What to Do with Your New M6700: Windows 7 Clean Install and Minor Tweaks

Precision M6700 Clean Install Guide

Before You Start​

This guide is primarily meant for the Dell Precision M6700, but you can use the same method for other Dell and non-Dell notebooks. You will have to hunt down the necessary drivers on your own though.

Bokeh has a very nice review of the M6700 here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...79326-dell-precision-m6700-owners-review.html

Rob has a guide for the M6600: http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-latitude-vostro-precision/687529-m6600-reimaging-thread.html. His method is a little different than mine, so you can pick the one you want. There is a list of drivers for the M6600 in Rob's guide so that will save you the trouble of looking for the drivers on your own.

If you're wondering why some of us do a clean install, it's simple, Dell loads a single OS image for every precision laptop regardless of the configuration. That means that you'll end up with the Premier Color software even if you went for the TN panel. A clean install is a good way of getting rid of the bloat.

It is a good idea to backup the stock Dell installation by creating the recovery discs, making an image or simply tucking the stock hard drive away somewhere safe. That way, if something happens, you will at least have a backup of the initial configuration by Dell.

If you want to nuke the recovery partition before you proceed to a clean install or simply want to get rid of it and keep the stock installation:

Spoiler

Preparing Your Clean Install​

Step 1: Making a Windows 7 Bootable USB Drive

If you have an installation disc for your version of Windows, you can use it, but i strongly suggest that you make a bootable USB drive, the installation is faster than with a standard optical media. You can get the iso for Windows 7 here, be sure to pick the same version that was pre-installed on your computer. The language doesn't matter, but the version does. You can get the iso for multiple languages from this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-digitalriver-windows-7-sp1-13-languages.html.

I recommend using the Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool to make the bootable USB (or DVD).

Step 2: Prepare your drivers

I strongly suggest you get the drivers as soon as possible, after ordering the laptop for example. You can also grab the latest version right when you receive your M6700. Below is a list of the basic drivers that you will need. I strongly suggest that you download them on a USB flash drive so they will be ready when it's time to install them. How you organize them is up to you. Chipset driver: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Sea...on+Utility&ProdId=816&LineId=1090&FamilyId=42 Rapid Storage Technology: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Sea...tel®+RST)&ProdId=2101&LineId=1090&FamilyId=42 Management Engine Components: Drivers and Downloads | Dell [Canada] Intel USB3.0: Drivers and Downloads | Dell [Canada] Free Fall Sensor: Drivers and Downloads | Dell [Canada] Video driver (AMD): Drivers and Downloads | Dell [Canada] Video driver (Intel, only for non IPS nVidia): Drivers and Downloads | Dell [Canada] Video driver (nVidia): Drivers and Downloads | Dell [Canada] Note that the IPS display has problems with the generic nVidia drivers. Touchpad: Drivers and Downloads | Dell [Canada] Audio: Drivers and Downloads | Dell [Canada] LAN: Drivers and Downloads | Dell [Canada] Wireless (Dell): Drivers and Downloads | Dell [Canada] Wireless (Intel 6300): http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Sea...-N+6300&ProdId=3408&LineId=1784&FamilyId=1783 Bluetooth: Drivers and Downloads | Dell [Canada] Card reader: Drivers and Downloads | Dell [Canada] Rapid Start Technology (optional): Drivers and Downloads | Dell [Canada] I ordered my M6700 without any fingerprint reader or security hardware because when i had them on previous notebooks, i never used them. Since i haven't experienced first hand which driver is which for those, i won't put direct links to the current versions as of writing this guide. However, you can get them from the driver download page. Dell has a bad habit of being cryptic with the description of their drivers so prepare yourself for some searching headaches.

Step 3: Backup your current windows license

Step 3 is entirely optional, but it will make things easier. You will need ABR Beta in order to backup your Windows activation and subsequently restore it. The process is pretty straightforward: doanload ABR, unpack it on the flash drive in a folder named ABR (or whatever else you want to call it) and double click on backup activation. Once that is done, you're ready to move to the Windows installation. Note that ABR only works with an OEM Windows Installation, it will not work with a standalone installation since an OEM installation also has a certificate that needs backing up.

Installing Windows​

Step 1: Adding new hardware

If you have new hardware to add, now is the time to do it. Add that RAM and swap the stock hard drive for a SSD if you ordered your M6700 without any storage and memory upgrades. The owner's manual has all the info you need on how to upgrade.

