New XPS 1530 almost here got a few ?'s.

So I got home from work just in time to see the DHL delivery guy driving away from my house and wasn't able to successfully flag him down to get my computer. Oh well im going to the distribution center tonite to pick it up. Ive read through the new notebook guide for what to check and the guide for A vista clean install. Just had a few questions.

1. Hopefully i get a nice LG screen, but if not will wiping out the software have any effect on my ability for screen replacement? Warrenty issues?

2. If by some way out of this world chance there is a Bloatware program that I would like to keep, do i have the option of getting it back after a clean install? My understanding is that there is no bloatware cd its all in the recovery drive.

3. I am planning on a 3 partition system. 3gb for MD, 40gb for Vista and software, and remainder for Files. so if i need to reformat i can do only this partition, Right?

4. I am debating just uninstalling bloatware and cleaning the registry, but the only way to accomplish the registry cleaning is with patience and a experienced person right? There is no do all software to clean it up? CCleaner?

5. I have a version of XP home that i had on my old sony viao. Is there a way that i can upgrade it to pro and use it instead of vista? is it worth it? im sure ill get used to vista.

6. My system should come with a Vista install, MD, and Drivers disk, right? There should be no need to download anything prior to starting?

Thanks for your input i appreciate any responses.

 

1. No.
2. Save C:\SWSetup. It should contain all bloatware/files that you can reinstall later.
3. Yes.
4. Just do a clean install.
5. Since Vista is effectively free (came with your computer) just use it. It's not that bad.
6. Follow the clean install guide.

 

1 more question, should I burn a cd containing all the current proven drivers for the 1530 form the http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=193815
thread to save time from doing it twice? or should I just install the dell old ones then go and update them?

 

Thanks for your input lithus. on #2, that will contain all the setup files for the specific dell progams? Also the dell recovery partition is good to get rid of correct?
sorry for all the questions, just want to reaffirm my decisions.

 

5. Yes, you can do that. Vista is that bad.

I'd do the CD option.

 

yeah if you are planning on doing a clean install without any of the dell stuff you should definitely make a cd with all the drivers

 

3. I am planning on a 3 partition system. 3gb for MD, 40gb for Vista and software, and remainder for Files. so if i need to reformat i can do only this partition, Right?

thats exactly what i do. I store EVERYTHING on a seperate partition and save all of my information there. set my documents shortcuts and all of your programs to point to that partition by default. get everything exactly as you like it then take an image using Norton Ghost, Acronis or any other disk imaging program. That way whenever your computer starts acting a little sluggish you can just restore the image back from the default one and you have a fresh install in under 10 minutes with all drivers and settings already saved.


4. I am debating just uninstalling bloatware and cleaning the registry, but the only way to accomplish the registry cleaning is with patience and a experienced person right? There is no do all software to clean it up? CCleaner?

I've never used CC clear but I have used Uniblue Power Suite and Tune-Up Utilities 2008 and they seem to work pretty well.

 

Good to know you are considering to download from here. I just updated it to the latest revisions today. I just burned a disc of that collection for my friend. Vista is good unless you have a hardware or software that can't work with Vista.