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How to Set Up Windows XP on a Studio XPS 16 Laptop

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How to Set Up Windows XP on a Studio XPS 16 Laptop

16 Mar 2009 03:03PM

Ok, since I just spent about 30 or so hours over the past 3 days, I figured I'd write some tips and locations of drivers for doing this as noone should have to go through what I just did, and MS is busy trying to make their even newer OS's act like Apples (let's leave this out of the discussion though), and I like to be able to customize the interface to my OS. Ok, so anyways, here we go :

- The first decision you must make is whether or not you want to keep Vista and do a dual-boot, or to wipe it completely and just have XP. If you decide to just kill the Vista partition, then this is a much easier process. Otherwise, do a search for "dual boot vista and xp" and read some of the guides on the individual steps. Basically, what you have to do is resize the Vista partition using either their tool (which has some limitations, and in my case, didn't even let me resize at all. But try it first if you want : http://www.winvistaclub.com/t11.html). I used Gparted which is available here : http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php. Burn it to a CD, reboot, and once in there, you need to use it's partition resizing app to do this. Read this : http://gparted.sourceforge.net/larry/resize/resizing.htm, it tells you how to do it. My HDD is 320 GB, and I resized the Vista partition to 80GB. This took about 2 or 3 hours.

After that, I (stupidly) attempted to just install XP, not realizing that XP can not deal with SATA HDD's. So after a painstaking amount of research, I found out what the next step is. Using Nlite to make a new XP install that has the SATA drivers on it. You can also take this opportunity to add and Service Packs (http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/xpsp2.html or http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/windows-xp-service-pack-3.html).

Ok, so download your drivers. A very important note is make sure that you download drivers that are appropriate for the number of bits of your version of XP; that is download 32-bit drivers for 32 bit XP, and 64-bit drivers for XP x64. If you don't know what version of XP you have, then chances are that it's 32 bit. This hung me up for quite a while and coasterized 3 copies of nlite XP before I got drivers that matched. :

- Intel WiFi Link 5100 : http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=3062

- ICH9R/M SATA : http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=107504

- Sound Drivers!! : http://rapidshare.de/files/40173729/PIDT001.EXE.html

- Video : http://ati.amd.com/support/driver.html and http://www.driverheaven.net/modtool.php Save the sound and video drivers for later. Only integrate the WiFi and SATA drivers into Nlite. So, ok, now onto Nlite. Download that here : http://www.nliteos.com/download.html

Ok, now read this : http://www.scribd.com/doc/2964745/How-to-dual-boot-Vista-and-XP and this : http://komku.blogspot.com/2007/11/integrate-driver-into-windows.html Once you integrate the above drivers above into the install disc, taking care to keep all either 32 or 64 bits depending on your copy of XP, you can now reboot with the XP disc, and you should be able to avoid the BSOD "Stop : 0x0000007b (0xc0000034, 0x0000000, 0x00000000)" error. Provided you did everything correctly, you'll get the screen that allows you to partition the HDD for XP. If you want to wipe Vista at this point, just select that one and format it. Otherwise, you want to select whatever partition you created using Gparted or Vista's Disk Management. Install XP as normal.During the network setup phase it should allow you to setup your wireless.

Now, if you did a dual-boot, you'll need to install the .net platform (http://www.microsoft.com/net/) and EasyBCD (http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1) which uses the .net framework. You can use this to repair the Master Boot Record to allow for dual boot (http://www.scribd.com/doc/2964745/How-to-dual-boot-Vista-and-XP). That, or you can insert your Vista install disk and fix it.

Once you're in XP and that' up and running, and you can dual boot if you want to, install the video drivers (after using the Mobility Modder on the newest Catalyst driver from ATI). The use the sound drivers listed above, and wholah! Mostly functional XP.

That being said, not all my devices are set up in XP. I'm only getting into this now, and if anyone has located drivers for any of the other devices, please post to this and continue this post so we can create a definitive reference for other people with these otherwise nice laptops who also want to run XP on it.

Some info I got was from here : http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=270228&page=4

Best wishes and enjoy your XP!

Edit :

Ok, a few updates as I'm down to just 1 unknown device and an exclamation on the 1394 Net Adapter. 

- You will need this chipset Driver : http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=816

- On this page : http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=270228&page=4 , download all the drivers from m3d0r .  Everything but the Bluetooth driver was appropriate for this machine (unless you did buy a Bluetooth with your Dell). 

