XP Quest for Vostro 1400

I formatted my entire drive (wiping all partitions including media direct) before installing XP.

No LCD problems upon opening lid here.

 

Thanks, and lol, we really are in the same boat, because I'm having problems with the standby feature too.

 

To everyone having the issue about the Sigmatel Audio, there is some strange bug in XP that needs to be resolved. I believe this fix is slated for SP3, but until then go here:

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=47079

and get the .rar file for the KB888111 hotfix. Using this, and then applying the Sigmatel Drivers for the Dell D630 model you should be good to go.

 

Any body have problems installing Media Direct?
After i successfully installed XP with drivers,
I loaded Media Direct disk. It was installed and I turned off my computer.
Then I press the media direct button and it went about its initial installation.
Then an error page came out and said it failed to install becaue it could not recognize the hdd. error bit detecting enabled on the hdd. ????

 

Sofaking,

You should boot your notebook from the MediaDirect DVD before installing the operating system. The menu will guide you in creating the media direct partitions. Then, reboot and boot from your XP CD and install XP to the C: partition that was created by Media Direct. Finally, after XP is installed, let XP boot and from within Windows XP insert the Media Direct DVD again and follow the prompts to finish the installation. I know, it is a pain, but I do have Media Direct, Windows XP, and Ubuntu Linux all functioning finally on the Vostro 1400.

 

I'm having the same problems too. It's driving me mad too. I'm about to go to Iraq so I need a nice light-weight laptop...and this is driving me crazy. I like the laptop but the issues with XP are ridiculous. I'm going to try reloading XP again and so...

 

Thanks Griff,
Maybe the reason why I was getting an error before because I installed
XP SP1 and not XP2. Maybe MD software could not recognize XP SP1 drivers. I let windows upgrade itself to SP2 and I did what you expained, but Ill wait for about a week before I press that button. It really is a pain to install.

 

I've updated the first post in regards to some driver changes, including the stand-by issue due to poor beta drivers. (pending for new drivers upload to zshare).

Installing XP on the 1400/1500 is a pain, and even for a techie like me who installs XP on a daily basis has troubles with it. I've done the XP on the 1400 on the 2nd try.

For sound drivers, if some people can do it after following my guidance. That means the steps are right, I did it twice to make sure I got it right for sure. Good luck!!

I did not install Media Direct 3.3, I did a "quick Zero" of the HD before installing XP to ensure everything on the HD is removed.

I prefer to use "non-Dell" drivers as much as possible, manufacturer drivers are more updated. Only use Dell's drivers for Dell specific hardware.

Since Dell does not officially support XP on this model (support "script" will probably based on Vista), installing XP is totally on your own. The system is shipped with Vista, and if you call support, they will probably won't help you until you have Vista on there, unless you can get an error code on the pre-boot diagnostic.

 

I'm having the same problem. What a pain in the arse! Anyone come up with a solution?

 

Bad video drivers (sorry I messed up!!)

Download the updated video drivers through the link in the first post of this thread.

Uninstall the current Nvidia Drivers from Add/Remove Programs. Then boot into Safe Mode, run this program to remove the remaining nVidia's Video drivers: http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=1672

Install the new downloaded drivers and enjoy!!