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    New Laptop TO DO LIST Thread.

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by shohebp, May 7, 2011.

  1. shohebp

    shohebp Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi fellas, i created this thread to get user perspectives on stuff to do as soon as you get your new laptop.

    I recently bought a new XPS 17 with the specs in my sign. So i was wondering is, what is the first thing most experienced users do? I suppose check for the specs and the hardware to see if they got exactly what they ordered. I would like to know a few things myself like how to check if the screen is Anti glare or not?, How to check on DIMMS, if 4 or 2?, Running a diagnostic or something?

    You can also post your own specific questions as most of them are bound to be different considering different specs. This would also assist people to figure out any major problem before the 21 days of "no charge" return.
     
    shohebp, May 7, 2011
    #1
  2. Harry1994

    Harry1994 Notebook Guru

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    most people do a fresh install of windows with a reformatted harddrive to get rid of all the rubbish stuff dell put on then install all of the drivers.
     
    Harry1994, May 7, 2011
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  3. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    Cin', May 7, 2011
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  4. shohebp

    shohebp Notebook Enthusiast

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    What if i don't have an OS cd or didn't order a recovery cd. Any other way to do a fresh install.
     
    shohebp, May 7, 2011
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  5. ajtmcse

    ajtmcse Newbie

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    1. Go to support.dell.com and download all of the drivers for your model, and copy to a usb drive or DVD.
    2. Format and install a clean OS.
    3. Install all of the drivers from above and check device manager to ensure all devices have drivers.
    4. Install all available Window Updates. (I would avoid IE9 for the moment)
    5. Install MS Security Essentials.
    6. Take a full backup and create a Windows Restore Disc/DVD
    7. goto ninite.com and install all your favorite tools/utilities.
    8. Enjoy.
     
    ajtmcse, May 7, 2011
    #5
  6. darevrin43

    darevrin43 Notebook Enthusiast

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    So the very first time i turn on my computer should i put in the recovery cd and install the backup onto it, then do the fresh install of windows 7?? Then go to support.dell.com and install drivers and then ninite.com??

    Or is the recovery cd that i ordered to come with it after i freshly install windows 7 and all the other good stuff
     
    darevrin43, May 7, 2011
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  7. ray4jc

    ray4jc Notebook Evangelist

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    1) give it a look over for any physical damage, open up bottom panel check ram and hd, on the l702x had to remove palm rest/keyboard to check for other components then took out hd imaged it
    2) put it back in, ran boot diagnostics every check out then booted into and updated windows
    3) uninstalled any apps i didn't want...there were not too many surprisingly
    4) went to ninite.com and installed everything i normally do...it was very easy and painless...and actually pretty quick
    5) install programs as i need them....sometimes its hard to think of them all
    6) do some gaming other normal use to make sure no problems
     
    ray4jc, May 7, 2011
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  8. darevrin43

    darevrin43 Notebook Enthusiast

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    So When i do a clean install, is the internet explorer going to be on there still?? or do i have to download that somehow
     
    darevrin43, May 9, 2011
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  9. conscriptvirus

    conscriptvirus Notebook Evangelist

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    yes it will be there.
     
    conscriptvirus, May 9, 2011
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  10. darevrin43

    darevrin43 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Do people usually delete internet explorer from their comp once they download firefox or chrome or is it best to keep it??
     
    darevrin43, May 11, 2011
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  11. mwg3c

    mwg3c Notebook Guru

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    Is it best to download all the drivers from Dell's website or from each specific driver manufacturer?
     
    mwg3c, May 11, 2011
    #11