ok, i've formatted and put my own copy of WinXP pro. dell bloatware is finally gone. 
from dell's site, i downloaded drivers for what seemed most necessary: audio, touchpad, video, intel chipset INF, modem, ethernet, wifi, and bluetooth. after a few snags in figuring out how to install some of the devices (the modem is associated with the soundcard? and the usb root hubs are also dependent on soundcard, it seems. weird), i think i've got MOST of it.
BUT, i still have three entries in Device Manager under "Other Devices" all called "Base System Device". what are these?
btw, some processes and services were still automatically installed when i manually loaded up the individual drivers. which ones do you think i can stop?
from dell's site, i downloaded drivers for what seemed most necessary: audio, touchpad, video, intel chipset INF, modem, ethernet, wifi, and bluetooth. after a few snags in figuring out how to install some of the devices (the modem is associated with the soundcard? and the usb root hubs are also dependent on soundcard, it seems. weird), i think i've got MOST of it.
BUT, i still have three entries in Device Manager under "Other Devices" all called "Base System Device". what are these?
btw, some processes and services were still automatically installed when i manually loaded up the individual drivers. which ones do you think i can stop?
