Vista clean install & Acer software

Hello everybody

I have searched the archives in this forum, but have found no answer that helps me. Please be so kind as to point out any existing thread if one exists.

I have an Acer aspire 3620 notebook, and I have acquired Vista software. For obvious reasons, I want to do a clean install. My question is this: What do I have to do to be able to install and use the software originally provided with the computer?

The Acer homepage itself is not very helpful, in fact it's confusing. Here is a link to the official guide:
http://support.acer-euro.com/winvista/quick_guide_to_windows_upgrade_v1.htm#cleaninstall

I quote:
Download the upgrade packages for your PC. You will find 2 files in the download section. The Vista update.zip contains all necessary driver and BIOS updates, Application.zip contains update patches for additional applications that were preinstalled on your PC (i.e. NTI CD Maker, Power DVD, Acer Empowering tools).

The download page for my model is here:
http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/as_3620.html

Contrary to what I quoted above, there are not 2 files, but in fact 15 of them.

So my question is: Will these 15 files be enough to install the software once I have installed Vista? Or will I somehow have to install the original software from my recovery disk first?

Which software is in your opinion worthwhile to be installed in the first place? I know I have to install the DVD software and some drivers, but what about the rest of the software?

Do I have to update the BIOS?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I would like to get this right the first time and not spend a lot of time with trial and error.

 

all of those files should be enough from what i can tell, i must admit its a little vague, i would ensure that you definately want to have vista installed on your unit. i wouldn't consider using it if you have anything less that 1gb of RAM. Its amazing the number of people that change their mind once they realise its not as responsive as XP.
I would consider upgrading the bios before you install vista; all of the bios updates that acer release do fix issues with the unit.

 

Thanks, I'm already past that. Bios is the newest version anyway. For the software however, the only stuff I can install is the drivers. The NTI burning software for example doesn't work because Acer only gives you an upgrade, and there is no way to install the originally supplied version by itself from the recovery disk. Oh well, I guess most of that stuff is junk anyway.

Regarding performance, I only have 512 MB, and yes it is a bit sluggish. But I'll give it a try for a while, I can always go back to XP.