Dell Vista Laptop Reformat and Bloatware Removal Guide

The OEM Disks are pretty holographic, or they are a blue color for business, they say genuine all over em in holographic as well. I wasn't aware of this issue of not being able to use an OEM disk, can anyone provide further insight as well? On another note my New M1330 arrived today, 2.2GHz + 4GB = pretty dang fast, I think they only thing holding me back is my hard drive @ 5400RPM...we'll see though how it performs after I get 64-Bit on this one

 

Flamenko- Did you every get this resolved or hear back from dell? That was a long time ago.

 

I'll explain exactly what I did under my installation.

MD CD in, gave me 2 partitions, I have Vista on one and MD on the other, installed vista on the non-MD partition. Please keep in mind I'm using an OEM 64-bit business disk that is genuine. After it asks me to eject my MD Disk I proceed with vista, I didn't do any of the load drivers off usb stick non-sense. I just installed vista with it in SATA mode. Now vista is installed, I downloaded the 64-bit m1330 driver package from the 64-bit vista on m1330 thread. Everything works flawless and I have no dell software. Windows is controlling my wifi etc...I love it. All my media controls work and no problems. Now for AHCI fix, this is what I did, went into the bios switched it back to AHCI, then saved and did a hard shutoff with the power button, let it sit for a sec and then pushed the power button again, it didn't blue screen. I got into windows, immediately installed the matrix storage driver and I didn't get the this update doesn't apply to this system error, since it was in AHCI mode. Restarted and it's worked like a champ since.

On a random side note, I ordered an inspiron 1525 the new one with just about the exact same specs as my M1330, but with a 1.6 C2D, 2GB ram, and it doesnt have a 8400m...do you think most of the drivers from my m1330 will be the ones for the 1525? My original plan was a clean install of 32-bit, since that's what dell supports on their site, but 64-bit might be nice too. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

Your example is a great depiction of how I have tried to explain that one method will work for some but not others. The whole process of getting AHCI properly set seems different from setup to setup with no common variables. What works for you wont for me and so on...

Where you have gotten lucky, however, is being able to install a non-Dell supplied OS with MD3. There have been several who have not been successful at all, especially when trying to install the MS Vista Upgrade disks. Many resulted in a final installation without MD3.

Congrats.

 

Could I make a backup image via acronis to a external harddrive and be able to use it to restore at a later date? Or is it required to use dvd media?

 

Wally19,
yes you can make a backup of yur complete HDD(including all partitions) via Acronis True Image, and create\store this backup on an external USB drive.

Later if needed you will need the Acronis Boot CD to be able to restore from it the backup on the external USB HDD, and restore your machine to that date of the backup you made with Acronis True Image.

 

Did any of you guys get a BSOD - Power State Driver Failure. I am not sure how I got this. I left my computer on overnight, and it went into standby around 4 AM. It BSODed then. Going to the Microsoft Support for this and trying to apply the update, I am getting the error: This update does not apply to you.

Not sure what to do now. I installed the Intel Matrix Storage Driver but that didn't help.

This is really start to annoy me. A new laptop shouldn't give errors like this. Just because I clean install doesn't mean I have all these errors to fix.

 

Guys, if you get a BSOD while trying to boot windows for the first time after a fresh install:

• Power off, unplug AC adapter and remove the battery for 10 seconds.
• Plug battery and AC adapter back in, then power on.

Bob's your uncle.

 

My laptop was running on AC adapter only. Power State Driver Failure is an error you get when you resume/put the computer to sleep or hibernate. Kinda wierd.

 

Followed the steps and all went well. Thank you for the clear instructions. After the install I have these questions:

1) How do I get the black 'XPS' desktop background back, I really liked that one at default and unfortunately it did not re-appear during the install.

2) When opening windows, there seems a little lag during the Aero graphics as they expand open. I installed the Dell recommended drivers for the 8400 M GS. Does anyone else experience this?

 

Please ignore question 1, I found it on the Dell website. 2 is bothering me though, I am considering the NVidia drivers instead but they said they do not support my GPU.

