For my servcie tag there is nothing listed for Win7 64 bit. If I put Vista 64 bit it lists a chipset driver 9.0.0.1007 27/10/08. Can I check what chipset driver is installed somewhere e.g. in device manager. I see a line Intel 5 Series/3400 Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 1 driver 9.1.1.1013 4/6/09. does that mena I already have a never one?
I do not recommend that you change drivers given by the Win7 installer or updated via optional Windows Updates, unless performance dictates doing so.
MS spent a fortune paying manufacturers to build drivers under the WHQL program so that they could have them in the Win7 installer and via optional Updates first. This was also to keep manufacturers from holding out on drivers to force us to buy newer hardware as they did with Vista.
Win7 is a whole new game which doesn't require old XP or even Vista procedures or tweaks. After optional Updates delivers drivers, any missing in Device Manager can be found from the Support Downloads webpage for your computer or device model.
A "Standard VGA display driver" should be replaced if Updates doesn't quickly provide the latest. There are some NVidia chipsets which will have a "Co-Processor" missing until you install the full download.
Other than that let performance dictate whether you change out any drivers, starting with chipset.
Here the latest update
With Mo's assitance we did following:
- Replaced the 2006 Microsoft chipset driver with a 2008 one form the dell website that was listed ofr my service tag but Vista 64 bit not Win7 64 bit. (Created a restore point first)
- Increased page file for C drive to 6GB.
- Ran CCcleaner
- Defragged OS/program and data partitions with perfectdisk11 and defraged system files on reboot
- Went through default service listing on Black Viper and set everything to the Windows 7 pro defaults. A few were different and wonder if they were carreid over in the file transfer wizard from Vista. This is a list of the ones that were different in case anyone things they could be too blame:
Default set to
- Diagnostic System Host Manual (started) Manual but cannot start it
- Distributed Transaction Coor Manual (started) Manual (stopped)
- IKE and AuthIP Manual Auto
- ICS Disabled Manual
- Microsoft.net Framework Auto delayed Manual
- Netlogon Manual Disabled
- Program Comp Assistant Manual Auto
- Smart Card Manual Disabled
- Smart Car Removal Manual Disabled
- SNMT Trap Manual Disable
- Volume Shadow Copy Manual (started) Manual (stopped)
Now the bad news. The thing has completely forzen up again. IE8 is spinning it's wheels loading some page. Can open task manager but it is now listing anything and says not responding. Cannot get onto start to shut down. After an hour I had to kill it by powering off which I know is a really bad thing to do.
So it would seem that things have not improved and none of the checks/test suggested have revealed anything obvious. Seems like a custom clean install is all I am left with which I am dreading. On the subject of drivers should I be getting the latest version form Dell or the manufacturer? Dell only lists some drivers under Vista 64 bit e.g. chipset and not under Win 7 for my service tag so are these the ones to use?
Sorry formatting on the servies didn't come out like I thought. Basically listed as servcie, defualt, set to in that order.c
I don't know how this thread has had an 11 page life, Dell in the past has always used propriatary mother boards so for chipset i would use the one they recomend for your service tag, second Win 7 does not need Black Viper, third if it's a Vista driver use compatibility mode to install it, forth save your data and do a clean install and learn Win 7 without tweaks and alot of third party crapware.
Windows 7 requires no tweaking other than normal system settings - it will absolutely work against you!
Before reinstall, check for latest BIOS version update on Support Downloads webpage for your computer or mobo model. If no newer, reset the CMOS: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixthe.../clearcmos.htm Then set SATA controller in BIOS to AHCI to try install.
What type of installation media do you have? Does it say Win7 Installation DVD? Test that it boots correctly to install. Then use it's Command Line to wipe the HD before install to overcome any infected or conflicting code: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
If you have an Upgrade version DVD it may not accept the Product Key upfront. If not, continue with installation anyway, then when you get to the desktop use one of the workarounds given here: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
Use the drivers given by Win7 installer and optional Windows Updates first. I would not change out any drivers unless performance dictates or driver is missing in Device Manager. You should get the latest display driver in Updates, but if not import it from Dell.
Install programs slowly over time to gauge any performance changes. Don't allow any programs other than AV and gadgets to write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they are freeloaders on CPU/RAM and can spy on you. Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials with the Windows Firewall only.
When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner and Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers. Then save a Win7 backup image so you never have to reinstall again.
Last edited by gregrocker; 31 Aug 2010 at 13:36.
I agree with the previous two posters. It's time to stop the foolishness, reinstall and move on. All the tweaking and tuning in the world isn't going to get this system functioning properly.
Ok I will ask the most obvious question that no one has yet....what are her machine specs (CPU type and speed, RAM amount, etc). If this is a pre-built machine (HP,Dell, E-machine, etc) then it flat out might not accept Windows 7...my mother has a Dell with XP and it will absolutely not accept SP2 without massive issues so she is locked at SP1.
Pre-built machines are designed for the OS that it came with and upgrading sometimes will not work in some cases. Check the manafacturer's website for your model and upgrading the OS and they might have some info on the issue if there will be one. If it is a custom built unit then we will need specs to first determine if the machine is able to to run 7. From there if it will run it then you could have a failing piece of hardware. And like the other reply said...check the device manager for yellow exclamation points indicating a problem with a piece of hardware...could be as simple as needing the latest drivers.
Hi Gregrocker. Afraid I'm getting lost in the terminology
1. I am pretty confident I have upgraded the BIOS from Dell at some point. Does that mean DONT reset the CMOS?
2. Is resetting the CMOS or the AHCI thing going to remove the RAID configuration? If so how and whne do I get that back?
3. I have an upgrade DVD so assume that menas go through a custom clean install as per tutorial formatting drive along the way which wil lremove all data & programs. Will it format the partition with user data on it as well? I'm guessing best to remove all partitions and start from scratch.
4. If I need drivers from Dell and they are only listed under Vista 64 bit not Win 7 64 bit for my service tag should I ignore them or install under compatabilty mode as someone suggested (haven't worked out what that is)?
Sorry to ask so many questions, but first experience of working with OS. I'm going to be away for a week, but want to get my ducks in a line and have a go at this when I get back.
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