Gateway NV7915u General Questions

I figured I would start a thread regarding this particular laptop since I couldn't find one elsewhere. I just had a couple questions if you can help:

1 - how do I know which bloatware to de-install? I know the Best Buy software installer is probably a good one, what about Microsoft Silverlight? It's hard to tell which programs are useless and I don't want to deinstall something I might really need

2 How important is it to upgrade video or touchpad drivers right away? How do I do this?

3 I'm still trying to get the concept of a multitouch touchpad. Is there any way to scroll down a webpage without having to click the mouse button?

Thanks! I'm sure I'll think of more later. I love this laptop so far.

 

"1 - how do I know which bloatware to de-install? I know the Best Buy software installer is probably a good one, what about Microsoft Silverlight? It's hard to tell which programs are useless and I don't want to deinstall something I might really need"

Try this for removing bloatware- http://pcdecrapifier.com/
Haven't tried the BB software installer so I can't chime in here. As far as silverlight, you may want to research what is is first, here- http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/

Go to this link and look at Sparkyman's post(2nd one) and read, even though he did it on P-7805, its just software(free) and will work on your unit.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=386201&highlight=bloatware

"2 How important is it to upgrade video or touch pad drivers right away? How do I do this?"
Its not important unless you make it important. If they work right out of the box then you shouldn't have a problem. But if you need to update for some reason there are people here that can help you out and even some posts with step by step instructions.

"3 I'm still trying to get the concept of a multitouch touchpad. Is there any way to scroll down a webpage without having to click the mouse button?"

Yes, on just about every touchpad nowadays, there is a slider area on the right side of the touchpad and you just "flick" your finger on it, up or down, and your scrolling.

The NV79xx series is still fairly new and there isn't a whole on this site yet, perhaps you can do some benchmarking, etc... and post up your results. You'll find alot of helpful people here. Good luck and welcome aboard.

 

Thanks! Another question I had was regarding some of the icons above the keyboard. For instance, one is a padlock symbol with "A" inscribed inside. The other is a padlock symbol but I can't remember what's inside of it, since my laptop is at home. Just curious. Thanks!

 

Are they the "Caps Lock", "Number Lock" and "Scroll Lock" symbols?

 

Believe so...it was answered on another thread but I'll try it out once I get home. Can't believe I didn't put that together.

 

Its ok, it happens to all of us

I once spend 3 hours trying to edit my 6860's registry to make the lights shut off until someone just mentioned to me that FN+F1 turned them off

 

This laptops got good rating on Cnet. Check out the Best Laptop Video.