 

You know I tried to get rid of the recovery partitian and it's gone
but the 10mg doesn't appear available to use.
Any advice? Thanks

 

I would try laptop video2go...these are the 64-bit drivers:

http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/drivers/vista64

32-bit drivers:

http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/drivers/vista

I have the latest version of these drivers installed with 64-bit...so I'm using the 64-bit versions. I believe the number is 169.12...Haven't had a problem with anything yet. For the install, simply download, then unzip with the default 7zip, youll want to save it to your desktop - the download file, then right click on the desktop, make a new folder and call it 16912 for example...then extract the downloaded file into that folder. Now go back to laptopvideo2go and download the "modded INF" If you click 169.12 in the laptop video2go window it will bring you to a page related to that driver, at the top there is the "modded INF" Once that is downloaded, simply drag it into that 16912 folder and "copy and replace" the current one. Now the 8400M is in the supported cards list. Now run "setup" or setup.exe out of the 16912 folder and it will recognize your hardware! Works for me, I also installed NTune with it to check my driver set/temps...the link is here:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/ntune_5.05.54.00.html

Don't forget to rep!

 

So just a few questions.

I got my m1330 a few weeks ago. I have XP on my desktop, therefore this is my first system with Vista. I got 2.2 ghz Core 2 Duo and 4 GB of RAM. This laptop is like a rocket.

Although sometimes when I perform an action it still takes a little while and has that stupid circle animation thing.

Would a "clean install" fix this? What exactly do you consider a clean install? IE: if I were to do this, would I run into any problems besides drivers needed in order for laptop to function well?

Also, I plan to delete the RECOVERY and 78MB Utility partition, and then have:

Vista Partition
Ubuntu Partition
BackTrack V3 Beta Partition
Media Direct

Will this work? What about swap file for Ubuntu? Pretty sure the partition limit is 4 and I might have to sacrifice an OS, lol.

 

If you follow this thread, you will be reinstalling MediaDirect and the Windows OS which came with your system. You would need to reinstall the drivers and it will also update itself.

Subsequently, follow the tweaking thread at your comfort level. Some of the tweaks are outgoing (ie shutting off system restore) so make sure before you follow each.

There is a thread somewhere regarding dual booting Ubuntu. In fact, I had my system set up to run Ubuntu off the MD button and then the power for Vista. The problem i had with Ubuntu was getting the Dell 1505 wifi driver working; it would not.

Getting back, good advice before you do anything is to do a system backup of everything. If you have Vista Ultimate the CompletePCBackup will work but if not, download Acronis Dosk backup program 15 Day trial. It will allow you to make a bootable backup of your complete system, the backup of which is not time restricted.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm very computer savvy and actually work in the IT field but was unsure if the Dell's had specific partitions that could not be removed. (well they could, but then not function properly)

So the 78MB Utility partition is ok to wipe/get rid of? What is the goal of it in the first place, to assist the recovery partition?

I just installed Vista Battery Saver, LOL.

 

That partition is used specifically for system recovery, however if you are deleting the partition. If you need to repair your system later, simply insert the os disk and boot to the recovery menu. It serves the exact same purpose.

 

I used your dell clean install and it's working perfectly.
I have way more space and the ssd card is fast!!!
No wine no graininess.... love it and am keeping it thanks to you.
Jane

 

Im glad all worked out!!!!

 

You are really smart!!! love it!! thanks.. Amazing the difference..
Now I'm doing some tweaks...
j

 

Sssshhhhh. Don't ruin the reputation that has taken so hard to build. They'lle be wanting to make me a m.../ no scratch that.

lol. Im just glad all worked out.

 

Hey, just want to give you big thanks flamenko. I just got my m1530 today, and have been reading through this thread for the last couple of days, and i got your say your guide worked flawlessly! Big Thanks again!

 

Glad it helped!!!

 

flamenko - thanks for all of the effort documenting this procedure. I'll likely do this after I take delivery of a 1530 next week. A clean system is desirable but did you notice any other positive effects after the re-install of WV and MD? For example, was the boot-up faster?

 

If you do the clean install followed by the Tweaking Thread, your startup time should be 30-45 seconds which will be under 1/2 of the bootup time as it was originally.

I am going by the general results many are experiencing as well as that of my sons laptop that I did about a month ago.

On top of that, you will find the response time and general operations to be quicker as well as having gained several GB space back.

 

That settles it then. Clean system, faster system with just a little bit of effort. I've printed out the instructions and will give it a go next week. I'm planning to get a Ghost of the drive after this is done and then another when all updates are applied, software is installed, and machine is completely configured. This way I can return to either known good state if necessary.