- Note that installing the HDMI driver will disable sound.  Reinstall the sound driver after this, and you'll have sound back.

Audio
http://rapidshare.de/files/40173729/PIDT001.EXE.html

Intel Chipset
http://rapidshare.de/files/40173743/...autol.zip.html

HDMI
http://rapidshare.de/files/40173712/P163694.EXE.html

Cardreader
http://rapidshare.de/files/40173687/R166188.EXE.html

Touchpad
http://rapidshare.de/files/40173670/R179644.exe.html

Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet
http://rapidshare.de/files/40173666/R180977.exe.html

IR Receiver
http://rapidshare.de/files/40173639/R181761.exe.html

Bluetooth
http://ftp.dell.com/network/R216460.exe

 

Volume buttons (put this in Startup folder in the Start Menu) :

http://wickmanstudios.com/tutorials/dell1535/volumeStatePlusRuntime.zip

(Thanks to this site for that : http://wickmanstudios.com/content/view/17/29/)

Ok, one more update.  This link is to a plugin for Winamp that will allow you to use the Play/Pause/Forward/Back/Stop "Media Buttons" on the panel next to the volume/wireless/eject buttons : http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details/221616

(btw - this is a repost because rtard dell actually removed it for me using h, e, double hockey sticks.  Yeah, seriously. <rolls eyes to the moon and back>

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Re: How to Set Up Windows XP on a Studio XPS 16 Laptop

16 Mar 2009 03:29PM

If you don't clean it up, this post will go the way of the other one.

 

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Re: How to Set Up Windows XP on a Studio XPS 16 Laptop

16 Mar 2009 03:36PM

Clean what part of it up?  It's rated G.

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Re: How to Set Up Windows XP on a Studio XPS 16 Laptop

19 May 2009 09:28AM

Oh, thanks ten times for the tips! A couple of questions, sorry for the kindergarten level:

1) At Nlite step, I integrate OK the .inf drivers for SATA. But the WiFi file is an exe and I do not know how or where to get it into Nlite. Tried running it in case it were a self expandable, but nothing happened that I know.

2) My XPS has a 3670 video card. I chose Radeon 3600 series driver from AMD, hope i chose right?. AMD offers either just the drivers or driver plus application. Which should I pick for later modding?

3) So, only Wifi and SATA at Nlite step. All the rest (chipset, etc) come in afterwards, after installing XP, right?. Any special order?

4) Did you eventually get the mic or 1394 to work? I know that until Apr 28 it was unsolved. I have saved that original thread as .MHT if somebody might need it, with a couple of hints from Archway1 also.

 

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Re: How to Set Up Windows XP on a Studio XPS 16 Laptop

19 May 2009 12:13PM

You're welcome!  No problem either.  I've actually been trying a few other things on this pc and have found some slightly better solutions to parts of it, such as the video card drivers.

1 - Here.  Try this instead : http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?strState=LIVE&ProductID=3062&DwnldID=17228&lang=eng

2 - OK, I switched from the Mobility Modded Radeon HD 3670 drivers to this : http://www.opendrivers.com/driver/265684/ati-mobility-radeon-driver-catalyst-mobility-8.491-windows-xp-free-download.html .  Reason being, I do OpenGL programming and the MM drivers bite the big one for that.  OpenGL support is nonexistent and even simple GL programs like GLQuake or Duke Nukem HR would not run.  After switching to these, OpenGL now shows all it's proper extensions on loadup in Quake or Quake 2.   The theory with the MM drivers is that it takes the *non-mobility* version of the drivers, IE - the desktop card, and mods the drivers to work under the equivalent mobility chip.  In this case Radeon HD 3670.  This works ok for DirectX 9 games, but as I said, OpenGL defaults to using *software* rather than hardware to render.  So basically, your CPU rather than your GPU is doing all the work.  Not what you want.

3 - Yup, pretty much.  No special order really.  Install the HDMI before the sound.  Other than that, you hsould be fine.

4 - Nope, unfortunately.  In the name of getting down to using the machine rather than fix it constantly.  I just eventually bailed on those, and haven't noticed any real detriment to the system as a result.  The 1394 was to connect *networking* to it, something that I'll never do.  For the microphone I'll just plug in a cheap one externally if I ever want to record anything. 

