the answer is, no, you don't need to install the display/LCD drivers. And if you look closely at Dell's listings, all the "drivers" there are for their LCD monitors (there is none for the main laptop LCD display).

The only benefit one gains from installing a driver for their monitor/display is so that there is some colour setting profiles, as well as timing profiles for that specific display to tell Windows how best to handle itself. But ever since way back even in the Windows 95 days, all monitors come with what we call "DDC" (Display Data Channel) which is a VESA standard, (Link to Wikipedia entry for it here) which ALL display panel comes with from CRT, to LCD monitors, to laptop LCD displays.

 

angrymob,

I tried 9291 from laptopvideo2go and I noticed that when u close the lid, the lcd doesn't turn off.

Have u experienced this with the nvidia 9291 nvidia drivers?

 

Personally I'm using ForceWare v91.47 under Windows XP (because it is the official WHQL drivers from NVIDIA), and ForceWare v96.85 under Windows Vista RC2, and neither of them turn the LCD screen off when I close the lid.

I am not too fussed by this since when I am plugged in, I don't close my lid, and when I am on battery power, I have my brightness set to 3/7 and Windows power saving kicks in after 5 minutes and switches off the screen (so it wouldn't really effect the battery life much anyways).

I haven't noticed if the screen will turn itself off if you install official Dell drivers (which as of today is based off of ForceWare v84.69) since I pretty much loaded the new drivers when I reformat. However, I'd take the performance boost over the inability to shut off the LCD backlight (there is a noticable increase in actual game performance in CounterStrike: Source and HL2: Lost Coast, and some under other games with the newer drivers).

 

Yeah! The delivery company tried to deliver my laptop to me today but i was not at home. I can pick it up tomorrow! Only took 7 business days from the day i ordered! WOW!

I hope all the software i need is included.

 

Is the Dell Notebook system software needed?

 

The Dell Notebook System Software in my opinion, is optional. I didn't install it under Windows XP or Vista and I don't see any difference with or without it.

Supposedly it installs some base files for OTHER Dell specific software to use. But since I hate bloatware, I don't install any thing other than what's needed and the basics.

 

Okay. I've performed the reformat, installed drivers, performed updates and repaired MD.

When I press the MD button with the computer off, everything works fine.

When I press the MD button in XP, I get a prompt saying that I need to install Dell's Media Experience. Where can I locate this software?

Thank you.

 

DMX is installed using the disc labelled "Application - For Reinstalling Sonic CinePlayer Software" that you received (or was supposed to receive) with your M1210.

After installing this software, MD will work within XP only for a month, after which you will have to activate the software (phone or online). Whether you have to pay or not, I'm not sure (someone please confirm). MD will function normally when the pc is off.

I think SG forgot to mention this in the "Reinstalling MediaDirect" part of her guide.

 

ahh...i see...so is cineplayer the equivalent of cyberlink DVD? Cos my xps never had cyberlink installed.

I doubt we should have to pay, but i'll try it out and see.

I'm guessing there's no point in calling dell to request for a DMX cd?

 

Are those still the latest drivers for the M1210?