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    clean install windows 7? or windows xp?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by mujjuman, Apr 14, 2010.

  1. mujjuman

    mujjuman Notebook Deity

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    Hello! Has anyone clean installed Windows 7 on their new Inspiron laptops? I just bought a E1545 and it came with Windows 7. I'd like to clean install and I was wondering if it was as easy as popping in the Windows 7 DVD and waiting for it to install and then just dling the drivers online and installing.

    And how about Windows XP? I know most people have gotten used to and accepted Windows 7... but has anyone installed WIndows XP on their laptop that came with Windows 7 originally? I mean a native install, not virtual...

    If no one has done this yet, I am willing to create a guide if it is requested and if I succeed in doing so...
     
    mujjuman, Apr 14, 2010
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  2. kapilk007

    kapilk007 Notebook Consultant

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    yep the windows 7 install is that easy.
    just boot from the cd and install it or u can just insert the cd and choose "install" option.after that u can use dell driver cd's or u can get drivers from windows update or from dell or manufacturer's site.
    you won't find many downgrading to xp but installing xp also shoudn't be a problem.if u encounter any problem let me know and i will find a soln.
     
    kapilk007, Apr 14, 2010
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  3. mujjuman

    mujjuman Notebook Deity

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    sweet. thx
     
    mujjuman, Apr 14, 2010
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  4. adam777

    adam777 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Should you decide to go with XP for some reason, the installation will probably be a bit trickier.
    As XP doesn't support SATA HD's without an external driver, you'll need to embed the driver in the installation CD or load it on a DOK.
    That being said, no reason to install XP at all, stick to 7.
     
    adam777, Apr 14, 2010
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  5. kapilk007

    kapilk007 Notebook Consultant

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    are u sure that xp doesn't supports sata hd's coz my desktop,when i bought it, had a sata and xp installation was no brainer. :p
    however i think that xp could simply be installed by changing the default operation mode of AHCI(in studio 1557) or simply by loading the driver at the time of installation.
    If u want a dual boot system then only go in for the driver installation otherwise just change the default mode from ahci to the other option available.
    The system under consideration was e1545 and not 155x thats why i didn't spoke about this so called trick.
     
    kapilk007, Apr 14, 2010
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  6. alucasa

    alucasa Notebook Evangelist

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    I believe Windows XP SP2+ disc support Sata HDD.
    Though there aren't really many reasons to use windows XP over windows 7.
     
    alucasa, Apr 14, 2010
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  7. kapilk007

    kapilk007 Notebook Consultant

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    I believe all xp service packs support sata hdd's.
    For all those who have a confusion :
    Xp doesn't supports the ahci operation mode(without external driver) of a hdd which windows 7 does suports.
    changing the operation mode to ATA from AHCI should resolve all your problems.
    So its not the hard drive type rather its the operation mode.Hope everyone understood what i just said. :)
    thanks

    --/\/iti/\/
     
    kapilk007, Apr 14, 2010
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  8. mujjuman

    mujjuman Notebook Deity

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    Hey guys! Thanks for the tips etc.
    Yeah I'm familiar with slipstreaming the Sata driver to install XP. I made a thread over at the hp forums. Few years back :) it's stickied so u can find it easier.

    I just findthat XP is easier to use than vista, and I think 7 is very similar to vistain terms of how everything is arranged, organized, etc.

    I actually just returned the inspiron and bought a vostro online. It's coming with xp x64 edition as well as win7 prof
     
    mujjuman, Apr 14, 2010
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