Dell Latitude E5420: Contents

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

Contents

1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4

2 “How-To” ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

2.1 Supported Operating Systems .................................................................................................................................................... 5

2.2 Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision New Features & Image Impact ..................................................................... 6

2.3 Latest Drivers / Applications and Utilities ............................................................................................................................... 8

2.4 Installation Sequence ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9

2.5 BIOS ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

2.6 Recommended Drivers / Applications Installation Order ............................................................................................ 14

Appendix A - .NET Requirements ............................................................................................................................................................. 32

Appendix B - 512e / 4KBe HDD Re-image Guidelines ..................................................................................................................... 33

Appendix C - FAQs ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 38

Appendix D - Tables ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 40

- Control Point System Manager Features - Table B1 ................................................................................................................ 40

- Control Point Security Manager Features – Table B2 ............................................................................................................. 41

- Dell Data Protection | Access, DDPA – Table B3 ....................................................................................................................... 41

- Control Point Connection Manager Features – Table B4 ..................................................................................................... 42

Appendix E - E-Docks ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 43

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

1 Overview

The purpose of this document is to detail the required steps for reimaging Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-

Family & Mobile Precision notebooks.

Dell Latitude Ultrabook , E-Family & Mobile Precision 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 Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision systems in a

prescribed order to ensure optimal performance. Failure to install drivers and applications as detailed in

this document may result in undesirable performance.

Dell provides drivers and applications that are not included in Microsoft Operating Systems. These drivers

are required to enable the new technologies and features of Dell Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision

products, including the 512e Advanced Format HDD (See appendix –B). Reinstalled images should be

built from a clean hand installed OS load and following the steps in this guide. Dell does not recommend

starting from an image built on previous generations of products or other computer systems.

Dell recommends ensuring BIOS settings (including SATA configurations modes) are correctly set and

using the latest device drivers and applications when imaging their systems.

This “How-To” guide applies to the following Latitude systems:

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

2 “How-To”

2.1 Supported Operating Systems

The following Microsoft operating systems have been validated for use on Dell Latitude E-Family &

Mobile Precision notebook computers:

Note: Not all generation notebook computers can ship with below Microsoft operating

rd

th

systems. XP only available via CFI service on 3

and 4

Generation systems except Latitude

3330

st

nd

rd

th

 Microsoft Windows XP 32 Bit: Validated on 1

, 2

, 3

and 4

Generation systems.

st

nd

rd

 Vista 32 & 64-Bit: Validated on 1

, 2

, and 3

Generation systems.

nd

rd

th

 Windows 7 32 & 64-Bit: Validated on 2

, 3

and 4

Generation systems.

rd

th

 Windows 8 32 & 64-Bit: Validated on 3

and 4

Generation systems

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

2.2 Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision New Features & Image Impact

Dell Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision 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 Latitude E-Family, Mobile Precision or previous Dell

st

nd

rd

th

products. Images between 1

, 2

, 3

& 4

generations Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision are

also not compatible

Among these new hardware and technologies are:

2.2.1 New Features Offered on Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision systems, All

Generations:

Note: Not all features are available on all systems

o New BIOS architecture – Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision

o Chipset

1. Intel Core i3, i5 & i7 Dual Core CPUs that include updated integrated graphics

st

rd

2. 1

~3

Generation Intel Core i3, i5, i7 CPUs that include updated integrated graphics

o eSATA/SATA3

o Intel Turbo Boost

o 512e / 4KBe Sector HDDs

o Intel AMT (Intel Active Management Technology) & vPRO

o Intel RAID Functionality – only for Mobile Precision

o Graphics controller (Intel, nVidia and AMD)

o HDMI Audio

o Network LoM (Intel and Broadcom)

o Wireless LAN

o Wireless WAN

o WiMAX

o Bluetooth

st

nd

o UWB -

Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision 1

& 2

generation

o Dell Control Vault

o Contactless smartcard / RFID

o Webcam

o USB 3.0

o Free Fall Sensor on the mother board

o Multi-touch Touchpad

st

nd

o Dell Control Point,

1

and 2

generation Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision

rd

th

o Dell Feature Enhancement Package(DFEP) -

Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision 3

& 4

generation

rd

th

o Dell Data Protection | Access(DDPA) -

Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision 3

&

4

generation

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

rd

th

o Dell Data Protection | Encryption(DDPE) -

Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision 3

&

4

generation

o Privacy Panel

o Touch Screen Digitizer- Four Fingers touch with Stylus support on

Latitude E-Family &

rd

th

Mobile Precision 3

generation. Ten fingers touch support on Mobile Precision 4

generation.

