Dell Vista Laptop Reformat and Bloatware Removal Guide

Ok, will do. Hopefully I get to try this out this week.

 

Figured it out. Dell manual says to hit ctrl+f11, but f8 works perfectly.

 

Thank You!

 

One more question. In the lines quoted, wouldnt this give me a restore dvd with vista ultimate and not vista premium w/bloatware?

 

NO because if you do the upgrade, your system rstore partition (F8) now remains intact. Since you just upgraded, you can now do a complete PC backup of the entire disk. If ever you want to go back to the original configuration now, you reinstall with these specific disks, reboot, hit F8 and restore to the original system backup from the factory.

Now if you follow my directions as they are at the beginning of this article, you just destroyed the original system restore feature (which most do in any case because it has all the garbage) and can now only backup to the original new Vista Ultimat setup that you just created after you run 'Complete PC Backup'

 

I forgot to ask earlier...how does LoJack fit into this picture? Does it require it's own partition and therefore have to be installed at an instrumental point in time of doing a clean install, or is it just like a piece of software that you can install normally after you've got Vista up and running?

 

just a reminder that this guide should include instructions to load the AHCI drivers before installing vista.

 

A number of people have successfully reinstalled with the instructions as they are; there has yet to be a person return stating that AHCI drivers had to be installed. Sorry.

With respect to lojack, I believe it is its own disk which eeds to be reinstalled again just as webcam does.

 

What is the difference between Dell Windows and OEM Windows? Because I am thinking of ordering a system with home basic, then returning it to Dell and purchasing an Ultimate licence from a local PC shop, or should I just go ahead and configure my system with Ultimate Vista?
Thanks guys.

 

Im trying to work with this issue with another right now. It seems there is a difficulty, if not impossibility, upgrading to an OEM non-Dell version and then properly reinstalling MediaDirect. The reinstall of mediadirect goes ok, then the install of oem Vista but then, when you go to complete the Mediadirect installation, it states that you havent got the proper version even though you do (3.3)

I just got off the phone with Dell and they have recognized the problem but no reply as of yet.

Sooo.... I would work the deal for Ultimate upgrade into your system so you dont run into difficulties later on.

 

another "new guy" question. What is the difference in outcomes from this and the software that removes bloatware?

 

The difference is simply whether you want a new completely clean system or something 'cleaned up' Bloatware removers dont necessarily get rid of regustry entries that are unneeded nor do they get rid of all the programs you may not want.

 

I really want a "completely clean" system but I have never attempted something like this before. I am a little nervous. I still have a few days (hopefully) of waiting for my lappie to muster up some courage.

Is there anything like my NVIDIA card or something that will make this process more complicated?

 

No. Its a very simple process. I have had a huge number of people who have responded thanking me for the thread.

Worse comes to worse...Im here nightly in any case.

 

I think I will try it. I know you have probably given the answer but the steps will be the same for my 1420 correct?

EDIT: Just re-read the RED CAPS on the original post. DUH

(A HUGE THANKS ALREADY, by the way)

 

Alright, I have a question on step 3.

"3. Follow instructions to change your partitions. This will delete everything. (Note, I got my system to accept two partitions which are the 3Gb MediaDirect partition and the main partition but sometimes you will have no choice but to go with 3."

Do I have an option of what to do with regards to partitions? And, if yes, what is an ideal setup?

 

I should change that. if you select default it will set your partitions as it has two depending on the size of the drive (one of the partitions will be as large as vista allows)

If you choose to set your own, you can set a Vista partition, data partition or whatnot.

 

So I have a 120Gb. What do you recommend I set my partitions to?

 

Ide really like to walk you through this but you have to consider what kind of files you want on there and how to organize them. You will definitely need a 15Gb minimum for Vista (Ide go with 20) and then the other partitions you format to logical drives for what you need. Some people keep all their gaming in a partition or photos or videos and so on...

If you dont know, just go for default.

 

Sounds good. Sorry for the rudimentary questions.

 

This is probably a ridiculous question, but MediaDirect, from my understanding, is what allows me to run things like DVD Playback without booting windows, correct? Is there any major advantage to that? As it stands, I feel I'd rather upgrade windows using the Business upgrade disk I have than have some feature I don't presently see as a major advantage.

 

yet another question... so are there things I have to do the first time I get the 1420 from the box and boot it up, or can I just do a clean re-install right away?

 

RE: Media Direct... I like it because you can play DVDs without having to boot the whole system, thus saving power. You can also work with your photos and music.

RE: First boot. Technically you dont have to do anything but install your disk, boot, hit F12, boot from disk and carry on.


