Complete Reformat or Uninstall?

What is your say on this? Do you completely reformat your Dell when you get it or do you simply uninstall the bloatware and clean up your registry? Are there any advantages to completely reformatting that might account for the use of an extra 3 hours of your life?

 

If you got the reinstall discs of windows go for it. All laptop sellers put so much junk on your laptop when you first get it. I have reformated my laptop twice since I got it back in Jan. I need to reformat again. I would just do it and get it over with.
Tim

 

You get to delete all the dell partitions you don't need. I'm gonna do it to cuz I don't wanna deal with leftover files/processes/etc. It's also pretty clear that it improves performance (only a little, but its something).

 

i'd say it takes longer to uninstall and clean up your system than to just pop in your XP disc and do aa fresh install.

the uninstall route is a total headache.

 

Ok, cool, I was thinking I might do a complete reformat, have never done it before, but I didn't think it would take TOO long. Thanks!

 

if you got the Dell operating CD and all drivers, then it's very easy. Probably takes about 1.5 hrs to install WinXP MCE and all drivers.

 

Yeah, the reformat is the best option

When i get my M1710, i have no clue if im going to do a reformat

I dont want to mess up Media Direct

 

I always do a complete reformat

 

Consider it good 'bonding' time with your new laptop.... Sing a verse or two of Kumbaya together and enjoy the moment.


Mark

 

I will! Definitely!

 

I just ordered an Insprion, and I plan on reformatting with the XP MCE CD, is Media Direct something really important I should back-up?

 

Nothing really to 'back-up', but you will need to take the necessary steps to get it working again after your Windows installation. Easily enough done...

Just follow the 'Short Repair' steps found here

hth

Mark

 

I'm debating the same thing for my E1405 that will arrive tomorrow. I want to rid it of all the bloatware that comes on it, but do not want to mess up any drivers (wireless, Media Direct, etc). Is there a place where I can get all the proper drivers in one to reinstall once I reformat?

 

just download all the drivers from Dell support page:
http://support.dell.com/?~ck=mn

 

Don't worry, the clean install isn't as bad as you think and gets rid of all the junk.

 

So I have to download every single driver located here?

 

Applications - Yes

Audio Drivers - Yes

Chipset - Yes

Communication Drivers - Yes

Diagnostic Utilities - Optional

Display Devices - No

FlashBIOS Updates - Optional

Input Device Drivers - Yes

Network Drivers- Yes (need to download the Broadcom Controller file and the driver for the specific wireless card of your computer)

System and Configuration Utilities - Yes

Video Drivers - Yes

 

So isn't it easier to just uninstall all the junk rather than reformatting and then having to reinstall all the drivers possibly facing a problem?

 

that's why I uninstalled the bloatware I did not desire and didn't mess with reformatting

 

The drivers on Dell's site are generally more up to date than the ones on the drivers disc. I just downloaed all the ones I needed in preparation for the format and install.

Personally I favour the format and clean install as it removes all traces of the junkware and then you can set it up exactly how you want it and know what's on there.

 

I had the same concern, but proceeded to reformat anyway, never regret it. As someone else said it's actually very very easy, just follow SouthernGirl's guide and you'll be fine, one thing to keep in mind is that after installation of Windows and bbefore it takes you to desktop for the first time, you'll see a flashing screen with warning not to interfere, it's actually installing the Windows updates so don't panic if you see that red flashing warning, it takes about 10-15 mins to complete it then it takes you to desktop, from there you install all the Dell drivers, which is very easy all you have to do is click the driver you want to install then just follow the on-screen instructions.

 

I was in your situation and chose to reformat, everything works perfectly now. As long as you don't delete the Diagnostics partition MediaDirect is very easy to fix.

 

Just got my dell e1405 today and formatting it now. I noticed for the partitions there was 1 that was Fat32 and it was like 5 gigs, one was just regular fat and it was like 10k then the main NTFS one. I'm guessing the 5gig one is the media direct stuff, but what is this 10k one?

 

Actually the 4-5GB partition is the Dell Restore partition. The smaller one at about 40MB should be your Dell Utility partition. MediaDirect does not reside in a partition, but in a 'reserved' space on the hard drive called a Host-Protected Area [HPA].

Hopefully, you kept the Dell Utility partition. It will make your 'Repair' of MediaDirect much easier....

Here's a thread on MediaDirect 2.0

Mark

 

I have a 60GB hard drive, during reformat, I noticed the total space was about 55GB after I deleted the main partition and the 5 GB partition to free all the space, I kept the 40MB Dell Utility partition, so there still should be about 4-5GB space left which was not shown on the partition screen. Is that the "Reserved" HPA space you were talking about.

 

a 60 GB HD is actually about 55.7 GBs

 

Partially.... the HPA uses up about 1.5GB The rest can be accounted for due to the 'advertising' vs binary hard drive capacity methods. You 'loose' about 7% due to that.... Advertised as 60GB when in reality it is 56GB or so... That's what drumfu is speaking to....

Mark

 

If MediaDirect resides in HPA which is not a partition, does that mean it can't be deleted at all?

 

There are 'forensic' tools that can modify HPA 'behavior'. And there is a tool available for Fujitsu drives that I'm aware of....

Mark