64-bit Vista on M1530 - what may not work?

It's here, it's lovely, it's my new 1530

Obviously, I want to put 64-bit Vista on this 4GB machine.

I see the threads on what I need to do, what drivers I have to download, etc. What I want to ask is, what should I expect to NOT work? I'm asking specifically for the 1530 in terms of drivers, dell utilities, specific laptop hardware, and/or bundled software such as Lojack. I'm comfortable with the idea that some things may not work as expected; I just want to know what those things are for now.

Any ideas?

 

I just finished an x64 install. Everything works. I used the drivers from this thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=255232

As far as Lojack...I'd already installed it under Vista 32, so I'll have to wait another day or so to see if my notebook picks it back up and continues to phone home under 64-bit.

But yeah, all of my devices seem to be working perfectly. I've not yet reinstalled all of my apps, so there may still be some surprises waiting. Hopefully no deal breakers.

 

Wow, that's good to hear. So I'd best activate Lojack first?

I do have a retail copy of Vista Ultimate which includes the 64-bit CD so I guess I am good to go as far as media is concerned. Do you know if there is any difference between using it vs. trying to get ahold of one that includes SP1? I don't mind downloading SP1 again if I must; the CD I have dates to Vista's launch and does not include SP1 on it.

 

Lojack may install fine in 64-bit. The "install" is really just a registration process, since Lojack resides in the M1530's BIOS. If I recall, all the CD did was connect me to the web site where I entered my key. That said, I did do it under 32-bit Vista, so I can't say for certain.

FWIW, I installed using non-SP1 x64 media, and installed SP1 afterwards. (I downloaded the full SP1 package as opposed to going through Windows Update.) I had no problems doing it that way, though if you could get your hands on an x64/SP1 install DVD, so much the better.

 

So far almost everything seems to be fine.

Lojack has not come back for me, yet, but I will give it some time.

The only thing I haven't been able to get working is the web cam. The driver installed just fine and the device is enabled, but it's not recognized by any app I have tried.

 

My webcam seems to be working OK. Admittedly, I don't really use the webcam, nor do I install 3rd party apps that utilize it. But I just installed the Dell suite from the CD and the webcam itself seems to work fine. Are you using the Dell app or something else?

Not positive yet about Lojack. My notebook called in yesterday according the the Lojack web site, but I had my other hard drive (32-bit) installed briefly yesterday, so it might have called in then. I'll have to wait and see in it calls in again today with only 64-bit running. I guessing it will, and will report back when that happens.

 

Webcam itself works fine for me as well, but Webcam Center recently decided to stop working (ctthemes.dll fails to load). Not a big deal, since I don't use it and Skype picks up the webcam just fine. I've been using Vista x64 for about three weeks now and so far there weren't any problems.

 

Update and FYI - Lojack phoned home today, so it definitely comes back fine in 64-bit. Not that there was any reason it shouldn't.

 

Everything works. Even the webcam software i got from the dell website Only problem i've had was some BSOD's caused by immature drivers, but thats it.

 

Thinking of doing a fresh install of Vista 64Bit on my M1530, do you know if its possible to revert back to the original state afterwards by using the Dell OS cd?

 

Yeah it is possible to revert back to the original state, but again, you would have to wipe your hard drive clean to install vista 32 bit again

 

I just finished the 64 bit upgrade on my m1530 and have no issues whatsoever. It works great.

 

Lojack phoned home for me as well!

I also got the web cam working. So far no issues and, other than the crappy trackpad, I'm very pleased with this laptop.

 

Me too, upgraded to Vista64 4 gb ram without a problem. Runs like dream.

 

Just curious...why bother upgrading to 64-bit? I understand that 32-bit will only allow you to see...what, 3½ GB of RAM? But is it worth it to go through all that, reinstall, tracking down drivers, etc., for half a gig of RAM? Or are there other benefits to going 64-bit?

 

Well,
1) It's always better to reformat your harddrive after just getting a new computer (cleans out all of the crap). And if you're going to do it anyway, why not just install 64-bit?
2) 64-bit is actually faster. It does provide performance improvements.

Sources:
http://64-bit-computers.com/windows-vista-32-bit-vs-64-bit-benchmark.html
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2280812,00.asp
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2280813,00.asp

 

I use this to run some database software that simply performs better in 64-bit. So it was a strong, specific desire for me.

I also feel that Vista x64 is more stable. I have had fewer issues with it than 32-bit.

 

Or, rather than saying "why install 64-bit?", one might ask, "why NOT install 64-bit?"

That's assuming one is in the mood to rebuild anyway. If someone had a nice fresh install of 32-bit and was satisfied, then I'm not sure I'd push them to blow it away in favor of 64-bit. For most people, the benefits are relatively slim. But if someone was going to be rebuilding anyway, I'd say 64-bit would a great choice. I was initially worried that I'd have driver issues or application incompatibilities, but I've experienced none of that. My 64-bit install has been smooth sailing.

Having had both versions on this notebook, I can't see why I'd ever return to 32-bit.

 

Here is my two cents (and I can't wait for the backlash over this). I have been running my system as such and swear by it...

1. Get and install 4Gb ram;
2. Get 64Bit Vista by whatever means as long as you legally have the corresponding key (Bus-Bus/Ult-Ult);
3. Back up your system as it is now...just in case;
4. Look for and download all necessary 64bit drivers from Dell or www.x-drivers.com;
5. Ensure you understand how to install the AHCI driver during setup;
6. Reformat your system according to my guide below (removing bloatware);
7. Install 64 Bit OS and ensure AHCI is installed properly;
8. Tweak system with Tweaking Thread below; and
9. TURN OFF AND DELETE PAGEFILE if you are a normal user and don't game to excess or use 20 plus programs simultaneously.

Number 9 has been the subject of alot of controversy but I swear by it. Shutting down pagefile is the only way to force your system to use the RAM you paid for. If you simply reduce it, there is no performance increase as system operations are still shuttled through the pagefile. I know there will be argument of this but my simple response would be whats faster....an operation routed straight through RAM or from the pagefile (which is a cache on your hd) to RAM?

This is my system above. I swear it is the fastest system I have ever had and it is, by far, the most stable. I do alot of reports and have never lost data and trust that I never will implicitly. My average report sometimes runs over 100plus pages.

As a caveat, I am just relating my own personal best practices that I have on my M1330, sons Compaq, sons Toshiba 13" and wifes Toshiba 15". If they can't destroy my systems with all of their downloaded spam, nobody can.

 

Huh...well I just did reinstall the 32-bit version...pretty convincing stuff, you've almost talked me into redoing it again. If it came with the 32-bit version, though, I don't have a valid license for the 64-bit, I guess? I have 64-bit at work, and it hasn't given me any trouble either, but I didn't know you could install 64-bit on a 32-bit computer or I would've considered it.

 

^ The same license key works for both - you can only run one at a time though

 

So not to derail this thread further, but how is it that you can run 64-bit Vista on a 32-bit PC? Why didn't it give me the option for 64-bit Vista when I ordered it?

 

Your PC components are all 64-bit capable. Dell (as in the support team, not the computers) just doesn't fully support 64-bit yet so they don't sell it.

 

So what you're telling me is that what I already have a 64-bit machine, which would work fine with 64-bit Vista, and I was given a 32-bit OS to run on it simply because Dell's not ready to support 64-bit Vista yet?

If that's true...well I may just be reloading everything after all.

 

^ Correct.
Just find all the drivers firs, specially the AHCI

 

Hope this hasn't been covered but what exactly does 32 and 64 bit refer to? I guess I'm clueless here ha