 

All this being said, my WIFI only connects to my N router at class G speed (54mps rather than 270).  This, frank ticks (I hate their censorship mechanism here) me off.  This is actually a known issue with Intel WIFI cards (http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=317057).  If anyone has a fix to this, I'm all ears, but as far as I stand now, this will be the last Dell I ever buy due to all the afforementioned issues.  This quality is far below what I'm willing to accept, and I'm going to be advising all my family, friends, and even pets to avoid them like the bubonic plague.  This will be Dell's business cost for making these inane decisions.   Sorry Dell.  You blew it. 

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Re: How to Set Up Windows XP on a Studio XPS 16 Laptop

15 Sep 2009 02:11AM

Dell Webcam :

http://ftp.dell.com/app/R195284.exe

 

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Re: How to Set Up Windows XP on a Studio XPS 16 Laptop

19 Sep 2009 03:07AM

Thanks for your (and everyone else's) contribution to this forum.  I am lining up all the drivers to install XP 32bit. 

Do you have the Dell Wireless 370 Card (2.0 + EDR)?

Have you had any subsequent BSOD either in XP 32bit or Vista 64bit? 

Did flashing the firmware create any problems?

Do you know the original Bluetooth driver file number that came with your XPS 16?  I am unable to track mine down from the "utilities disk" ( dated Nov 2008) that came with my Aug 2009 delivery.

Thanks in advance for your response.

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Re: How to Set Up Windows XP on a Studio XPS 16 Laptop

01 Oct 2009 01:12AM

Whoa!! Sorry.  Let me post this again without all of the HTML code:

On the home stretch getting XP to run effectively on XPS 16.  I want to thank Archway and NinjaRunningWild for all of their work and contributions.  I found their info very valuable.

I currently have not loaded the IR driver because of the apparent uncertainty over whether it will work.  Has anyone obtained stable drivers for this function?  Otherwise, I installed all of the modifications, fixes, drivers etc.  In addition to what has been posted here, I used the synaptics driver for the touchpad and the problem with the touchpad interfering with typing by resetting the cursor because of thumb or palm brushes is solved.  The Synaptics driver has a sensitivity setting which is very useful.  That driver is at :

http://www.synaptics.com/support/drivers  Most current 32 bit XP driver (Synaptics_Driver_v10_1_8_XP32.exe). 

 I currently have a few residual problems.  There are two unknown devices in device manager.  They are for "Intel(R) ICH9M LPC Interface Controller - 2919".  I did go to Intel's driver site and download and installed the chipset driver from:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=2115&DwnldID=18052&lang=eng

The other driver is for "Microsoft ACPI-Compliant System".  I think this is linked to one of my problems.  On shut down I can not select hibernate.  There is no functionality and pressing the shift key does nothing.  Anyone have any ideas?  I reinstalled the chipset drivers twice and nothing changed.

The other major issue is no functionality for the CD eject button on the lighted touch sensitive toolbar.   Has anyone found the solution for this problem?

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Re: How to Set Up Windows XP on a Studio XPS 16 Laptop

01 Oct 2009 03:02AM

The cd eject can be fixed by downgrading the bios to no later than version 6. 

http://ftp.us.dell.com/bios/R214437.exe

Version 5 is here :

http://ftp.dell.com/bios/1640_A05.exe

 

As far as the unknown devices, you should only have 1 and a ? next to the 1394 Net Adapter.  Try installing the driver I listed here for chipset.  ( Intel Chipset http://rapidshare.de/files/40173743/...autol.zip.html).  It may be that the chipset driver on Intel's site is too current for the chipset that's actually in the laptop.

I listed a IR driver here.  I can't really confirm whether or not it works as I have no IR devices and have no plan to get any.  What are you using this for that you need this?

As far as the hibernate issue, I would read this : http://lifehacker.com/311701/hibernate-vs-standby .  Hibernate takes longer to load up in many cases as just having a streamlined system that you actually shutdown and power on.  I don't have the option to hibernate anyways (only in Vista).  
I actually shut my computer down unless it's downloading something.  My boot time is less than 1 min for XP. 

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Re: How to Set Up Windows XP on a Studio XPS 16 Laptop

05 Oct 2009 12:30AM

sorry for my bad english - but please read this important message!!!

***** DON'T EVER CHANGE YOUR BIOS IF YOU ARE NOT SURE OF YOUR HARDWARE *****

I did try http://ftp.us.dell.com/bios/R214437.exe and after the reboot... blank screen... I was earing the windows startup but absolutely nothing on the screen... looks like Ninja's hardware was not the same as mine.

