Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide Dell Consumer Client Re-Image “How-To” Guide XPS Notebook Revision 3.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide Contents 1 Overview.......................................................................................................................................................3 2 “How To” ......................................................................................................................................................4 2.1 Supported Operating Systems ...................................................................................................
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide 1 Overview The purpose of this document is to detail the required steps for reimaging XPS notebooks. Dell XPS notebooks systems ship with Microsoft operating systems (see Chapter 2.1 for detail). These images include the Dell recommended software stack and settings, drivers, and applications which are tested and validated with the system. Drivers and applications must be installed on Dell XPS systems in a prescribed order to ensure optimal performance.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide 2 “How-To” 2.1 Supported Operating Systems The following Microsoft operating systems have been validated for use on notebook computers: Windows 7 64-Bit: Validated on XPS-15-9550 Windows 8.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide 2.2 XPS New Features & Image Impact Dell XPS systems feature new hardware technologies which require a new software stack, drivers, and / or applications. These products are not compatible with previous images built or installed on none XPS Dell products. Images between different XPS models are also not compatible Among these new hardware and technologies are: 2.2.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide 2.3 Latest Drivers / Applications and Utilities Dell recommends always obtaining the latest and most updated BIOS, drivers, firmware, and applications. Dell validated and tested drivers and applications are located on Dell’s support web site http://support.dell.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide 2.4 Important Information You must update your computer’s BIOS and the Dell Docking Station drivers to the latest versions available at www.dell.com/support before using the docking station. Older BIOS versions and drivers could result in the docking station not being recognized by your computer or not functioning optimally. NOTE: Please see Display Resolution Table for more information on maximum resolution capacity. 2.4.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide 2.4.2 Updating the Graphics drivers for your computer The Microsoft Windows operating systems include the VGA graphics drivers only. Therefore, for optimum graphics performance, it is recommended that Dell graphics drivers applicable for your computer be installed from dell.com/support under the “Video” section. NOTE: 1. For nVidia Discrete Graphics solutions on the Latitude E-Family and Mobile Precision 3rd Generation and above computers: a.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide 2.5 Installation Sequence The list below is a general overview of drivers and applications that must be installed on Dell XPS systems in a prescribed order to ensure optimal performance. Actual system configurations may vary. Note: Dell Alienware, Inspiron, Studio, XPS and Vostro Laptops may have different installation sequence. Please refer to Dell Support Website for these Laptops. 2.5.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide 2.5.2 Installation Sequence & Features at a Glance: 2.5.2.1 BIOS, Drivers and Firmware: o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o BIOS Intel Chipset - Helps Windows control system board components and controllers. Dell Desktop System Software - A compilation of critical Microsoft QFEs updates Media Memory Card / SmartCard controller - Enables and enhances the Media Memory / SmartCard controller Intel Storage: 1. Intel Rapid Storage Technology.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide 2.6 BIOS Dell recommends flashing the latest BIOS available to the system. This is posted on Dell’s driver & downloads support web site (support.dell.com) under the “BIOS” section. Some of the BIOS settings are critical to Operating System performance and installation.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide TPM Security: These options enable and configure the Trusted Platform Module (TPM). If TPM is to be deployed, TPM must be enabled in the BIOS Setup program 2. Security TPM Security TPM Security: Disabled: The BIOS will not turn on the TPM during POST.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide 2.7 Recommended Drivers / Applications Installation Order For best results, Dell recommends installing drivers / applications in the following order: 2.7.1 Intel Mobile Chipset Software Installation Utility o Microsoft Operating Systems might not include the updated Intel Chipset Mobile driver for Dell notebooks , Ultrabook . The Intel Mobile Chipset driver is available on Dell’s driver & downloads support web site (support.dell.com) under the “Chipset” section 2.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide - Follow these steps to install the IRST driver: 1. For “AHCI mode” or “RAID On mode with non-PCIe storage”. Installing the Intel IRST driver after the installation of theOperating System Boot to the Operating System DVD or Boot from PXE , then start the OS installation After completing the OS installation, insert the Dell RDVD Select the IRST driver and follow the installation procedure Note: the latest IRST driver can also be obtained from support.dell.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide installation as normal steps After complete OS installation, still need to install Intel RST driver via .exe to install its application. 2.7.5 Graphics: o Microsoft Operating Systems include the VGA graphics drivers only. Therefore for optimum graphics performance, Dell recommends installing the Dell graphics driver applicable to their system available on Dell’s driver & downloads support web site (support.dell.