Another question has come to mind. Reading through all 50-something pages here, I thought I read that you have now done this re-install many times on the same machine. I'm assuming you are also using the same Vista key. I thought there was a limited number of times a Windows product key could be used. Is this an issue? Or do the OEM Windows installs get around this somehow?

 

Nope.. as soon as you make a hardware change such as reinstall of the AHCi Driver (considered hardware believe it or not) or SSD as in my case, you have to call in for validation.

Ive done it some 30 plus times now because of all my testing. There is no limit.

They confirm with you that there is only one copy running.

 

Ok, this might be a stupid question and sorry if it has already been answered, but there are 55 pages in this thread so I'm going ask anyways. How would doing as suggested reinstall the bloatware if you were to restore? wouldn't following flamenko's guide result and then restoring have the same result?

 

If you restored the system back to the way it was when you first got it, you are restoring all the original bloatware as well, this because he elected to keep the restore partition.

If you re-install from the OS disk, the bloatware isn't there...just Vista plain and simple. This is what my thread details...a new installation without retaining any trace of the bloatware infected original restore partition.

 

i used the technique and my media buttons stopped working right after the 1st step on reinstalling mediadirect. i had to get a bart PE xp live 07 version to eject the disc. I then went ahead with the fresh Vista install which has just been a huge nightmare. Not only do none of the media buttons work, the copy of Vista has gone bad. I took a perfectly good running laptop and bricked it...

 

Thats unfortunate and I guess Im wondering what your specs are as fas as system and OS.

As far as the copy of vista going bad, do you mean you cannot validate it? If thats so, that is because there is a hardware change which is most probably AHCI driver not installed. The copy is not bad but you have to telephone in the validation number when the popup comes in. I must say this is the first I have heard of anything such as this occurring. Im certain you read through the thread and the success stories before going forward.

Anyhow lets try and fix you up...

System specs, OS and specific info regarding any errors please.

 

yeah, sorry, was a little emotional after trying to fix it last night. spent a hour with dell tech support this morning and got nowhere. they want to blame it on bad memory. I can't recover my vista at this point because the computer won't boot with anything now. plus my vista dvd is stuck in the drive! any suggestions on how to get dell to repair the original installation?

 

Did you try booting from the disk in there? I still need to know all the info I asked.

If you reboot, hit F12 when the blue dell logo comes up and boot through the DVD what occurs?

 

OK, I haven't received my m1530 yet, it comes Tuesday, but I will probably want to format and start from scratch when it arrives. I was originally going to try and install XP due to software incompatibilities, but I've since installed Vista Ultimate (version I purchased from my university) on my desktop and I was able to get all my software to work. So before I attempt to format and start from scratch I have a few questions, I know these have probably been answered, but I can only read so many pages to try and find them.

1. I would like to install my copy of Vista Ultimate instead of the Premium that will be coming with it, will this be an issue? I read earlier that this could cause issues with Media Direct, is this true? What exactly is MD, does it turn the laptop into a regular DVD player? What would happen if I didn't install it, would the buttons not work?

2. Will there be potential issues with the hard drive not being recognized? Is it as simple as changing the BIOS to ATA mode, getting into Windows and installing SATA drivers, rebooting and turning the SATA back on? I plan on just using the drivers on the given CD, are the SATA drivers on it?

3. Is it possible to just "Upgrade" to Ulimate by just using my version within Windows? Would this be the better move?

I know I'm asking a lot, I just want to be 100% ready before I go and screw things up. Thanks in advance.

 

1. You will probably need to buy another copy of Ultimate since you have two machines. But if your .edu deal is anything like my daughter's, this should be real cheap.
2. There should be no problem with hard drive compatibility.
3. You won't be able to upgrade since the key has already been used on another machine.

 

I actually have 3 copies, they only cost $16 so I bought 2 and another student didn't want the one he bought so he just gave it to me, nice. So because I have multiple copies would upgrading be a smart move?

So I won't have to worry about turning it to ATA mode while installing Vista?

What about MD? Do I need that for the buttons to work in Windows?

 

In the past, there were issues where some people did the Esay Upgrade and then tried to install that with MediaDirect. It didn't work and then when we walked through it, thei Vista OS worked fine. I haven't heard of this issue in some 6 months however.