Tried to connect another monitor.... nothing, try to connect via HDMI, nothing either... then more panic, tough about remooving the bios battery, but was afraid to loose garanty... After reading scarry story on the Internet about failed flash... I tough it was probably not that since I could ear the windows startup (hd and cd - no sound yet)...

Then I tough I could make a autostart cd with the A10 bios flash, the only probleme, I did not remember the key/button, and there order..
Imagine the possible mess... trying to update my bios with a blank screen... This is a crazy idea!

IT DID WORK!!!
So if you are in the same extreme panic, here is the solution (I 'm sure you allready know now that you need a second computer!) :

1. Creat a text file and name it "AUTORUN.INF" and add those 2 lines:
[AutoRun]
open=1640_A10.exe

2. Get the latest Bios Flash from Dell - Should be "1640_A10.exe"
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=ca&l=fr&s=gen&releaseid=R231032&SystemID=STUDIOXPS16    &os=WLH&osl=en&deviceid=17107&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=2&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=1&fileid=332417


 

3. Create a CD and copy those two files... (maybe you could try on another computer, don't worry you have to click somewhere to install, just try your autostart cd)

4. Start your XPS and wait until a normal winxp boot (10 to 30 seconds) to be safe...

5. Insert the cd and wait again 1 minute (you will ear you cd player speening and your hd light will flash)

6. Press "TAB" (wait 1 second) and press "SPACE" and wait about 2 minutes (wait until hd light and cd return to a normal pace - 1 to 2 minutes)

7. Press "SPACE" and wait for the reboot... (about 2 - 5 minutes)

Enjoy and find a normal hart beat again, I'm sure that by now you can feel your hand and your feet again! :-)

By the way, Ninja, you were right, without screen I was able to eject my cd with this update! hahahaha
If you had not give me so mush help with my XPS - I would really hate you for this one! But I can't - Thanks for every thing!

And please people - use this technique only if you are in the same mess...
I CAN'T GARRANTY ANYTHING ON THIS ONE.... YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN...
But it work for me - never tough I would be so happy to see that Dell logo again!

<ADMIN NOTE: Service tag removed per privacy policy>

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

 

 

 

 

 

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Re: How to Set Up Windows XP on a Studio XPS 16 Laptop

05 Oct 2009 03:06AM

Ok Pacifix, I need to say this to you.  You are spreading fear based on what is most likely an isolated incident.  I do not know all the details of how you went about this.  If you were running something at the same time you did the flash, it would fail causing the sort of problem you mentioned.  I used the exact file you did on 2 separate screen configurations .  The bios should not effect the bus to the screen (there were basically only 2 different screen options for the 1640, both of which used ATI HD 3670).  Be careful in assuming that your experience was/would be universal.

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Re: How to Set Up Windows XP on a Studio XPS 16 Laptop

05 Oct 2009 08:19AM

Ninja,

Even if you are right and it is an isolated incident, there XPS could be ruined... I don't beleive it was a failed bios flash, the computer was running ok, but not the screen, neither video output, neither hdmi output. My english may not be good, since it is not my primary language, but I'm an IT professional since 15 years. I'm installing XP on my XPS only because one of my client in Quebec city is running XP on his 5000+ computers... The only stuff that I can see that could mess the bios flash is the Norton Ghost 14... since it was running... but again it did work ok the second time since I was able to reverse to the original bios.

On this one Ninja, you may be right, but you may be rong too, I beleive that my XPS is newer than yours, I got it last week.

For the screen/video card option: Mine is an ATI HD 4670...
This may confirme something here.

I'm not assuming my experience is universal. I'm just telling people to verified their hardware before following your advise on flashing their bios!
And that is deffinitly a good universal advise!

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Re: How to Set Up Windows XP on a Studio XPS 16 Laptop

05 Oct 2009 08:44PM

Ok, again.  You just invalidated your own theory.  Obviously it was not ruined, and since you can always reflash the bios, that is annoying but fixable.  Fixable is far from ruined.  Second, look at the dell page for the Studio XPS 16 : http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/notebooks/laptop-studio-xps-16/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-studio-xps-16&s=dhs&cs=19&~oid=us~en~29~performance-deals_anav_02~~

It clearly states on the page : " ATI Mobility RADEON® HD 3670 - 512MB".  This is not customizable, though there is a new 3rd screen option for a 16" screen.  The only thing we may have confirmed is that Dell may be sending out newer ATI video cards in their Studio XPS 16's, though that's assuming you didn't just see it wrong.  Until someone else posts their experience, including that some other people have this new video card, and that flashing the bios to the older version is incompatible with it, I remain skeptical, as I am not standing behind you to verify this for myself.

