What do to when you first get your laptop, and how to take care of it?

So I'm sure there are a couple bits and bobs about this floating around, but I wouldn't mind one single thread to kind of round it all up (links to those other threads are welcomed).

So first off, I'd like you all to indulge me, and pretend that I'm stupid. By this I mean that yes there are some obvious things like downloading the latest drivers, but from where? By who? And, if it's at least semi-consistent, about how often?

Basically I'd like your help in telling me everything I should be doing once I get my laptop. Don't skip out on anything, no matter how trivial it may seem to you, any advice such as "turn off your laptop before you go to sleep" is useful information for me!

Also advice such as "don't eat a big cheeseburger and then touch the keys, they will get greasy"

Anything you want is fine, so long as it is helpful and constructive. Pretend I have never owned a computer, because quite frankly, when I was younger my dad did most of these things for me, and since I've had my current computer, it didn't seem worth it to bother, because no matter how many little tricks it seemed as though it wouldn't help much anyways.

 

i posted a message just like this and it got moved to the owner lounge.

 

That's really requesting a lot of work on someone else's part, honestly. As stated above, just read the owner's lounge posts- you'll learn everything you need to know and then some.

 

1. Download & Install Firefox or Chrome (I've always used FF in the past, recently have been having some trouble with it and switched to Chrome)
2. Download & Install AV software
3. Download & Install MalwareBytes

4. Download & Install Mini Tool Partition Wizard. Then I Partition my HDD so I have my OS & programs on my main partition (C: ), the recovery partition (D: ), and a Docs partition (F: ). All my pictures, music, video, documents, browser backups, email contacts, etc go here (F: ). I also change the path on the start menu (right click-properties-include folder) and delete the folders on my C: partition. This way if I need to do a clean install of the OS, I don't have to worry/ touch my personal files.

5. Run Windows Update
6. Run Intel Update Utility
7. Check for Video Driver updates
8. Download & Install Office
9. Download & Install Spotify & iTunes
10. Download & Install WinRar
11. Download & Install Aptana
12. Download & Install Rainmeter
13. Dowload & Install Speedfan
14. Download & Install MSI Afterburner
15. Download and Install inSSIDer
16. Set up my NAS
17. Import browser settings, Outlook inbox & contacts.
18. Get Ad-block Plus for my browser

From there it's a matter of setting things up the way I like it. Pinning programs to the taskbar, getting rainmeter skins that I use, changing the OS theme, etc.

Assumes you're running Intel & Nvidia chips, obviously AMD would change things. But the first 7 steps are pretty much apply for any computer (especially #4), after that, it's more about personal preference in terms of software/ setup.

Once I get everything setup and play around for a bit (week or so) I usually do a teardown of the laptop so I know how everything comes apart, and goes back together.

Also don't forget to secure your network (if you setting up a new one). Change you routers login credentials, encrypt with WPA2-AES, and change your SSID. No need to do anything beyond that IMO for a home network.

 

Backup the system on DVD, then reinstall a clean windows

 

Well they don't have to post everything, and thank you so much for Rob for putting a lot of work into that post! Much appreciated!

Fair enough that I should be posting in the owners lounge, however again as I had kinda stated, although there are some good posts in the first post, most of the information seems kinda cluttered about the 45 pages. If it were maybe 10 pages it wouldn't be too bad, but 45 is quite a bit of reading (not to say it's not worth it) and I didn't want to miss anything.

What are the advantages of doing a clean install of windows? AW doesn't appear to throw on a whole ton of crapware (minus mcafee since I'm in canada, qq)

 

No advantage, if you're just using the same drive that the OS was originally installed on as your OS drive. A lot of the people here are putting in aftermarket boot drives.

 

^

Yeah, why is it recommended to reinstall Windows 7? Can't you just uninstall McAfee?

EDIT: Already answered ^Fast people on the watch!

 

when you close your laptop, always ALWAYS, put something (a cloth or something) between the screen and the keyboard, i dont know if it happens with the R2 also, but my R1 screen had keyboard marks on it, i had the screen replaced,

 

Has anyone else shared obc's experience?

I know I'd use the sleeve the M14x came in when I put it in my bag, but I've never heard of keys rubbing against the screen, that would be an incredible pain..

When I get my M14x, I'll just install GTA IV on it and give a shakedown.

 

This was/is quite common on the m11x. I have an m11x r2 and still use the white papery-silky-like protector that it came with to cover the keys when I close the lid. I've seen a few posts about this and the m14x. At any rate, I am going to have something between the lid and the keys of my new, soon-to-be-delivered m14x.

Gonna look into something called the Shaggy Mac. There's a post on it here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...travel-tip-how-prevent-screen-scratching.html

 

But what about the R2? any R2 owners experiencing this?

 

my M15x had this issue, havent risked it on the M14x, have put a cloth between screen and keyboard since new.

 

Your right, it's not worth the risk, I ordered one of those Shaggy Mac's, thanks for the recommendation alienowl +1 .

 

Alright, thanks. Still debating whether or not to pick up a crucial m4 256gb for like $230, ordered the 64gb msata and 500gb hard drive.
Just to remind me, the drives have to be identical size to run in raid0 right? Otherwise it goes with the lowest capacity? SSDs in raid0 is a little bit overkill, but I tend to work with a lot of large files, and if it seems too sluggish even on an ssd, I'd like to have the option.

As for the screen protection, that was definitely in the back of my mind while typing up the first post. I was considering the Razer Kabuto (albeit a kinda pricy mouse mat @ ~$20), because I've seen firsthand what those keys have done to my brother's laptop, and it would drive me crazy enough anyways, but I do lots of photo editing so pretty much anything on my screen (marks, dust) drives me absolutely insane.

Thanks again to everyone who is posting consistently useful information! Every bit helps me, and hopefully some other people! One small tip 100 times is still 100 tips. ^_^

 

Cool! I'm going to be ordering one soon, once my m14x gets out of that "in production" stage.

 

Yeah but I'm in Australia and I've ordered this morning, so it will take 2 weeks for production and 2-3 weeks for the cloth to ship out here. : )

What style did you get?

EDIT: Holy crap they've already shipped it. I'm impressed. American business' respond so much faster then Australian ones..

 

That's great! Sounds kinda funny, 2 weeks for the production of a cloth , but glad they shipped it already.

I'll be ordering the panther style.

 

No problem with the keys marking the screen. I have had mine (M14x R2) for a month with no cloth for when I close it. No marks or problems.

 

Thnkz for the steps

 

No no, the cloth shipped 6 hours after I ordered it which was exceptional.

The M14x was going to take 2 weeks, it ended up taking 5 days and is currently en route to my home.

 

Ah, got it! I just ordered mine today. I hope it ships in 6 hours too!

 

Forgot to mention, got my ShaggyMac yesterday afternoon, I'd take some pictures but my laptop won't get here for another 30 hours, oh the wait is excruciating!

Will post ShaggyMac pics when lappy arrives. Also; the "Panther" style is more dark grey then black.

 

Back on the battery quickly, I've done the three power drains, on the 4th time charging I left the plug in, it got to 100% and stopped charging, good as gold, started running from the brick, then I went to bed and i was caught in indecision, should I take it out or leave the charger in?

I took it out cause I wasn't sure, (the computer was off!).

So this is my question, is it safe to leave the brick plugged into the computer when the computer is turned off and fully charged?

 

Yes it is. Battery will stop charging when its full - was confirmed by an alienware rep here