Installing Vista on Inspiron E1505

The E1505 came with Media Direct so ideally you should be having a Dell Media Direct 3.0 CD that was shipped with the system. If you intend to do a clean installation of Vista then first boot of the Media Direct CD, select option 1 to assign all available space for C partition. Media direct will automatically create its own partition, roughly 2 - 2.5GB (depends on the Media Direct Version). Once done, you will be prompted to remove the media direct disc and install the OS (or Vista) disc. You can then boot off the Vista disc and complete the installation on the primary or C partition (not on the Media Direct partition, leave this alone as you would need it to install media direct later).

 

After Vista installation completes and prior to installing any driver you will need to install the Dell Notebook System Software first. If you haven't downloaded this then you will find it under the Utilities section on the support website. Thereafter, install the drivers in the following sequence : Chipset, Video, Audio, Network and then the remaining drivers. Ensure that you reboot the system after every driver installation, even if you don't get a prompt to reboot. Once driver installation is done then install Media Direct. It will automatically install to the partition it created for itself initially.

 

Not having Sigmatel driver shouldn't be a problem. I actually removed it from my system prior to the automatic upgrade to Vista SP1 and have no problems since. Vista has a base driver for audio and its works perfectly fine.

 

Cheers!!

Thanks for the informative reply. Actually when I received the E1505, I re-partitioned and re-formatted the hard-drive and installed my own copy of Windows XP Professional into the first partition. Therefore, I've never used MediaDirect nor missed it. The hard-drive is partitioned into 2 parts: OS/Programs and Data. I use Acronis True Image to make ocassional images of the OS/Program partition and SyncBackSE to make daily backups of the Data partition. This arrangement has worked out well for me. If I do anything to corrupt the Program partition, I can simply restore the Program partition without affecting my data.
 
Now down to the specifics. Previously I've used FDISK to create my partitions and then used the Windows CD to install the OS into the primary/active partition. Do you think this will work equally well with Vista? I did find the area on the Dell site speaking of the installation order. It also said that I should not need to install the Dell Notebook System Software under Vista. Here is the link:
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/document?c=us&docid=1A0C0937D62A8739E0401E0A55174744&l=en&s=gen

What do you think? I'll be sure to boot after every driver install. By the way, how has SP1 worked out? Thanks again for your help.

Well, Media Direct is a matter of choice. My system originally came with Windows XP Pro. When I first installed Vista I forgot about media direct and was not able to use the home and media buttons. I then learnt from Dell tech support about installing media direct first. I did that and its working fine.

 

I haven't tried FDISK prior to installing Vista so I really can't say. During installation of Vista you do get an option for creating partitions.

 

With regards to Dell Notebook System Software, I checked that link. It appears to be a newly published journal [Journal ID: 08094CPXKP Article ID: 303237 Date Published: 3/19/2008 Last Revised: 4/2/2008] so it must be valid. I installed Vista in March 2007 and at that time it was recommended to install Dell Notebook System Software prior to installing drivers.

 

SP1 takes care of stability and performance of the operating system and also has support for more hardware. You won't notice any significant change after you install Vista and update to SP1. Back last year there were quite a few compatibility and performance issues. SP1 seems to have taken care of it now. Before updating, its recommended to uninstall Sigmatel audio driver and ensure Windows update is set to Automatic or else SP1 update will not happen. There are others in this forum who faced a similar situation. Some members later installed the sigmatel driver after the update. I did the same but faced a problem with my external microphone not working. So I just uninstalled sigmatel again and Vista base audio driver was good enough to take over and audio is fine. I've had no problems since.

Thanks for all your help.

I thought of a couple more questions:

  1. Do you know the difference in size between XP and Vista on the hard drive? This will allow me to size the first partition appropriately. My XP Pro install was 5.12 GB with only OS, drivers, and .NET Framework.

  2. After the OS is installed is it better to go directly to updating Windows (including SP1) or should I install all drivers first? 

 

Thanks. 

I created a preliminary recipe for installing Windows Vista. Would appreciate a critique. Thanks. 

