New Dell Computer-Reinstall Vista?

[lawsoncb]

Sorry if this has been discussed before. Search cam up with nothing.

When I bought my new Dell with XP I was advised by several members here to do a clean install.

I just purchased a new Dell with vista.

Is it also recommended to a clean install with Vista?

If so, is there a good guide that will walk me through the process? I know there was a good guide here for XP (sorry I can’t remember who to give you credit) along with a few others on the net that helped me get through the process with XP. My limited search has yet to find a complete guide for vista.

How much different is the process from XP to Vista?

Thanks for the help.

[Mr Rat]

I did a clean install...I always do. You don't have to though...it is up to you. The guides should be about the same. If you do:

-Download all of the drivers and apps from the Dell site for your computer and for Vista and put them on a USB drive or a cd
-Do NOT use the Dell disk that has all of the drivers and apps on it...it will reload a bunch of stuff and older drivers.
-Does your computer have MediaDirect? If so, you need to decide if you want to use it or not...I like it and use it. But if you format your whole drive you will lose this and need to install the MediaDirect disk before installing windows.
-Do you want to keep the Dell restore partition? If you do and if you use it, it will put your computer back to how it is now (with all of the bloat-ware and older drivers). I got rid of that partition and I use an external drive and Norton Ghost to image my drive instead. Up to you.
-In the Dell forums, you can find a lot of threads on reloading Vista...go and read a few.
-In the Dell forum, do a search for 'order to reinstall drivers' and go by that...they suggest reloading the drivers in a specific order.

I am heading out the door but if you have questions, just ask.

[CORed]

The main reason to do a clean install with a new Dell is to get rid of all the trial software and other assorted junk that they load them up with.

You can do a clean install, or just uninstall the crap you don't want. The clean install will give you a little cleaner system, as most uninstalls leave some files and registry entries behind. Just uninstalling what you don't want will take less time, though.

[lawsoncb]

Thanks for the help guys.

I think answered my questions for now.

I will be a clean install for sure. I love how my laptop(clean install) runs compared to my current desktop(no clean install).

I sure I will have a few more questions when I get my hands on it in a few weeks.

[lawsoncb]

Any of these from my Download list that I do not need to Insall after the Clean install.

The bold items are the ones I think need to be omited but I am not sure.

How come there is so many Video drivers?

Video: ATI TVT2 Wonder Elite - Internal Single Analog NTSC TV Tuner, v.8.273, A06 (8.37MB) 7/28/2006 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Communications: Conexant D850 56K V.9X PCI DF Modem ULD, v.Drv32_7.58.0.50, A01 (2.19MB) 11/8/2006 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Communications: Conexant 56K V.9x DFVc Modem, D850 56K V.9X PCI DF Modem ULD, v.DLD.1.21, A05 (3.95MB) 11/9/2006 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Communications: Conexant 56K V.9x DFVc Modem, D850 56K V.9X PCI DF Modem ULD, v.Diag.1.0.17.8_32bit, A02 (4.58MB) 11/9/2006 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Video: ATI ATI Theater™ 650 PRO Combo Analog/Digital TV Tuner, v.TVT7.zip, A00 Vista (256KB) 12/8/2006 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Video: ATI ATI Theater™ 650 PRO Combo Analog/Digital TV Tuner, v.8.31.5.1 Vista32 WHQL, A01 Vista 32bit (9.25MB) 1/23/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Video: AVerMedia TVT5 M779 Internal PAL-SECAM-DVBt Hybrid TV Tuner, v.M779_Drv_V2.4.0.31_Logo(Vista)_Diag_V1.2a, A01 (2.63MB) 2/27/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Input: Dell Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Bundle, v.SP_3_21_b29_DT_XP_Vista, A01 (339MB) 2/25/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Removable Storage: Dell Dell Media Card Reader with Integrated Bluetooth Module (CAB-200), v.6.0.1.43000DFU244_332, A00 (58.7MB) 3/29/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Removable Storage: Dell Dell Media Card Reader with Integrated Bluetooth Module (CAB-200), v.6.0.1.43000DFU244_332, A00 (58.7MB) 3/29/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Input: Logitech Dell Premium Optical Mouse(Nala), Premium Optical Mouse, A02 (30.6MB) 3/29/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Video: ATI 256MB RADEON X850 XT Platinum Edition, Hyper Memory PCI-Express X16 (DVI/VGA/TV out) Radeon X300 SE, 128MB Radeon X600 SE, RADEON® X600 256MB HYPERMEMORY, 256MB Radeon X600, Radeon X1900XTX 512MB, X1300 Pro 256MB, X1300, X1300 Pro, Dual 512MB Radeon X1950XTX Crossfire, v.8.332-070108a1-041385C-WHQL-Vista32-PatchedCCC, A02 (66.3MB) 4/1/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Removable Storage: TSST TS-H653A HH SATA 16X DVD+/-RW, v.D500, A03 (983KB) 4/2/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Chip Set: Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility, v.8.3.0.1013, A00 (2.09MB) 4/15/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Serial ATA: Intel Matrix Storage Manager, v.7.5.0.1017, A00 (19.9MB) 4/15/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Serial ATA: Intel Matrix Storage Manager, v.7.5.0.1017, A00 (327KB) 4/16/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Video: Intel G31/G33/Q33/Q35 Graphics Controller, v.7.14.10.1255, A00 (15.2MB) 4/19/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Network: Intel 825xx 10/100 Platform LAN Connect Device, v.9.8.20.0, A00 (17.8MB) 4/22/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Diagnostics: Dell 32 Bit Diagnostics (Graphical User Interface version), A1303/A0441 (2.45MB) 5/6/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now

