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    Re-Installing Windows Vista

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by irissr, Jan 3, 2009.

  1. irissr

    irissr Newbie

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    Hi

    I have a new Dell Studio 1535 with Windows Vista Home Premium installed, but after having some problems with the Vista getting stuck I would like to format the drive C: and install the Vista+Drivers from the Operating System DVD and Drivers DVD supplied with the laptop, and see if it's better.

    Has anyone had particular poblems with drivers after re-installing the Vista?
    And does the recovery drive D: work afterwards (meaning restoring the computer to the Default Factory Configuration) ?

    Any other suggestions are welcomed...
     
  2. fonduekid

    fonduekid JSUTAONHTERBIRCKINTEHWLAL

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    Have you tried doing a repair first, before doing a complete re-install?

    You can do it with the OS DVD that you have. Boot of the DVD and chose the repair option.

    Or else, yes, you can reformate and reinstall _Vista and the drivers.

    And If I understand well, the recovery drive D: will be untouched. By the way, have you tried to restore to factory settings?

    For the mods, I think this thread would be better, if placed in either the Windows OS forum or the _Dell Forums. Thanks.
     
  3. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    Go to the Dell support site and enter your service tag in order to get the list of the latest drivers / software for your computer. Download everything you need.

    If there is a system software download under system utilities then read the important information - there's one for my E6400 which says:

    John
     
  4. irissr

    irissr Newbie

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    I tried to restore to factory settings twice but still somtimes the Vista gets stuck and all I can do is restart.
    Normally when I re-boot I can press <F8> key which gives me a menu and possibility to choose the option 'Restore to the Factory Defaults'.
    Would it still be avalaible after reinstalling Vista from OS DVD?
     
  5. vinumsv

    vinumsv MobileFreak™

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    hmm I don't think so :rolleyes2: if all others fail try doing a in-place installation
     
  6. fonduekid

    fonduekid JSUTAONHTERBIRCKINTEHWLAL

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    Yes, as John said, those details are there in the Dell Product Support manual / webpage.

    And if you follow it, you should still have the factory partition intact.

    And you could also try an in-place repair / upgrade installation. That most of the time should fix it up.
     
  7. irissr

    irissr Newbie

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    Yeah, unfortunatly I can't do that because my Service Tag is "Not Valid" according to Dell support center :(
     
  8. fonduekid

    fonduekid JSUTAONHTERBIRCKINTEHWLAL

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    What do you mean your service tag is not valid?

    Are you entering the correct service tag?
     
  9. irissr

    irissr Newbie

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    I talked to Dell support and they see my laptop according to my service tag.
    But when I enter my service tag in Dell's website it says it's not valid.
    Dell promised several times to correct it but as far as I understood they can't do it. Probably something failed in their mechanism of storing service tags numbers and now it couldn't be matched. I wander if I may claim to replace the laptop because of this?
     
  10. dbam987

    dbam987 wicked-poster

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    The one thing on if you use the Vista DVD to install Vista is that the MBR might be overwritten and thus preventing the recovery partition from being listed as a boot option when starting up. It's repairable, but something to watch for.
     
  11. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    You don't need a service tag to download drivers from Dell. You can get them by just selecting which model you have. Same with the manuals.