st

o Latitude On / Precision On - Reader, Flash, and ARM -

Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision 1

nd

&2

generation

th

o WiDi display -

Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision 4

generation

th

o Intel® Responsiveness Technologies –

Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision 4

generation

th

o Dell Battery Management –

Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision 4

generation

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision 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.com/

o Enter the Service Tag or select the product model and the model number

o Select Operating System (32-Bit or 64-Bit version must be selected)

o Choose drivers and downloads

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

2.4 Installation Sequence

The list below is a general overview of drivers and applications that must be installed on Dell

Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision 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.

2.4.1 Installation Sequence Overview

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

- Follow these steps to install the IMSM / IRST driver:

1. For Microsoft XP 32 & 64-Bit Operating Systems:

 Installing the Intel IMSM driver using the Floppy Drive

 Boot to the Dell Recovery DVD (RDVD) and select the Create RAID

driver from the list of items. You will need Floppy Disk Drive and a

diskette for this selection. The IMSM / IRST driver must be on the root

of the A:\

Note

: the latest IMSM / IRST driver can also be obtained from

support.dell.com under the “SATA Drivers” section

 Once the driver is extracted and stored on the target diskette, boot to

the operating system CD and start the installation

 In the initial stage of Windows Setup, press <F6> to install the third-

party IMSM SCSI or RAID drivers

 When prompted, insert the floppy disk containing the IMSM driver and

follow the instructions provided by Windows Setup

 After reading the floppy disk, either choose "Intel(R) ICH9M-E/M SATA

AHCI Controller" if in AHCI mode or "Intel(R) ICH8M-E/ICH9M-eSATA

RAID Controller" if in IRRT mode – select the appropriate driver to

install

2. For Microsoft Vista / Windows 7 (32 & 64-Bit) Operating Systems:

 Installing the Intel IMSM / IRST driver after the installation of the

Operating 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 IMSM / IRST driver and follow the installation procedure

Note:

the latest IMSM / IRST driver can also be obtained from

support.dell.com under the “SATA Drivers” section

o If Intel Rapid Recovery or RAID Technologies is to be used, ensure the following:

1. SATA operation mode in the BIOS is set to the appropriate IRRT, RAID On, or RAID

mode

2. Microsoft Operating System was installed under IRRT, RAID On, or RAID mode and

the latest Intel Storage IMSM / IRST driver is installed

3. Install the following Intel IMSM application provided by Dell:

 Intel Matrix Storage Manager Application, or

 Intel Rapid Storage Technology Application

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

2.6.5 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.com)

under the “Video” section

Note

:

rd

th

For the nVidia Discrete Graphics solution on Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision 3

& 4

Generation platforms (refer to the below table), the following should be followed:

1.

First, install the Intel Media adapter Graphics driver that applies to the system

2.

Second, install the nVidia Discrete Graphics driver that applies to the system

Note

:

nd

rd

th

Both 2

& 3

Generation Intel® Core™ CPUs are available on 4

generation Latitude E-

Family & Mobile Precision. Please re-install the Graphics driver when exchange CPU from

nd

rd

2

Generation CPU to 3

Generation CPU and vice versa.

o Under XP 32-Bit with service packs earlier than Service pack-3 and for Latitude E-Family &

st

Mobile Precision 1

generation only, the Audio driver must be installed prior to installing the

graphics driver. This applies to Intel graphics solution only. Please refer to the section 2.6.6

Audio in this document.

o The following table lists the various graphics solutions’ offerings on Dell Latitude E-Family &

Mobile Precision products:

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

2.6.6 Audio:

o Microsoft Operating Systems do not include the Audio driver recommended by Dell. The

IDT 92HDxxx HD Audio driver is available on Dell’s driver & downloads support web site

(support.dell.com) under the “Audio” section

Note

: Under XP 32-Bit only with service packs earlier than Service pack-3 and for Latitude

st

E-Family & mobile Precision 1

generation only, the Audio driver must be installed prior to

installing the graphics driver. This applies to Intel graphics solution only

nd

2.6.7 Intel Turbo Boost Driver (

only for 2

generation Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision)

o Intel Turbo Boost driver is required to be installed on platforms meeting both of following

criteria:

1. nVidia or ATI discrete graphics cards

2. Core i7 and i5 Dual Core CPUs

o Microsoft Operating Systems do not include the Intel Dual-Core Turbo Boost driver. Install

the following driver provided by Dell:

 Dual-Core Turbo Boost driver is available on Dell’s driver & downloads support web

site (support.dell.com) found under the “CPU” section

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

2.6.8 Integrated Wired Network Controller (Ethernet)

- Microsoft Operating Systems XP 32 & 64-Bit, Vista 32 & 64-Bit, and Win7/8 32 & 64-Bit either

do not provide native support or do not include the driver recommended by Dell. Install the

following Dell driver for network connectivity

- Network Controller drivers are available on Dell’s driver & downloads support web site

(support.dell.com) under the “Network” section

Note

: To ensure full functionality of the Intel Gigabit Network adapter, Dell recommends

that you install the Intel PROSet available on Dell’s driver & downloads support web site

(support.dell.com) under the “Network” section

st

nd

2.6.9 Dell Control Point – DCP

, (applies to 1

& 2

generations Latitude E-Family &

Mobile Precision only)

2.6.9.1 Control Point Security Device Driver

nd

Note

: for 2

generation Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision, the Control Point

Security Device driver needs to be applied only if the Control Point Security Manager

is used, it is not required for the Dell Data Protection | Access suite.

o Microsoft Operating System does not have the desired drivers and applications

necessary for the security functions offered on Latitude E-Family & Mobile

Precision

o The driver will install the device driver for the security devices installed in the Dell

E-Family notebook computer. In addition, it will install Microsoft Net framework

2.0 SP1 and any relevant Microsoft QFEs required allowing these security devices

to operate correctly

o The driver supports the following Security devices:

1.

Broadcom Trusted Platform Module

2.

Atmel Trusted Platform Module

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

3.

STMicroelectronics Trusted Platform Module

4.

Winbond Trusted Platform Module

5.

O2Micro Smart Card Reader

6.

Dell Smart Card Keyboard

7.

UPEK TouchChip Fingerprint Reader

8.

Authentec Fingerprint Reader

9.

Broadcom Unified Security Hub

10.

Vista Storage driver Update (for ATAPI.SYS)

o The Control Point Security Device Driver is available on Dell’s driver & downloads

support web site (support.dell.com) under the “Control Point” section

2.6.9.2 Control Point System Manager

o Dell Control Point System Manager module is a Dell developed modular

application providing a complete set of power management configuring and

alerting capabilities:

o Battery Status

o Power Scheme and Sleep Mode

o Display and Devices

o Keyboard Backlighting and Hotkeys Customization

o Extended Battery Life / All Day Battery Life

o The Control Point System Manager Application is available on Dell’s driver &

downloads support web site (support.dell.com) under “Control Point” section

- Refer to Table B1 under Appendix-B for DCP System Manager features

- For Extended Battery Life feature (EBL), install the Dell Control Point components

offered by Dell in addition to the System Manager Module( version 1.2 & 1.3)

o Control Point System Security Manager driver (

applies to Control Point System

Manager 1.0 and 1.1

)

o Control Point System Manager XML file (

applies to Control Point System

Manager 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3. Not required for 1.4 and beyond

)

o For Ambient Light Sensor (ALS), install the Dell Ambient Light Sensor Utility

component of Control Point in addition to the System Manager Module. This

component is applicable to Vista 32 & 64-Bit only, and is not required for XP 32 &

