Just bought a P-7811FX, now what?

Just picked up this laptop, what is the first thing I need to do? I have seen many posts here regarding this laptop and if someone has a quick run down of things that I need to do to optimally setup the machine would be helpful. This could include anything from upgrading the bios to doing a clean install.

Any thing I should verify before I load it up with my stuff? (noises, defects..)
Thanks!
Mick

 

Do the following:

1. Download CCleaner
2. Download Auslogics Disk Defrag
3. Download Nvidia System Tools 6.02 from LaptopVideo2go.com
4. Download Prime 95 from the website
5. Download Nvidia GeoForms

Run each program for what its worth, especially prime 95 and geoforms at the same time to get temps. but, use the nvidia hardware monitor that is given in system tools to get temps. it is the only piece of software that is correct.

 

My vote is a reformat with the newest driver including GPU from laptopvideo2go.com It is just as quick as uninstalling and running a bunch of cleaners. Plus you know it is all gone and nothing lingering around. The use Prime95, Memtest86 and Furmark to tests stability.

 

BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING: GO TO START MENU AND THEN THE GATEWAY FOLDER. RUN THE GATEWAY RESTORE PROGRAM. MAKE A BACKUP TO DVD OF YOUR SYSTEM AND DRIVERS. VERY IMPORTANT.

Sorry for the caps..lock button was sticking

But make sure you backup everything..should take 3 DVDs. Personally, I suggest a clean install with the Vista CD provided with your new computer. That DVD doesn't contain the gateway drivers..which is why I said to back 'em up. One of the DVDs you create will contain the OEM drivers, and you will need this after the clean install. Just re-install the software you want, and the drivers you need after the clean Vista install. Then you can update via gateways support site if you find that they have a newer version than your system, or if you prefer non OEM drivers..there are tons of places to look. Make sure ya get a better video driver, previous poster mentioned LTV2go..it's worth checking them out. Good luck, and enjoy the new computer!

 

Thanks! I'll make a back-up and reinstall. Which drivers do most people here like to use (for gpu and others...)?

Thanks again

 

blade,
There's lots of good info in these forums for the 7811FX. Do a bit of searching and I'm sure you'll find the answers to all of your questions. Driver, updates, tweaks, etc. but, I'll help ya real quick with the GPU thing.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=295830
Begins at page 1, and continues.. read thru and decide what you prefer.

 

shudn't it be better to do a lemon check before anything else. download a good temp. monitoring program or update nvidia drivers at most. then run a graphically intense game. COD4 or crysis etc for 2-3 hours at least for a few days. and monitor temps.
and one should do this without propping up the back or use coolers to properly check. of course use it sensibly without blocking vents or using on any cloth type surface.

 

or just run furmark

 

better still run orthos and fur mark (windowed) in tandem

 

i suggest putting it and large brick in a bag and tossing it in the air as high as you can!

other then that just get rid of VISTA!

 

Thanks, I think i just hit someone....

Ill get rid of vista once the this matter is put to rest and i dont need to go to court anymore

 

I would normally agree but there are some sound driver issues with XP. Reports of frustration abound ... have not personally tried.

Also this machine has the power to run Vista in good order. I'd stick with it unless you have some must have program that simply can not run in Vista64. Then I would choose a dual boot. I do still love old XP however.

Just my opinion ... still not charging for it.

 

Thanks for your insight

 

Stay with Vista64. Just VLite your OS disc, slipstream the most recent drivers in, format/reinstall. Vista without the fluff is very responsive.

 

i kinda wanted Vista bak on actually, but i have mis placed my recovery disk and I dont have Vista CD.

 

if you have a fast enough connection...down load the os. you already have your key.

 

hmmm right didnt even think of that. I want 64bit, how r everyones thoughts on that...sorry to thread hi jack.

 

not enough of my programs work on it, but the minute they all work..im jumping on the bandwagon. for this 7811 i just got, i just threw in my vista 32 bit drive and updated drivers and all was good.

 

y'all 32bitters.. just grow up and come to terms with being incompatible with certain drivers and programs, like us 64bitters.

 

that's a big "10-4 negative" sir! lol.

now if this was just for one thing.....then yeah, i might stay 64, but i have way to many customers asking me 32 bit questions. so i try to run them all (all versions of windows)to be covered in the long run....

 

While good in theory for a total system load if it blue screens you don't know where the problem is. Running them individually makes troubleshooting much easier.

 

all this wipe a drive clean stuff....tisk tisk tisk.. uninstall like 3 programs, turn off superfetch and windows indexing. turn of windows areo. load your favorite video driver. (you can still have better than average scores using the stock driver now) run orthos small fft's. run hwmonitor. download some benchmark tools (you should already have most of this stuff, technically) go in a nice quiet room and listen for noises. and that's basically it. i benched the system right out the box and my scores we're decent. look at my desktop and what's running now.





unless of course your just a happy clicker on the net downloading like teres no tomorrow...*LOL* then you might have a slight problem.

oh yeah...this is my drive from my 6860fx 320 gig 5400 drive and not the 200 gig 7200 that came with it.


but hey, to each his or her own..right?

that's way to much software to be reloading on a new computer each time. *LOL* we're talking like 180 gigs....i don't think so...if i can help it...

 

holy short-cut and quick launch. I don't know how in the world you can stand that. I have one thing on my desktop, the trash can, well side bar too. But to each there own.

 

easy. i use 95 percent of those icons every day. including the ones on the taskbar. those are so im not running around opening and closing windows all day.... to get to an icon on the desktop.

 

I used to do that. Now I have a folder on my desktop called Programs and another called Data. It keeps my icons down to about a half dozen. The extra click seems worth it to me to bring some order to the icon explosion.

 

yeah, not to me..extra clicks waste more time. see it, click it. besides...i like people to see all them icons when im running circles around their scores. proves you don't need a fresh install to have your system running up to par.