Laptop Upgrade Questions

cozumel · Jun 17, 2009, 08:19 AM

I am a laptop virgin and don't how easy it is to do what I want to do so thought I should ask first before I do something dumb!

Just bought a Dell Vostro Laptop which is 64-bit compatable. So I told them I didn't want any software installed but they said I had to and installed Vista Basic, Works, Roxio, Power DVD and Norton.

So I want to wipe the hard drive and have a dual-boot Windows / Linux system.

So, if I install Vista Business 64-bit how easy will it be to get the drivers as the supplied driver disk will no doubt only have 32-bit versions. The 9300M GS graphics are no problem with mobility modder but what about everything else? On Dells website it has an automated driver download system but doesn't confirm 64-bit driver availability (although the laptop can have 64-bit OS pre-installed) so I am assuming all would be fine.

Also, if I installed Windows 7 RC1 instead of Vista would I be able to get drivers (especially mobility modder)?

If you are wondering why I didn't get 64-bit Vista Business pre-installed it is because they only do that with MS Office full version and would have added £450 to the price. I already have multiple licenses of MS Office 2007 so it did't make sense. Plus I haven't accepted the license for Vista yet so would expect to receive £25 refund for the current OEM license.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

BlueMak · Jun 17, 2009, 08:47 AM

Well, if contacting Dell won't do, the only way to solve this would be to find every single hardware device in your laptop by make and model and then look if there is a driver for it out there.

cozumel · Jun 17, 2009, 05:02 PM

I know there are drivers as Dell sell the same model with exact same hardware and 64-bit OS. Just wondering if anyone knew how easy it was to get the drivers as I know they are probably specific for Dell OEM (chipset/network) components and their download page is not very helpful. ie Their download page is only automated from what I can see meaning I can't seem to access/download the drivers until I install 64-bit OS and connect the laptop to the internet. I would prefer to download the full set first so I have the knowledge that there will not be any problems.

Vikingod · Jun 18, 2009, 10:02 AM

The dell support website is not only automated. You can search in several ways, including by just entering your Service Tag #, or by selecting your model laptop, then selecting which OS you use. You can then DL anything you want.

cozumel · Jun 18, 2009, 09:49 PM

Thanks Vikingod. It appears I was navigating through their website the wrong way and ended up on their automated service. But now tried a different route after reading your post and 'hey presto' I am there now on the 64-bit drivers for my model.

DataCabbitKSW · Jun 24, 2009, 06:59 PM

Most everything usually auto-detcts right out of the box with Vista (and with Windows 7). The mass majority of stuff will have built-in drivers or drivers available via Windows Update. HOWEVER, like it was mentioned, just go by the Dell support site and download the drivers before hand so you have them ready on a flash drive or whatever else. It makes doing re-installs or new builds so much easier. Some times you can also get newer drivers directly from the chipset manufacturers, however for certain things (Dell Laptop specific software, etc) you will have to get it straight from Dell. The only problem with using the Windows 7 RC right now, is that you will have to reinstall it by June 1st (or March 1st if you want to avoid the 2hour restarts that start on that date). However, the final release of Windows 7 comes out on October 22nd, so you will have plenty of time to switch over. You can grab a license and the .ISO from over at the TechNet site through August 15th: Windows 7 RC | Support, Deployment, Resources

Jun 17, 2009, 08:19 AM	#1
cozumel I'm dangerous but cute... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Under the waves... Posts: 3,619 Rep Power: 42 System Specs	Laptop Upgrade Questions I am a laptop virgin and don't how easy it is to do what I want to do so thought I should ask first before I do something dumb! Just bought a Dell Vostro Laptop which is 64-bit compatable. So I told them I didn't want any software installed but they said I had to and installed Vista Basic, Works, Roxio, Power DVD and Norton. So I want to wipe the hard drive and have a dual-boot Windows / Linux system. So, if I install Vista Business 64-bit how easy will it be to get the drivers as the supplied driver disk will no doubt only have 32-bit versions. The 9300M GS graphics are no problem with mobility modder but what about everything else? On Dells website it has an automated driver download system but doesn't confirm 64-bit driver availability (although the laptop can have 64-bit OS pre-installed) so I am assuming all would be fine. Also, if I installed Windows 7 RC1 instead of Vista would I be able to get drivers (especially mobility modder)? If you are wondering why I didn't get 64-bit Vista Business pre-installed it is because they only do that with MS Office full version and would have added £450 to the price. I already have multiple licenses of MS Office 2007 so it did't make sense. Plus I haven't accepted the license for Vista yet so would expect to receive £25 refund for the current OEM license. Thanks in advance for the advice. __________________ Don't worry about money - Be a beach bum! Scuba Rocks

Jun 17, 2009, 08:47 AM	#2
BlueMak DH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 8,240 Rep Power: 118 System Specs	Re: Laptop Upgrade Questions Well, if contacting Dell won't do, the only way to solve this would be to find every single hardware device in your laptop by make and model and then look if there is a driver for it out there. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Jun 17, 2009, 05:02 PM	#3
cozumel I'm dangerous but cute... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Under the waves... Posts: 3,619 Rep Power: 42 System Specs	Re: Laptop Upgrade Questions I know there are drivers as Dell sell the same model with exact same hardware and 64-bit OS. Just wondering if anyone knew how easy it was to get the drivers as I know they are probably specific for Dell OEM (chipset/network) components and their download page is not very helpful. ie Their download page is only automated from what I can see meaning I can't seem to access/download the drivers until I install 64-bit OS and connect the laptop to the internet. I would prefer to download the full set first so I have the knowledge that there will not be any problems. __________________ Don't worry about money - Be a beach bum! Scuba Rocks

Jun 18, 2009, 10:02 AM	#4
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,149 Rep Power: 85 System Specs	Re: Laptop Upgrade Questions The dell support website is not only automated. You can search in several ways, including by just entering your Service Tag #, or by selecting your model laptop, then selecting which OS you use. You can then DL anything you want. __________________ *How You Can Help DriverHeaven By Using Digg*

Jun 18, 2009, 09:49 PM	#5
cozumel I'm dangerous but cute... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Under the waves... Posts: 3,619 Rep Power: 42 System Specs	Re: Laptop Upgrade Questions Thanks Vikingod. It appears I was navigating through their website the wrong way and ended up on their automated service. But now tried a different route after reading your post and 'hey presto' I am there now on the 64-bit drivers for my model. __________________ Don't worry about money - Be a beach bum! Scuba Rocks

Jun 24, 2009, 06:59 PM	#6
DataCabbitKSW DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Re: Laptop Upgrade Questions Most everything usually auto-detcts right out of the box with Vista (and with Windows 7). The mass majority of stuff will have built-in drivers or drivers available via Windows Update. HOWEVER, like it was mentioned, just go by the Dell support site and download the drivers before hand so you have them ready on a flash drive or whatever else. It makes doing re-installs or new builds so much easier. Some times you can also get newer drivers directly from the chipset manufacturers, however for certain things (Dell Laptop specific software, etc) you will have to get it straight from Dell. The only problem with using the Windows 7 RC right now, is that you will have to reinstall it by June 1st (or March 1st if you want to avoid the 2hour restarts that start on that date). However, the final release of Windows 7 comes out on October 22nd, so you will have plenty of time to switch over. You can grab a license and the .ISO from over at the TechNet site through August 15th: Windows 7 RC \| Support, Deployment, Resources