Install Windows 7 on XT

[savino]

I just purchased a used XT which comes with Vista installed. Since I've read so many good things about Windows 7, I am going to install it on the XT as an upgrade.
Are there any problems which I need to know about? I see Dell finally released a list of Windows 7 drivers, but some say they are no different than the older Vista drivers.
There is a video on YouTube demonstrating how well multitouch works on an XT with Windows 7. That is my ultimate goal in this installation.

[Steve S]

<<...Are there any problems which I need to know about?..>>

savino: See:

http://www.gottabemobile.com/forum/dell/7819-xt-xt2-os-driver-installation-instructions-jan-2010-a.html

Note that although you can do it "after the fact," N-trig recommends that you uninstall the N-trig software from the Programs & Features window before you begin the Win 7 installation. In addition, I strongly recommend that you do a clean install; upgrade installs (where programs and settings are left in place) are prone to problems down the road.

Some of us are expecting to see a new N-trig Multi-Touch update for the XT in the next few weeks...

[savino]

Thanks. I will look into it.
I installed Windows 7 on a TC1100, and had to update a few drivers manually. In fact, I was lucky because there was a Wiki for Win 7 on the TC1100. It provided all the info I required.
I did another Windows 7 install on an LE1600, but didn't have to do manual updates, because Windows found all the needed drivers on its own.
I was hoping, that since the XT is newer technology, and comes with Vista installed, there wouldn't be much to an upgrade.

[Steve S]

<<...I was hoping, that since the XT is newer technology...there wouldn't be much to an upgrade...>>

...You can, in fact, let the Win7 installer find and install drivers for the XT. As an experiment, I did that the first time around and the result wasn't bad at all. However, you can always make a platform run better if you install the specific drivers that its hardware components require. Since Dell makes most all of them available, why not take the time to do the job right?

[savino]

You're quite right.

Now, if I understand one point, I need to uninstall the N-Trig drivers before installing Windows 7?

BTW, how well does the multitouch function work with Windows 7?

[Steve S]

<<...I need to uninstall the N-Trig drivers before installing Windows 7?..>>

...That's the recommended approach by N-trig. However, you can also wait until your Win7 installation is completed; but you will then have separately uninstall the old N-trig software, restart and then install the Win7 N-trig software. Frankly, it's just as easy to do it the way N-trig recommends.

<<...how well does the multitouch function work with Windows 7?..>>

...Still a bit buggy, I'm afraid, but much better than a year ago. This is why we're hoping for another update in the near future...