Clean install procedure - Win8 Pro on XPS M1710

Hi jerswing,

XPS 1710 is offered with windows XP/Vista 64 bit operating system and accordingly the drivers are updated on our support website. I am afraid; the windows 8 drivers are currently not available for this model. 

Below video would help you in reinstalling windows 8:

Click on the below link to install Windows 8 Pro:

http://bit.ly/S2sR0P

You may try installing the drivers in compatibility mode. Follow below steps to install the file in Windows 8 Compatibility mode.

1. From the "Start" or "Apps" Screen Right click or press and hold on a single program to check it, and click/tap on Open file location.
2. Right click or press and hold on a program's shortcut (LNK), EXE, or MSI file on your desktop or in Windows Explorer, and click/tap on Properties.
3. Click/tap on the Compatibility tab.
4. To Run a Program in Compatibility Mode in Only your User Account, click/tap on the Run this program in compatibility mode for box to check it.
5. Click/tap on the drop down menu arrow and select which version of Windows the program was written for.
6. When finished, click/tab on OK to apply the changes. 

For any clarifications feel free to contact me.

See Windows Reinstallation Guide/Upgrading to Windows 8:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/3524/t/19480753.aspx 

Dell don't officially support this system as mentioned but likely it will work, running the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant will tell you more information, Most things will work outside the box.

However run the following Intel Update Utility and nVidea AutoUpdate once Windows 8 is installed.

Also install the Vista 64 bit Card Reader driver: http://ftp.dell.com/chipset/R168331.exe

Install the Synaptics Touchpad here http://downloads-us.dell.com/FOLDER00800134M/2 or http://www.synaptics.com/resources/drivers.

If you have the Bluetooth card install http://ftp1.dell.com/folder00865420m/1/ then restart your computer and then apply the Broadcom Update here: http://www.broadcom.com/support/bluetooth/update.php

I haven't tested the Media Direct Partition and Media Direct application with Windows 8 as I no longer have an Inspiron 6400, likely it won't work as Windows 8 boots differently to earlier versions of Windows but it might work. I would recommend avoiding using it unless you feel like testing it (which probably isn't worth the tome).