Gateway P-7805U - After opening the box

Although there are quite a few general threads out there concerning the P7805U, it has become very cumbersome to navigate to find this specific information.

I've seen several posts scattered throughout that request information regarding things to be done right out of the box before installing any programs to test the CPU/GPU, determine the resolution, etc.

I feel that there are a lot of new P-7805U owners on this board who would benefit greatly from a single thread that only addresses suggestions for:

1. How to determine the resolution of the screen (1440x900 vs. 1900x1200)
2. What program(s) to use to properly test the CPU and/or GPU and what would constitute satisfactory results vs. grounds for a return of the unit
3. Procedure or link to good instructions for removing bloat-ware (or reloading OS if it is more desirable
4. Any other START UP suggestions
5. What drivers/updates should be installed

I'd like to contribute, but unfortunately I don't know much about these items, so this is a request for myself as well. Mine's scheduled to show up today

 

1. Easy right click on desktop and click on resolution... check max res
Monitor brand is in Device Manager than to Monitors than to Generic Monitors than right click properties than click details tab

2. There are many programs out there:
http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php
http://www.hmonitor.net/
http://www.lavalys.com/
Im sure more will be presented.....

3. http://pcdecrapifier.com/ great program if you dont want to do a reformat

4. Along with the bloatware remover you should install:
http://www.ccleaner.com/
Download newest updates from windows
and do some of these to vista:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/81176-speed-up-performance-vista.html?filter[11]=Performance%20Maintenance

Dont forget your Malware/Adware programs, antivirus and root kits:
a-squared (a²)
Ad-Aware
avast! Virus Cleaner
CounterSpy
CWShredder
Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool
McAfee AVERT Stinger
Panda Quick Remover
SUPERAntiSpyware
TrojanScan
ZoneAlarm Spyware Scanner
Bitdefender
ESETs Online Scanner
F-Secure Online Scanner
Running Kaspersky Online Scanner
Trend Micro's Free Online Virus Scan
Windows Live Safety Center Free Online Scan
GMER
BitDefender RootkitUncover
Trend Micro RootkitBuster
Sophos Anti-Rootkit
Panda Anti-Rootkit
RootKit Hook Analyzer
SysProt AntiRootkit
Gromozon Rootkit Removal Tool
Rootkit Revealer


Defrag your harddrive after you get all you want off and on your computer
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/165576-how-make-vista-more-responsive-faster.html?filter[11]=Performance%20Maintenance

 

Thanks for the advice and links.

Along these lines, what drivers should be updated right away? I've read that the latest video driver may be problematic. Which version is the best to use?

 

About your video card, you will have to go through a bunch and find whats best for your computer. Almost every computer out there will take a different driver and driver version....so I recommend just following the sticky thread and trying out each driver...

As for which driver to install first. Update your chipset driver and wifi driver first....

Sorry I dont use vista too often... here is a place for chipsets:
http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/inf/index.htm
and wifi:
http://www.intel.com/network/connectivity/products/wireless/index.htm

 

Some new systems - desktop or notebook - are loaded with "bloatware" and programs that you may not want and it is very time consuming to remove all of it and get a clean running system.

However, the 7805u is not one of them (unless they've changed the installed stuff since I got mine in Jan 09) and you can easily uninstall the programs that you don't want/need.

We've discussed this before, and now I can't remember what I/we have removed from a system right out of the box, but if you list ones that you have a question about, I'm sure we can provide a recommendation.

 

Do you really recommend using ALL of those?

This is the fastest computer I've owned and also my first Vista computer, however I'm accustomed to having as little running in the background as possible.

 

Oh no, find 1 or 2 programs that fits you...Dont use all those..lol

As for the process running in the background try :
Sp2 Info
http://www.blackviper.com/WinVista/servicecfg.htm
Custom:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinVista/customREG.htm

 

no silly he doesn't want u to download all of those pick one Google it then see he if u like it then download it.....i recommend avast or avira as your antivirus....

 

First thing I did was update Vista. Then I installed games and benchmarked with 3DMark06 and several games.

Then I updated the video drivers to the most recent and ran through benchmarks and games again for stability. New drivers worked great, so they stay.

I have CPUID's HWMonitor to keep an eye on temps, and nVidia's software to play with the GPU settings.

So far it's been really simple to get going how I want. Not much bloatware to get rid of, not many settings to optimize, etc.

 

Run a tough game like Far Cry 2 or Gears of War maxed out for several hours.

When I upgraded my old 6831 with an x6800, I found it would bluescreen when OCed after a few hours (probably from heat).

Running the CPU at stock speed it could run through games for many hours with no problems at all - getting very hot, but remaining stable.

All this talk of flakey 7811 and 7805u PCs has me worried. The only place I can get them is refurbed from a shady local vendor. No returns IMO.

 

I'd rather not install a game, updates, etc just to stress test if there's an easier way (but I might anyway). I've seen orthos and fumark recommended as good stress test programs for the CPU and GPU. I've downloaded HWmonitor but I've never run the stress tests before. Are they straightforward? Do I run the risk of damaging components due to user error rather than bad parts?

Edit: Also, where is a safe site to download these programs?

 

I've had a bunch of 7805U and 7811FX, the easiest way to tell which screen you have is bumping up the brightness. I usually can spot the cloudiness and tiny dusts the min the screen is lit.

I've had a bunch of 7811FX, 3 of them were bad. The easiest way to find out is their operating temperature.

I use CPU-Z, it has a temperature section. If the normal system temp is anywhere above 60C, then I know there is a possible issue.

Usually when Vista is booted, with the Aero theme, it usually heats up the system.

A good system would stay well under 50C.

I know once I power up a game and it hits above 70C, it would usually keep climbing and I will get a system reset over 82-86C.

Time to pack that system up and call up for RMA.

So far the 7805u I've received are all pretty good, none have issues.