First things to do with new laptop?

What are the first things you do when you receive that shiny new laptop?

 

I'm in this situation (lappy arriving tomorrow, so excited)

Swap out the RAM and HDD to 4gb OCZ & 200gb 7k200.
Reformat HDD to remove crapware and install Linux dual boot.

 

First - Check you got the components you ordered and it all works.

Second - Reformat it will make a noticeable difference even compared to tweaking it without reformatting.

 

If I got a new lappy I;d first check to see if its okay, no damages. Then boot it up and just admire it. Then I'd go about uninstalling all the unwanted software and install stuff like MS Office and all my other software. And off course update Windows and stuff.

I don't do reinstalls. I find it unneccessary. Uninstalling the junk is more then enough IMO.

 

I would give it "the once over" for any defects etc first ...then fire it up!!! and play around with all the options you ordered to make sure they work etc and then if all's well...it's a keeper!!! enjoy...I know I do...the only bad this is the loss of sleep!!!LOL!! and the daytona 500 is on this weekend so I can get the info off the web while watching...can't wait!!! cheers!

 

I check to everything works then I start removing bloatware.

In the case of the 1520 it was ...

Check to see if laptop is all there
Make image of vista drive with norton ghost
Format and install XP
Install programs
Configure it to the way I like it
Make image of xp drive with norton ghost.

 

Just uninstall some trialware and you are ready to use it and make sure that everything is in working order.

reformating/reinstalling is for picky gamers

j/k

 

Reformatting and reinstalling is for those who want a pain the ***. Just removing the unwanted junk is enough. My last Dell came with Google Desktop installed and some of their own software. I always keep the Quickset utility. Its handy and doesn't bother me. I ditched the maintance program. It keep bugging you with updates that you don't want. Which program wants to flash my BIOS a couple of times per month?

I hate Google Desktop. The news feature was so annoying. It reported the most worthless news to me and get doing it no matter how many times I closed it. Well, a couple of minutes later and it was removed all together.

Vista seems to be almost junk free with Dell. My first Vista machine from them only had Google Desktop on it and their maintance program. No crappy games, no crappy internet offers, not even the Dell wallpaper. Just the default from the Vista setup. Nice Sure the junkware is bound to become Vista compatible soon enough.

 

Haha thats hilarious...

I doubt the bloatware really takes that much out of the performance. Simply uninstalling would take a lot less time. Some companies like emachine have bloatware on their os discs so there's no way to cleanstall the os.

 

Before you do anything, go to NotbookReview.com and tell everyone you got a new laptop.

 

^ That I will once it arrives.. lol can't wait!

 

Inspect it for order accuracy, take pictures of it (if you have homeowners insurance), run a full check disk, run pc decrapifier, run registry mechanic, apply Vista Tweaks, install Firefox, setup your fingerprint profile, run a battery drain /maintenance cycle, Windows update, driver updates, get a backup of clean system, save the box and packing materials just in case, and enjoy!

 

The way I did it a m,onth ago:

1. Checked for any scratches, cracks or any physical problems.
2. Checked that all the accessories are in the box, altough it was sealed.
3. Powered it up. Got scared of all the blotware inside.
4. Read orev's and stallen's guides to fresh install.
5. Re-formatted hdd, re-installed Vista after partitioning the way I wanted.
6. Become a faithful user of NBR forum.

That's all I can think of what I did right now.

 

Mine arrived yesterday (im up late)
Gave it the once over , then with trepidation turned it on (remembering people that recieve dead dells) ..... suprise !! it works plus no build defects , maybe because made in Ireland instead of Malaysia.
Removed google desktop , dell maintinance , broadband packages , mcafee virus - will download avg as cant be bothered paying money, couple other small things , will have ago at installing 169.04 drivers for nvidia tommorow after work.

one question deleted recycle bin by accident , how do you restore it on vista ???

 

Right click on desktop --> Personalize --> Change Desktop Icons (on left side)

 

Best case scenario:

Admire
Inspect
Test
Reformat (take pictures during this time)
Tweak
Install Steam, games, office
Bench
Play
Got to NBR and brag about it like everyone else

 

If you decide to reformat/reinstall, first check your operating system CD to make sure it's readable. Dell sent me a bad operating system CD with my computer. They're sending me a new one, but I'd hate to have used that install CD only to have it bomb out, and then have to wait on Dell to send a new one.
Also check your Media Direct DVD if you're going to reinstall that. My Media Direct DVD was bad too.

 

Check it over and inspect it.

Then, as soon as possible, reformat!

 

I don't know what purpose would the format serve. I am not into games and heavy application use. I would love to try out Vista and see if I can get used to it, if not I will format and install XP. I will uninstall all the bloatware before using it.

Side note: what should I expect with the laptop? Other than the products mentioned on the order list.

 

Post on Notebook Review Forums. Reformat, reinstall clean OS. Download all the latest windows updates. Download all the latest drivers. Install all 3rd party programs. Enjoy.

 

The very first thing to do is to install Quake....

 

Visit these threads and follow their advice:

For All Vista Notebooks:

*User Account Creation in New/Reinstalled Vista Computer!
*Make Windows Vista folders function like Windows XP

For XPS Notebooks:

*Official Dell XPS M1330 Manuals, Drivers & Utilities
*Official Dell XPS M1530 Manuals, Drivers & Utilities

Links are in the signature.

 

The first thing to do is to christen it by breaking a wine bottle over it. Don't your parents teach you anything?

 

LOL. that's very funny ... haha ...
I always try to backup original things then do a clean install.