R3 Things to do

Is there any guides out there for things to do when you take a fresh delivery of a new system?

Mines due today and seen afew people recommend various things to do when you get your system, just wondering what is a necessity really, aswell as how to go about it.

 

To be honest, the only necessity there is is checking your system is working as it should as well as the condition of the laptop.

Everything else we do is because we are generally more knowledgeable than the average person when it comes to computers, so we like to do things such as formatting and reinstalling our own Windows, using beta drivers (like the 11.10 preview 2 ATI drivers), overclocking, making HDD image backups, etc. Its not all really necessary but very useful, as well as allowing us to get the best out of our laptop.

What I would do:
1. Check laptop for damage, scratches, dents, and check all buttons are working fine, all lights working, etc
2. Make HDD Image backup before first Windows boot
3. Boot into Windows, play about with it, check everything works, maybe run a benchmark to make sure its performing as it should
4. Format and install my own Windows, as well as using the latest drivers from the Dell website
5. Install programs (MS Office, Adobe, Google Chrome, etc)
6. Repaste GPU
7. Overclock GPU
8. Play some games, monitor temps

 

1. Buy SSD
2. Install SSD
3. Install fresh version of OS on SSD
4. Update all drivers and run benchmarks to make sure your CPU and GPU are behaving normally.
5. Repaste GPU and CPU.
6. Overclock the GPU and run additional benchmakrs to see how high you can go and to further test the GPU.
7. Go back to stock clock speeds and enjoy your laptop.

 

1. Check for damage/glitches/etc.
2. Check your service tag on the dell warranty site to make sure it's legit/updated/correct.
3. Play

 

Install games and play them.