Your hard drive will be fine. Follow all the steps exactly and, if need be, search out AHCO on this site and you will find your answers. Conversely, there are plenty here to help.

One key...one machine. You can take your system off one and put it on the other but it is illegal to have it on 2 at once.

 

Thanks for helping flamenko. Mine is a T5250, 3gb, LED, 120gb 5400rpm drive, BIOS A07. Yes, I have been trying to boot from the drive (using F12 at startup) and the Vista disc is stuck in the drive. My media buttons do not work. All that happens when I try to load any of the Vistas (even safe mode), is the small bar on the bottom running and running, never gets past that point.

I'm having the same problem as posted here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=166629

My initial Vista install did work after I used the USB Windows XP bootup trick to eject the disc and complete the install, but now my Vista cannot boot. I've reseated the memory. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with the AHCI has far as I can tell. Anyone have a similar experience?

Do you know how the media buttons are controlled? Is it in the dell restore partition, which I destroyed with the media direct disc repartitioning (the dell technician hinted at this)? its not in the BIOS or through vista. I'm thinking maybe there is a software issue? Another thing is that I did run the dell 32 bit diagnostics and it said the media button bar cable is not connected...

Chatted with Dell and they are going to replace my DVD drive and media bar. Oh yeah, I also have the ChiMei LED screen which flickers at the two lowest display brightness setting. Has anyone gotten a replacement for that problem?

Other than that, I love the laptop. LED is definitely worth the money. The contrast on that screen is incredible.

 

Great thread going here. Followed the instructions, everything went well - I love my new laptop. One snag i've run into is that my remote no longer works. Quickset is reinstalled. Anyone know if there is another driver I need to install or an option i need to be checking or a program to run to get the remote going again?

Thanks.

 

I gotta respond by stating that I think you may have received a unit of questionable build. As for the media buttons, they have nothing to do with reinstalls and when you do a clean install, they all work fine. I think they may be tied into the bios itself...so they should work no matter what.

and Turtle...the remote should work fine. Its a tricky remote at times so make sure its facing the right way and the battery is seated proerly and the best way to check it is volume up/down and mute when quikset is installed and active in your system tray.

 

Nice Thread flamenko!

On your step 3 you mentioned you eventually chose Option 1 under Media Direct 3 Installation Menu. There is a note at bottom of the Media Direct 3 Installation Menu which reads "Option 1 & 2 will allocate Utility and Media Direct 3 partitions". If this is true then you do not need to physically create a partition for Media Direct under any of the options, and the an unlabeled partition (I assume) will be automatically created. Is this correct?

The menu seems to indicate that under option 1 you will create 3 partitions: C:, a Media Direct (unlabeled) and a Utility (unlabeled), and under option 2 you will create 4 partitions C:, D:, a Media Direct (unlabeled) and a Utility (unlabeled).

Your Thoughts?

Thanks in Advance

 

That is correct. You are creating the default of one large partition or the c: and d: partitions only if you decide to create your own sizes. You have no choice with the utility and MD partitions as they are automatically created and remain unnumbered regardless of what option you choose.

 

Thanks for confirmation...
Under Media Direct 3 Installation Menu, option 2 the menu shows the total available size of your hard drive (in my case 59 GB, I have a 64 GB SSHD) to choose how much to allocate to drive C: . Now, is the 59 GB includes the unlabeled Media Direct and Utility partitions? It appears that it does since 5 GB is not reported. Is this correct?
Thanks.

 

Great Post Flamenko!
This guide is so easy a blind chimp could reformat an XPS where previously he was relegated to playing with himself in the corner of a "natural setting" at the zoo.

I'm a bit of a nut like your self and did it 4 times just to get it exactly where I wanted it. All is good in my world now, THANK YOU!

 

netman...yes correct and eaglesdare...thank you

 

Clean install done without a hitch. MUCH better! Thanks flamenko!

 

flamenko: Wow thanks so much for all the great info in this thread!!! I've been reading it for serveral days and have learned a ton!

Plan on doing this tonight! Downloaded that one Imaging/backup program you and others had mentioned, and will do that first, just to have the factory image (not that I ever plan on using it)!

Anyhow, I have a few quick questions, I know I've read about these in this thread, I'm just having a hard time finding some of the info, and wanted to see if there had been any changes that you or others have heard of in any of the things mentioned.

