The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    just got my 1210-couple questions

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by lilcutie2342, Aug 2, 2006.

  1. lilcutie2342

    lilcutie2342 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    so i just got it today (also typing on it right now). im a complete noob with computer things so i was wondering what i should do with my new laptop in order to make sure it will run smoothly etc

    also i was wondering if there was anyway to make everything on the screen appear bigger

    and last question, is there a way to view the battery life of the laptop without using that fn +f3 button trick

    thanks for all your help!
     
  2. tears_for_fears

    tears_for_fears Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    140
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Some people say reformat. I'm not familiar with it, but I dont really think its necessary. Id say delete all the "bloatware", the random pre-installed software that you wont need. Go to control panel, add/remove programs and delete the things you dont need.

    Then go to this link and follow it, it will really help optimize everything
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=5787

    For the screen, you can change the screen resolution. Right click the background, click settings, and change the resolution, although the other ones look weird, you can play around with it.

    Also download some antivirus and anti-spyware software.
     
  3. drumfu

    drumfu super modfu

    Reputations:
    436
    Messages:
    3,651
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    re: the screen

    because you have a wxga screen, you cannot change the resolution (upwards). your max is 1280x800. if you want more real estate you need a bigger screen with a higher resolution. you can go down, but who want's that?

    i would say just start using your computer. make sure it has everything you ordered.

    i am one of the "reformat" evangelists. i definitely recommend it, but it's up to you.
     
  4. Jason

    Jason Overclocker NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    908
    Messages:
    5,056
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    206
    I also recommend reformating. All the junk dell puts on your PC really slows it down!! I would also install Avast instead of the antivirus software they have on it...
     
  5. Unreal

    Unreal Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    50
    Messages:
    734
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30

    Sorry that this is off topic, but I have to say that Boondock Saints is an amazing film.
     
  6. jayrhee

    jayrhee Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    110
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    google dell decrapifier if u don't want to reformat. U can select what u want to delete
     
  7. primehunter326

    primehunter326 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    291
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The thing with a reformat is that it gets rid of everything in one swoop whereas you'd otherwise have to manually go and delete every junky app through control panel and then go and delete the folders they leave behind and get a registry cleaner to clean the registry. with a reformat you don't have to go through all that hassle and it's actually much easier then you think.
     
  8. Keiran

    Keiran Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Does the 1210 have bluetooth built in? Or is it an option?
     
  9. primehunter326

    primehunter326 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    291
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    probably built in since it's XPS.
     
  10. sureshot

    sureshot Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    89
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    It is a $50 option when configuring. And worth it for most ppl!