Diagnostics: Dell 32-bit Diagnostics Utility Partition Contents Upgrade Tool, v.UpUpdateA1303, A1303/A0441 (2.89MB) 5/6/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now

Audio: Realtek ALC888 HD Audio, v.6.0.1.5408, A01 (29.9MB) 5/10/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Video: nVidia GeForce8300 GS (128MB DDR2 PCI-Express x16 (DVI/VGA) ), v.158.28 Vista 32bit, A00 (55.7MB) 5/22/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Video: nVidia GeForce8600 GT (256MB PCI-Express x16 Dual DVI ), v.Vista 32bit 158.28(WHQL), A00 (55.7MB) 5/23/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now
Remove

Application: Dell Support 3.4, v.3.4.3075, A02 (7.25MB) 6/1/2007 7/25/2007 N/A Download Now

[lawsoncb]

Also I did not get these in the original post:

BIOS: Dell Inspiron Desktop 530 System BIOS, Inspiron Desktop 530s System BIOS, English, Inspiron Desktop 530, 530S, 1.0.1

Application: Dell Support Center, Application, Windows Vista 32-bit, Windows XP, Multi Language, Multi System, v.1.0.1, A02

[Mr Rat]

Applications:
-Support Center: Up to you...read the description in the driver download section and see if you want it...I did not reload it but it is up to you
-Support 3.4: Reminds you of Dell driver updates. I did not load it as I check manually for driver updates periodically

Audio:
Realtek ALC888 HD Audio Driver For Vista: I assume your desktop came with this...but check your purchase details to see if this is in the description (it should be)....this is the only audio driver for your computer show I am pretty sure you need to load this

BIOS:
-There has only been one release for your BIOS so you do not have to do it...if there is ever an update to it (there will be), you need to check and see what they added and see if you want to make the BIOS change...if you do, be sure and follow instructions...but DO NOT do this for your computer at this time as you do not need this as there have been no changes yet

Chipset:
-You WILL need to reload this driver

Communication:
-This is the driver and applications to your modem. You could just load the driver and not reload the app and diag, but I loaded all three...not sure why since I never use the modem (I only use the NIC). Up to you on the app and the diag for the modem, but at least reload the driver to the modem. They are not very big so I would install all three for a just in case scenario where you may use it.

Diagnostic Utilities:
-I did not reload this...up to you...I believe it is a program that goes through a very detail diag of your computer in case there is an issue...but I hate how Dell does not go into details on it and did not reload it...up to you again.

Mouse & Keyboards:
-Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Bundle: If you got these with your computer, reload...else do not
-Logitech - Application: I did not reload this as the basic mouse functions are all I need...but I believe this adds extra option to use on your mouse...up to you

Network:
-Dell Media Card Reader with Integrated Bluetooth Module: If you purchased the blue tooth module (or if your computer came with this by default), the reload...else do not
-825xx 10/100 Platform LAN Connect Device: Reload this unless you did not get the Ethernet NIC card with your computer (surely you got this)

Removable Storage:
-Depending on if you have an HLDS or an TSST dvd drive, these are firmware updates to those drives. If you are having issues with your dvd drive, you need to check to see the manufacture of the drive (go to accessories, system tools, system information, then click on components and then cd-rom to see who it is). Note this is just a one time thing...you never have to reload again. Check the 'fixes' in the description of the drivers to see if you need to flash your hard drive. This is not a driver per se and you would never reload this again by the way.

Serial ATA:
-Intel Matrix Storage Manager: I am not sure about this app...search the Dell forums...I would prob reload this one but search first.
-Intel - Driver: reload this

Video driver:
-You need to determine which video card you have (go to system information and click on 'Display' and the name should be there...if you do not have a video card installed, then it will just be the default intel driver. You will only reload ONE video card driver...choose the driver for your card

Note to reload drivers in this order:
For the system to function properly, you must install your hardware drivers in the following order:

1. Desktop System Software or Notebook System Software
2. Chipset driver
3. Processor Driver (if applicable)
4. Video
5. Audio (sound)
6. Input Drivers (keyboard/mouse)
7. Modem

Then reload whatever apps you want.

[lawsoncb]

Thanks for the time and help.

We have about the same ideas on the Dell extra stuff. That is the whole reason behind the Clean install to get rid of it.

A couple quick Questions

What is "Desktop System Software or Notebook System Software"? I can not deterine which driver this is.

As far as Anti- Virus and Firewall I have been advised in the past not to use the XP firewall. Is the same wht Vista?

Also do you know if AVG A/v and Zone Alarm are working properly with Vista.

[Mr Rat]

[ QUOTE ]
What is "Desktop System Software or Notebook System Software"? I can not deterine which driver this is.

[/ QUOTE ]
I don't think they have this for your model (it was not in the list)...so it looks like you do not have to worry about this.


[ QUOTE ]
As far as Anti- Virus and Firewall I have been advised in the past not to use the XP firewall. Is the same wht Vista?

[/ QUOTE ]
I have mine turned off because I use a firewall/virus program...but I have read that they improved these in Vista...up to you (or do some research to see which way you want to go)


[ QUOTE ]
Also do you know if AVG A/v and Zone Alarm are working properly with Vista.

[/ QUOTE ]
If they state they can be used for Vista then you should be ok...I don't use these so I am not 100% on that...but I would imaging they have been updated for Vista use (just verify)


After you load all drivers and apps, go to msconfig and remove all of the startup items that you do not need.

Once you have everything as you want, I would invest in an external (or second) hardrive and use an imaging program to image your drive to the other drive...this makes reverting back to a clean install so much easier...I used to reload OS, drivers, apps, etc... but this is so much better...just keep updates as you add stuff.