So, if you read my original post on how Dell dropped the ball for delivering a usable experience on my new Dell XPS 730, then this will be a multi-part series that describes how I got to a stable and completely operational 64-bit vista build on this machine on my own.

This is essentially a lonely road, since Dell offers little or no support on the 64-bit vista OS.  They also cannot provide a stable 32-bit OS build for this machine, so it isn't too surprising.  When you lookup the service tag for the machine, they do actually have a category for Vista 64-bit that contains very few items of any use, and the install from DVD leaves you with a wide variety of Microsoft's WDM driver which are also useless, outdated and unstable.  The first step was to get the core motherboard drivers up to spec.  This is a good example of really know what was included in the system build.  Little documentation is available on the details of the components included in the system and you either have to pick through scads of garbled acronyms and short forms used in the order confirmation or leverage the details found in hardware review sites etc.  Google is also a big help.

• The full story
• Observations from a Tech Architect Enterprise Implementation Issues & Solutions
• The road to Vista 64-bit on the Dell XPS 730 part 2

1. Making 64-bit Vista SP1 Say It's Vista SP1
2. Windows Vista 64 Bit Installation Experience
3. Windows Vista - 64 bit in the Mainstream
4. You’ve got Vista x64 questions, I’ve got answers
5. Is 64-bit Vista ready for take off? (Updated)
6. Vista: Change to Vista 64-bit is already in full progress
7. Microsoft: number of 64-bit Vista PCs doubled in three months
8. Microsoft Sees Uptick in Use of 64-bit Vista