Dell XPS M1330

[staffsMike]

I did a fresh install as soon as I got it.

There is a good guide for doing it. (It's not quite as straight forward as putting the vista disc in )
M1330 Laptop Vista Reformat To Remove Bloatware -simplified!!! - Notebook Forums and Laptop Discussion

check it out if you want to change partitions or reformat.

If you want to put XP on it and it doesn't see your hard drive, you will need to go into the bios and change the SATA controller from whatever it is at default to the other option (can't remember which way round. ACHI - SATA i think)

Then it will say you can't do that.. please diasable flash cache (or something, it;s been a while since I did it)

Do that, then re-do the ACHI -SATA (or other way around) bit. Then you can get XP on

[markbrown83]

I did a fresh install as soon as I got it.

There is a good guide for doing it. (It's not quite as straight forward as putting the vista disc in )
M1330 Laptop Vista Reformat To Remove Bloatware -simplified!!! - Notebook Forums and Laptop Discussion

check it out if you want to change partitions or reformat.

If you want to put XP on it and it doesn't see your hard drive, you will need to go into the bios and change the SATA controller from whatever it is at default to the other option (can't remember which way round. ACHI - SATA i think)

Then it will say you can't do that.. please diasable flash cache (or something, it;s been a while since I did it)

Do that, then re-do the ACHI -SATA (or other way around) bit. Then you can get XP on

Excellent, cheers for that. I will be putting Vista Ultimate on it I think... need it for IIS etc!

so will the above allow me to keep partition for dell media, vista and seperate partition for storing files etc?

[staffsMike]

Yeah the media direct disk allows you to change the partitions to whatever you like.

At the moment i'm running just Media Direct and one large partition. Might change it to an O/S partition and Storage though.

Someone was saying if it's anything like the XPS M1210 it would be excellent. My dad has the M1210 for work () and they are both awesome. Both have great laptop keyboards (quiet) and the screens are lovely. The M1330's is better in sunlight and has the extra inch in size which I like. The M1210 runs cooler though.

I would get a notebook cooler if you do anything graphics or hard drive intesive. (I would get one anyway)

[markbrown83]

Yeah the media direct disk allows you to change the partitions to whatever you like.

Excellent, thanks for that.. what if I used a Vista disc and used it to set the partition and install Vista. then install media direct on one of the partitions - would that work or do I need to use the media direct cd to create the partitions?

[staffsMike]

I honestly havn't had time to experiment. I got it about 2 days before I started back at Univeristy and just needed to get it going.

The method I showed you works perfectly though, I can vouch for that.

[markbrown83]

I honestly havn't had time to experiment. I got it about 2 days before I started back at Univeristy and just needed to get it going.

The method I showed you works perfectly though, I can vouch for that.

Excellent, cheers for the info. I will let you know how I get on...

[nickp8]

I have the 9 Cell battery.

How many extra hours does the 9 cell give you over the 6 cell? Do you run Dells recommended power plan when on battery?

Great utiility if your using VISTA to help save battery power is VISTA battery saver. Vista Battery Saver - Home

I have a M1330 too. Great laptops. They do get a bit warm though. Before this I had a Dell X1 Latitude which was Dells first sub notebook.

I only got mine last week. Was going to get it off Dells site too while the XPS offer was on but looked around and found it over £300 cheaper at the company I got my previous Dell laptop off. £799 mine was. Specs in the sig. That is with the LED display, and all the other standard bits fingerprint, bluetooth, wireless-n, dvdrw etc, VISTA Ultimate and a 4 year on site warranty!

BTW in case you didnt know under the battery there is a simcard slot. On the underside of the laptop there is a cover with single screw. This is where the mini pci cards go. One slot is taken up by the wireless-n card. There is a second slot for the Dell mobile broadband mini pci card. The antenna cable is already there. You can pick up the cards for about £60. I currently use mine for 3G broadband net access when on the move using '3' broadband pay as you go though you can use it ony any network. It works really well.

[markbrown83]

One more quick question!

Will I be able to get Dell Media Direct installed on my custom built desktop computer? Or does the installation look for a Dell machine?

[nickp8]

Dont see how that would work. Your pc wouldnt have the dell media direct button.

[markbrown83]

Dont see how that would work. Your pc wouldnt have the dell media direct button.

Oh right, so you get into it using the button. I thought it was just the boot.ini pointing to the dell media partition. And you just select the option. However, you maybe be able to adjust the boot.ini to load it!?

I will have a look into it when I get my laptop...

[staffsMike]

I think I have heard of it.

I have certainly heard of people changing the media direct button to boot a linux partition

[markbrown83]

I have just checked my Dell laptop status and it has just been shipped! What are the chances of me receiving it tomorrow?

[nickp8]

Unfortunately none really. I have never had a next day delivery from Dell after despatch. It takes a few days.

Their carrier Walsh Western ring you to arrange a suitable day for delivery once the parcel gets to the UK from Ireland.

You can track its progress at: Walsh Western - Tracking for Dell

[staffsMike]

I hate walsh western but they will normally do an 8am - 1pm delivery which isn't bad.. of course mine came at 3pm even when it was 8 - 1

[markbrown83]

Yeah I got a call yesterday... it is getting delivered on Thursday - oh well good timing, I have an interview tomorrow so it would just distract me from the research I need to do!

[markbrown83]

Just received my laptop - first impressions are very good... it is just on my desk charging, will have a proper play tonight!!