New Dell Setup Thread

As a very soon-to-be owner of an Inspiron 1720, I've spent some time searching the forums for advice from all of the experts here on how to optimize a new system once it arrives. I've noticed, however, that virtually all of the threads deal with the removal of software and/or clean installs of Vista. I thought it might be helpful (to me, certainly, but hopefully also to others!) to start a thread for recommendations on what to add to a new system. I'm hoping this can become a central location for recommendations on software- especially, but not limited to, free downloads- that people have found particularly useful and which they'd recommend new users to install on their systems. These would include, but not be limited to:

• Anti-virus and other security software (e.g., anti-spyware, anti-adware, firewalls, etc.)
• Drivers (i.e., updates to drivers already installed on the factory-shipped system)
• System utilities, tools, etc. (e.g., registry cleaners, file compression programs, system optimizers, etc.)
• Executable programs (e.g., browers, mp3/audio players, productivity software, etc.)

Hopefully, this can turn into a user-driven clearinghouse for suggestions on how to set up a new system with the best available software, based on what has worked and hasn't worked for others. Current Dell owners, I'd love to hear your thoughts- please post!

 

-Mozilla Firefox
-CCleaner
-Ad-aware Personal (I like it better than 2007)

That's what I'd install anyway...

There's a big list here though.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=32000

 

The free list...
-Mozilla Firefox
-WinRAR Archiver
-Daemon Tools 3.47
-Azureus
-Pidgin
-JDK & JCreator LE
-VLC Media Player

The not-free list:
-Adobe Photoshop CS (Can swap out for GIMP)
-Microsoft Office 2007 (Can swap out for OpenOffice)
-Alcohol 120% (Ehh I think it was on GiveAwayOfTheDay once...)
-Sonic RecordNow! (I guess windows can basically do what this does?)

 

My suggestion for a video player would be: Media Player Classic

It's a small program that can be as simple or complicated as you wish and seems to play anything you throw at it (often on the rebound from Windows Media Player).

 

Hmm WinRAR is a trial version and not free software.... Although you can use it even after the trial period it still gives the licensing message everytime.... I would rather recommend 7-zip if you want to stick to FREE stuff or if you are ready to pay (like me ) use WinRAR then.... Though I gotta agree WinRAR is a cool tool with support for almost all compression formats

 

How about Winamp? I remember having it awhile back on my current computer. However, back in the day when I had 128MB of RAM, Winamp was too resource-demanding so I uninstalled it. From what I remember, it's an AMAZING program that lets you do pretty much anything you can think of regarding music. I plan to install it on my Inspiron 1520 when I get it. Which is... TODAY!!!!

 

I suppose the most appropriate thing for me to offer would be Trend Micro Internet Security 2007. I have been beta testing for the company for years now, and regardless of what you might gather from the various "virus zoo" AV testing results out there, their product consistently seems to outperform the competition in terms of detection and removal. I am a computer technician who has disinfected probably over a thousand PC's, and I can confidently say that it's my program of choice to keep people protected once I've cleaned everything up. I have tried all other virus scanning suites, including NOD32, Kaspersky, the free solutions, and the more popular programs (Norton, McAfee), and Trend is better than all of them. Best of all, it's cheaper, too (you can generally find it for under $50/yr--try Newegg).

There is a 30 day trial if you are interested. I'd suggest at least giving it a shot. It's the only virus scanning suite that also does an excellent job with both spyware and spam detection and removal. The firewall is excellent as well.

2008 will be available probably later this year. I have been beta testing it as well and it's very nice so far. I personally think Trend will begin to overtake the big guys within the next few years with these products, but we'll see.

My two cents.



Oh, also, for a zip program, I recommend either IZArc or ALZip. Both are excellent, fast, stable, and fully-featured. I'm not so much a fan of 7-Zip thanks to its clumsy and outdated interface.

 

Thanks to everyone for your responses. Any suggestions for benchmark programs (as well as where to find standard 1720 benchmarks against which to compare them)? I want to make sure my new notebook is living up to its potential!

 

My software setup is...
Modzilla Firefox
Winrar
VLC
iTunes
Photoshop 7 (Yes 7 )
Flash 8
Acid Music Studio 7.0
Microsoft Office 2007

 

Since I'm adverse to paying for stuff when I don't have to, I use AVG Anti-Virus Free edition. AVG also has a free spyware program, but I haven't tried that yet.

http://free.grisoft.com/

dordale

 

Avast is also a good free spyware program.

System Defense
Avast! Free Edition
Ad-Aware Free Version
Spyware S&D
Microsoft Defender
ZoneAlarm Free Firewall

Programs
Firefox
7zip
OpenOffice.org
GIMP
Trillian/Pidgin (your choice, really)
K-Lite Codec Pack
VLC Player
Foobar2000 (best mp3 player program)

That's pretty much what I install first after a reformat. Then there's always Steam... yummy steam...

 

WinRAR had a massive giveaway of free licenses last year, so he is prbably using that.