Step 2: BIOS Settings

There isn't much to do here. Boot the laptop, press F12 and go into the BIOS settings, make sure USB boot is enabled and set the SATA mode to AHCI if you don't plan to use RAID or RAID if you plan on using RAID.

Step 3: The actual Windows installation

Plus your bootable Windows flash drive into one of the USB2.0 ports on the left of the M6700, press F12 at boot and when you get to the boot selection menu, choose the USB flash drive. You will now be greeted with the familiar (or not so familiar) Windows installation screen.

Remember this? (Good and not so good times )

Spoiler

If you are installing from a USB drive on a SSD, you can expect the process to take about 10 minutes, if you're installing to a SSD from disc, you can expect a good 20 minutes. If you are installing on a hard drive, now is the time to brew that tea (or get whatever is your liquid poison of choice) and get a snack or simply go do something else and come back in 30 minutes to an hour depending on whether you're installing from disc or USB.

Once the initial installation is done, you will have to create a user account, give your computer a name, setup how you will receive updates and the likes. I strongly suggest that you set the updates to install important updates only. If you like to manage your updates yourself, you already know what to set it to. When windows asks you for an activation code, choose skip, you will activate it later.

Setup and Drivers​

Step1: Arghhh my eyes or fix that resolution

This one isn't mandatory, but you have a 1920x1080 lcd panel in your M6700 and by default Windows sets itself to a relatively low resolution that leaves you with little screen real estate and a fuzzy looking image. Set that resolution to 1920x1080 and move on.

After discussing things a bit with other Precision owners, you may have to set the DPI to 100%

Spoiler

Step 2: Activate Windows

Remember when i suggested you use ABR, well, now is the time when you'll be happy you followed my advice. To reactivate Windows, simply double click on activation_restore in your ABR directory.

Spoiler

Step 3: Install those drivers

The next step is to install the various drivers for your M6700. I strongly suggest you install the drivers in this order and restart whenever asked to.

• Chipset
• Rapid Storage Technology
• Management Engine Components
• USB3.0
• Free Fall Sensor
• Video
• Audio
• Touchpad
• The rest in no particular order

A note on installing Rapid Storage Technology. If you do not intend to use RAID, you can install the driver with the F6 install files instead of the .exe installer. This will avoid installing the RST management software which is completely useless for non RAID setups. You will need to install the driver through the device manager if you intend to use the F6 install files. Unzip the files in an empty folder of your choosing and then open the device manager. Right click on the SATA AHCI controller and choose Update Driver Software, then browse to the folder where the F6 files are and install. You will be asked to restart afterwards.



I suggest that you finish with the network drivers and that you refrain form going on the Internet until you need to.

Step 4: Make sure you have all necessary drivers installed

If you have everything you need installed, there will be no unknown devices in your device manager. If you have an unknown device that starts with BCM, it likely is the Bluetooth module, the PCI Simple Communications Controller is the Management Engine Components.



Step 5: Update Windows

Connect to the Internet and launch Windows Update. If you chose ask me later during the Windows installation when you were asked what to do with the updates, you will now have to choose how you receive your updates. Again, if you don't want to have to think about it, set it to automatically download and install important updates. If you're like me and you prefer to manage everything yourself, set it to check for updates, but let me choose whether to download and install them. You may also have to update the Windows Update software to get your updates (ironic isn't it).



Once you're ready to search for updates, be ready for a long wait since it's the first time you look for updates. When the updates have been found, expect a lot of updates, you will have to download and install them. I hope your Internet connection is up to it or it's going to take a while.



Once you're doing with the first batch of updates, restart (yet again) and run Windows Update once more. There might be a few more updates, but it will be minimal if there are more.

Step 6: Run WEI

You want Aero back? You'll have to run the Windows Experience Index assessment. Now that your drivers are installed and that Windows is up to date, run it and you will get that familiar aero look back.

Installing Your Programs​

Step 1: Install your AV and anti-spyware

The first thing you should install is your anti-virus (better be safe than sorry). If you don't know what to install, i suggest Microsoft Security Essentials. I strongly suggest you avoid McAfee, it is not only not that good at catching viruses, it also has a tendency for false positives and has deep root sin your system which make McAfee a pain to uninstall. Avoid at all costs! MSE doubles as an anti-spyware, but Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is something i recommend installing as an on-demand scanner.

