M17x Care Guidance

I've been trying to research how to take good care of my m17x so that it will last me as long as possible and need minimum repairs on it. I've still got some questions about this though, and I'd also like more input about the various things found here.

So far I've found:

Screen care: I've noticed people speaking of microfiber cloth, and even some leaving it in there to protect the screen.

Compressed air: People have spoken about giving their computer something along the lines of "compressed air baths" but it sounds a bit unnecessary. I heard someone mention that it could hurt if you blew dust accidentally into a different area.


What to do upon receiving the computer:

I'm going to assume that since AW ships computers without a bunch of bloatware, a fresh install is not immediately needed. However, BatBoy did recommend getting an 8GB flash drive and making a system back-up on it.

I know I'm going to try to install some anti-virus as soon as I get it, but that's sort've a given.


Calibrate the RGB LED screen: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-m17x-r2-rgb-led-display-calibration-how.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/6014520-post16.html

When a Tech is doing Repairs: Psyloid said to watch carefully and offer him a towel to put parts on before he starts to avoid scratches.




Questions:

But what tests need to be run to ensure that the computer is working properly and that all the parts are the ones you ordered?

What Kensington Lock would be best? I'm not sure how many people here use this, but I'd be maybe leaving the computer out of my sight for just ten minutes or less.

Do I need to install Drivers/BIOS when I first get it, or will it have all the latest ones already?

 

Keep it clean and don't drop it. Nuff said.

 

Yeah, sometimes I wonder if some of the cleaning stuff is just fanatical. Good to know there's some normal-ish everyday users around here.

 

If you are in a dusty area, then compressed air is not a bad idea. Just do short bursts in the vent areas until no dust comes out. You can damage the fans if you spin them up too high with the compressed air blowing on them.

 

PC Mark vantage will give you a complete test to see if anything is broke. Or use the diagnostics cd provided by dell and do a full test.

 

Fresh install? If it ain't broke why fix it

 

With the system off, stick a toothpick in the fan blades before air-dusting to prevent the blades from spinning.

 

*Vacuum keyboard and vents with vacuum brush attachment.
*Micro fiber cloths require additional cleaning solution
*Disposable good pre moistened cloths are better.
*Test compressed air to release any liquid before using.(vacuum first)
*The RGB is abosultely beautiful as is. Everyone has a personal preference for color tone. (RGB uses 3 color led as opposed to 1 color, more natural, brighter, better contrast)
*The whole purpose of RGB is 3 colored LEDS which provide more natural light as opposed to the old method of using just one color light.
*Use good quality laptop cooler to take stress off video cards
*Enjoy a game or two the first few days before adding too many new software. You make a good point, best to test everything slowly and find problems up front.
*Will ship with the latest bios
*Catalyst mobility drivers do not work with the 5870 CF
*A towel or piece of soft flexible craft foam would work well.
*tinted Aluminum scratches easily.

 

But they do for a single 5870?

 

Im interested in that answer too.

 

I would have to say, use hwinfo32 and cpu-z to check that its everything you ordered and that everything is working properly and perhaps run a benchmark