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    Reinstall XP or not

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by JimStone, May 3, 2006.

  1. JimStone

    JimStone Newbie

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    It seems like the majority of people around here say that it is necessary (or highly recommended) to reinstall XP after receiving a new dell laptop. I just got my new e1705 today and saw all the junk it came with but am wondering if it is really a lot better to clean install windows versus uninstall the junk. What are the reasons?
    side note: i have a windows XP pro reinstallation CD and a cd that says "drivers and utilities." are these the only things I would need to reinstall?
    Also, are there any risks in reinstalling?
     
    JimStone, May 3, 2006
    #1
  2. Acolyte

    Acolyte Notebook Consultant

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    No risks, all rewards....just read the boards carefully

    With Dell ****ware and drivers 3000 on 3dmark05

    After format minus ****ware and minus **** dell video drivers (using mobileforce drivers 83.90) 5489!
     
    Acolyte, May 3, 2006
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  3. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Make sure you don't re-install all the bloatware from the utilities CDs.
     
    ZaZ, May 3, 2006
    #3
  4. MarkMcK

    MarkMcK Notebook Evangelist

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    Dell has been 'hit or miss' on sending out the correct Dell Drivers and Utilities CD for your particular model.

    If you put it in and let it run, the CD should automatically show your specific model and present a list of detected hardware. [Don't be surprised if it shows some 'engineering' identifier for your model... My E1505 was detected as a MM061 Series. Same identifier as during the BIOS portion of the boot.]

    If instead, you get a drop down menu listing a bunch of Dell models to choose from.... You probably have the wrong CD and will need to request a new one, or download the drivers/utilities individually from Dell's web site...

    Mark
     
    MarkMcK, May 3, 2006
    #4
  5. titaniummd

    titaniummd Notebook Deity

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    If you just do uninstallation, there are always programs that won't be deleted. It is less labor intensive to reformat and reinstall than to uninstall each program one at a time.
     
    titaniummd, May 3, 2006
    #5
  6. Acolyte

    Acolyte Notebook Consultant

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    Easiest way is to move the "Drivers" folder to a thumbdrive....then format
     
    Acolyte, May 4, 2006
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  7. gridtalker

    gridtalker Notebook Virtuoso

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    There is no risk people do it to get rid of all that extra software dell installs
     
    gridtalker, May 4, 2006
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  8. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    Don't use the driver disk - visit Dell and download the latest and greatest drivers. Follow SG's guide and you will be just fine.
     
    kegobeer, May 4, 2006
    #8