64-Bit and Win7/8 32 & 64-Bit

Note

:

Customers can obtain ALS feature by installing ALS utility in case Control

Point System Manager is not desired and under Microsoft Windows Vista only

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

2.6.9.3 Control Point Security Manager

- Dell Control Point Security Manager module is a Dell developed modular

application providing provides access to authentication, encryption, fingerprint

readers, and smartcard technologies:

1. Obtain Security Status

2. Manage Logins and Passwords

3. Manage Data Protection

o Security Software Stack:

1. For these security devices to function and interface on E-Family notebooks,

install the appropriate Software stack (Applications and Utilities)

2. The security software stack can be obtained through one of the two options:

3. Control Point Security Manager Application which is offered to E-Family

Customers through Dell’s support website

4. Third party security software specific to the customer’s environment. Dell does

rd

not provide 3

party security software

o The Control Point Security Manager Application is available on Dell’s driver &

downloads support web site (support.dell.com) under the “Control Point” section

o Refer to Table B2 under Appendix-B for DCP Security Manager features

st

2.6.9.4

Control Point Connection Manager,

(applies to 1

generation Latitude E-

Family & Mobile Precision only)

o Dell Control Point Connections Manager module is a Dell developed modular

application providing a complete communications management environment:

o Allows the user to create multiple mobile profile settings

o Ability to create, export, and import user defined usage profiles

o System custom configuration

o Execute comprehensive diagnostics and troubleshooting

o Provides the capability to enable or disable any of the radios on the notebook

such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth GPS, UWB, and mobile broadband

- The Control Point Connection Manager Application is available on Dell’s driver &

downloads support web site (support.dell.com) under the “Control Point” section

- Refer to Table B3 under Appendix-B for DCP Security Manager features

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

rd

th

2.6.10 Dell Feature Enhancement Pack – DFEP,

(applies to Latitude Precision 3

& 4

generation E-Family & Mobile Precision, except Latitude 3330)

o Dell Feature Enhancement Pack – DFEP is a Dell developed application providing a

complete set of power management configuring and alerting capabilities

 Support for hot keys and system events

 Dell customized power plans and extensions

 Battery Health Information

 Touch Panel

 Keyboard hotkey information, including backlighting

 Smart Settings

o The DFEP Application is available on Dell’s driver & downloads support web site

(support.dell.com) under “System Utilities” section

Note

: Supported for Windows7 only

Note

: Dell Feature Enhancement Pack will uninstall Dell System Manager if present on the

systems

rd,

th

2.6.11 Dell Data Protection | Access – DDPA,

(for Latitude Precision 3

& 4

generations E-Family & Mobile Precision, except Latitude 3330)

- Dell Data Protection Access Application is a Dell developed application providing provides

access to authentication, encryption, fingerprint readers, and smartcard technologies:

 Obtain Security Status

 Manage Logins and Passwords

 Manage Data Protection

- The Dell Date Protection | Access Application components are available on Dell’s driver &

downloads support web site (support.dell.com) under the “Dell Data Protection” section

- The following components should be installed in order:

 Prerequisites Installer

- This installer contains Windows Installer 4.5 and Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1

- Both of these are required in order for Dell Data Protection | Access to work on

Windows XP and Vista

 Drivers Installer

Note

: The Dell Data Protection | Access application installer will not install if the

DDPA Drivers installer is not on the platform FIRST

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

th

Note

: Application Installer for 4

generations Latitude E-Family & Precision Mobile

INCLUDED driver and middleware Installer already. Please ignore Drivers and

th

Middleware Installer on 4

generations Latitude E-Family & Precision Mobile.

