Reformat Vista for XP on Dell Vostro 1500

ok so heres my procedure:
1. Reformat the partition with vista.
2. Install XP on that partition.
3. Install the drivers from the CDs.
At the end I will have a Vostro 1500 running on XP with all devices working properly? Thanks

 

Can someone confirm my procedure? thaanks

 

Disclaimer: the advice I'm giving here is untested by me. I'm going to be getting my hands on my Vostro on Wednesday, then I'll let you know how it goes!



The XP disk will allow you to delete any partitions currently on the disk, and create a new one (or new ones), so you shouldn't need Vista. You can also create partitions from within XP later, if you like.

You are probably not going to be able to get XP to install without the SATA divers (you can give it a try, but you will probably end up with a 'blue screen of death', and have to start again).

There are several ways around this:

Option 1: When XP is initially loading files, it will give you the option to load drivers. Try using the Dell drivers disk (you'll have to transfer the files to a usb drive, of course). I've not read about anyone doing this, however, but I'd guess that there is a chance it will work.

Option 2: Make a bootable 'floppy' (i.e. on a flash drive) with the SATA drivers on it. Install them before you install XP.

Option 3: Slipstream an XP disk. This is what I have done, using the excellent (and free) nLite program: http://www.nliteos.com/nlite.html

You can use it to integrate which-ever drivers you want, plus service packs, updates, etc, and customize XP too! (you'll need to be able to burn a CD of the resulting, slipstreamed OS) I'd just stick with integrating the SATA divers though. You can download them at this link. You will need a program like 7zip to extract the files, and then you point nLite to the folder. When it lists the drivers at the location, you want to select BOTH the Intel(R) 82801HEM SATA RAID Controller (Mobile ICH8M-E) and the Intel(R) 82801HEM/HBM SATA AHCI Controller (Mobile ICH8M-E/M). Then, burn your ISO onto a disk and you've got your custom version of XP.


NOTE: As mentioned previously, your MediaDirect button will now be a self-destruct button. Don't ever press it!

EDIT: I should also add that after you have installed XP, you then should install the drivers. Make sure the first one is the Intel Mobile Chipset divers. Next should be the graphics, then the others, baring in mind the issues with the modem driver, as another user has pointed out.

Finally, you should have a look at the Royale Noir XP theme that is floating around the web. It's an official Microsoft theme, that was never released. It makes XP look a bit like Vista. Very cool!

Oh, and GOOD LUCK!

 

The reduce my headache, I bought a second 120GB hard drive (for $55AR) to install the XP Pro with Media Direct. If there anything goes wrong, I can still put back the original drive to use the laptop. I did that 3 months ago and now I found I am using XP Pro over 90% of time. In some rare cases, I may swap back the other HD to run Vista. When I find I don't need to use Vista anymore, I'll get an enclosure for ~$10 to make it an external HD.

 

It's a good idea, but beware of host powered enclosures! I got one from Nexons, which was very cheap, but caused several power surges on the USB port. I suspect it was that that caused my computer to die. I'd highly recommend getting an enclosure with it's own power supply. It's less convenient, but unless you need the portability that a host-powered drive delivers, I think it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

Can someone please tell me a step-by-step procedure to remove vista and install XP? I have a brand new Vostro 1500 sealed in box never turned on. Does the Driver CD include all of the drivers for ALL of the devices on the notebook? I have both Vista and XP SP2 CDs. Thank you for your time.

 

Have you ever installed Windows before?

 

Yes, I built many desktops and I've installed and reformatted XP many times. I know how to install Windows on desktops but I am a newbie when it comes to laptops(especially having to remove vista)

 

It's basically the same. All you are going to do to remove Vista is to reformat the partition on which it's located. You will then install Windows XP on that partition.

How do you plan to deal with the SATA driver issue?

 

I don't even know whats the issue. What do I need to do in order to get everything working?