Guide for a free & awesome Windows 7 on Clevo / Sager / MALIBAL (based on P170HM)

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First of all, this is a work-in-progress guide as I haven't received my MALIBAL Satori P170HM yet. So please PM me when there is something to correct
How ever, this is the step by step guide on how to completely install Windows 7 with all drivers and software and some tweaks on a Clevo / Sager / MALIBAL notebook.
I will setup my notebook in a few days and if something shouldn't work / is missing then I will edit this guide.
99% of the software I chose is freeware and in my opinion the best choice of their category and 100% compareable with their shareware equivalents or even better.
The remaining 1% are Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Pro (lifetimelicense ~ 8$) and Displayfusion Pro (if you use two screens, this will be handy.. lifetimelicense ~18$).

1. Windows 7 Click
--- 1.1 x86 or x64
--- 1.2 Which Windows 7 edition?
--- 1.3 How to install Windows 7?
--- 1.4 Download Windows 7
2. Drivers Click
--- 2.1 Where to download them?
--- 2.2 Which drivers do I need?
3. Software Click
--- 3.1 Security
--- 3.2 Browser/Mail/Messenger/RSS
--- 3.3 Working/Archives/FTP/Remote/Burning & mounting/Video & Audio/Editing
--- 3.4 Other useful stuff
4. Windows tweaks Click
--- 4.1 UAC enabled at max. level with standard user
--- 4.2 MouseHoverTime
--- 4.3 Boot with all cores
--- 4.4 Disable unneeded startup programs
--- 4.5 Disable unndeed Services
--- 4.6 Uninstall unneeded Windows Features
--- 4.7 TweaksLogon
5. Some screenshots Click
--- 5.1 Rainmeter
--- 5.2 mIRC + nbs-irc "script" (on second screen with Displayfusion Pro)
--- 5.3 foobar2000 (on second screen with Displayfusion Pro)
6. Changelog Click

All pictures & files hosted at bestmail.ws - Get a real mail !

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1. Windows 7
--- 1.1 x86 or x64
--- 1.2 Which Windows 7 edition?
--- 1.3 How to install Windows 7?

1.1 x86 or x64
The main reason on why to choose x64 is simply because of the support for more than 4GB RAM. As seen below, Windows 7 (except the starter edition) will only support 4GB RAM in the x86 version. The x64 version will support all 32bit programs. I use Windows 7 x64 since its release and never found a program which didn't work for me. Even 32-bit Vista drivers worked.
Short answer:
RAM < 4GB = Windows 7 x86
RAM > 4GB = Windows 7 x64

1.2 Which Windows 7 edition?
There are six different versions/editions of Windows 7 from which you can choose. Everyone of them brings different features:

Windows 7 Starter (no x64, supports 2GB RAM)
This is simplest edition you can get. It supports stuff like internet/mails & documents but for example the Windows Media Player is restricted in its features and can't play DVDs. There is also no Aero.

Windows 7 Home Basic (x86 supports 4GB RAM, x64 supports 8GB RAM)
Doesn't have the Windows Media Center (the Windows Media Player is available tho) as well as some Areo features.

Windows 7 Home Premium (x86 supports 4GB RAM, x64 supports 16GB RAM)
Supports HDTV, reading & burning of DVDs and includes the Windows Media Center as well as some Windows games.

Windows 7 Professional (x86 support 4GB RAM, x64 supports 192GB RAM)
This is the edition which I would recommend. It supported Windows Server Domains, comes with the XP-Mode, adds a few more games and also offers the Game-Explorer. It offers the ability to operate as a Remote Desktop server, location aware printing, Encrypting File System and Software Restriction Policies (AppLocker).

Windows 7 Enterprise (x86 support 4GB RAM, x64 supports 192GB RAM)
Adds BitLocker, the ability to start from virtual HDD's and also allows you do change the system language (this works with some "hack" on all versions).

Windows 7 Ultimate (x86 support 4GB RAM, x64 supports 192GB RAM)
Pretty much the same as Enterprise.

