hp Pavilion dv9743cl owners

hi guys!
i just recently had my 9743 arrived at my place from US. it is awesome!!!
now if there are any 9743 users here, plz assisst me in setting it up n using it.
it was purchased in person from Costco in NY,USA for $1349.99 ($1466 with tax).i just saw 2day dat costco has raised the price to $1399.99. its specs are:
2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T-7250 Processor, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB
Windows Vista Home Premium
3GB (2GB+1GB) Dual DDR2 RAM
320GB (2X160GB) 5400 RPM Dual Hard Drives
512MB nVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS Video Memory Card
LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Laye Support
17" WXGA+ High Definition BrightView Widescreen TFT(1440 x r 900)

i was surprised 2 find out dat it doesn't have bluetooth capability!!! i wana ask u guys any tips about burning recovery discs. i have already created the recovery files in the 12 GB recovery Drive. i will buy 3 DVD-R discs n will burn them. anything dat i wana know in particular?
then comes the question of an antivirus. well, although it has a 60 day free version of Norton Internet security 2008 installed, i dont approve highly of Norton. i have done some online research n i find BitDefender 2008 (Total Security Package $59.95) 1 PC/1yr to be the best antivirus software. Plz advise. Kaspersky was 2nd best...2 my understanding.
so i was planning as step 1 to burn recovery DVDs n then step 2 to buy Bitdefender 2008 online. plz give ur valuable comments. am i missing any major initial step? u c i am a girl n girls r not very much into computers. so i wana ask some guys here, if they can be kind enough 2 help me guide through
where can i find a large enough carrying/messenger bag for the 17'' 'Mr hp' ... ok enough of these lengthy paragraphs. my Querries are:
1. a large enough messenger bag(shud not be fitting/tight) where online?
2. tips 4 burning recovery DVDs
3. antivirus Bitdefender 2008 comments, where online?
4. shud i install Xp on the secondary drive? hp says dont, but ppl do....how?
5. hp says 320GB HDD, mine is...C Drive (OS) 137.0 GB
D Drive (Data) 149.0 GB
E Drive (Recovery) 11.9 GB
this totals 297.9GB. y is it not full 320?
6. does lightscribe mean dat u paint labels on the backside of discs directly from optical drive?
7. does this drive burn dual layer DVDs or just plays them?
8. is the screen really TFT or simple LCD?
9. u can switch on the notebook from remote but it seems dat u cannot hibernate or shut down it using remote, it only puts 2 sleep. rht?
10.the battery is consumed very fast. i guess i shud buy two 12 cell batteries and a battery dock/charger...comment plz n where online?
11.i am having trouble wid altec lansing speakers. i cannot lisn 2 music at >50% volume as the sound becomes too noisy. real ugly noise. how can i correct this, have tried some settings but no use. shud i buy express slot sound blaster?
12.how can i get bluetooth in my notebook?
13.where will i buy firewire cable online from US?
14.i dont suppose it has finger print reader. has it?

i guess u must be fed up of me n my probs by now. so i think i shud stop here 4 now. i will keep asking Qs as i use the notebook. plz bear wid me n help me out wid this machine. i'l be really happy for ur comments n suggestions

 

For the bluetooth, you can purchase an dongle that is a usb adapter. Seen one at Frys Electronics for $9.99 . How do you like that computer?

 

WHEW! That's a ton of questions.

1. Before getting a bag, I'd suggest you check out some reviews. You could also post in the Accessories form and someone could help you. I'd probably check out Amazon for a good messenger bag. Plus, they have customer reviews which should be helpful.

2. I don't really have any tips, just follow the instructions. I'm not that sure about the process since I've never done it myself. I usually just buy an OS recovery disk and Driver disk from HP so I can do a clean install. Not to mention it saves me the hassle for $10.

3. Honestly, I wouldn't pay for any protection software. There are plenty of great FREE programs. Here's a list of the ones I use along with some other programs: Ad-aware 2007, Antivir, A squared, avast, ccleaner, jkdefrag, spybot, spyware blaster, winaso, winpatrol, and Comodo firewall (I don't use it, because I like online armor for XP alot more). If you want to look at some more stuff on security check here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1046
Also, if you want my opinion on pay versions just ask. I still think the free programs are more than enough.

4. I wouldn't install XP on the second HD. I'd pick one OS and stick with it (cough cough XP cough).

5. No HD actually has the amount it states. It has something to do with the math of adding up everything. Here's an article on it: http://compreviews.about.com/od/storage/a/ActualHDSizes.htm

6. Lightscribe burns images on the top of the disk (the side WITHOUT data). I think there's some program for it that you either have pre-installed or can grab from HP.

7. It burns dual layer. Hence, the "dual layer support."

8. TFT

9. Not sure about the remote since I don't have one.

10. You can pick up batteries from HP. You can also find some sites online that sell them, but I don't suggest it unless someone here recommends a good site.

11. Hmmm. I haven't read anything about the sound distorting at high settings. You may want to post a separate thread if no one answers in the next few days specifically asking about audio.

12. Bluetooth adapters, you can get them at newegg.

13. Can pick up firewire cables at many places. Again newegg and amazon should have some.

14. I'm guessing not. You should be able to easily see the fingerprint reader if you had one. It should be one the right (?) palmrest. It looks like an indentation with some sensor in the indentation.

 

You can check out the guide in my sig if you want detailed procedures for optimizing your computer