Reformating laptop help

[Skie]

Ok so i've decided im going to reformat my laptop. I know how to do it but have a few questions and would like some help on the reinstall part of it. Main problem i have after i format is getting my chip-sets back. I have a aienware and if i try to go to manufactures sites i get a bunch of bull shit and never find what I need. Does anyone have exp with myhive and can talk me through which i need to download? Second I have a recovery disk from a new dell desktop i awhile back that has windows 7, could i put windows seven on my laptop? (currently on lolvista). I switched my gf's pc from xp to vista (dont ask why) and didn't have any problems (used recovery disk from laptop with vista on it). Thanks

ps the laptop was bought right after dell bought them out

[chiyio]

get windows 7 from here. http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thr...s-7-Repository

I'd get the 64bit version.

It should have the drivers already included that you'll need to get setup. If you don't want to buy a license, use http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thr...RTED-RemoveWAT to remove the activation crap. It'll still pass windows genuine advantage just fine.

As for additional drivers, after it's installed, look at the device manager and see what windows didn't have built in drivers for and go from there. Usually the only thing you need is the gfx driver.

windows 7 is much faster/easier to install than XP, since it has many more drivers built in.

[Skie]

Thanks, dl'ing the win7 u suggested anything else i need to know and where can i get the updated drivers for the gpu? it has ATI mobility radeon x1800. Some of problems with my current format was that like the volume knob wasnt working along with usb ports.

[Jefe]

7 does that for you. I installed 86x to my Vaio and the only files missing were the libraries for the fn keys. I loved XP, but 7 seriously is a big improvement.

[Skie]

ok awesome thanks, any advice to speed up the torrent download?

[Jefe]

Get a torrent w/ more seeds. (I assume you have the ports properly forwarded.) I *heard* demonoid usually has a shit load seeds.

[Skie]

on bittorrnet atm. also what do i need to do with the downloaded file? just burn it to a dvd like normal and its good to go just play it like a normal recovery disk?

[Jefe]

Chances are you'll get an iso, so burn it as one. Also, do the burning at the lowest possible speed to prevent errors during install.

[Skie]

i gota use imgburn or can i just use anything like media player or w/e

[Skie]

burning iso to disk as we speak i'll let you know if any troubles >.> 37 min for write on a x1 burn ><

Update:

Finished the burn everything when ok. Put disk in and restarted, went strait to windows, restarted and went into bios to make sure CD/DVD was first boot priority and it was. Just goes strait to desktop any ideas?

rebooted with win7 disk from desktop in and went strait to desktop also.

[Jefe]

My guess is that you didn't burn it as ISO, what did you use to burn? I used Nero back then.

[Skie]

It was a iso. 3gb disk is 4.7 gb dvd. File is exact same hash as microsoft reports. Didn't even read legit win7 disk I put in. Tripple checked boot order to make sure cd/dvd was #1

Edit: I used windows to burn was default option when inserted the blank disk. Also drive works fine checked a cd and played it fine, also loaded pics off another disk

[Yabby]

Just use powerISO to mount it and install win7. It's faster, easier, and doesn't waste a disk. I have a flash drive with win7 ISO and Power ISO when i need to install it lol, works great.

[Skie]

Sounds like an idea can u explain more about it and possbly provide a tutorial link? Also max dlash drive I have atm is 2gb waiting for gf to buy me a 3.0 for xmas. Meh I can buy a cheep 2.0 and return it

[chiyio]

sorry for the late reply. My guess is you burned the iso file to the disk as a data file, rather than burning it as an image, if that makes sense. try this http://www.imgburn.com/

that's a great free burner. now make sure you burn it as a disk image, not just a data disk you add the iso to.

if that still doesn't work, you might have a key you have to press when you get the bios screen to select your boot drive. dell is usually f12, hp is usually f10. no clue about alien.

really though, I think you probably just need to burn it as an image, not a data disk.

*edit Meteora has the same advice above.

[Skie]

dl'ed imgburn on laptop and burning the iso again, gonna try that and see what happens. Any idea why the recovery disk of win7 didnt load either?

[Skie]

worked like a charm, only problem now is im use to doing this with recovery cd's not resh installs. How do i delete the current partation with vista on it and create a new one to install win7 on?

[Jefe]

Just put the bitch in and will format the hd before it installs. You can't mess it up unless you have an animal doing it.

[Skie]

formatted and reinstalling my stuff. How do i double check the graphics card drivers to make sure they are up to date.

[Skie]

posted same thing in my other thread about pol but figure i would post here as well, sry:

I have a ATI radeon x1800 in my laptop but device manager and dxdiag is saying i have a standard VGA graphics adaptor. How do i get it to regonize my graphics card? i think this is the problem.