1.3 How to install Windows 7? (Will make this more detailed when I install Windows 7 on my new P170HM some when in the upcoming week)
--- 1. Insert the setup DVD
--- 2. Boot from the DVD
--- 3. Choose the edition you want to install
--- 4. Delete all partitions & maybe format the disk/HDD (on an SSD it would skip the format)
--- 5. Choose to install Windows 7 on this disk
--- 6. Press start
--- 7. Wait

1.4 Download Windows 7
I could make this my own and add a very long description.. but I guess this will to the same
http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-7-download-links-just-like-vista-before.html

 

2. Drivers
--- 2.1 Where to download them?
--- 2.2 Which drivers do I need?

2.1 Where to download them?
A good source would be the Clevo Driver Thread from Atmosk & Patrck_744:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo/573379-clevo-driver-thread.html
You could either check the first page which is a nice but outdated overview, or switch to the last page and begin browsing the thread backwards (for the newest drivers).

Besides that:
Welcome to NVIDIA - World Leader in Visual Computing Technologies
Global Provider of Innovative Graphics, Processors and Media Solutions | AMD / Global Provider of Innovative Graphics, Processors and Media Solutions | AMD
Laptop, Desktop, Server and Embedded Processor Technology - Intel
Realtek
Google
The driver disk that comes with your laptop


2.2 Which drivers do I need?
Generally I would say that most of the drivers get installed automatically by Windows 7 (ethernet,webcam,....). They also should be the newest ones.
How ever, there a few drivers that I would recommend updating/installing:
Intel® Rapid Storage Technology for RAID controller
Intel® INF Update Utility
Graphics driver (NVIDIA, ATI)

Surely new drivers could improve & fix some bugs but I have the same Realtek audio & network driver for about a year now without any problems. So I would recommend installing the ones from your driver disk or the ones that Windows 7 already installs by itself and only update in case you have some troubles.

Some drivers that Windows 7 probably won't install:
THX
HotKeys

 

3. Software
--- 3.1 Security
--- 3.2 Browser/Mail/messenger/RSS
--- 3.3 Working/Archives/FTP/Remote/Burning & mounting/Video & Audio/Editing
--- 3.4 Other useful stuff

3.1 Security

Comodo Internet Security Suite (FW,AV,D+,HIPS)
Comodo Internet Security Suite includes a very lightweight Anti-Virus & Firewall as well as the best (if not the best) HIPS and proactive security. It was tested in several tests against 0-day malware and was rated as the best product. Comodo is on the first place in the matousec.com tests for years already. Besides that it is free and very lightweight. The AV uses even less ressources than MSE (which was together with Comodo Free Firewall my previous choice). It offers alot of options to customize it for all your needs but at the same time it is very user friendly (every tab/window in Comodo has a little "What do these settings do?" button which explains all settings very detailed).

Malwarebytes Anti-Mwalre Pro (lifetime license ~8$)
A perfection addition to CIS. It offers great Real-Time protection which won't conflict with CIS and also adds Web-Protection which blocks ads/malware on websites/complete URLs. I also run schedules scans with Mbam Pro instead of CIS.

UAC at max. level with standard user
More information below in the "Windows tweaks" section. Click

Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET)
EMET is a run-once program (every program you want to protect with EMET will load a small emet.dll when running that program.. EMET.exe itself won't run in the backround) that forces programs to adhere to security standards / protocols. It's essentially a system hardening tool aimed at protecting you from certain types of attack methods.
For more information read this:
Protecting your Windows PC with Microsoft EMET 2.1 - rationallyPARANOID.com

Use a DNS-Server like Norton DNS
Mostly your ISP's standard DNS sucks like hell. No malware & phishing blocking and often the speed is slower compared to others. Since ClearCloud is down I would suggest Norton DNS. Simply go to your network adapter (network and sharing center, left site: Change adapter settings, then right click your adapter) properties, open the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) settings and for the DNS-Server use the following IP`s:
198.153.192.40
198.153.194.40
Norton DNS offers malware & phishing protection (so it will prevent you from loading links with malware & phishing sites) but won't block any sites with inappropriate content.