 Middleware Installer

- This installer contains certain relevant Microsoft QFEs

- It also contains the NTRU Trusted Software Stack (TSS) that provides TPM access

 Application Installer

- This is the main application Dell Data Protection | Access

Note

: It will only install if the Drivers Installer has already been installed on the system,

so the installation order is important

o Refer to Table B3 under Appendix-B for DDPA – Data Protection Access

2.6.12 Wireless Local Network Adapters (WLAN)

o Microsoft XP 32 & 64-Bit, Vista 32 & 64-Bit and Win7/8 32 & 64-Bit Operating Systems do not

provide native device driver support for WLAN controllers featured in Dell Latitude E-Family

& Mobile Precision systems. To obtain wireless network functionality, install the Wireless

LAN device driver applicable to the WLAN devices installed in the notebook computer

found under the “Network” section posted on Dell’s driver & downloads support web site

(support.dell.com). The installer also provides WLAN application support which provides

additional features including enterprise authentication enhancements

Note

: With Intel Wireless Display (WiDi) you can quickly connect your laptop to your TV

and projector using the Intel® Centrino®wireless solution that’s already built into your

laptop. Because it’s based on Wi-Fi*, there are no cables between the laptop and

TV/Projector. To obtain Wireless Display(ONLY applied to Intel WLAN) functionality,

install the Wireless Display Application found under the “Network” section posted on

Dell’s driver & downloads support web site (support.dell.com).

o Microsoft Windows XP 32 & 64-Bit, Windows Vista 32 & 64-Bit, and Windows 7/8 32 & 64-Bit

Operating Systems do not provide native device driver support for WiMAX controllers

featured in Dell E-Family systems. To obtain WiMAX functionality, install the WiMAX

software applicable to the WiMAX device installed in the notebook computer. This is

available on Dell’s driver & downloads support web site (support.dell.com) under the

“Network” section

o Customers choosing to utilize the Dell Wireless (DW) WLAN Card Utility or Intel PROSet /

Wireless should not install Control Point Connection Manager. If Control Point Connection

Manager is installed, uninstall the existing Intel PROSet / Wireless or Dell Wireless WLAN

entries in Add / Remove Programs (or Programs and Features) before installing this software.

Customers may also choose to uninstall Dell Control Point Connection manager or

uncheck the Wi-Fi control within Dell Control Point Connection Manager

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

2.6.13 Wireless Personal Area Network Adapter (UWB / WPAN)

o Microsoft XP 32 & 64-Bit, Vista 32 & 64-Bit, and Win7/8 32 & 64-Bit Operating Systems do

not support the Bluetooth controllers featured on Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision

systems. To obtain Bluetooth or UWB functionality, install the associated Bluetooth or UWB

device drivers available on Dell’s driver & downloads support web site (support.dell.com)

under the “Network” section

2.6.14 Mobile Broadband Wireless Wide Area Network Adapter (WWAN)

o Microsoft XP 32 & 64-Bit, Vista 32 & 64-Bit, and Win7/8 32 & 64-Bit Operating Systems do

not provide native support for the broadband Wireless WAN controllers featured in Dell

Latitude E-Family & Mobile Precision systems. To obtain broadband functionality, install the

Broadband device driver applicable to the wireless WAN devices installed in the system, and

to the service carrier you have a contract with available on Dell’s driver & downloads

support web site (support.dell.com) under the “Communication” section

st

o The Wireless 5600 EVDO-HSPA module(

applies to 1

generation Latitude E-Family & Mobile

Precision only

) requires the installation of Dell Control Point Connection Manager. Install

the driver and FW before installing the Dell Control Point Connection Manager. The latest

versions of Dell Control Point Connection Manager (v1.3 and later) provide the WWAN

drivers and FW in the Dell Control Point Connection Manager Driver Pack. Earlier versions

provide the drivers and FW in one single Dell Control Point Connection Manager installer.

The Dell Control Point Connection Manger application and Driver Packs can be found under

the “Control Point” section posted on Dell’s driver & downloads support web site

(support.dell.com). Individual driver and FW releases for the 5600 EVDO-HPSA module can

be found under the “Communication” section posted on Dell’s driver & downloads support

web site (support.dell.com). It is highly recommended to use the Driver Packs to ensure

version compatibility

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

2.6.15 Touchpad

o Microsoft XP 32 & 64-Bit, Vista 32 & 64-Bit, and Win7/8 32 & 64-Bit Operating Systems do

not include the Dell Touchpad drivers

o The Microsoft native OS mouse driver only provides basic point and click functionality. No

advanced features are available with the native driver and this may provide a less than

optimal user experience

o Dell recommends installing the appropriate Dell Touchpad driver for the following user

experience benefits:

