New DV1000: Clean install or Uninstall Software?

Ok, folks, I finally received my notebook today.

I hear that a lot of JUNK is installed on the computer from the factory. Should I "Uninstall software" or reformat the hard drive and reinstall windows (keeping in mind not to format the partition with Quickplay)?

www.DV1000forums.com outlines a method of a Clean install.

Life's a Beach and then you drown.
DV 1000
1.7 GHZ,512 MB RAM,80 GB HD

 

I have just recently "reconfigured" two brand new HP/Compaq computers. Each took about 4-5 hours to remove garbage, install new items with many reboots, defragmentations, cleaning the registry etc. I am not sure that the time would change much if you start from scratch, but making sure you get all the right drivers properly loaded seems to scare me more than cleaning it up.

Just an personal opinion!!! If you do decide to remove items make sure you reboot after each major removal, I had a problem with this notebook apparently caused by removing several major programs without the reboot. System Restore got me back on track.

Bill :::: zv5000z :: 3200+ :: 1GB :: 100GB 5400rpm :: 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) :: XP Pro

 

How did you delete the internet programs (ie AOL, MSN)? Did you just delete the directories? There are games on here too. How do I delete those? ARRRGHHH!

Life's a Beach and then you drown.
DV 1000
1.7 GHZ,512 MB RAM,80 GB HD

 

I personally prefer to do a fresh install. You can go through control panel and remove everything, but that always leaves remnants in the registry and elsewhere. HP usually gives you a disc with just the Operating System, and another disc with the drivers and software. Finding the drivers shouldn't be a problem. If they are not on the disc, you can download them from HP's website.





I know things, things that could get me killed

 

Clean install - that's the way I've done it. Although the HP website specifically states that you shouldn't do that because of the custom version of the OS, drivers, blah blah blah, I prefer to set things up once, take an image of my base platform (Symantec Ghost!) and then go on from there.

All the drivers I've needed have been included on the CDROM that came with my zv5430us, and anything not included was just a weblink away.

Good luck!

 

Yes, I agree with all of you, just do a fresh install, getting rid of all of that useless garbage that just slows down your new purchse! [ !]

 

I just bought the dv4000. This is my first laptop computer. I want to clean out the bloatware. I know you guys are suggesting that I reload Windows and start clean. I am afraid that I will mess up the computer. Can someone tell me in detail what i need to do? In addition, I would like to delete some office 2003 programs. I only need Word and Excel. Any thoughts?

thank you so much for any direction you can give me on this!!

Marnie

 

run office setup and go thru the add/remove thing it suggests

As for the clean install vs uninstall, I support the clean install side. If your connection is ok, all you need is a driver for the LAN/wireless card