Ordered the HP ZT3000...After order help please?

[ ]Thanks to all those that shared their knowledge, opinions, comments and advice![ ]
[8D]I finally ordered my HP ZT3000.[8D]


I now need help in the "after purchase" process. After reading several forums, I know there are several things you need to do once the notebook arrives. I don't remember them all. I have read plenty of forums over the past 3 months. So, I need help refreshing my memory, if you don't mind.

1. I know there was something about conditioning the battery...fully charging the battery then draining it to zero. Is this right?
a. You must do this before using the laptop for anything, right?
b. What is the ZT3000's correct conditioning procedure?

2. Verify I received the system as spec'ed. I know how to find the processor and RAM.
a. How can I tell if the HDD is truly a 5400rpm?
b. Verify that the video card is ATI 9200 at 64MB RAM?
c. Verify that the WiFi card is Intel 802.11 b/g (vs. just g)?

3. I need to uninstall from HDD (vs. reformat the HDD) any unwanted pre-installed stuff (i.e. get rid of all the junk HP installs). Correct?

4. I already have the virus protection (2003) I am going to use, but I may upgrade it to 2004 for the laptop. I have not decided yet. If I do upgrade, I hear McAfee and PC Illin (sp ck) is as good as Norton (my current one). Is this true?

5. I need a very protective (shock absorbs, waterproof, etc) laptop sleeve. I do not need a full laptop case. I have also posted this to the accessories forum here. Any suggestions here (under HP) from current ZT3000 owners?

6. Checking for dead pixels...how do you do it again? A link to the spot in this forum where the answer is would be appreciated.

7. Anything else, I should do before I 'enjoy' my new laptop?



Thank you in advance.

 

Congratulations on your purchase!

I'd recommend to just get used to the unit after getting it. Don't look for go looking for faults, because I'm sure you're going to find some even though they're not faults. But if you much, here's what I think:

1a. From what I've been told by HP support and from what I believe was in the documents inlcuded with the unit, it does say to condition the battery.
1b. They say to charge it to 100% and drain until the unit powers off and do this 3 times. Another way is to go into the BIOS and use the Battery Conditioning option there, it's a lot better. You just need to leave your notebook on while it charges and discharges by itself. It'll give you a message when done.

2a. I believe you can run some diag software to verify the speed. Another way is to goto Device Manager, get the model for the HDD and check on the web.
2b. Goto Display Properties -> Settings Tab -> Advanced Button -> ATI Options Tab -> Detail Button, this should list off excatly which ASIC (GPU) you have. Another thing you can do (which may be better) is run DXDIAG from RUN option in the Start Bar, then click on the Display Tab, it'll list off everything for your card.
2c. Goto Device Manager and verify the model#. If it's the 2200BG (I believe) then it's the B/G model, if it just says 2200B, than that just the B model. There is also no just "G" models out there. The G technology is backwards compatible with the B technology.

3. I say leave them there for now until you get more comfortable with the unit. You can uninstall the apps, but it shouldn't cause any real issues with the use of the unit.

4. Personally, I think it's just user preference. I like NAV, my sister like McAfee. Both are just as good

5. When you say waterproof, do you mean submerged in water or just splashed with water? If it's splashed, then any nylon/leather sleave will do, but if you want it submerged, then I'm not too sure. Checkout Targus, CaseLogic, Samsonite.

6. Checking for dead pixels is just a matter of changing the background color to pure white and then pure black. If in any of these two backgound colors you see a pixel (or more) a different color (black on white background/vise versa or blue, pink, etc....) then it's possible it's burned out or about to fail. In a case like this, it's up to you if you want to return the unit for another one. Just note that the replacement notebook may be worse in other areas, plus the LCD could still have a dead pixel.

7. Just enjoy the notebook, you can look for faults later.

-Vb-

 

Thanks VB. I plan to do just that, enjoy it while working. I am believing all will be well when it arrives. However, I want to make sure while in the 30 day return period. Also, I want to make sure I do things in the right order as to not shorten the life of the notebook/components (like using the battery before conditioning it).

As for the laptop sleeve, submerge (lol). No, I just want to make sure it is protected from the rain/snow while being carried in my canvas style briefcase or if I should carry it separately in the sleeve. If briefcase or sleeve was to get wet, will the laptop inside still be OK?



Thank you in advance.

 

I don't think there's a way to shorten the life of the notebook under regular use. Short of dropping the notebook or spilling something into it, you should be fine. I don't know if you ever had the urge to submerge your notebook before, but that will also be bad [ ].

If the sleeve gets wet, the laptop should be just fine. Make sure you get a nylon or leather/koskin sleave. Just a thought, where the heck does koskin come from, I've never heard of a Kos before [ ]. Just kidding, I know it's synthetic, but that's just a wierd name to call it.

Here's Targus's list of Sleeves:
http://www.targus.com/us/cases_notebook_slim.asp

Here's some from CaseLogic:
http://www.casedirect.com/product_list.asp?SKW=computer-notebook-lifestyle&UID=2004073001320546&menu=02

Here's something from Shinza, looks promising:
http://shinza.com/product_info.php?products_id=46

if you did get a sleeve, make sure it zips up or seals completely. If you're worried about water getting into it, having a sleeve with just a velco strap to hold it in place may not do the job. That Shinza sleeve looks pretty cool and it's only $30USD, plus it zips up completely.

-Vb-