Let Dell website install the drivers or do it manually?

Question

Hello, I just joined. I got a Dell Inspiron 3537 (i5, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD, 1 GB Gfx card, Win 8 x64 Single Language OEM UEFI) two days ago, and on the first day, I messed up. The first thing I should have done is make recovery disks; instead, I saw that there's only one 450 GB partition (C drive), and I used Easeus Partition Master to partition it. When the computer rebooted, it just wouldn't start. You can see the thread I've made here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2347614/urgent-win-boot-winload-efi-error-easeus-partition-manager.html

http://www.eightforums.com/performance-maintenance/56010-messed-up-recovery-partitions.html

Anyway, I've decided to format and re-install Windows 8, and I'm going to download Win 8.1 Single Language. I've already read the guides on how to do it.

On the Dell website, I used the "Detect My Product" option, and it detected the model and the service tag and express service code. I then clicked on "System Analysis", and it showed four drivers as needing updating.

My question is this: after formatting and reinstalling Win 8.1, when I reach the part about installing the drivers, how should I do it? Should I first download all the drivers for my model from the website, and install them manually in the order given on this page:

http://www.dell.com/support/Article/us/en/19/268873/EN

Or should I open the Dell website, do a System Analysis, let it scan and decide which drivers to install, and then let it do the whole installation? I think the chipset drivers should be the first to be installed; will the Dell website do it in this order?

Thanks. :)

Random Dude · Answer

Well, you only have one try with this fresh Windows install… I’d install them manually in the correct order.

PudgyOne · Answer

BhargavJ,

When you reinstalled the operating system, did you install the Dell System Software (if applicable) and the chipset drivers first? If not, the rest of the drivers will fail to install. How to Download and Install Drivers in the Correct Order

Start with the Dell System Software and the chipset drivers and follow the list.

Rick

BhargavJ · Answer

I haven't reinstalled Win 8.1 yet. My question was about whether to manually install the drivers or to let the Dell site do it, but the replies indicate that I should do it manually, so that's what I'll do.

What exactly is the Dell System Software, under the category "System Utilties" - is it bloatware? Also, the 8th point in the link you've given is about the Dell ControlPoint, and it says in the description that it is for some Latitude laptops, so do I install that or not?

Something else I'd like to ask, though it is not about Dell laptops: I need a ghost image maker with which I can make a ghost image of the partition C: in its current state; the image maker should have the option to be run from a LiveCD, so that if the Win 8.1 installation fails, I can copy the ghost image back to C: drive by running the software from the LiveCD. Even if the installation goes without a hitch, I need this for the future, if someday I face a non-booting Windows. I've come across something called Anatheros, but I haven't yet looked at its features properly; I'm asking you all cause you might be using some such software.

Thanks for the replies. :)

PudgyOne · Answer

BhargavJ,

Some Dell computers have Dell System Software. Between the Dell System Software(if applicable) and the chipset drivers,they know what is attached to each system, like wireless adapters, webcam, and other items. If they're not installed first, the rest of the drivers will fail to install.

Rick

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Let Dell website install the drivers or do it manually?

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