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    Got my lapto, now what do i do?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by foosa123, Sep 13, 2006.

  1. foosa123

    foosa123 adsfjldsajflkajsdfa

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    so i just received my new dell inspiron 6400 laptop and i have to say im very happy with it so far...now im jsut wondering what i should do first after i have started it up
     
    foosa123, Sep 13, 2006
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  2. vespoli

    vespoli 402 NBR Reviewer

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    Consider reformatting. Dell installs a bunch of junk before they ship it to you. Check out SG's guide; it is excellent. Hopefully you ordered the OS cds. If not call Dell and request them. You will probably want to check and make sure all of the specs are correct and that you don't have any dead/stuck pixels on the screen. Consider writing/engraving your name and contact info somewhere on the laptop in case it is ever lost or stolen. Also make sure to note the serial number. Enjoy your laptop, it's quite the machine!
     
    vespoli, Sep 13, 2006
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  3. foosa123

    foosa123 adsfjldsajflkajsdfa

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    ok thx but what about updating any drivers for ATi or any dell thing?
     
    foosa123, Sep 13, 2006
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  4. sheff159

    sheff159 Notebook Deity

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    If your going to reformat then you'll want to do that after. But if/when you do, run windows update, that will get most of the windows things you need, and there will be alot of them your first time. Then the biggest thing you have to worry about is your video drivers, get them from either support.dell.com or directly from ATI.
     
    sheff159, Sep 13, 2006
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  5. psuguy04

    psuguy04 Newbie

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    i remember on my desktop whenever i would reformat the harddrive XP would reinstall all the drivers automatically...now i keep hearing that on the laptop you need to install drivers yourself....whats up with that?
     
    psuguy04, Sep 13, 2006
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  6. vespoli

    vespoli 402 NBR Reviewer

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    With laptops sometimes proprietary drivers are used. This is why you will need to install updated drivers from the Dell website or off of the CD. As far as video drivers are concerned, you can either use the Dell drivers or you can try something known as "omega drivers" these are 3rd party drivers that are fully compatible with your graphics card. They offer a little bit of a performance boost over the stock ATi drivers. Just google "omega drivers" if you are interested. I use them in my 1505 and have no complaints.
     
    vespoli, Sep 13, 2006
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  7. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    That only works if XP has the generic drivers for your hardware. For example, XP SP2 has drivers for Intel Motherboard A. Intel releases Motherboard B. XP SP2 can not provide the necessary drivers, so you have to install the Intel drivers supplied with the motherboard.

    New laptop hardware comes out monthly, so there's no way XP could install drivers.
     
    kegobeer, Sep 13, 2006
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  8. psuguy04

    psuguy04 Newbie

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    that make sense - so basically laptop hardware changes faster than desktop hardware? I should be getting my new E1505 hopefully soon and I'm gonna do the reformat right away - but this isn't the place to discuss that.

    as for these omega drivers, is there any harm that can be caused by using them? thanks!
     
    psuguy04, Sep 13, 2006
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  9. hazard

    hazard Notebook Guru

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    Why cant u simply uninstall the junk rathar than reformatting ??
    Does Reformated notebook be restored to factory condition anytime later ??
     
    hazard, Sep 14, 2006
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  10. gridtalker

    gridtalker Notebook Virtuoso

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    I usaully just reformat the drive then install windows and all my programs
     
    gridtalker, Sep 14, 2006
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  11. foosa123

    foosa123 adsfjldsajflkajsdfa

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    i didnt reformat i just left it and i jsut went to add/remove programs thing to uninstall most of the junk and now its running pretty good
     
    foosa123, Sep 14, 2006
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  12. hazard

    hazard Notebook Guru

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    thnx foosa for the info.
     
    hazard, Sep 15, 2006
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