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    New E1505 - What Should I do?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by bionix, Aug 2, 2006.

  1. bionix

    bionix Notebook Enthusiast

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    Okay, it's coming today and I wanted to know what I should plan on doing with it to get it nice and tuned up. I've got an old xp cd so I'll be able to reformat. After the reformat what should I do to get it performing as best it can? What drivers are best for the x1400?

    Here's a list of it's components

    Core Duo 1.83 Ghz
    1GB 533MHz Ram
    x1400 Vid Card
    120 GB HD (5400 Rpm)
    DVD Burner
    Intel Pro Card with Bluetooth
    Nicest Screen Option

    Thanks for any and all help!
     
    bionix, Aug 2, 2006
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  2. Pandaren

    Pandaren Notebook Geek

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    You probably don't need to re-format. There will be some pre-installed junk in the system (like google desktop), but its easier to simply unistall the programs you don't need instead of wiping the whole system.

    If you reinstall you will need to:
    (1) Re-download all security updates and service packs. This can take awhile to install, unless you have a disk with the updates slipstreamed onto it.
    (2) Hunt down and reinstall all the system drivers.
     
    Pandaren, Aug 2, 2006
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  3. vespoli

    vespoli 402 NBR Reviewer

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    I would advise a reformat; just deleting the junkware will not really be enough.

    like Pandaren said; you will need some drivers. Just make sure that you have the OS cd and then get the network driver and chipset drivers from dell. That's all you need to reformat. After you've reinstalled windows just head over to the driver's site and get the rest. You don't need to get the service packs first, just download them after you reformat.


    Congrats on your purchase. Also check out SG's guide stickied at the top of the forum--it's a great read and will help with alot of the questions you have.


    Just make sure that when you get it everything is right-no dead pixels, right amount of ram/hdd space etc.

    Good LUCK!
     
    vespoli, Aug 2, 2006
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  4. mitchellk345

    mitchellk345 Notebook Enthusiast

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    If you want to get things like PowerDVD and Sonic RecordNow you will have to call up Dell Customer Service and request these CDs.

    Congrats on your purchase...

    Make sure not to delete Partition 1 on the harddrive when you reformat. It will cause you a lot of problems
     
    mitchellk345, Aug 2, 2006
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  5. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    Charles P. Jefferies, Aug 2, 2006
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  6. bionix

    bionix Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the info so far guys. I have another concern though... "SouthernGirl" told me that the old xp cd may give me some problems and that she advised me to wait for the one dell is sending me... but... that means I'll have to refrain from playing with my new toy for a week!
     
    bionix, Aug 2, 2006
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  7. mitchellk345

    mitchellk345 Notebook Enthusiast

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    It takes them about 2 days to send it... You can install the older version and reformat when you get the cd, but that is alot of work.
     
    mitchellk345, Aug 2, 2006
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  8. bionix

    bionix Notebook Enthusiast

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    2 days to send? And then 5-7 for Shipping?
     
    bionix, Aug 2, 2006
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  9. E1505Guy

    E1505Guy Notebook Consultant

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    When I requested mine it was sent Next Day!
     
    E1505Guy, Aug 2, 2006
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  10. mitchellk345

    mitchellk345 Notebook Enthusiast

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    No, I received it two days from when i made the phone call... I also made the call on a Sunday!
     
    mitchellk345, Aug 2, 2006
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  11. jangy2k

    jangy2k Newbie

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    I just received my 1505 and it runs pretty slow considering it's 1.66mhz. I'm coming from a 1999 HP Desktop. My cd drive is having problems and loading programs are somewhat a slow process "considering" again it's a dual processor. Obviously I have the light leakage also at the bottom of my Trulife SXGA screen.

    With so many problems and I've only used it for about an hour, should I send it back?

    Will they send me a new one or fix mine?

    How long does it usually take?
     
    jangy2k, Aug 2, 2006
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  12. TheGriffin

    TheGriffin Notebook Consultant

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    Your own XP CD won't work with the CD-Key on the laptop.

    Microsoft uses different CD-Keys for different manufacturers.
     
    TheGriffin, Aug 2, 2006
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  13. bionix

    bionix Notebook Enthusiast

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    Wow it sure is a beauty. The screen looks great! Im downloading 3dmark06 to bench it before I reformat and tweak.. it will be interesting to see how much performance I gain.
     
    bionix, Aug 2, 2006
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  14. Boozshey

    Boozshey Notebook Enthusiast

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    Could you post your befores and afters. I would like to know before I do the same.

    Also does anyone know if reinstalling with the Dell version of Windows will just reinstall all there junk all over again?

    thanks
     
    Boozshey, Aug 11, 2006
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  15. E1505Guy

    E1505Guy Notebook Consultant

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    No it won't. The Dell Windows CD just allows you to reinstall windows without having to input the CD key. You are ONLY reinstalling windows with the Dell CD.
     
    E1505Guy, Aug 11, 2006
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  16. saltburn1

    saltburn1 Newbie

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    Wow! I have the exact same computer (80GB HD) as you do. It's in the boxing stage, actually it's been there since Wednesday night and it's driving me crazy.

    Keep me posted on what you do and how it runs, please.
     
    saltburn1, Aug 11, 2006
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  17. Hiker

    Hiker Notebook Deity

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    Enough, for what?
     
    Hiker, Aug 11, 2006
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  18. E1505Guy

    E1505Guy Notebook Consultant

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    Enough to clear out all the junk that can slow down your system.
     
    E1505Guy, Aug 11, 2006
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