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    Help Pls: New 1530- Top 5 Mods/Tweaks

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by crisptito, May 12, 2008.

  1. crisptito

    crisptito Notebook Geek

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    After an LCD delay and a extended boxing stage, my new M1530 is being shipped and I should have it tomorrow. :D The only thing that has kept me sane was reading NBR.

    Since I ordered, I have read many threads about what to do with new 1530's to improve performance/usability etc. I am by no means a tech guy (probably a 4 out of 10- with 10 being a full blown nerd, hacking into the matrix). What are you guys thoughts on the top 5 things I should do to my notebook once I receive it? I have read about removing bloatware, partitioning the HD, disabling search functions in Vista and so forth. I don't want to screw something up and get in over my head, just want a nice, smooth running 1530. Btw, this will be my first Vista experience....Thanks!
     
    crisptito, May 12, 2008
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  2. Rhodan

    Rhodan NBR Expert of Nothing

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    Rhodan, May 12, 2008
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  3. crisptito

    crisptito Notebook Geek

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    yeah, there is some good stuff in there. Probably going to stick to the basics. I don't feel comfortable messing around with the registry.
     
    crisptito, May 12, 2008
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  4. Rhodan

    Rhodan NBR Expert of Nothing

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    3 and 22 are good. 22 will work for you since you got 4GB.
     
    Rhodan, May 12, 2008
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  5. AJHardware

    AJHardware Notebook Enthusiast

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    Unless you fear filling your entire 320GB HD, I'd honestly do very little. The Bloatware removal process sounds intimidating, but it's hard to do any lasting damage if you screw it up (especially if you make an Acronis backup before you start). I got a lot of HD space back by following it, and a small performance gain, but it took a good bit of time (though it worked flawlessly on the first attempt).

    CPU Undervolters and GPU overclockers will say their procedures are easy and important but depending on what you're going to use it for, the headaches won't be worth the payoff.

    One thing you should definitely do, though, is upgrade the graphics drivers and make sure your firewall and antivirus software is something you can live with. That's a matter of personal preference though there are lots of good recommendations floating around on the site here.

    Have fun with your rig - I know I'm a big fan of mine, minus the crummy speakers :).
     
    AJHardware, May 12, 2008
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  6. crisptito

    crisptito Notebook Geek

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    Thanks for the feedback. I am going to try just a few of these to cut down boot/shutdown times. Most of what I am going to do will be appearance tweaks in Vista. Still not sure about partitioning. AJ- did you partition your HD? It seems logical to separate my media from programs and system files, but not sure if its necessary.
     
    crisptito, May 12, 2008
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  7. diggy

    diggy Notebook Deity

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    Use RevoUninstaller if you want to remove the bloatware. I find it to be pretty thorough in getting all the junk out. The Tweaks guide is a real help - if followed step by step, it can do wonders for your machine
     
    diggy, May 12, 2008
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  8. Cin'

    Cin' Anathema

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    Congrat's on your 1530 finally being on it's way to you!!! Woot Woot! ;) ;) :D :cool:

    Personally, I followed Les's Clean Install Guide and everything went well thereafter! ;) :)

    Good luck to you!!! ;) :)
     
    Cin', May 12, 2008
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  9. crisptito

    crisptito Notebook Geek

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    Good deal. The bloatware removal intimidates me just a bit, but the tips and tweaks sound doable, even for a noob like me.

    Anybody use AVG for Anti-virus? Its what I use on my XP Desktop, and I have never had any problems. Going to try to load it on my new lappy. I use the free version and it does a good job. That plus the windows firewall. Had zone alarm but was never really impressed with it. Also, will it come with SP1 installed by Dell or do I need to do it with Windows update?
     
    crisptito, May 12, 2008
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