Preparing my M1330 for Windows 7 64-bit (questions)

Hi all,
I have an XPS M1330 with an Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 @ 2.1GHz, and 2 gigs of RAM. I'm currently using Vista Home Premium 32-bit, but I am strongly considering switching to 64-bit when I upgrade to Windows 7.

First of all, can you tell me if my processor capable of running 64-bit Windows, or is it specifically geared towards 32-bit? Since RAM is so cheap at the moment, I'm willing to upgrade to 4 gigs in order to run x64, but I don't think I'll go through with it if it means I have to get a new processor.

Secondly, would you say that it was worth the trouble to make the jump to 64-bit, given my hardware configuration? Will there be a palpable difference in performance? I mostly use my laptop for work and gaming, both hardcore and casual, and if I'll be able to get a significant performance boost by going up to 4 gigs of RAM and a 64-bit OS, I will go for it.

Thirdly, assuming I go through with this, what specific kind of RAM would be best to install? I used to be into computer hardware but lost track of it around the time DDR2 was announced, and now I have no idea what speed or type will be best for my motherboard and/or processor.

Thanks so much, and I hope I haven't asked too many questions for my first post!!

 

Good day as your rig stands now its all good for Win7 32 or 64bit.
Do you need 64bit OS?
If you can get ram cheap stick 8GB (4GB is all good and dirt cheap) in your rig if going on 64bit OS other wise buy 1 stick of 2GB ram to add in your ring to make 3GB, by removing one of your 1GB ram.
Lovely OS Win7

ps:sorry ram speed etc. DDR2 667MHz/PC2-5300 Laptop Memory SODIMM Non-ECC
I have 4GB Crucial ram in mine..

 

Thanks so much, BlackRussian, for your quick and helpful response! I'd still love some more opinions, so if other users have got them, please do post them.

A follow-up question: Blackrussian, you mentioned that I could buy two sticks of 4GB RAM. However, Crucial's website indicated that the maximum amount of RAM per slot on the M1330 is 2GB. Can anyone confirm/refute this?

Also, it appears that I have a choice between PC2-6400 and PC2-5300 RAM. Sorry if this is going too far off-topic, but which would I be better off buying? The prices are exactly the same from Crucial.

EDIT: A bit of Googling reveals that, for my M1330, there is virtually no difference between 6400 and 5300 since the system will automatically limit 6400 to 5300 speeds. Is this about right? Is there any advantage (for me) between one and the other, then?

 

With the A12 bios and later, the 1330 supports 8 GB of RAM..
Both PC6400 and PC5300 would work.. however PC 6400 migh give better performance, if it works on lower latencies than the PC5300,at 667 MHz... It wouldn't be very evident, though

 

Thanks for the info! Quick question: I checked and I'm still on A08 - which BIOS would you recommend upgrading to? I noticed that some people were having problems with A14 in another thread on this board. Generally speaking, might I be safer sticking with A12?

 

Go with BIOS A15 my friend http://ftp.dell.com/bios/M1330A15.EXE
Just to add I was using BIOS A14 since Dec 2008 and only updated to A15 weekend gone and for me at the time A14 was fine..

 

You guys are incredible! Thank you so much for your help, this forum is really fantastic. FYI, I'm going to stick with just 4 gigs, and will definitely jump to 64-bit Windows 7 when my copy arrives in the mail. I'm looking forward to it!

 

Nice move there with the 4GB Still hope we see you around the forum very soon.

 

A12 is good enough with 3gb ram.. running win7 64-bit without an issue. Just get which ever ram is cheaper at your place..

 

I have the same config (A12, 3GB RAM) and planning to do the same upgrade (i.e., installing Win7 64-bit on my m1330). I moved from XP to 7 few days ago on the desktop (XPS 410) and am very impressed with it (running 32-bit, RC1, build 7100).

Is there a main "Windows 7 and m1330" thread somewhere outlining drivers, etc etc? I searched for it, but couldn't find it.

Thanks!

 

Win7 has a very generous requirement as long as your CPU supports 64bits which is mostly the latest ones.

 

Which version of the finger print reader software you guys are using? I have the stand alone version of the finger print reader connected to my desktop. I downloaded ProtectorSuite2009 Preview for 2007, but it doesn't work with Firefox 3.5 yet and it has some quirks with Firefox 3.1.