I have an M1330 I just bought, and that is the computer I plan on doing this to. Vista Home Premium on there now. I also have an Inspiron 530 desktop I just bought, with Vista Home Premium as well, but that doesn't have Meida Direct etc. So I'll try and list out the questions as simply as possible!

1. Minus using the media direct steps, will this guide work for doing the clean install on my Inspiron 530 Desktop, just bypassing that part and start with booting the vista disk?

2. I've read something here about having an issue with a certain hard drive driver causing problems during the clean install, and that it affects some and not others, it's kind YMMV thing? Anything I should know going into this? Can you tell me if there is a certain driver I should have on a CD or maybe a thumb/ flash drive, that isn't on the dell Driver cd that came with the M1330 that I will need on hand during setup? Just want to make sure I'm well prepared. For what it's worth I have the 120GB 5400 rpm.

3. This one I've seen talked about, but I can't tell if there is a definitive answer. I want to do this proccess on both my M1330 and my inspiron 530 that I just bought. Do one first then the next day work on the other. Both from dell with Factory Vista Home Premium OEM disks. Today I got a Vista Ultimate 32bit Upgrade Disk. Two part question. Can I use this disk during this proccess, when I get to the step involving using the vista disk from dell? Will this disk work in your guide, or does it have to be the dell OEM Vista disk, that matches whats currently on your computer? I can't seem to figure out from reading if this is going to work or not? If it won't, what is my best solution? Install everything as you have made in the guide, then after everything is installed etc etc, go about doing a Ultimate Upgrade? I'm hoping I can substitue this disk for the OEM dell. Secondly, if the ultimate disk will work during the clean install, can I also use this disk on my inspiron 530, or am I only allowed to install it on (1) computer? Even though I own both, does that matter? Even if it is frowned upon, am I able to do it and have everything working properly, or is it just not possible to use it twice? If I'm able to at least use the Vista Ultimate disk to clean install via your guide, would you guys think I should install in on my laptop, or my desktop? I have my wireless router set up with the desktop, and I'm just wondering if I had to choose, would I be better off with Ultimate on one over the other, or am I best to not do Ultimate on one machine, if I can't do it on both? Is Ultimate only worth running if your doing x64 bit, or is this 32 bit I bought a good OS as well? I really want to use Ultimate, but I want to make sure I'm making smart choices, and doing things the right way the first time around! Hopefully I can!

If I have to use my dell OEM vista home premium disk to do this, am I able to go in after everythings done/installed, and do the ultimate upgrade, or will I have to re do a lot of stuff, and re partition everything?

To make sure I understand the partition correctly, I want to choose Step 2, then it will ask me how big of a partition, and I can specifiy what I want (40G for OS personally) and then it will automatically take whatever is left after that OS partition and make that into a partition (minus the partition it makes for Media direct) or do I have to specify to keep the media direct partition as well. Basically what I'm looking for is 40 G for the OS, and then the rest for my various files etc, and from what I've gathered, it will create a MD partition, and another >100mb one for misc system stuff? If you could just confirm what the best way to do it is, that would be great? I wasn't sure if I read that I just set up the 40 G OS partition, then after the install etc, go in and make the remaining space a partition? If that's the case, can you tell me how to do that?

I think that is everything, and thanks again for your awesome guide, and everyone who has added info as well!!!!

 

Briefly,

Yes the Clean Install will work minus the MediaDirect partitioning. There is alot of literature with respect to the AHCI Driver better known as the Intel atrix Controller. Your new system may require this. Read up on it by searching within and reading this post, download the driver, and install when installint the new OS.

I am interested to know how your upgrade goes because, awhile back, there was alot of installation problems when you upgraded using the MS Upgrade onto the Dell original OS.

I could spend am hour describing everything but would take away from your reading enjoyment and learning of your system in the end. Alot is hit and miss and you may take a few re-installations to get it just as you want it. I was about 8 installations before my system was set perfectly. It is rock solid now.

 

Which one of the 2 partition options is more favorable?

 

It depends on the size and if you will use it personally. Most people select default which is simply one large partition. I choose this for all my systems.

Its all in your personal preferences with regards to organization. If you want data on another partition or more than one person is using the system and different partitions would be ideal, then it may be good.