G73Jh basic questions

I have a new G73Jh-A2 and i have some simple questions about upgrades and such. Like everyone else i have an intel 160Gb SSD that i will soon be loading my OS onto. My questions are as follows:

1) What programs and files should i load onto the ssd, and what should i make sure remains on the hdd?
2) Is there an update that i can install so that my G73's touchpad supports more multitouch gestures other than pinchzooming? will this update bring about any GSOD issues that ive been hearing so much about?
3)What driver updates should i install, what should i stay away from? most people say stick to the stock drivers, but if im not mistaken, some say 10.6 fixes most of the previous problems.
4) Are any of the BIOS updates worth getting, or are the issues they bring about not worth the time and effort?
5) What bloatware should i remove, and what should i keep based on necessity or usefulness?
6) Ive found mixed opinions on whether to disable core parking and whether to edit the page file, does anyone know if any of these two changes will cause issues, or even provide real benefits?
7) Any third party updates and programs i should install that people have found to be useful?

My system is used for everything from gaming to rigorous CAD work, incase that helps refine the answers. Youre all very knowlegeable and im curious to see what answers you all will have! Thanks in advance for all your help!!

 

If you stick with factory state (no updates on drivers, bios etc), then the only issue u may have is with creative audio. use this thread for creative audio.

If you update ati drivers and you exp bsod/gsod, some solutions are to update bios to 209 or overclock your gpu or both if you want.

edit - not sure if there are updates for the touch pad but that won't cause any issues.

edit - Here is the bloatware guide. Its up to you what u want or don't want. imo, I wouldn't recommend a clean install.

edit - there is no point in bothering with coreparking or page files. You won't see a difference.

 

Is there a thread on a how to overclock the 5870 and its benefits/weaknesses? are there any issues that come along with bios 209? ive heard rumors of quite a few

 

I heard the lights on the keyboard sometimes stop working after upgrading to 209.

 

use this to overclock your gpu. only for HD 5870.

I'll let you know, I updated my ati drivers and got the bsod. a simple overclock fixed it and I didn't bother with the bios update. overclock it to say 705/1100 or 800/1100. 800/1100 may require a cooler room.

I've heard some peoples lights didn't come on after the bios update? correct me if I'm wrong. Most people had a successful install though. Imo, If you want the bios update, you could ask the retailers to do it for you and they will test it (well, I know the peps at powernotebooks do this).

 

any programs to manually clock the i7 720? heard rumors of a few, but are they true?
thanks for all the help so far btw!

 

oh, and are there possibilities of overheating with the 800/1100 overclock?

 

atm, there isn't anyway to overclock the i7-720qm but I'm sure there is some way to reverse engineer their turbo boost technology and tell it to overclock past 2.8ghz. But as of now, there is no way to overclock it.

I haven't played long enough to know if 800/1100 will overheat it or not. I'd say no since I've played for about an hour and it never went pass 75c.

there really isn't a point to overclocking it that much though.I normally only overclock to 705/1100 when I play games to fix bsod and revert back when I'm just doing basic stuff like browsing. Watching 1080p vids don't even make this thing itch.

 

another broad question i have (and im just trying to accumulate as much data as possible in one spot here): Are there any other key things that people have done to optimize their G73? Im not very well versed in the more complex side of computer optimization and alteration, but im eager to learn. If anyone can help me start getting into that whole side of things, thatd be great. I just need a place to start.

 

Get Mac-Like Scrolling and Gestures on a Windows Laptop

Best I can do for additional touchpad gestures.

 

Much appreciated for the multitouch gestures upgrade!! That will be useful!

 

eh, thats interesting. While were on the subject, the touch pad gets really annoying when you type. I tried touchfreeze but it doesn't seem to work for me. any alternatives?

 

I read that if you have the gaming mouse plugged in the touchpad gets disabled. I heard touchfreeze worked as well...

Also how is the the button under the touchpad, I heard it has a little getting used to as it is difficult to push in?

 

It really depends from user to user, honestly. I really dont mind it. It may take some getting used to though, seeing as it is a single bar for both right and left clicking. This forces the user to click farther to the extreme left and right of the bar. Its fairly easy to use if you click out there. If you try to click closer to the middle, you will almost have to stand on the bar haha. Thats just my take, i dont mind it, but i often use a gaming mouse anyway.

 

Yes, the button requires a good amount of pressure to use. I find my self using two hand actually. If you hit the very edge, it should be pretty easy to use.

 

Thanks. It should loosen up with usage as well I'm assuming? I'm mainly going to use the mouse anyway, this is my first laptop and I always hated those touchpads, even though this one is massive, and seems more advanced.

 

use will certainly loosen it up. but unless you use it often, it will take a while.

 

My best suggestion for avoiding the G73 touchpad

[you'll note the G73 under the left 24" screen]

 

I'm deff. confused by this pic. lol. But I'm feeling the dagger hanging on the wall in the back...

 

What's the chances of GSOD if you update drivers to 10.6?
Also, why is a clean install not recommended?

 

There is a way to overclock the CPU - SetFsb. Its been posted on these forums before a few times, it seams you didnt read thoroughly... The shareware version includes a pll for the G73JH so you can overclock it further (people got 3,2ghz on the i7-720qm easily). Theres also a pll you can import into the freeware version, but the poster removed that link.

 

Is it okay if I keep my battery in even if I tend to only use it on AC?

 

clean installs are really not smart.alot of people have issues after doing them. why not just remove what bloatware you dont want? the only point of doing a clean install is to get rid of all the bloatware and crap that people like dell put on the system at the factory. just go through and uninstall the programs you dont need. its much safer.

 

If you know what you're doing, (especially nowadays with freely accessible information and guides), it shouldn't be a hassle at all. All you really need is a few brain cells, a couple of hours, and enough attention span to last through the guides.

Clean installs are for those who want maximum control over what goes on their computers. Also note the clean install is also one of the ways to go if you're installing an SSD. Cloning the drive being the second more user friendly, less time consuming option.

General un-installs of bloatware (hence the bloatware guide provided) is more suited for the average end user.

Both paths are not "better" than each other. Its all up to you at the end of the day and what you're willing to do.

 

Uninformed opinions are not smart.alot of people have issues after saying them. why not just remove yourself from the conversation that you don't know anything about? the only point of saying something when you're uninformed is to appear to be informed like so many 4-year-old children do.

To be honestly, a clean install *only* becomes a problem if you don't have the drivers, or if you're incompetent.

Damn. I just realized I was feeding the trolls.

 

Yep. You fed. But seriously, I have the experience to start from scratch, which has been cultivated over time. So such an endeavor was trivial to me. However, if you don't feel comfortable with starting from scratch, then uninstalling items is the next best thing.

I like to make a folder in my browser with links to all my hardware driver sites. Makes it easy to check for updates regularly.

 

He wasn't so bad, just not as diplomatic in stating his "opinion"

Nice 15" anti-glare and small Bluetooth keyboard. I use the 13" glare and carry the same keyboard everywhere. Also 2 BT mice. Never use the kybd or trackpad on my G73 or the MBP.

Good setup, I wish mine was so neat.

Cheers,

 

Tell me more please.

edit - This is one hell of a miss I made