Oh and there are no rudimentary questions. Were all here to learn, help and be helped. (I feel like Im in a Juicy Fruit commercial with a guitar)

 

Uch, I haven't finished installing my drivers yet, but currently my Vista refuses to boot half seemingly unless i have the mediadirect disk in the drive? It makes no sense (problem started after I upgraded to Vista Pro)

 

There is no such thing as Vista pro premium I dont think.

Also I never gave any instructions on upgrading, just clean install.

 

I know, I was just posting. It works fine now, it was just odd and concerning.

 

ok for some reason i did not get any vista cd though it came preloaded with my vostro 1500.

what can i do for formatting and reinstalling? i have a recovery partition. what will happen if i use it to restore to "factory loaded setup"

 

It will restore yr system back to the day you got it. You can contact Dell and ask that they send you a disk; they will.

 

i stuck at step 4 ! why? because i don't know how to eject the CD without OS my MD disc is inside, and i can't change it to vista DVD

can u tell me how u ejected the cd witout OS

 

God i think i've screwed up my brand new xps m1330.

I am farly competent at doing reinstalls however, on this occasion, windows vista premium installation will not complete and keeps looping. i cannot even read what the BSOD is.

I did do a system images backup using Symantec LiveState Recovery and that also has failed on me.

Why does my new installation not complete and keep looping. My Vista Ultimate Install CD is fine as i used it to reinstall it on other systems.

 

bbasra that sounds similar to what was happening to mine. Try ejecting whatever disk is in the drive prior to the next restart. That (Randomly) fixed the error for me. I think it was trying to boot from the disc and failing.

 

I just read this.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=165523&highlight=m1330+bsod

I turned off the system and turned it back on and volla it went into windows. i've now installed the drivers and it seems to be okay.

 

Quick (maybe stupid) question - the m1330 doesn't have any manual eject for the dvd drive - how do you get a disk out without the system running???

 

The only two ways to eject a disk are hit the eject triangle to the right of the power button or go into computer/dvd then right click and click on eject. As long as the power is on the DVD will eject.

Next, RE the BSOD loop. You need to install the drivers which is discussed in the passed few pages.

The other way is to do a cold boot and then finish the installation. If you keep doing a hot reset it will continue to loop.

Your m1330 is fine.

 

Thanks. Did the clean install and my m1330 is now so much faster than when it arrived, even after I've loaded on all my software (office 2007, cs3 web suite, visual studio). Excellent stuff.

 

My laptop shipped out yesterday. I can't wait to take the bold step and giving this a shot!

 

I just did a clean format of my new m1330 with Vista. Works flawlessly. I got rid of the recovery partition and now have a small media direct partition, and then the 145GB main partition with OS.

 

Before I do the clean install, can I see how my computer is previously partitioned then do it the same? Is this what my default partition option be when I clean install?

Just a little nervous about the partitioning since I am new to this.

 

i did 2 partions: my MD3.3 and OS.

after my reformat, i had 132GB left over after MD3.3 and Vista Premium on my 160GB (145GB) Hard Drive.

 

When doing partitions, do you select the size for the 2 partitions, or does it just divide it up on its own? (I hope that makes sense)

 

You can select the sizes.

 

I don't really have a specific purpose for my computer. It will be for music... very light if any gaming, web browsing... just general stuff.

Can anyone recommend a partition setup for me? (120GB)

 

As for size...its a personal thing and as for the general use, just choose default. You will be happy.

 

Where do we find the Intel Matrix driver for Vista64? It is not listed on Dell's website as an option with Vista 64.

 

Its the same driver thats on your disk. If your looking for a great upgrade thread...see Trebuins thread which lists lots of drivers here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=158277&highlight=m1330+64+bit

He has all the drivers required except DELL still hasnt put out the fingerprint/Soundblaster Audio drivers...

 

same as the vista 32 driver? I didn't get vista64 with the laptop, I just upgraded to it.

 

Yes it is the driver from 32Bit that comes on your disk. I upgraded to 64 bit through the help of Trebuin. There are many drivers that remain 32bit.

Many are not aware of this but, in 64Bit, Vista mains a programs directory for (X86) or 32 Bit programs. I have found it allows for great compatibility.

For example...I thought there would be a prob with programs like AVG Antivirus...not so...I find most 32Bit programs more than compatible...including MS Word standard.

 

I actually ended up downloading the 6 or so updates Dell has for Vista64 and one of them installed the Intel Matrix driver. I think it was the Turbo Memory one under SATA Drives.

 

So is all running smoothly now??

 

I just did a reformat and now all that is showing in My Computer is C:/ 90.6GB free out of 108GB. How do I make it into 2 partitions or hard drives, a 3GB for media direct and the rest for the OS? Is there a way to make a third parition for the recovery like before I did the reformat, so it'll show one partition for 10GB recovery, 3GB for media direct and the last one for OS, so it will show 3 hard disk drives under My Computer? I followed the directions on how to do the clean install but I just can't figure out how to set up the partitions