 

BuildVista01 dated xx-xx-08
---------------------------
1.  Remove all peripherals
2.  FDisk: Delete all partitions
3.  FDisk: Create Primary DOS Partition = 15 GB
      - with XP using 8 out of 15 GB including all Apps, so may be able to keep the same
4.  FDisk: Create Extended DOS Partition = balance
5.  FDisk: Create Logical DOS partition in Extended DOS partition
6:  Format and install Windows Vista Home Premium in C:\ partition
      - Administrador / make / myName / kpLAN
      - Create BU folder: TempBU
7.  Install Intel Mobile Chipset driver (R140623) - Optional
8.  Reboot computer
9.  Install Ricoh Chipset driver (R141246) - Optional
10. Reboot computer
12. Install ATI X1400 Video driver (R153383) - Optional
13. Reboot computer
14. Install  Broadcom 440X Ethernet driver (R149798) - Recommended
15. Reboot computer
16. Install Sigmatel Audio driver (R147073) - Optional
17. Reboot computer
18. Install Sound Blaster Audio driver (Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy) - Recommended
19. Reboot computer
20. Install Modem driver (R139434) - Recommended
21. Reboot computer
22. Install Intel Pro/Wireless 3945 ABG WiFi driver (R171132) - Optional
23. Reboot computer
24. Install Touchpad driver (R141200) - Optional
25. Reboot computer
26. Enable Automatic Updates
27. Disable Remote Control
28. Disable System Restore
29. Connect to internet via Ethernet
30. Update Windows including SP1
31. Reboot computer
32. Delete TempBU folder
33. Change Data partition to E:\ and format
34. Set Folder parameters
35. Set Power parameters
36. Download and install .NET Framework (to clear cli error)
37. Create BuildVista01 image backup dated xx-xx-08, size = xx GB

 

As you can see, I indicated 'Optional' or 'Recommended' as stated by Dell on their download page. I also installed all Drivers before updating Windows. I have read that when updating, Microsoft studies your installed drivers before deciding whether or not to download SP1, so I figured that I should have the latest driver versions installed before attempting the update. If I understood you correctly, Windows Vista gives you the opportunity to partition the hard drive before installation in which case steps 1-5 are redundant.

Hi Paroots,

 

Microsoft recommends that you have at least 20GB of free space for Vista installation. The actual Vista Home Premium DVD that you will have would roughly be some odd 2.5GB(my Vista Ultimate was that much!). If you have a 100GB plus hard drive then I suggest you make a primary partition of 40GB for installing Vista.

 

When Dell began shipping systems with Vista, they always had a minimum of 2 partitions 1. Primary and 2. Recovery. The Recovery partition basically held all Vista "system restore" points on a daily basis. Systems were shipped with a 10GB Recovery partition cause Vista system restore requires a lotta space. When I installed Vista, I never bothered to make a seperate Recovery partition but I had enough space on the primary partition so that if Vista's system restore wants to create restore point I would know and it would have its space. As time went by the restore point creation went on and on to the extent that I noticed it crossed 9GB. I then realized Vista had this feature that you can delete those restore points that you will never ever use, I removed them and gained quite a lotta space. You can expect Vista to create it first restore point touching near about 0.9GB, that's what it did for me.

 

Answering your second question, I would say No....simply because updating to SP1 may not happen immediately. My recommendation is to install the drivers first (skip sigmatel and modem...I'll tell you why later) and then go online to get the first updates. SP1 may not happen on the same day as the initial update needs to be installed prior to the system being fit to receive SP1. That's how Microsoft set it.

 

Coming to Sigmatel and the Modem driver : Its a known fact that on our E1505 motherboards the audio and modem reside on the same controller bus. On this 945 chipset its always recommended to install the modem driver immediately after installation of the sigmatel driver (that's if you do an OS reinstall). Later I checked Microsoft's site and realized why SP1 was not downloading on my system. Perhaps you could go through it as well.

 

From the time Vista was launched, and till today, Sigmatel has not been able to figure out a decent Vista compatible driver for motherboards with Sigmatel chipset. This is actually (for want of a better word) an unfortunate truth. Intel tied up with sigmatel to make its 945 series motherboards incorporating onboard sigmatel audio chipset with XP being the popular OS. When Vista went into beta/RC1 testing stage early August 2006, folks did notice Sigmatel driver weren't working too well. So Microsoft (thankfully) made a decent base audio driver. I suppose its more of a business/license or whatever issue that's causing the hindrance rather than a technical one. Anyway, coming back to our E1505s, its better to install the drivers (and off course an Anti virus as well) prior to going online and downloading the updates. Let us know how things transpire. Good luck. :smileyhappy:

 

Cheers

 

EDIT : After going through your checklist, its really interesting. As mentioned in my previous post, I'm a novice when it comes to FDISK and steps 1 to 5. However, installing XP would definitely warrant more driver related issue. I've never tried dual boot before and I understand you have more expertise on this. I did a search with the link you posted and indeed, its valid and recommended. However, for XP, installing Dell Notebook System Software (as a rule) is considered mandatory prior to installing any driver. Reason, I'm told, is that DNSS affects and controls USB and other controllers on the motherboard for which reason its recommended to install first. Through experience with working on various systems, installing NSS does a whole lotta good than anything bad. :smileyhappy:

 

STEPS 6 to 37 : I'm really impressed. Thanks for having the patience to give these steps in the right order. You are a very meticulous person giving all driver/firmware file name that no one these days do it for forum help seekers. We can recommend your steps, given above, in future. Would like to hear from you how it all went through.