 

Speaking of this, it would be good if people who have successfully installed XP using this method can post their configurations so it can be seen which ones may encounter problems, which is more-or-less what Pacifix is saying.

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Re: How to Set Up Windows XP on a Studio XPS 16 Laptop

05 Oct 2009 10:57PM

Fixable yes, when you can see what must be fixe... Last night I was creazy to try this without screen and I was really lucky!
If someone as the same ATI 4670 video card and they have tried the bios flash, there is a slim chance that you will not have an anser to your question...

Options always change with Dell, that depends on their stock... Now, I will stop writting in this thread because it is pointless...

For all the newbies that will read this:  I really don't care whos right or wrong here, and yes it is possible that my bios flash went wrong...

Just evaluate the risk and be carefull...

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Re: How to Set Up Windows XP on a Studio XPS 16 Laptop

05 Oct 2009 11:40PM

Ninja and Pacifix:

Thanks both for your input and experience.  The more people who post their experience here, the better for everyone.  I trust that all of us doing this are computer literate to a significant degree so lets respect the validity of each person's experience.

Regarding the configurations:

I am running an XPS 1640

P8700 (purchased instead of the the T9550 because of the wattage differences and the heat problems associated.  BTW, I have an excellent free applet called core temp v.99.5.7 (not sure of the version number) that monitors the CPU temp real time from a little icon display on the task bar.  It comes in 32 and 64 bit versions so make sure you have the right one for your machine.  It demonstrated, BTW, that a strong laptop fan had minimal effect on CPU temp and CPU temp in the P series is just not a problem.  I don't know if this is the case for the T series which is 35 watts and now the I-7 which is 45 watts!!!)

ATI Mobility Radeon 4670 1 GB

RGBLED 1920X1080 Display

Optiarc BluRay DVD/CD

Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate)

Integrated High Definition Audio 2.2

500GB 7200RPM Free Fall SensorSeagate Hard Drive

Premium FHD WLED Display Obsidian Black, 2.0 MP Webcam

Intel WiFi Link 5300 802.11AGNHalf Mini Card w/ My WiFi

My experience with the XP installation was: I used the files Ninja noted in his original post except for:

Intel chipset:  After identifying my chipset with the Intel chipset ID tool, I downloaded and installed http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=2115&DwnldID=18052&lang=eng

 

 

 

Touchpad:  

http://www.synaptics.com/support/drivers

Most current 32 bit XP driver (Synaptics_Driver_v10_1_8_XP32.exe)

 

Audio: http://cid-b98cfb1fc37a589a.skydrive.live.com/embedrow.aspx/DELL%20XPS%20Studio%201640%20Modded%20Audio%20Driver/Dell%20XPS%20Studio%201640%20Audio%20Driver%20With%20buildin%20Microphone%20R214424.zip

Bluetooth  (this was Ninja's updated file)
http://ftp.dell.com/network/R216460.exe

I did not install the IR Receiver driver because I have absolutlely no need for IR.  I did not install the Wickman Vol buttons b/c my VOL buttons worked.  After completing my setup I had two unknown devices and a ? in front of the 1394 FireWire.  The Unknown devices are listed in my post above.  Ninjja suggested using the Intel Chipset file from his original post and I may do that.

Pacifix, what does your device manager show?  You sound like you have a very similar configuration to me.  I did not flash the BIOS yet, but after your experience I do not think I am going to try it unless others have the RGBLED display with the ATI 4670 - 1 GB card and have success with it.  By the way, if you look at the bios notes from Dell website, they say that the newer BIOS's were issued to fix display problems.

I have also been looking at the drivers for the Studio 1555 Laptop with XP installed.  They have a number of intriguing software and driver possibilities including the Dell quickset.  I haven't tried anything yet but wonder if anyone else had any experience with the software and drivers?

Up until last night I was very happy with my set-up but I made the mistake of using gparted to reclaim some partition space for the logical drive on which I placed XP.  Since then my backup software won't work and I have had my first BSOD x 2.  It is just as well.  I wanted XP on the C drive and plan on installing Win 7 on the E drive anyway, so I have a bunch of reinstallations to do.  I plan on using Diskpart which worked really well for one of the partition tasks and I will repartition the HD, reformat and reinstall OS's but will probably wait until I get my Win 7 version from Dell on the 23rd. 

 



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