Use KeePass 2.x
KeePass isn't just a perfect tool to save all your passwords (and syncs them for you on all your devices via your dropbox/ftp/sftp/what-ever) but also replaces pretty much every not-so-secure built-in password managers in your browser,ftp-client,messenger,... I open KeePass, choose the ftp-folder, right click an entry -> open and Filezilla will start and automatically logs into the ftp account without having any data/information saved in Filezilla. Same with putty. I also use KeeFox (and addon for KeePass which replaced LastPass on my system). It completely replaces the browser built-in password manager. As KeePass 2.x also support synchronisation I will always have my passwords on every computer without paying anything.

Other useful security tools
1. Malwarebyte´s Anti-Malware Free
2. AVZ - Antiviral Toolkit
3. Dr.Web CureIT
Some usefull tools to find out if some malware got onto your pc:
1. CurrPorts (shows all open connections and their process. Similiar to netstat but with a nice gui)
2. TCPView (shows all open connections and their process. Similiar to netstat but with a nice gui)
3. Process Explorer (Shows all information about a running process)
4. Secunia PSI (Checks for security problems and old software)
5. Filehippo Update Checker (Checks for old software)
6. Sandboxie (Comodo Internet Security already has a sandboxing feature)

3.2 Browser/Mail/Messenger/RSS

Firefox
I think everyone knows enough about it. Here are some add-ons that I use:

Thunderbird
Add-ons:

Messengers
Skype
Windows Live Messenger 2009/2011
mIRC + NBS-IRC (NNScript is dead and often won't work with the new mIRC 7.x. I found nbs-irc to be even better than NNscript and I think it was the first script that got updated for mIRC 7.x.)
Pigdin (for ICQ,Yahoo,Xfire,....)
RSS (After several programs & tests I recommend: www.google.com/reader )

3.3 Working/Archives/FTP/Remote/Burning & mounting/Video & Audio/Editing

OpenOffice
Free, way more features than MS-Office and also more lightweight.

PDF-XChange Viewer
Adobe Reader is too heavy, Foxit PDF Reader is too buggy... PDF-XChange Viewer is just awesome !

Notepad++
For coding and pretty much everything "notepad" related I use and love this tool. I also use it to replace the standard notepad.exe.

7-Zip
Its free, its the fastest and most lightweight archiver you can get and it support all kinds of formats. I have been using WinRAR for ages. Then searched for a free solution and tried Izarc.
It didn't have as much options as WinRAR and so I moved on to 7-Zip. It really has everything that WinRAR has but at the same time it's more lightweight, faster, has a better compression rate and is free.

FileZilla
For everything FTP related.

TeamViewer
Pretty useful. You can control your PC with iPhone / Android. So lets say you are at work and want to download something. Your PC is running at home.. just connect to it via TeamViewer and start the download.

ImgBurn
In my opinion its the best free burning solution you can get. Offers all the features of Nero and other known programs but is free.

Daemons Tools Lite
To mount all kind of files.

K-Lite Codec Mega Pack
The Mega Pack with "Lots of Stuff and MPC" lets you play everything. Even on low resource systems you can watch high quality movies. Be sure to select the "MEGA" pack when downloading.

foobar2000
Lightweight, ALOT of features and the sexiest gui of all audio players.

GIMP
Best free alternative solution to Adobe Photoshop.

3.4 Other useful stuff

Rainmeter
Lets you make your desktop even more sexier.

VirtualBox
Free and at the same time it has all the features of VMWare. You can even open VMWare OS-Sessions with it.

AXCrypt
Lets you crypt any file/folder you want.

CCleaner
Cleans the system and is probably the only program with a good registry cleaner.. however, cleaning registrys isn't needed at all and could be more of a curse than a blessing.

Recuva
Lets you restore already deleted files. Free as always.

uTorrent
I prefer uTorrent because it's the most lightweight and most supported torrent program I know. Newer versions of uTorrent often aren't supported on private trackers (Torrentleech,Bitsoup,Bitfactory,..). uTorrent 3.x also uses much more ressources than uTorrent 2.x or 1.x.
I have made a custom uTorrent.exe which mainly is the 2.2.1 (build 25534) uTorrent.exe but without any "home-calling". Some people say that uTorrent started to add some home-calling and spying stuff with version 1.6.1 (build 490) (thats the reason why many 2.x and 3.x uTorrent clients are banned on private trackers). I removed everything spy & home-calling related (not even the "go to uTorrent forum" buttons work anymore) and uploaded it uncompressed & compressed:
http://files.bestmail.ws/custom-utorrent.zip
For me, the uncompressed file needs less ressources.