Step 2: Install your programs

Now is the time to install MS Office, CS6, Chrome/Firefox/Opera, Skype and any other program you're planning to use.

Step 3: Tweaks

If there are tweaks you want to make to Windows, now is the time to do it before you finalize everything. If you're on a SSD with 16GB of RAM or more, i suggest you set the page file to 256MB minimum and whatever maximum you think you might use. If you're using a program that doesn't like having a small page file, set it to whatever you need. You do not need to change anything on the page file, but it is a nice way to regain some space. I suggested a minimum of 256MB because most of M6700 owners have large amounts of RAM and might not need the page file, the maximum should be set to something large enough so that in the event that you run out of RAM, you won't get an out of memory error. I set mine to 16GB because I have 16GB of RAM, it is overkill as the maximum, but that way, i can just leave it and forget it. The page file will increase in size up to the maximum as needed, but it will not go down in size after Windows increases it if you run out of RAM and the initial page file size isn't sufficient.



The next tweak i recommend is disabling non essential items from the startup menu in msconfig. Anything that has to do with drivers and hardware has to stay ticked. Programs that you want to start when Windows does also have to remain ticked. However, there is no reason Adobe Reader and iTunes should be active startup entries.



Step 6: Migrate your data

Get all your backup up data (you have a backup right?) in their respective place: documents, music, photos, etc.

Step 7: Get rid of that Windows wallpaper

Now it's the time to personalize your setup however you want. If you're fine with the standard Windows wallpaper, leave it, but if you want a new wallpaper, you can look for one here: Computer wallpapers / wallbase.cc

 

Now that i'm done with my clean install, i made a small guide, i'm open to criticism and suggestions. If anyone has the name of the drivers for the fingerprint reader, smartcard reader, etc. you can post a link and i'll add the direct link to the guide.

 

Dell control vault software is pretty useful. Allow you disable certain OSD (disabled back-lit keyboard OSD on mine) and other little stuffs. Actually I think you need that to even get OSD.

Which component is holding you back on WEI?

Edit: and seem like someone just exposed their first name on the internet !!!

 

GPU (M6000) is holding me back, I guess i will have to try out Dell Control Vault (if sounded like some security software). I'm new to Dell so what is OSD, I also noticed some differences between the M6600 and M6700 software. I'll also have to check whether i linked the drivers for 32-bit or 64-bit (just thought of that).

CPU: 7.7
RAM: 7.8
SSD: 7.9

I'm hoping to see a better firepro some time soon, i don't need CUDA, it's cheaper than nVidia and strikes a better balance between gaming and CAD for me. I'll have to see how much GPU displaying and manipulating my geometries in COMSOL take. The simple ones were taking ~20% of my mobility HD5870.

 

They have the same naming for some reason. There is a security one and one for OSD.

Edit: actually it is called Control Point....

I check their support for 6700, seem like they take it out, you can either try use the 6600 one or go with DFEP(will give you nightmare,try it and you know )

From here http://downloads-us.dell.com/utilit...ision Re-Image How-To Guide - A03 Rev 3 0.pdf

Oh OSD= on screen display, brightness/volume thing you get with asustek pack on ASUS machine.

 

Ok, so OSD is basically the same as the ATKOSD component of the ATK package.

So you're saying that Dell FEP is more bloat than it's worth? Any ways to set battery charging thresholds like you can on Thinkpads. I'd love to be able to set my battery to start charging only at 40% capacity when plugged in.

 

Nice guide! Here's a useful tip for the M4700 (could also apply to the M6700) if you're looking at more screen estate and have good eyes:

Change the Windows DPI to 100%, but by doing so, some text will be way too small. It looks like a bug with Windows, so the trick is to switch to the Windows Classic theme, then switch back to Windows 7.





Also, change to a smaller taskbard, giving you the impression you have a higher than 1080p display:

 

I'd recommend at least making recovery discs in case something gets screwed up horribly and you don't know how to backtrack and reinstall Windows.

 

Excellent suggestion, will add it tomorrow when i have the time.

Will also add the 100% DPI, 100% is the default on a clean install though.

 

If Windows is able to detect that you have a 1920x1080 display at install it will set the DPI higher by default. (If the video drivers are missing and you end up with a lower resolution display at the end of the install, you'll get 100% by default.)