Windows 7 (and Vista) on Dell M2400 and E series

Update: Dell has just released Windows 7 drivers for some of their systems. Check their Drivers and Downloads page with your service tag information.

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Side note: If you're just here looking to get your 5530 working with Vista or Windows 7:
Uninstall all Control point software and drivers, and then do step 7 then 15, 16 and 17 in exact order.
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My intention was to get the following working with Windows 7 RTM (and RC), and to keep drivers to minimum so the system doesn't slow down to a crawl:

• 3G Data card: DELL WIRELESS 5530 HSPA
• GPS: I'm still trying to figure out what I can use this for. Google latitudes only supports mobile devices
• Fingerprint scanner: This would get rid of the Broadcom USH CV w/Fingerprint Swipe Sensor / Unified Security Hub driver problem
• Cisco VPN client

The order in which these drivers are installed is critical.

The steps and the drivers are very similar to Windows Vista. I've listed the differences in case you're installing Vista.

Please go to the Dell support site to download the latest drivers you need that are mentioned below.

Make sure your BIOS is at the latesest available and Load defaults.

Set the Disk controller from IRRT to AHCI before you start. You won't be able to do this after you start installation.

Install Windows on the system and follow simple steps below:

Steps marked with a [!] are required - all other steps are optional

1. [!] Install Dell System Software: You can find this under system Utilities section. The version that I used is Dell_System-Software_A02_R214474.exe

2. [!] Install the latest chipset drivers from Intel: You need infinst_autol.exe from the intel site, or just download the Dell ones which will be listed under Chipset, Intel Mobile Chipset Driver.

3. Install firmware updates if any are available for your drive: You can find these under SATA Drives. This step isn't critical so feel free to skip (I did) - unless Dell has tagged it as urgent

4. Intel Matrix Storage Manager and drivers. You might need this if you're installing Vista, but I skipped installation on Windows 7

5. Install Ethernet device drivers if you're installing Vista. Windows 7 includes drivers as part of the installation, but you can use PROVISTA32.exe from the intel site.

6. Install Wireless device drivers if you're installing Vista. Windows 7 includes drivers as part of the installation, but you can use ICS_Dv32.exe from the intel site.

7. [!] Install the Dell Control Point Connection Manager: Make sure you have the latest from the Dell website. You can find this under Applications, Controlpoint System Manager, Hard drive. I used DELL_CONTROLPOINT-CONNECTION_A15_R218754.EXE

8. [Removed step]

9. Install the Ambient light Sensor driver if you wish - I prefer not to have this installed

10. Graphics card drivers: I prefer to run with the ones included in Windows 7 - I would suggest you'd do the same unless you need the extra functionality that's included in the Dell drivers

11. [!] Dell Touchpad drivers: This is under Input Device Drivers, Touchpad / Pointing Stick. With this you get the page up and down support, as well as the functionality of the middle button to open new tabs in Explorer. I used Dell_Touchpad----Pointing-St_A09_R212017.exe

12. Power management. I've opted to run with the Windows 7 power management instead.

13. Audio Drivers: With every suggestion here there's a balance between the functionailty you get by installing manufacturer drivers and the overhead in speed, or going with the basic ones that come with Windows. In this case I'd suggest sticking to Windows ones.

14. If you're running Vista then consider moving 'up' to IE8

15. [!] Dell Controlpoint System Manager Application: You can find this under Applications - it's the Application and not the XML file. One I used is Dell_ControlPoint-System-Man_A11_R218880, A12 is now out but I haven't tried it.

16. [!] Dell Controlpoint System Manager Driver: This is the one I used: Dell_ControlPoint-Security-M_A11_R210495.exe, A12 now out but I haven't tried it yet.

Note: There are two Dell_ControlPoint-Security-M_A downloads, one is double in size of the other. The one you need to use in this step is the one smaller in size!!

As part of this, download the Microsoft Runtime Libraries vcredist_x86.exe direct from Microsoft and install:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=A5C84275-3B97-4AB7-A40D-3802B2AF5FC2&displaylang=en

Note: The “Dell PBA Device Driver” option’s useful – The Pre-Boot Authentication lets you use the scanner to authenticate to bios

If you need Smartcard support then tick the box, otherwise select as shown below:

17. [!] Install the Dell Controlpoint Security Manager Application:

Note: Note: There are two Dell_ControlPoint-Security-M_ downloads, one is double in size of the other. The one you need to use in this step is the one bigger in size!!

Dell_ControlPoint-Security-M_A10_R210491.exe, A11 now out but I haven't tried it yet.

18. More power management: Dell ControlPoint System Manager XML. I downloaded R191548.exe but I didn't install it on my final build. When I did have this installed I still had the odd random startup from sleep problem.

Notes

DELL WIRELESS 5530 HSPA works with any SIM. To get an Orange SIM working (voice or data SIM) then make sure it works in a phone for data, then plug it into the SIM slot in your Dell. To get it working though you'll need to change the properties of the connection in Controlpoint and add the Orange data username and password. If you can't figure it out let me know and I'll blog it in detail.

If you're finding that your system's running slow then:

• Try adding more RAM - you need at least 2Gb for windows 7 / Vista, and this is the type you need: Kingston 2GB Memory Module DDR2 800MHz (KTD-INSP6000C/2G)
• Make sure you're using a 90W power supply and not 65W!!

I hope this helps. If you have anything more to add then please let me know. I've now enabled comments on this blog.