dv 1000 bloatware/issues

I recently got a HP dv1000, which for the most part I really like. It came with all the normal assorted crap on it, so normally I reformatted right away. The problem is when I started back up, I wasn't sure which of the supplied HP stuff was necessary/useful and which was just irritating.
This may lead to my only real issue with the computer, which is that when I start up, the HDD just runs and runs-I don't know what it's doing, but it sure is busy. It also seems to take a long time to open and close programs and folders with a lot of subfolders compared with my desktop that it replaced-the specs on the laptop are better in every respect, so it seems like it shouldn't be SLOWer.
The stuff like HP digital imaging assistant, etc-not sure if this is just clogging up my system. Also the Java icon in the system tray-not sure if that's necessary. I'd like the computer to run as quickly as possible-I don't have much software except office, winamp, etc.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

you dont need any of that crap loading, run msconfig (start, run, msconfig) and click on the startup tab. uncheck all the useless stuff loading

 

how do I know which stuff is useless?

 

anything you dont know what it is. probably most of it, feel free to uncheck most of it since you can always undo it if your missing something.

 

Check your task manager's processes and see if something is hanging your system. If there is anything your unsure of unchecking at startup just ask.

There is a great little FREE startup program I have been using for years called
Startup control panel. made by Mike Lin (do a google search)

It installs itself in your control panel and is much easier to use than MsConfig.

 

Caym,

Normally, there's not a lot that a system requires. Just the basic hardware drivers so there are no ! in the Device Manager. Glidepad drivers are also not required as Windows has built-in drivers that will recognize a Glidepad as a regular mouse/pointing device.

What I did with my HP nx8220 was very basic:

Intel Chipset & WiFi drivers direct from Intel
ATI Drivers direct from ATI (used the Mobility Modder from www.DriverHeaven.net/patje to allow the install on a notebook)

These 3 drievrs pretty much handled everything I really need in the system.

I then went to HP to get the drivers for the Sound, NIC, Modem, PCMCIA Slots, Memory card slots & Bluetooth. I believe that's all that was required for my unit to get the hardware working. Everything else they provide is all bloatware.

After that, just load your software for the DVD/CD burner and otehr apps you need and you're all set.

But, with the current problem you have on your system, it's possible Windows has Indexing enabled for your HDD. This generally keeps track of every file on your system for improved searching speeds (when you click the search option in Windows to find files on your HDD). This causes the HDD to chug as it's recording all the info. You can disable it by going to the properties of your HDD and uncheck the box for Indexing.

Start -> Click My Computer (or double click My Computer on your Desktop, depends on setup) -> Right Click your HDD (C: drive) and select Properties -> Uncheck Indexing box -> When asked, select option for all sub folders & files and click OK -> when prompted (can't modify, or something like that), just click Ignore All.

-Vb-

-Vb-