I loaded the consumer preview of Windows8 32-bit on my D630 a few days ago and it is running very fast and reliably. Microsoft required me to update my bios to Dell's most recent A18 version after scanning my system for Win8 compatibility. I also received warnings that I would need upgrades to my sound and video drivers. I was running XP SP3 while exercising the "online download/install" option. I never got an option to choose 32-bit or 64-bit using this method; install defaulted to 32-bit. Once running and back online, NVIDIA drivers auto-updated (100+ MB) to version 9.18.12.9617 dated 3/6/2012. NOW ... someone tell Microsoft that cranking out some generic Windows 8 drivers for the Sigmatel onboard sound would cause the number of average home users testing their Consumer Preview to multiply by a factor of ten. A convenient way for someone to experiment with Windows 8 CP on the D630 without discarding their current operating system, programs and files: remove your DVD caddy and purchase the "2nd drive caddy" made by both Dell and generic manufactures. Install a second SATA drive in the caddy and copy your current Active drive using any compatible drive-clone software (I used free EaseUs). Once cloned, remove 2nd drive caddy and upgrade online to Win8 CP while using your original drive with original OS running. Thereafter, set your bios boot sequence to boot from "Modular Bay HDD" as #1. Releasing Modular Bay by 1/2 inch to disconnect allows D630 to boot from internal SATA drive. Inserting Modular Bay allows boot from Modular Bay drive. Intel T7100 cpu @ 1.80GHz 4GB RAM NVIDIA Quadro NVS 135M SigmaTel High Definition Audio Codec Sigmatel Audio 5400 rpm SATA drive
I was able to get sound working with Windows 8 using the Dell Windows 7 drivers and following the instructions in this thread in the Microsoft help forum:
I upgraded to "Windows 8 Release Preview" a few days later and the sounds settings transferred seamlessly. Poor sound volume was one of my few complaints when I was running WinXP Pro on my D630; I am now so completely happy with the performance running Windows 8 that I plan to pay for a license once it is available.
I purchased this PC off eBay wiithout a HD. Inserted a WD Scorpio Black & am in the process of installing Win 7 OEM disc. Have read up a bit but still confused about the proper BIOS. Currenty on A13, both A17 & A18 (I think) are available. My concern is mostly with the Video driver, some issues have been reported.
It looks like BIOS A18 has some improvement for nVidia driver:
A18 = NVIDIA Quadro NVS 135M Video BIOS version 60.86.68.00.16 (also - Intel GM965 Graphics Video BIOS version 1588)
perhaps I am to install BIOS A18 & then install the proper nVidia Quadro NVS 135M driver originally listed with Win Vista driver?
i have a d630 with a bios version A04 and windows 7, but often appears a blue screen then the laptop restarts, i think it's because the old version of the bios i tried install the A17 bios version but as my battery dont charge, it says can't update bios without battery, now with the A18 version my antivirus is blocking the executable it says is harmful even if a turn off the anativirus (antivirus: bitdefender), please help
Since you have mentioned that system is giving a blue screen error, you can go ahead and release flea power and run the PSA hardware diagnostics to check the hardware is working as designed. Please follow the steps below.
Switch off the system; remove the battery, ac adapter and the power cable. Press and hold down the power button for thirty seconds to drain any excess flea power and run the test. Please run the PSA hardware diagnostics to check if the hardware is working as designed. Follow the steps below.
Turn the computer off >restart the computer
At the Dell logo screen, start tapping the F12 key a few times until you see the ‘One Time Boot Menu’ appear.
At the one time boot menu, press the down arrow key to highlight ‘Diagnostic’, and then press Enter to begin the PSA diagnostics.
If the test fails, please make a note of any error codes listed. You can also refer to the link below.
You can go ahead and uninstall the anti-virus software from the system and install the BIOS in the system and then you can install the anti-virus software.
Win8 runs a lot better than Win7. I took the plunge and upgraded mine a bit further, so it's now got 8Gb, which all 64-bit OSs will thank you for, but it'll run on 2Gb, and run happily on 4Gb. If you want to go the whole hog and get some more life out of the ol' beast as well, consider sticking in a Solid State drive that'll make your battery last for a lot longer and keep the machine quieter as well.
I had to update my BIOS, but I ran the Consumer preview, and now full release and it runs like a dream. Just make sure you've got enough memory. With the full release (rebuild on a new drive from scratch), I didn't have any issues with sound, graphics or anything. It just runs nicely!