Did you guys need to install any new drivers for anything? Even if everything is properly recognized by Windows 7 after the install, I am guessing there are few applications that one may need to install additionally (e.g., touchpad software) to increase the functionality of the hardware. I guess Vista x64 drivers from DELL should work, right?

Thanks!

 

Is this what you're looking for?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=158277

I came across it randomly today and remembered your post in this thread. Hope it helps!

 

Consider me on board, can someone please create a step by step guide of How to install Windows 7 64 bit home premium on a XPS1330 having Vista Home premium 32 bit. It will help a lot of people.
Thanks

 

I've installed Win7 x64 on my m1330. I let Win7 install all the drivers but according to device manager but I am missing a few...

Base System Device (PCI bus 3, device 1, function 4)
Base System Device (PCI bus 3, device 1, function 3)
Base System Device (PCI bus 3, device 1, function 2)
Biometric Coprocessor

I think the first 3 are related to the SD Host Adaptor. The last will be the fingerprint reader. Where can I get Win7 x64 drivers ?

Updates:
Win7 x64 Biometric driver: W7PS2009Build5846-64bit.zip from http://www.upek.com/support/downloads/windows7/learnmorew7.asp
Win7 x64 Ricoh R5C833 driver: R168331.exe from Dell Support m1330 Vista x64

 

there are specific W7 drivers for the card reader http://ftp.us.dell.com/chipset/Ricoh_R5C833_A00_R240788.exe

Also if you have the hardware I would also suggest getting the latest Wireless drivers from the Intel website and the latest Bluetooth drivers (as W7 by default doesn't incude some of the advanced bluetooth profiles)

 

Download and use Ricoh drivers from SXPS 1645 default BT drives via Windows is fine.. or google for Bluetooth_Broadcom_V7a_6.2.1.500 drivers

 

Default BT drivers in Windows don't include any support for Bluetooth audio

Thanks for the other links though

 

I upgraded to Windows 7 x64 yesterday (took me two days overall) and it is quite nice. My complaint on my XPS M1330 (2 Ghz) was performance (startup, shutdown and general use) and Windows 7 has fixed those problems for me. The laptop is far more useful for me now.

The XPS M1330 was my backup laptop (I have a 17 inch MacBook Pro) but I may use it a bit more around home when I want something small.

 

I upgraded my M1330 over the weekend to Windows 7 64bit (Release build).

I have notice some things, that are rather annoying:
- scrollbars don't work. (I know there is no solution for that atm)
- Turbo Memory not working (is there a solution?)
- Card reader not working (not of much concern, my cameras all use CF cards)
- fingerprint reader not working properly (have to use password to login)

Has anyone else as well noted, that the M1330 is running considerably hotter than under WinXP? And battery life appears to be shortened quite a bit. Indicating to me that SpeedStep isn't working properly.

Is it just me doing something wrong?

 

I used the SD (I assume that you mean that ) card on Sunday with no problems. I don't use Turbo Memory as I didn't find a benefit from it when I tried it out. I've had no problems with scrollbars (I assume you mean those two lines on the trackpad). I don't really use them that much but they did work for me when I tried them out.

I did have a problem with printer drivers. I tried to install a printer driver from HP over the weekend for a new printer and it wouldn't install. I went to the Microsoft website which pointed me to the HP website which indicated that Windows 7 wasn't included in the list of operating systems supported. The date of their driver was a few months earlier than when I bought my printer so I suspect that the thing on HP's website won't install. It may be that they have a new driver but there is a program that you have to install with the printer to manage the printer.

I also read an article this morning which said that Windows 7 has device driver issues (not being available yet), and this includes printer drivers. The article said that the target date for general availability of drivers is late January 2010.

I really needed to print something last night and it was a bit of a disappointment not being able to print on the new printer. Fortunately I just connected my MacBook Pro to the printer and it worked flawlessly.

 

All the more reason to dual with vista this way you'll know what works..
Back to the OP you need to install drivers for card reader, finger print scanner works without issues here.Not using Turbo memory so no comment on that but everything else works...

 

> All the more reason to dual with vista this way you'll know what works..

The XPS M1330 is just a backup computer for the family. We generally don't use it that much. HP will eventually fix the driver problem but we have our MacBook Pros as our main computers and they work fine.