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide found under the “Network” section posted on Dell’s driver & downloads support web site (support.dell.com). 2.7.9 Touchpad o Microsoft Windows 10 Operating System includes the Touchpad drivers, users don’t need to install additional Touchpad drivers. But need to install Intel Serial IO Driver for Precision Touchpad enabled. Intel Serial IO driver is found under the “ System Utilities” section posted on Dell’s driver & downloads support web site(support.dell.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide 2.7.10Intel Thunderbolt Driver Microsoft Operating Systems does not include the Thunderbolt driver. Install the Thunderbolt driver available on Dell’s driver & downloads support web site (support.dell.com) under the “Chipset” section 2.7.11 USB 3.0 Microsoft Windows 7 64-Bit Operating Systems does not include the USB 3.0 driver. Install the USB 3.0 driver available on Dell’s driver & downloads support web site (support.dell.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide 2.7.15 Windows Update o Dell recommends performing Microsoft Windows updates to ensure the latest security, reliability, and compatibility updates are installed. These updates can be downloaded from Windowsupdate.Microsoft.com 2.7.16 Intel® Responsiveness Technologies o Intel® Smart Response Technology- Support HDD with 32GB SSD Configuration on XPS-9550. 1. Deliver SSD-Level performance with HDD storage capacity at lower BOM cost.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide Appendix
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide Appendix A .NET Framework Requirements What is .NET Framework? The .NET Framework is a software framework from Microsoft, which is bundled with Windows operating systems. The .NET Framework is intended to be used by most applications created for the Microsoft Windows platform.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide Appendix B Enable Intel Smart Response Technology Guidelines 1 Requirement - BIOS SATA setting should be Raid on mode Intel Rapid Storage Driver should be installed The configuration should be HDD+32GB SSD/mSATA OS installed on HDD and leave 5MB unallocated disk space at the max LBA of the disks for writing metadata to the disk that stores all the configuration information and describe the volume.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide Appendix C BIOS SATA Mode Selection for image installation 1. Choose mode before building your Operating System a. Boot system and press F2 while Boot to POST screen (Dell Logo) until shows yellow word “ Preparing to enter Setup..” on up-right corner.” b. Enter BIOS Setup-menu and extend the menu to choose SATA Operation Suggest to choose the mode to RAID On mode which is platform default setting c. Apply and restart to begin OS installation.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide 2. If OS setup in AHCI mode, need to confirm the setting is not changed to RAID or load to BIOS default a. If the mode is different from the original setting while OS installation, will meet the problem that system can’t boot to OS with BSOD(Blue Screen of Death)- INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE. This can be resolved after going to BIOS setup menu and change the mode back. b.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide Appendix D Upgrade to Win10 from Win7/8.1 1. Boot to Win7/Win8.1 OS 2. Connect to Wireless 3. Go to https://www.microsoft.com/EN-US/windows and Upgrade for free 4. Follow the instruction to process the OS upgrade. 5. If meet problem to launch OS with BSOD-INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE. Please refer to Appendix C about SATA mode setting for resolving.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide Appendix E Dell Dock WD 15 1. Dell Dock WD15 Design a. It’s USB Type-C interface. Please connect to XPS system via Type-C. b. A lot of I/O ports on dock and some need driver support. List as below - Realtek USB Audio Driver - Realtek USB GBE Ethernet Controller Driver c. Dell Dock WD15 support document http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/dell-dock-wd15/research 2. Drivers & Downloads : http://www.dell.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide NOTE: After the update process completes, it’s desired to shut down the computer and perform below steps in order to make the new firmware take effect. Power off the system. Disconnect the Thunderbolt 3 (Type-C) cable from the computer and then remove the AC adapter of dock from the power outlet. Then follow the recommended steps of connecting the AC adapter to the dock first and then attaching the Thunderbolt cable to the computer.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide Appendix F Dell Thunderbolt Dock TB15 1.What is the Dell Thunderbolt Dock TB15? It is the Type-C dock product for extension a lot of I/O device usage. Need User connect the dock via Type-C cable. Dell Thunderbolt Dock TB15 support document were web-post under Select a product/Electronics & Accessories/Docking Stations/Dell Thunderbolt Dock TB15. http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/dell-thunderbolt-dock-tb15/research 2.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide NOTE: After the update process completes, it’s desired to shut down the computer and perform below steps in order to make the new firmware take effect. Power off the system. Disconnect the Thunderbolt 3 (Type-C) cable from the computer and then remove the AC adapter of dock from the power outlet. Then follow the recommended steps of connecting the AC adapter to the dock first and then attaching the Thunderbolt cable to the computer.
Dell XPS Notebook Reimage “How-To” Guide Appendix G General Re-Imaging FAQs 1. How do I resolve a PCI Yellow Bang? a. After installing the drivers and you have this PCI yellow bang in device manager, you need to install the following drivers found in the Chipset folder: b. For E-Family 1st generation you need to install two drivers - AMT SOL / LMS and AMT HECI c. For E-Family 2nd generation you need to install one driver - AMT HECI 2. What is the Dell System Software utility and why do I need it? a.
