Precision M6600 guide for new owners - Re-install OS, remove/replace HDD, etc. [will be updated]

Hi guys,

Previously I'm a M17x owner and recently switched to M6600. I know we have a M6600 thread and there are tons of info there, but I've found it quite difficult to me getting the info I need as a new M6600 owner, such as - what drivers to install, in what order, how to replace HDDs, etc. So I open this thread to make a summary of all those basic info - which I believe would be much more easier to read rather than digging 263 pages of the main thread.

Remember this is just a summary of basic info, guides - so new owners dont have to go to M6600 main thread and ask for drivers, installing, etc. like I did yesterday. This kind of thread is not new at all, I just cant find one specifically for M6600. This would also be a note for myself

Any issue/new questions should still be discussed in the M6600 Owners' Thread

I'll start with a guide for re-installing the OS on M6600.

Here's the order of the drivers I made for myself. Its more than 1GB so I cant upload, you probably have to download them on Dell website and rename them in correct order.

Note: If you have AMD M8900, please use M8900 driver instead of nVidia. If anyone can provide a link, I'll update to this post. Thank you.

For users with IPS screen, please add this to ur list:
(note that BIOS A06 and nVidia driver 276.05 or newer are required): Dell Premier Color

If anyone finds any mistake or newer drivers, please let me know so I can update the list. Thank you !

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If anyone got trouble with the nVidia driver, try disabling it in BIOS first then re-install. Thanks to zergslayer69.

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Other info I can think of right now:

M6600 User Manual can be found here:

Dell™ Precision™ M6600 Owner's Manual

2. HOW TO REMOVE/REPLACE HDDs ON YOUR M6600

Removing The Primary Hard Drive on M6600

Removing The Secondary Hard Drive on M6600


If some one could tell me how to install mSata hard drive that would be great. I'll update to this as well.

I think that's it for now.

 

So glad you said to reinstall the OS. My M6600 did a BSOD when shutting down with stock installation. No more after a clean install using only what I put in.

However I should also make a note that with optimus installed I had issues. For example even with the optimus/quadro settings in place for my programs, some would just crash upon start up. Or when I installed the windows update (you know, that first time you shut down and you have like 100 updates) the computer had a BSOD and stuff went wacky after that. My fix: reinstall OS without optimus altogether. I've had zero problems since, all my programs run fine, and no BSODs.

I know optimus works like a charm for some, but if you're having any issues, definitely reinstall with optimus disabled in bios. Other than that, +rep, add more stuff! You may as well add a link to the service manual for those brave enough to play with screws.
Dell™ Precision™ M6600 Owner's Manual

 

Thanks zerg, I didnt have any BSOD at all with stock HDD. I didnt have disable optimus in bios because I installed a clean windows on my SSD. But if someone has BSOD and only needs to reinstall the driver for nvidia GPU, probably should do what you suggested.

 

Quick question, can you buy an aftermarket internal Blu-Ray player for the M6600? Does anyone know the Dell part number because there a few Blu-Ray players for Dell laptops on Ebay.

 

Hmm AFAIK that one is pretty cheap, about $120 on ebay. Let me check real quick and give u the link.

EDIT: I only found this for M6500, not sure if it works on M6600 Precision Blu-ray HERE

 

Thanks, I'll look into it.

 

16_DDPA_middleware_A03_R308511

should come before

15_DDPA_application_A02_R308585

or R308585 will refuse to install.

 

This is confirmed. I fixed the 1st post. Thanks !

 

Not a problem. Thanks for the guide!

 

if I enter my service tag in Dell's driver's download web, it only displays 8 of the 48 files and it doesn't even include Dell System Software... Maybe it recognizes what is installed in the computer originally?
Anyway, I'm doing a clean install, but Windows 7 already manages USB 3.0 [update:I've seen some information that contradits this. Not sure then], so are you sure we need the NEC_USB 3.0...?