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
February 29th, 2012 18:00
Probably - but not well. Plan on a new system - the D830 is marginal even for Windows 7.
oxygenated
2 Posts
0
March 12th, 2012 13:00
oxygenated
2 Posts
0
June 10th, 2012 19:00
I was able to get sound working with Windows 8 using the Dell Windows 7 drivers and following the instructions in this thread in the Microsoft help forum:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-sound/i-have-no-sound-in-windows-8-consumer-preview-how/faca951a-97fb-4843-8302-1620f767b12d
I upgraded to "Windows 8 Release Preview" a few days later and the sounds settings transferred seamlessly. Poor sound volume was one of my few complaints when I was running WinXP Pro on my D630; I am now so completely happy with the performance running Windows 8 that I plan to pay for a license once it is available.
daemoncycler
2 Intern
•
158 Posts
0
June 28th, 2012 12:00
Hi oxygenated,
perhaps you can help me with a Win 7 clean install on a D630. Dell thread http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/3524/t/19454971.aspx
I purchased this PC off eBay wiithout a HD. Inserted a WD Scorpio Black & am in the process of installing Win 7 OEM disc. Have read up a bit but still confused about the proper BIOS. Currenty on A13, both A17 & A18 (I think) are available. My concern is mostly with the Video driver, some issues have been reported.
It looks like BIOS A18 has some improvement for nVidia driver:
A18 = NVIDIA Quadro NVS 135M Video BIOS version 60.86.68.00.16 (also - Intel GM965 Graphics Video BIOS version 1588)
perhaps I am to install BIOS A18 & then install the proper nVidia Quadro NVS 135M driver originally listed with Win Vista driver?
What do you think?
thanks
daemoncycler
2 Intern
•
158 Posts
0
June 28th, 2012 21:00
Update: Yes - install BIOS A18 & nVidia Quadro NVS 135M driver for Vista 64-bit worked.
D630TH
1 Message
0
August 23rd, 2012 03:00
I think you have to check your D630 graphic hardware what is Intel or Nvidia then to download driver from Dell.
Driver for windows 7 is not available on Dell D630 then driver for Windows Vista can be use.
Hawk600
3 Posts
0
October 31st, 2012 06:00
D630 runs fine on Windows 8.
I just installed Windows 8 Pro and it is smooth as butter but I need work with the video drivers Windows Media Center is running rough.
I will post back later on.
kind2011
1 Message
0
November 21st, 2012 06:00
i have a d630 with a bios version A04 and windows 7, but often appears a blue screen then the laptop restarts, i think it's because the old version of the bios i tried install the A17 bios version but as my battery dont charge, it says can't update bios without battery, now with the A18 version my antivirus is blocking the executable it says is harmful even if a turn off the anativirus (antivirus: bitdefender), please help
DELL-Senthil S
4 Operator
•
2.5K Posts
0
November 21st, 2012 07:00
Hi kind2011,
Since you have mentioned that system is giving a blue screen error, you can go ahead and release flea power and run the PSA hardware diagnostics to check the hardware is working as designed. Please follow the steps below.
Switch off the system; remove the battery, ac adapter and the power cable. Press and hold down the power button for thirty seconds to drain any excess flea power and run the test. Please run the PSA hardware diagnostics to check if the hardware is working as designed. Follow the steps below.
Turn the computer off >restart the computer
At the Dell logo screen, start tapping the F12 key a few times until you see the ‘One Time Boot Menu’ appear.
At the one time boot menu, press the down arrow key to highlight ‘Diagnostic’, and then press Enter to begin the PSA diagnostics.
If the test fails, please make a note of any error codes listed. You can also refer to the link below.
http://dell.to/i5zbDR
You can go ahead and uninstall the anti-virus software from the system and install the BIOS in the system and then you can install the anti-virus software.
Please do reply for further assistance.
racock
2 Posts
0
December 21st, 2012 12:00
You bet it will!
Win8 runs a lot better than Win7. I took the plunge and upgraded mine a bit further, so it's now got 8Gb, which all 64-bit OSs will thank you for, but it'll run on 2Gb, and run happily on 4Gb. If you want to go the whole hog and get some more life out of the ol' beast as well, consider sticking in a Solid State drive that'll make your battery last for a lot longer and keep the machine quieter as well.
racock
2 Posts
1
December 21st, 2012 12:00
I had to update my BIOS, but I ran the Consumer preview, and now full release and it runs like a dream. Just make sure you've got enough memory. With the full release (rebuild on a new drive from scratch), I didn't have any issues with sound, graphics or anything. It just runs nicely!
caulfieldman
1 Message
0
January 12th, 2013 20:00
Extremely well
I'm running this laptop with 2GB RAM and it works very well indeed. Much faster than when it was running XP and as fast as when it was running Linux.
Hamza.pak2010
1 Message
0
May 10th, 2013 05:00
Work Fine For Me
If You Want The Video Driver This Site Might Help You
http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/04/Product/latitude-d630