Thanks for all the info and the useful link. I have the following comments/questions:

  1. I intend to disable the System Restore function since I use a different methodology backing up my OS. Therefore, I won't need to make allowances for that.

  2. I have no problem skipping the sigmatel and modem drivers, but I'm confused. The Dell download website has both drivers listed for Vista. If there were problems why would that be so?

 3. How do the sigmatel problems manifest themselves?

 4. You can see from my prior post, that I also planned to install Creative Audigy which is also on the problematic list? This was an extra cost option when I ordered my Dell.

 5. For sigmatel, modem, and creative they state that a problem exists prior to a certain version. Isn't the solution just to verify that the download results in a more recent version?

 6. Are you recommending that I never install those 3 problematic drivers or are you saying I should wait for future versions to come out before doing so? If the latter, how would I know when to make the downloads?

 

As you can see, I'm a bit confused on this audio/modem issue! Thanks again 

I will answer your questions, as best as possible, the way you've presented :-

1. System Restore issue : Yes you can use whatever method you want. No issues.

2.  Yes, there is a problem. The sigmatel driver related to our system is outdated. However, for the same audio chipset driver, Dell advertises an upgraded Sigmatel driver on the Inspiron 1225 website. I've experimented and toyed with it as well....It works but messed my microphone, post SP1 update. So, if you are the adventurous person like me.....then why not?

3. Sigmatel problems? Check #2, I always used Skype and googletalk to talk to my relatives in Europe and abroad. Microphone stopped working after SP1 update and the system actually doesn't even acknowledge the right to be here.

4. As far as installing Creative driver is concerned, it is never recommended, but the punters were adamant and wanted a price tag on all. 

5. No it isn't. Lets face facts, ours ain't a gaming and/or super video intensive system. And Sigmatel is just basking on being Overwhelmed with the unexpected result it got from Intel and other motherboard manufacturers.

6. I'm not recommending that you don't install but I would say you might feel happy without Sigmatel and the dialup modem driver on the system. Cause Vista already has drivers for the same. Just check after Vista's installation. I can assure that you will not find any difference between normal audio and the one on calls.

Thanks again for your comments. Based upon your input I'll stop after step 15 and make an image of my OS/Program partition before continuing. Once I create an image with Acronis True Image it takes just a few minutes to restore the entire partition to that point. This will allow me to conveniently experiement with issues such as whether it's best to install the audio/modem drivers or not prior to the Windows update without having to start over again. I'll need to come up with an easy way to test my audio. Maybe the Windows Sound Recorder for testing the microphone. I suppose any music CD would be fine for testing output. Since I've never used the Modem I won't bother to test it.

 

By the way, I've got a similar recipe that I've used for installing XP Pro that has worked very well for me. In that recipe I never installed the NSS and have seen no ill effects. 

 

I am not using Dual Boot, but I will have an image of both my XP and Vista configurations so it's only a matter of a few minutes to switch between OS's. One advantage of this approach is that I don't waste any hard drive space. The major advantage, however, is that I happen to do something I regret I can restore to the prior clean state.

 

As an asside, you mentioned Skype. Several years ago I switched from Skype to CallWithUs. I also purchased an ATA (analog telephone adapter) from Grandstream. This system allows me to receive and make telephone calls using a regular cordless phone independent of whether the computer is on or off. Also, callwithus is substantially cheaper than Skype although that wasn't the original motivation. I just got tired of having to leave the computer on all the time not knowing when someone might call.  

While browsing the Dell Vista forum, I discovered this posting. Upon exploring the Dell driver download site, I discovered that the sigmatel driver for Windows XP ( 12/20/2007) is almost a year more recent than the one listed for Vista ( 1/31/2007) which seems to confirm the posters statement that the Vista one is very old. Anyway, do you think this is a possible solution to the audio problems we've discussed?