You'll need to make a list of the hardware BEFORE you delete Vista, and get the drivers from the component makers (ATI, Intel, Broadcom, etc.).

 

I did that for ATI Radeon Mobility HD3450: I've downloaded the driver from the official site and when I try to install, it says that there is no such hardware installed (and there is:D)...so much for the support from the vendors...As for the Broadcom Network Adapter, after I install the driver, I can't create a PPoE connection:(( - the feature is disabled. I need the drivers for this configuration (I doubt that I'm the only one in this world who bought this model and wants XP installed):

 

"Dell STUDIO 1535 BLACK, Intel Core 2 Duo processor T5850 (2.16 Ghz, 667 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2-cache), 15.4" Widescreen WXGA+ with True Life (LED), 2.0 mega pixel Camera , 2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024], 250GB (5400RPM), 8xDVDRW, Dell Wireless 1510 (802.11 / N) Mini Card European , Bluetooth, 6-cell Battery, Graphics 256MB ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3450, Travel Remote Control, FREE DOS"

 

 

You'll need modified video drivers (www.laptopvideo2go.com). 

 

As for PPPoE, that's not part of the network driver - you'll need PPPoE software supported by your service - RASPPPoE, WinPoET, etc.

 

Well, after some "digging" I managed to solve the problem with the video driver, but the network problem got worse. To be more specific: No matter what OS I have installed (XP or Vista, I've tried them both), after I install the network adapter driver and I connect to the Internet everything works just fine. The problem starts when I reboot/ restart the computer: the connection disappears from the Network Connections and when I try to recreate it, all the options in the "create new connection" wizard appear inactive. Reinstalling the driver does not solve the problem. Any conflict between drivers for this model of laptop is not a posibility, because I installed the network driver first thing after OS. It's not a hardware problem, because I have internet connection till I reboot, so this problem is not covered by any warranty from the producer. I suspect a BIOS incompatibility since it does not recognises the ethernet controller manufacturer (by the way, should it recognise it?). Any suggestions on what should I look for or where the problem might be?  (except the fact that dell released this laptop WAAAYYYY toooo soon.:D and we are guinea pigs for them) Thanks.