[Agent_Koopa]

Let me just say; I don't need admonitions for buying a Dell computer, nor for getting Windows Vista. It was a gift, and honestly, I don't care.

Now, this Dell Inspiron 1520 notebook came with some added software. I'm trying to figure out how to do a clean reinstall of Windows Vista without messing it up too much. I am currently at the "custom installation" screen, and three partitions have shown up. Unexpected; I only have a C and D drive. I know I can delete the D: Recovery partition, and format the C: partition, but what do I do with the one marked "MEDIADIRECT"? I need help!

[redsniper]

Hold on. I know that with the dell laptop I got last year, I wasn't given any CDs for the drivers and Windows itself.
Assuming you do know what you're doing, however, just delete all the partitions and make one big one. "MEDIADIRECT" is probably some sort of bootable media player thing so you can watch DVDs without loading up Windows, if you're into that I guess.

[jr2]

Let me just say; I don't need admonitions for buying a Dell computer, nor for getting Windows Vista. It was a gift, and honestly, I don't care.

Now, this Dell Inspiron 1520 notebook came with some added software. I'm trying to figure out how to do a clean reinstall of Windows Vista without messing it up too much. I am currently at the "custom installation" screen, and three partitions have shown up. Unexpected; I only have a C and D drive. I know I can delete the D: Recovery partition, and format the C: partition, but what do I do with the one marked "MEDIADIRECT"? I need help!

YARRR!  Create recovery CDs/DVDs FIRST!!!!... find out how to do so, or let me know your model # and I will look it up for you if I can.  Then, no matter what, you can restore to factory default.

[Nuke]

if it came with an actual windows cd instead of the dreaded and totally useless system restore cd (which installs everything). what id do is just delete all partitions, create one or two big ones (personal preferance, on laptops, sence they have small hard drives, i tend to use only one partition). this makes damn sure they didnt hide anything in the mbr that might cause problems later.

if they gave you a proprietary restore cd, id just download an iso for that version of vista and it should register with the number on the os sticker. be sure not to get a hacked version, that could cause problems with activation, ect. its technically not piracy because you own the license. also if the restore cd contains the proper vista install directory (maybe i386, not sure if they changed it) then you could maybe do a network install.

[jr2]

Do a torrent search for All Windows DVD... it's two DVDs, 1 and 2... not sure if they have Vista yet, so check.  They are not pre-hacked, so that should be good.  I think it should work with your Windows CD-Key sticker.

[Nuke]

vista is only 1 dvd. the retail version comes with both 32 nd 64 bit versions i think.

[jr2]

... All Windows DVD is exactly that... all versions of Windows.  Just don't install the other ones, and you're still legal.  XD

[Agent_Koopa]

Well, I left the partition intact, and installed, but now I'm missing two drivers and I'm not sure what video card I have. ;>_>

Oh well, I can sort that out with a call to Dell.

[Nuke]

you should be able to figure out what those are by looking your model number up on the manufacturer's page. they should have drivers too.

[Grizzly]

Get Linux.

[Nuke]

having linux doesnt always liberate one form haing to hunt down proper drivers. theres usually always one or two things you need to download and compile, and murphys law dictates that one of them will cripple your internet making it impossible to get said driver.