-nocturne=-

Actually, there's nothing wrong with hotfix and program integration -- actually, it'd probably end up saving space in the end (at least for the hotfixes). In the end it's just the simple principle of 'Keep It Simple' -- the more you try to do the more apt you are to run into problems. Go ahead and live a little, though -- add the hotfixes (ryanvm's pack), DX9, basic apps, IE7, WMP11, and remove plenty of the windows garbage you know you don't need -- just don't go too wild at it.

I've always used the tweak (not sure if done with nLite or a reg patch), and never had a problem... Might be something specific to a certain version of nLite... Good looking out though... I'll be making a new image tonight, so I won't be enabling that tweak just in case.

Long story short, you don't need to integrate any drivers... well, except for AHCI/Raid drivers for the hard drive, possibly (though it appears your model has a PATA hard drive). I know it might seem 'cool' to have all your device drivers pre-installed at the first boot, but more often than not this only has complications. After installing, windows should certainly be bootable, and it's not that big of a deal having to install your drivers as you're going to be installing plenty of programs anyways I'm sure. Integrating drivers with nLite is mostly meant for installing RAID drivers (so you don't have to use (or find, for that matter) a floppy); and also for 'professionals' who install the same image onto countless networked PC's, perhaps without the use of a GUI. In your case, there's really no reason to bother... Some advice though (if this is your first time)... Always test your burned cd. Always have an extra. Always have the original in case neither work, and you already reformatted everything. Take as much time to back up everything you need, and check it twice (at least). More than anything, don't go too crazy removing components with nLite -- as you might find yourself two weeks into using the new install, only to find that some of your needed aplications don't work because of missing dependencies (basically, only remove items that you know exactly what they are and what they do, and are absolutely positive you don't need). Other than that, just don't install anything afterwards that you don't need (that's the quickest way to finding yourself in need of another reformat). Here's a link straight to the Dell Support page listing the drivers for your system... All you need is: Audio driver, Chipset Driver, Modem Driver (if you have/use it -- under communication), Network card driver (Broadcom driver should be the one you need, second from top under Network), and your Video card driver (just get them straight from ATI/Nvidia, or even just windows update if you're not a gamer).