Imaging requirements and process for the Dell Venue 8 Pro 5830 Tablet

Follow the instructions to learn how to re-image the Dell Venue 8 Pro 5830 Tablet.

Venue 8 Pro imaging requirements

Venue 8 Pro 5830 will only boot in x32 bit UEFI mode. Legacy or DOS boot configurations are not supported by this device. Windows 8.1 32 Bit (UEFI Mode) is the validated operating system for the Venue 8 Pro tablet.

Processes for imaging the Venue 8 Pro

Note: Before beginning an image install, Dell first recommends that the system BIOS be updated to the latest version available and all BIOS settings are set correctly for the desired system operation. You can download drivers and support applications for t his system from the Dell support website.

Windows 8.1 installation via bootable UEFI USB flash drive.

Note: This process should be performed on a local user workstation/system connected to the Internet. 

Notice: All data contained on the USB drive will be destroyed in the process of preparing the USB key for UEFI boot.

1. USB Flash Drive Preparation. The Dell Venue 8 Pro will only boot UEFI mode. The USB flash drive used to install the Windows must be configured to boot UEFI. First, create a UEFI bootable USB flash drive that can boot and run the Windows 8.1 installer.
   1. Download or use an existing Windows 8.1 (x86-32 Bit) Install DVD ISO file.
   2. Download the "Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool."
   3. Place the USB key in one of the local system USB ports.
   4. Run the DVD tool as administrator.
   5. Select the Windows 8.1 installer ISO and click "Next".
   6. From the next screen that is provided, select "USB device".
   7. Chose the desired USB device from the drop down menu and click "Begin copying".
   8. Wait for the tool to complete the USB build and close it.
   9. Create a folder on the local system. Example, "C:\Win8dot1-USB-Boot"
   10. Copy "ALL" the files and folders on the USB key to the folder on the local system
   11. Reformat the USB key as FAT32. (The DVD tool defaults to NTFS. UEFI must boot from FAT32 for the USB device.)
   12. After the format is complete, copy all the files and folders from the local folder back to the USB device
   13. The USB device will now boot to the Windows installer and is ready to use to install Windows 8.1 on the Venue 8 Pro 5830.

Note: Hardware required to perform the USB Windows 8.1 installation include the following: Micro USB – USB convertor, USB mouse, USB keyboard and USB flash. A powered hub is highly recommended. (The Venue 8 Pro USB port can only provide 500mA of usable current. USB device may not work if totally required current is more than 500mA, this depends on your USB device.)

Note: Until the chipset drivers are loaded, the touchscreen will not function. Until the Windows 8.1 install is complete and the chipset driver is installed, you will make all input using the attached USB mouse and keyboard.

5. After pressing enter, the system will then boot to the USB flash drive and start the Windows 8.1 installer. Follow the installer prompts to complete the Windows 8.1 installation process.
6. Once Windows 8.1 is installed, the device drivers and supporting applications must be installed to provide full system functionality.
7. The drivers and apps can be downloaded Dell support website and placed on a USB flash drive and then copied to a temporary folder on the system. After the driver files and apps have been copied to the system, they can be manually installed or installed by script(s).
8. The recommended install order for device drivers and apps is:

Required drivers:

1. BIOS updates
2. Firmware device updates (Touchpad, HDD, WWAN,..)
3. Intel Atom chipset/Integrated Graphics driver package
4. Qualcomm Network/BT Drivers
5. Intel TXEI Driver

Optional drivers:

1. WWAN DW5570 Driver
2. LTE DW5808 Driver

Automated Windows 8.1 image install/deployment through Enterprise solutions such as Microsoft’s SCCM.

Built into the BIOS, the Venue 8 Pro 5830 contains PXE code for an external USB to Ethernet adapter to PXE boot, the adapter must be built around the ASIX AX88772 Ethernet IC (Integrated Circuit). Both AX88772B and AX88772C versions are supported.

The following manufacturer’s USB to Ethernet adapters have the correct Ethernet IC and are detected by the Venue 8 Pro 5830 BIOS as PXE bootable devices:

• HiRO USB2.0 To Ethernet LAN 10/100MBPS Network Adapter – Mfg. P/N H50223
• Sabrent USB2.0 To Network 10/100MBPS Ethernet Adapter – Mfg. P/N NT-USB20
• Olimex USB 2-10/100 FAST ETHERNET CONTROLLER – Mfg. P/N USB-ETHERNET-AX88772B

Note: The USB to Ethernet adapters for use with Latitude 10 tablet systems are not supported by the Venue 8 Pro 5830 system. They will not be detected as bootable device and cannot boot the system. Also, the Ethernet device internal to the Latitude 10 systems is not supported for PXE boot from Venue 8 Pro 5830.

The below table outlines the USB to Ethernet devices and boot modes that are currently supported.

The ASIX AX88772 internal the USB adapters are only capable of 10/100Mbit Ethernet speeds. Support for Gigabit Ethernet will be added early 2014 through the use of a USB3.0 to RJ-45 Ethernet adapter.

Enable the UEFI Network Stack – 5830

Before the Venue 8 Pro 5830 system can PXE boot, the UEFI network stack must be enabled in BIOS.

1. Enter BIOS setup (Press F2 during boot)
2. Use the arrow keys and highlight "Advanced"
3. Change the "Enable UEFI Network Stack" option to "Enabled"
4. Press F10 to Save and Exit BIOS setup.

Booting the system to PXE

To PXE boot the system, make the necessary USB and network connections then power up the system.

1. As soon as the Dell splash screen is displayed, press the F12 to enable the one-time boot selection menu.
2. Use the arrow keys to highlight "UEFI: IP4 ASIX AX88772B/C USB Fast Ethernet Controller" then press Enter.

Device Drivers / Apps

Dell provides pre-packaged driver and app Cab files for OS deployment through SCCM or other deployment services. The Cab files can be downloaded from the Dell support site or the Cab package file can also be downloaded from the Dell Community Forum.

SCCM/Deployment Step Sequence

SCCM Partition Setup. While not required for Venue 8 Pro 5830, it is recommended to create a Partition Disk 0 – BIOS partition to provide support for future models that can boot with legacy BIOS mode. For the legacy partitions _SMSTSBootUEFI should be set to "not equals" true.

If desired, the BIOS legacy step can be skipped. Partition Disk 0-UEFI partition must be created. Here _SMSTSBootUEFI must be set to "equals" true in order for the partition to properly UEFI boot.

SCCM Driver Install Step Sequence

Dell recommends installing the Venue 8 Pro 5830 system’s device drivers and supporting applications in the install order outlined below.

Venue 8 Pro 5830 Recommended Install Order for Drivers/Apps:

Required drivers:

1. BIOS updates
2. Firmware device updates (Touchpad, HDD, WWAN,..)
3. Intel Atom chipset/Integrated Graphics driver package
4. Qualcomm Network/BT Drivers
5. Intel TXEI Driver

Optional drivers:

1. WWAN DW5570 Driver
2. LTE DW5808 Driver

Useful Information:

Venue 8 Pro 5830 Dell Support Page.

Intro to UEFI.

Windows Deployment Services, Windows overview.

DISM commands (recovery/backup image).

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