Why not sticking with 1.6.1 (build 490) ? Some private trackers say its the best uTorrent version.. other priv. trackers completely banned it. uTorrent 3.x needs way too much ressources.. so 2.2.1 (build 25534) is the latest lightweight uTorrent version as well as I found it to be supported on more trackers than 1.6.1 (build 490).
So I recommend: My non-spy uTorrent.exe 2.2.1 (build 25534) or the uTorrent.exe 1.6.1 (build 490)

jDownloader
Copy/Paste 7800 1-click-hoster links (e.g. rapidshare) and it will download them automatically one by one.

Ventinizor
An all in one solution with Mumble,TS2,TS3 and all versions of Ventrilo.

Freemake Video Converter
Lets you convert all kind of files. E.g. downloaded videos from youtube into .mp3.

DisplayFusion (lifetimelicense ~18$)
The best tool for multiple screens.. I prefer it much more than UltraMon or anything else.

 

4. Windows tweaks
--- 4.1 UAC enabled at max. level with standard user
--- 4.2 MouseHoverTime
--- 4.3 Boot with all cores
--- 4.4 Disable unneeded startup programs
--- 4.5 Disable unndeed Services
--- 4.6 Uninstall unneeded Windows Features
--- 4.7 TweaksLogon

4.1 UAC enabled at max. level with standard user
Probably the best security solution on windows 7. And no it is not annoying. UAC only prompts when running a setup file or when you try to change some sensitive data. And in that case you just type in the Admin´s password and press "Enter". When using it at max. level and a standard user UAC will prevent any malware from doing something bad unless you allow it when UAC asks. From my list of programs above, there is no program which asks for admin rights when starting it (only when installing it). And no well-coded program should need admin rights anyway. So whenever UAC gives you a prompt be careful.

4.2 MouseHoverTime
Change the time windows needs to display the thumbnail when moving the cursor over a program in the taskbar.

4.3 Boot with all cores

4.4 Disable unneeded startup programs

On my system the only programs I have checked are:
Comodo
Malwarebytes Anti-Mwalre
Displayfusion
Rainmeter

4.5 Disable unndeed Services
I guess this will do it:
Black Viper’s Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Service Configurations | Black Viper's Website | www.blackviper.com

4.6 Uninstall unneeded Windows Features
How can I install or uninstall services in Windows 7? | Black Viper's Website | www.blackviper.com

4.7 TweaksLogon
A little application which lets you change the backround of the log on screen.

Will continue this list soon

 

5. Some screenshots
--- 5.1 Rainmeter
--- 5.2 mIRC + nbs-irc "script" (on second screen with Displayfusion Pro)
--- 5.3 foobar2000 (on second screen with Displayfusion Pro)

5.1 Rainmeter:

Original size: http://files.bestmail.ws/desktop-win7-new2.jpg​

5.2 mIRC + nbs-irc "script" (on second screen with Displayfusion Pro):

Original size: http://www.bestmail.ws/beAsty/images-vids/guide-pics/nbs-irc and displayfusion.jpg​

5.3 foobar2000 (on second screen with Displayfusion Pro):

Original size: http://www.bestmail.ws/beAsty/images-vids/guide-pics/foobar-disyplayfusion.jpg​

 

