Dell Laptop User Thread

[Diavonex]

yo tks for your prompt reply, guess gonna struggle a bit tomorrow. hee....

If you run into problem, don't hesitate to post them here.

 

[cracker]

The Dell notebook usually have 3 hidden partitions (EISA partition, MediaDirect and Recovery partition)

If you start adding/removing partition, there's a good chance that the notebook will not bootup or the Recovery partition will not work afterwards.

Use Disk Management to see the hidden partitions.

thx for ur help...I was reading the manual...there was no mention of making copy of the recovery portion...will call up and listen to Dell's opinion.

thx.

 

[l0nEr_]

Hey. If i order a Dell 1420 today, how long would it take to arrive?

 

[Diavonex]

Hey. If i order a Dell 1420 today, how long would it take to arrive?

http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/top...nfo/en/deliverytime?c=sg&cs=sgdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

 

[Diavonex]

thx for ur help...I was reading the manual...there was no mention of making copy of the recovery portion...will call up and listen to Dell's opinion.

thx.

If your hard disk drop dead, you can only reinstall Windows XP/Vista. There will be no diagnostic, MediaDirect and Recovery Partition if you don't backup every thing.

 

[G4]

http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/top...nfo/en/deliverytime?c=sg&cs=sgdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

that's a rough guide... but how abt those in SG who brought those new models, 1420, 1520? if parts for m1330 got delayed, it may also happen to other parts...

 

[Diavonex]

that's a rough guide... but how abt those in SG who brought those new models, 1420, 1520? if parts for m1330 got delayed, it may also happen to other parts...

Delay mainly on the XPS M1330.

 

[Jonski69]

Dell 640m Vista to XP

Hi,
I have just bought a 2nd hand Dell640m that comes with vista.

I want it to change it to XP pro, can someone point me to a guide on how to do this properly..

The I have all the driver cd's that comes with it, will it support XP? or i have to download all XP drivers first in dell site before i proceed.

I also want to know what is the use of recovery partition? Is it safe to merge it to the big OS partion and i will make 2 new partion for XP and data file.

Thanks.

 

[Diavonex]

Suggest you do this:

1. Backup complete hard disk with Acronis 10 (Trial Version) to external HDD; don't forget to make the Rescue CD

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/download/trueimage/

2. Download Windows XP drivers from here:

http://supportapj.dell.com/support/...mID=INS_PNT_E1405&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=

3. You can now wipe the whole hard disk and install Windows XP

 

[Diavonex]

If you want to switch back to Windows Vista:

1. Bootup Rescue CD

2. Restore (Recover) backup image from external HDD to 640M

 

[Diavonex]

Jonski69, check your current hardware in Device Manager to make sure your do not download the wrong driver for Windows XP e.g. video, sound card, wireless card, Bluetooth etc.

DO NOT use Windows Vista driver for Windows XP.

 

[cracker]

If your hard disk drop dead, you can only reinstall Windows XP/Vista. There will be no diagnostic, MediaDirect and Recovery Partition if you don't backup every thing.

I was given the following disc :

1) Vista Home premium OS
2) Mediadirect
3) utlities & drivers
4) the software for the dvd writer
5) the useless microsoft work


spoken to a dell tech support staff..

he said I can just reformat the whole hard disk w/o the need to making any copy of material in the recovery drive...

Of cos, I wont get the diagnotic software or the recovery partition on the NB...but the rest can be re-installed....

why did u say I wont get the "mediadirect" ?

 

[Diavonex]

Cracker just read the Inspiron 1420 manual

The 1420 do not have a Recovery Partition so there's no necessity to do backup.

 

[Diavonex]

Do a search on how to reinstall MediaDirect, it complicated.

You have to prepare the hard disk for MediaDirect before you install Windows. Otherwise you'll have to use PartitionMagic or Disk Director after installing Windows.

 

[Jonski69]

Jonski69, check your current hardware in Device Manager to make sure your do not download the wrong driver for Windows XP e.g. video, sound card, wireless card, Bluetooth etc.

DO NOT use Windows Vista driver for Windows XP.

Thanks for support.. I will do all of your advice, hopefully i would not encounter any problems.

 

[cracker]

Do a search on how to reinstall MediaDirect, it complicated.

You have to prepare the hard disk for MediaDirect before you install Windows. Otherwise you'll have to use PartitionMagic or Disk Director after installing Windows.

had called up Dell again...

he gave some tips....will try tonight and post.

 

[Diavonex]

Can Inspiron 1420 and Inspiron 1520 owner please confirm that your computer do not come with Recovery Partition (Dell PC Restore).

 

[msmurf]

yo,

just received my 1520, tell me how to check whether got pc restore and i ll come back asap. btw, i can see a recovery partition 10 gb in the disk management screen.

 

[Diavonex]

Thanks msmurf, got a better picture now.

Inspiron 1420 do not come with Dell PC Restore.

Inspiron 1520 comes with Dell PC restore.

 

[Diavonex]

yo,

just received my 1520, tell me how to check whether got pc restore and i ll come back asap. btw, i can see a recovery partition 10 gb in the disk management screen.

You got it; Disk Management is the best place to check.