What to do when new XPS 1645 arrives

I ordered an XPS 1645 and it has an EDD of 6/17, so hopefully I should get it this week. Are there things I should install or uninstall when I get it? What things should I do for the system before I really start using it to get maximal performance?

 

Mostly "personal" preference, but I'd recommend removing McAfee, the Dell Dock, and the facial recognition software. Many people also dump SoundBlaster because it can cause problems.

I did a fresh install of Windows to save money by ordering the cheapest edition available (because I already owned a legal copy of Win 7 Professional). The SoundBlaster works fine under a fresh install, and it slightly improves music in some situations.

Make sure you install the latest version of Flash Player if you plan on watching HD online videos or else your browser will crash more often than not (may not apply to 5xxx cards).

 

I'll be ordering mine today. Why do you recommend removing McAfee and the dell dock?

 

Thanks for the recommendations.

Most people uninstall the dell dock? Anyone find it useful?

 

Microsoft Security Essentials does a better job than McAfee in terms of performance.

The Dell dock just seems kind of a silly, doesn't seem useful to me considering all the other ways to access applications.

And the facial recognition program seems to have high CPU usage all the time (i.e. more than 1%!!), and slows down boot time. Besides, it's more gimmicky than useful: someone can hold a low quality picture of you in front of the camera and it thinks its you.

 

So, if I uninstall the soundblaster where do I go to reinstall it. Additionally, if there are other things that need to be installed, where do I go to do that?

 

Fresh install is essential, your xps will come with the windows CD, use it to do the fresh install and then come here for all the latest drivers...

i saw a significant increase in boot time, performance after a fresh install..

Also dell dock has been made completely superfluous by windows 7. The taskbar in Win 7 is better faster and easier to access making the role of the dell dock useless.

 

I always do a Clean Install, always. Make that lappy yours!

Here is a helpful thread on Clean Installs.

I also use MSE to help protect my computer. Works great with Win 7.

HW Monitor & CPU-Z, are both great programs. As, is CCleaner as a good file cleaner!

This is a nice thread to visit also:
The Ever-Growing Free Windows Software List

Cin...

 

This is probably a dumb question, but is Microsoft Security Essentials standard or is it extra software you pay for? I'm switching from using Macs for the past 12 years roughly, so I'm unsure.

 

It's free..totally free! LINK

Download is easy, and works smoothly with Win7 I was a loyal user with Avira, so it was hard for me to switch to MSE...And, now I really just like using MSE!


Cin...

 

Soundblaster comes on a CD. You can find non-driver software that came with your computer here (the most useful is probably the webcam software)
https://smartsource.dell.com/Web/UserForms/NewUser.aspx

You can find drivers on the Dell Driver page.

And I completely agree that optimally you should do a fresh install of Windows unless this is your first Windows-based computer AND the thought of it makes you feel uncomfortable.

 

^^Don't forget that it will only work with Internet Explorer


Cin...

 

I agree 100%. Problem is dell didnt ship a windows disc with my new 1645. Sadly I dont have a 64bit ultimate disc.

 

Yeah, they stopped doing that A really bad move on their part. I'm fairly certain Richard (booboo12 updated his Recovery Guide to reflect those changes).


Cin..

 

It was one of the main reasons why I always loved dell. They shipped you the ability to run what they loaded or do an easy clean install. Oh well Ill have to see if a friend has a disc he can lend me.

 

Yeah, I totally agree. Who knows, maybe in the future they will decide that this was a bad decision they made doing this...

Hope you are able to work it out!


Cin...

 

there are other ways as well

 

How long have people been waiting lately for their XPS to get delivered from when they ordered.

 

Ordered 5/28 (at near midnight on a friday night so might as well have ordered it on monday the 31st)
Delivered 6/11

 

The vast majority of the CPU usage that you're seeing in FastAccess is actually the camera driver. If this is of real and significant concern, upgrade to version 2.4.95. In this version while running in Face Login mode, FastAccess detaches from the camera after login. Also note that most CPU usage measurements are done against the total AVAILABLE cycles, not the total POSSIBLE cycles. Since by default the CPU is throttled up and down all the time to save power, most CPU usage readings are in fact much lower than they would appear. I've not had any practical issues at all running FastAccess full time.

Regarding photo access, please first see the extensive online FAQs on the subject. FastAccess has industry leading photo rejection out of the box. There are certain very specific situations - published publicly - where a photo can be used. For example, a photo taken of the user through the webcam itself or from the perspective of the webcam may be able to gain access. I've also seen several people hold up a photo, type their password, and then be surprised when that photo lets them in later. Typing your password teaches the software to recognize that photo...something that you should simply not to do if you're concerned about good security.

Good security software in addition to publishing known methods (such as the two above) for gaining access will also provide tools to effectively address them. In this case, it's the "Face + Password" tool. If photo access is of real concern in your environment, set this tool to periodically prompt for just a few characters from your password in addition to your face. This makes the photo question entirely moot.

Thanks.

 

You should be able to request discs here: Dell - Support

 

Yeah I requested one.

 

What exactly is a clean install? Would I be uninstalling software and drivers or just "reinstalling" software and drivers. Since Dell now longer ships the Windows 7 disc, how would I go about reinstalling it? Should the clean install be done as soon as I get the system. Thanks for your help as this is the first laptop I have bought in 6+ years.

 

You gotta get a hold of a Windows install Disc, ask Dell for one if you or a friend doesn't have one and reinstall the whole OS, not just drivers and programs.

 

Since I havent received my 1645 yet, would I be able to request the discs now? Or do I have to wait until I receive my system?

 

When is your lappy set to arrive? You could request it now. Or, wait until you have your lappy in front of you & call with your Service Tag #. They usually ship these items overnight to you. : )


Cin...

 

Wouldn't hurt to try, I don't know why they would hesitate......

 

June 28th. I'm switching from primarily using Macs. Im fed up with their lack of games available. Outside of school (comp engineering, comp programming, daily use), I have little experience with them. Not to say I dont know how to use a pc more then most people, but I'm not 100% familiar with them.

Would it be wise to go ahead and do a fresh install once I get the system? Will the disk I request from dell be an install disc, or just a recovery disc? If a recovery disc, how hard is it to download an install disc and burn it?

 

I would like to request them, but I can't find my service tag. Guess you have to wait, unless someone knows of a way of finding it before receiving their system.