6. Changelog

06.01.2012
- Added Sandboxie to the list of security tools
02.12.2011
- Added KeePass
- Replaced LastPass with KeeFox (Plugin for KeePass / addon for Firefox)
23.10.2011
- Fixed uTorrent download link
29.08.2011
- Added my edited (removed spy/home-calls) version of uTorrent 2.2.1 (build 25534)
28.08.2011
- Seems like some admin deleted the Adobe Photoshop & GIMP part without telling me? I added the GIMP part (legal) again
- Replaced RSSBandit with google.com/reader
27.08.2011
- Added Norton DNS for more security
20.07.2011
- Added mIRC 7.x and replaced NNscript with nbs-irc
24.06.2011
- After several tests I now recommend and use Comodo AV instead of MSE. So basically remove MSE and upgrade Comodo Free FW to Comodo Internet Security Suite
04.06.2011
- Added uTorrent 1.6.1
03.06.2011
- Added EMET 2.1 to the security list
- Added Process Explorer to the security list
- Updated Firefox addons (https-everywhere, https-finder, HistoryBlock, Flashblock, Adblock Plus Popup)
24.04.2011
- Added GIMP as free and legal replacement of Photoshop CS5
23.04.2011
- Added a second method to get Photoshop CS5 for free
- Updated foobar2000 component list & Firefox addons

All pictures & files hosted at bestmail.ws - Get a real mail !

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The title is misleading. It somewhat suggests you can find info on how to get Win7 free. (Of course, not the trial version)

Title should say "Free & awesome guide"
not
"Guide for a free & awesome Windows 7"


Oh well. Nice tuts.
I get FREE Win7 Ultimate from my employer anyway

 

You are right, I just changed it to "Installation guide for an awesome Windows 7 on Clevo/Sager/MALIBAL"

Thanks

 

Pretty good list of suggested software Zakazak - I'm sure people will find this helpful.

 

Thanks Hope so too

 

Which Realtek driver should I download for my Clevo 170HM? I'm in desperate need of a equalizer so I can tweak in in order to hear footsteps better.

 

either use the one from your driver cd or from the clevo driver thread

 

Hey zakazak

I just got my Clevo p150hm. No OS.

It came with a drivers disk, that's all. I tried booting the Win 7 install and it told me I dont have the drivers needed, to browse. I tried copying the driver dir to a USB key and that didnt work - I tried selecting a bunch of drivers. No joy. And I cannot boot from the Driver disk.

Your guide says boot the disk and select install... but the ONLY DISK I HAVE THAT BOOTS IS WINDOWS!

ARGH!

 

Did you boot the Windows 7 install from a USB drive? If so, make sure you use the non USB 3.0 ports (the USB 3.0 ports are the blue ones) or it won't find the drivers. The driver disk is not bootable, you'll need to install Windows first, then install the drivers from the disk.

 

I am installing from USB drive.

Ahh, the blue USB is the USB 3.0. I was trying to install from the blue port. Let me move the drive...

 

OK so the blue USB port is the USB 3.0 drive, and that does boot Windows. According to the manual, blue=3.0. When im trying to boot the DVD from the black USB NEXT to the blue, no luck, but from the black usm on the right side of the laptop, it works.

Let's see how far I get.

 

It worked. Thx. Wish the phone tech support guy had told me...

 

great guide... my lotus is coming soon. will try out some of the freeware u recommended.

 

I hope you will like them

 

A lot of the programs I use or have used, a few decided to try that you suggested. A quick suggestion have you used ninite? It can download/install a lot of those programs at the same time.

 

Ye I know it but I never used it. Wanted to download the files on my own and install it on my own ;D Also it didn't support 50% of the programs I wanted.

But I guess it's a nice tool in the end

@edit: would be interesting to know which apps you will try out.

 

Wow, nice posts! There's some software here I'll be looking into.

 

CCCP (Media Player Classic Edition) > All other codecs.

 

Well tbh I never tried the CCCP. I tried shark007 for some time and absolutely didn't like it compared to the K-Lite Mega Pack.
The support of the K-Lite Pack is really great & fast. Never had anything not working/fixable. What I think that both packs are lacking tho is an auto-update function or atleast an alert of a new update.
K-Lite Pack also offers thumbnails for all kind of codecs/formats, gives a lot of options during the installation progress to customize & fit it for your needs. Will give CCCP a try in a few days

And yes, ofc use the K-Lite Mega Pack with MPC-HC ;P

 

I added KeePass 2.x to the security tools. Also added KeeFox to Firefox addons. It replaces LastPass on my system as the KeePass solution is more secure, free & works just as LastPass.