1. The driver is tuned to the system characteristics to offer enhanced cursor

acceleration and precision

2. The driver provides the core palm rejection features

3. Access to additional features and control setting (varies with system) including:

 Enhanced scrolling and tapping

 Touch sensitivity control

 Multi-Touch Gestures (2nd Generation)

 Jog Shuttle control (M6400 & M6500)

Differences between Dell Touchpad devices and drivers:

st

nd

o Dell Touchpad drivers are different between the 1

and 2

generation of systems. Drivers

st

nd

from the 1

generation (Dell Touchpad / Pointing Stick) and 2

generation (Dell Multi-

Touch Touchpad) are NOT compatible. Dell strongly recommends only installing the

rd

appropriate driver for the system. 3

generation Latitude Touchpad driver is backward

nd

compatible on 2

generation Latitude systems

o Dell Touchpad drivers are found under the “Input Device Drivers” section posted on Dell’s

driver & downloads support web site (support.dell.com)

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision 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.

.NET Framework Requirements?

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

Appendix B

512e / 4KBe HDD Re-image Guidelines

1 What is Advanced Format HDD?

HDD industry is moving towards supporting higher drives capacity, to address the current limitations

with the 512-byte sector HDDs, the industry is moving towards the Advanced Format with 4KB sector

HDDs.

The transition to 4KB sector HDDs will allow storage devices to more easily adopt larger capacities in

both the notebook and desktop space.

While hard drives will transition to 4KB sectors and to maintain backwards compatibility, current

Advanced Format 4KB HDDs, also known as 512e HDDs, will emulate 512-byte SATA

communications to hosts and will operate at 4KB.

2 How does an Advanced Format HDD impact OS Images?

Even though a 512e drive is designed to be backward compatible, most of current Operating Systems

are not aware of the Advanced Format technology. Depending on the Operating System and its

service pack, some extra steps may be required to optimize the performance of the Advanced Format

(512e) HDDs and to maintain full Operating System and Application functionality.

These extra steps could require using alignment tools to fix any sector misalignment as a result of

deploying a non-Advanced Format aware image on an Advanced Format HDD which may otherwise

cause performance issues.

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

3 Re-imaging Requirements when using Advanced Format HDDs

The following are the re-imaging guidelines needed to support Advanced Format HDDs. These

requirements are dependent on which Operating System will be installed and which method of

deployment will be used.

3.1 Microsoft Operating Systems Advanced Format Aware Readiness

An Operating System is Advanced Format Aware if it meets the following criteria:

o It understands the concept of physical sector vs. logical sector

o It maximizes writes using multiples of 4k bytes

o Disk partition starts at the boundary of 4k sector

Not all current Microsoft Operating Systems are Advanced Format Aware (refer to the Table below). A

system configured with an Advanced Format drive and an operating system that is not Advanced

Format aware can experience sector misalignment, resulting in performance or compatibility issues.

- Some extra steps may be required for re-imaging even with Advanced Format Aware Microsoft

Operating Systems, Install/upgrade to the latest Intel Storage driver

- Apply the applicable Microsoft KB article

- Partition alignment

such as (Please refer to section 3.2 for detailed instructions):

Dell Latitude Ultrabook, E-Family & Mobile Precision Reimage “How-To” Guide

3.2 Image Installation Guidelines

3.2.1 Clean Image Installation on an Advanced Format HDD

- (1)

The Intel RST Driver 9.6 or higher can be found on the Dell Support website in Dell Drivers and Downloads for your system

under the SATA drivers section

- (2)

Please refer to the Partition Alignment Tools - Section 3.4

3.2.2Deploying 512B pre-installed image to an Advanced Format drive

- (1)

The Intel RST Driver 9.6 or higher can be found on the Dell Support website in Dell Drivers and Downloads for your system

under the SATA drivers section

- (2)

Please refer to the Partition Alignment Tools - Section 3.4