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    *Real* performance benefit to fresh XP install on Vostro?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by johnny_blood, Jan 10, 2008.

  1. johnny_blood

    johnny_blood Newbie

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    Hello everyone. I just ordered my first Dell laptop and am trying to decide whether I should immediately put a fresh installation of Windows on it. (Either a fresh install with what Dell gives me, or I have a Windows XP Pro already.)

    I've searched the forums a bit and it seems the Vostro has less bloatware. Arguments about why one should do a fresh installation say things like "it's a good learning experience" or it will feel nice to have a fresh installation.

    I don't need any learning experience. I've installed Windows and Linux dozens of times.

    Will there be any concrete benefit to a fresh installation? It sounds time consuming and will involve a lot of driver installation.

    I would only do it for real, concrete performance increases, or if it will free up a substantial amount of hard drive space currently used for hidden partitions.

    Thank you for your thoughts! Reading this forum has been very helpful.
     
    johnny_blood, Jan 10, 2008
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  2. sonicwind

    sonicwind Notebook Evangelist

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    If it comes with Vista and you switch to XP, you'll see a performance increase. Otherwise, I think I would just uninstall whatever comes on it that you don't want.

    One big thing I've noticed is a lot of these laptops come with the Power Options set to Portable/Laptop. Seems innocent enough, however I noticed that under this setting in Windows XP, the processor seems to run at 1/2 speed (SpeedStep) EVEN WHEN PLUGGED IN. Changing it to Always On fixes this. Typically, I just create a short cut to the power options and switch the setting manually when I want more battery time. Most of the time I want full power when unplugged, too. Only on long flights do I cut down power to get the most battery time. I don't think the Dell QuickSet works as well as me just setting things manually. I usually uninstall that. All the power saving customizations can cause unpleasant occurances with the video card and network connections. Sometimes these things don't seem to power back up when they're supposed to.
     
    sonicwind, Jan 10, 2008
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  3. johnny_blood

    johnny_blood Newbie

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    Thanks for the helpful reply!

    This laptop comes with XP.
     
    johnny_blood, Jan 11, 2008
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  4. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    Since there's little if any bloatware on the Vostros, I'd consider it a waste of time to reinstall the OS.
     
    swarmer, Jan 11, 2008
    #4