Vista x64 on Dell Vostro 1700 install problem

[dezmond]

Hi folks

I've decided to give Vista a try and I'm attempting to install Vist
Ultimate x64, but unfortunately with no success

I did read the many useful posts on this forum and I've downloaded th
required drivers. But I seem to be stuck at the very beginning, with th
SATA controller

At the very start of the setup, I'm trying to "Load Driver" and ge
Vista to load the Intel SATA driver with AHCI support. This is simpl
failing miserably, I have tried to use the Dell driver that's bee
mentioned many times here. When that didn't work, I got the lates
version from support.intel.com, and that one doesn't work either

The error message that vista presents is something to the effect tha
it doesn't like unsigned drivers and that I should load the 32-bi
driver first and then the signed 64-bit driver

Regardless of which driver I chose (Dell or direct from Intel) an
whether it's 32-bit or 64-bit, the same error appears, and the selectio
of drives is gone

Does anyone have a solution? I would prefer not to go down the route o
disabling AHCI and running a normal setup. Surely there has to be
signed driver somewhere

Any help is much appreciated

--
dezmond

[dezmond]

Just to clarify, I'm using Vista x64 ultimate DVD with SP1 integrated.

[dezmond]

After failing to load any SATA drivers at all during install I decided
to just give it a try with the normal install, and go down the route of
turning off AHCI when 'vista'
(http://forum.notebookreview.com/autolink.php?id=183&script=editpost&forumid=1051)
starts BSOD-ing.

I printed off the guides, had everything ready and was mentally
prepared for the nightmare ahead.

To my great surprise, the whole install went smoothly, no BSOD, intel
SATA with AHCI was correctly recognised and installed, upon restart
vista got a hold of all the correct drivers like the nvidia 8600M GT and
the troublesome sigmatel audio.

The only thing that I had to install manually was the Intel wifi
driver, and vista gave me the correct link, so didn't even have to
google for it.

It's quite amazing really, all the scaremongering here is completely
unfounded, just put the DVD in, type in the key and done! Ok there's the
20 min wait in there as well.