Setting up new E6400 which came with XP and Vista...

I would like to put Vista on it. Do I need to setup the XP which came on the hard drive or can I just put the Vista disk in and install that ?

Thanks for any assistance, I have never come across this before.

I believe they call this a Vista downgrade, although I really like Vista and have no issues with it whatsoever. Dave

 

You can install Vista without installing XP beforehand (if this is what you are asking). The Vista disk Dell gives you is essentially the same as an OEM Vista disk that you can buy at Newegg, etc. The only difference is that you won't have to activate it when you install it on a Dell machine.

 

Thanks Commander Wolf. Yes, that is what I was asking. I am just going to insert the Vista DVD and install that upon the first boot. After putting in the 4GB of Ram my client bought as it was a refurb and only came with 1GB. Horrors!

 

you got it, good luck! - the dell utillites disk is a winner too - the control point installations can be confusing install the driver pack first then the system manager then the security if i remember correctly :S

 

Note that the Dell download site includes what they call the System Utilities. The info says:

John

 

To add on, based on what I have here, the recommended sequence is:

Dell System Utilities/Software
Intel chipset
PCMCIA/SmartCard controller
Intel Storage driver
Sound card
Video card
Integrated LAN Controller *
Dell ControlPoint Security Driver
Dell ControlPoint System Manager
Dell ControlPoint All Day Battery Life
Dell ControlPoint Ambient Light Sensor
Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager
Dell ControlPoint Security Manager
Wireless Network Controller *
Bluetooth Module
WWAN *
Touchpad
Modem *
AMT

If you're instaling the Connection Manager, then all those marked with a * can be skipped, as the Connection Manager already has the drivers for those parts. The only exception is that if your Wireless is Intel, then you'll need to install the driver separately as the DCP Connection Manager does not support Intel Wireless.

Hope this helps!

 

I'm pretty sure this is unnecessary... I've gone through two installs on my E6400 and I didn't put it on either install. AFAIK nothing seems out of the ordinary?

 

The System Utilities aka Notebook System Software are most recommended and should be installed first:

"Notebook System Software (NSS) - A vital utility that provides critical updates and patches for the operating system. If you are reinstalling Windows or updating all drivers, it is important that this software be installed first."

GK