 

I love KeePass.. it now also replaces all of my ftp/sftp/ssh built-in password managers. E.g. Filezilla won't encrypt your stored passwords at all.. its saved in a plain .xml/.txt file. Now I have the saved in KeePass and just "right click -> open" and it will run Filezilla and log into the ftp with the credentials I chose in KeePass Same for e.g. putty.

 

Found the startup tweaks useful, thanks
however i don't notice any difference with the mouse hover over thingy. mine was at 400, it seems the same at 25.

 

It changes the time that the Window-previews need to load (in the start bar when an app is running and you move the mouse of its icon.. then some little preview windows appears).

 

Yeah I didn't really notice a difference, thanks anyway

 

That's weird.. did you restart / re-login ? I did the exact same tweak ~3 weeks ago on my HTPC and it worked.

 

Nope I haven't. But its not really an issue for me. I'm happy with the little core boot up tweak I'm using my desktop with the Phenom II x6, so 6 core bootup ftw!

 

Oh that's the solution then.. you need to restart or atleast re-login

6 Core boot up sounds nice

 

You might want to add the Chrome to the Browser section, since it has nearly all of the mentioned add-on's too not to talk about the speed it delivers, I mean, it's a matter of choice of course, but providing several options is always a good idea!

+ You should add SandBoxie to the Security section, since it provides a enclosed area in which you can open files such as keyloggers or any other potential harmful programs, without it interfering with anything else within the sandbox itself. Source

 

I did a lot of testing with Chrome as well as Chromium and Comodo Dragon (another Chromium based browser like Chrome). Speedwise I couldn't find any difference on any of those browsers (well actually Firefox worked faster with 60+ tabs opened). Firefox how ever used way less memory than any other browser (except Opera). Did several tests with 10-80 tabs opened. Firefox always used less memory than any Chromium based browser. With newer updates they used less memory but still couldn't touch Firefox. Chrome might be the more secure browser choice tho.. but that just depends on your security setup. If you sandbox Java & other stuff (e.g. .pdf-plugin) then Firefox would be even more secure than Chrome ;D
Chrome had pretty much all addons when I tested it. Still Firefox offers more addons and customization. Also I love HTTPS-Everywhere & HTTPS-Finder. One of the best security addons for Firefox. There is some kind of Chrome version of it but it's nowhere near as good. I also made a detailed post about this in the Comodo forum. Back then I was actually comparing Chrome vs Comodo Dragon but then also added Firefox,Opera & Chromium.

And for sandboxie: I didn't add it (and also don't use it) as Comodo Internet Security offers sandboxing already. You can manually sandbox files (e.g. always run your browser sandboxed) as well as it will automatically sandbox and malware/unknown files. Furthermore Comodo says that with version 6.x a whole new sandbox system will be released with a lot of more options. So if the sandbox in 5.9.x isn't enough to replace sandboxie then just wait for 6.x Atleast that's what I do

 

Did you install your browsers on your SSD or HDD? It makes a big difference.

As for the sandboxie, it offers a bigger interface and easier manipulation to the files, but I totally forgot Comodo has one too! Thanks for clearing that up

Have you considered to talk about Fences? Its a great program and makes the natural blending with Rainmeter much better, not to talk about the experience as well! That out of the way, LogonStudio offers a customization of the logon screen Windows7 and Vista gets, which imo is super awesome and last not least ObjectDock that gives the user a specialized dockingbar for w/e you want but its really up to you.

There are some many more of these kinds of programs on Stardock.

 

Both times on the SSD. Just as every other program ;D

Ye sandboxie has more features & options than Comodo Internet Security has right now. I won't need all that tho and my expectations for CIS 6.x are high . Anyway, I will add sandboxie to the list !

Yup I use the Logon-Changer. Also tried all the other apps you mentioned but never really needed them and/or Rainmeter could do the same (with a bit of customization work) without having another app running in the backround.

 

Hey thanks man, I love Sandboxie so much

 

Just added Sandboxie + added a changelog for a better overview of changes.

 

Youporn rocks, LOL!

 

Haha It was just an example ;D

For example I block facebook.com/banking-site/etc in the history.