Windows 7: installing drivers after clean install of windows 7

Hey guys, im new to these forums, so i dont know if im posting this in the right section, but anyways i want to do a clean install of my windows 7 home premium 64bit, i have a dell inspiron laptop, not sure what model number, but i think its a N117, or something like that, anyways i just got it like a couple of months ago of this year



So my question is could i install the drivers from windows update? i do have the driver disc that came with it, but its very confusing and not very straightforward, i had to select each and every drive but i dont know which one is the right one, i wish it was how it was with mac bootcamp how you just pop in you mac installation disc and click next and begin to install, by the way i did this twice now and it feels like my computer is slower than when i first got it, and it could be the dell drivers

So is there anyway to do this, i know you have to have internet for windows update to work but is there anyway other to do this?

Also i know that some computers already have the drivers install when you reformat and do a clean install, im pretty sure im doing the install correctly, i always go to custom advanced and reformat, unless that not correct then please correct me if im wrong

Hi,

To have Windows install important updates as they become available, turn on automatic updating. Click on the URL mentioned for reference: </SPAN>http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Turn-automatic-updating-on-or-off

I would suggest you to install the drivers from the driver disc or you can even go to the URL mentioned for driver’s installation: http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/DriversHome/NeedProductSelection

For windows 7 installation, you can refer to the URL which will guide you with the snapshots:
http://www.door2windows.com/how-to-install-windows-7/

Back up your files before you begin reinstalling Windows 7 if possible, even if you're reinstalling Windows 7 on a hard disk partition, and you have personal files on a separate partition. For example, if you have encrypted files, you might not be able to access them after reinstalling Windows. A custom installation replaces the current version of Windows 7and all personal files.

Hope this helps.

thanks for the answer, but theres not really a point to do a fresh install anymore, if i have to manually click one at a time to install, this is the problem right here, this confuses me, cause im not sure which one is the right one, i just thought i could use windows update to install the actual drivers, not use dell drivers disc, then update the drivers from windows update

Also my computer never came with an installation disc, this could be a factor as well as the reason why its so much slower, cause i had to buy me one, but i dont know, all in all this computer is not up to par, but oh well ill be getting another computer anyways in a couple of weeks

Hi,

Glad to hear from you. If you want I can send you the correct list of drivers which needs to be installed on your computer. For that I would require Service Tag and Your full Name to be sent to me on: debbie_bhatia@dell.com

However, if you have not received windows 7 discs with your computer, you can get a free copy of these discs from Dell. Let me know if you need my help in that.

Try updating your drivers in Device Manager.
Driver Install - Device Manager

It is good practice before you reinstall the OS to go to Dell, or whoever the manufacturer is, and download the latest driver for your devices...ex: Display Driver, Chipset Driver, Network Driver etc. When you reinstall Windows, you can load those drivers and be up and running. After that, whatever other drivers you need can be found the same place as the others by using the Service Tag number usually.

Based upon past experience with Dell, you'll only need a few drivers. Start with the chipset and anything related. Find them by going to the support site and entering your service tag.

Call Dell about the media. The worse they can say is no, or that it will cost you.

Skip the driver disk. The drivers are not the latest. Download the latest from Dell Support using your Service Tag.

Unless the Inspiron you have is very different from mine, you won't need much. I don't recall exactly which ones I used, but it was only a couple as best I recall.

thanks for all yall help guys @pricetech now i have done this before, went to the drivers and downloads, and put in my service tag, but there is alot of drivers in one category, and this right here whats get me confused, there is to many to choose

and by the way i have a Inspiron 17R N7110

I think it would be best to initially install the drivers using the Drivers Disk that came with your machine. If you like you could update them after installation later on.

After installing Windows 7 you could open the Device Manager and note down the Devices that are not installed automatically during the Windows installation. They may or may not include Ethewrnet, Wi-Fi, Audio and Video Drvices.

Once these uninstalled Devices are identified the Drivers Disk should be popped in. You can then install the Driver from the Device Manager as Theog has suggested with the help of the Drivers Disk or browse to the installation file for the missing Driver(s) and install from there.

Good luck for to you for this Project.

>.> this post is seriously going around in circles, once again, which drivers do i install, THIS IS THE MAIN PROBLEM RIGHT HERE, i can go the next step but first, WHAT DRIVERS DO I INSTALL, if anybody has a dell laptop around yall will understand what im talking about the disc, its really worthless, as quoted, there should be just a button that you just click the next button and install all the drivers needed, instead of getting you a laundrey list of drivers on a disc that you havet to pick yourself and dont know what your doing, since the drivers disc does not tell me which drivers to install im at a lost