NP9170/P170EM on way from Xotic... now what for system prep?

Hi, forum!
I haven't purchased a new laptop/PC in YEARS (still on XP!)...
... But wanted to play Diablo III (and everything else), so finally got one from Xotic, just today in Phase 3, nearly ready to ship!

Matte 72% 1920x1080 screen. 3720 CPU w Diamond paste. 16gb 1600MHz RAM. 7970m GPU. 240gb Intel SSD and 750gb 7200rpm hybrid. SteelSeries keyboard. 6235 intel ntwk (need Bluetooth).

Preinstalled with Win7 Home, with PLANNED $15 upgrade to Win8 Premium via Microsoft (need XP compatibility).

I didn't pay extra to have xotic streamline the OS, or overclock CPU/GPU, nor a prepackaged CD with drivers in case of having to restore the system.

So when I get this, what should my script of tasks be?

-remove bloatware (which ones does xotic/sager usually have)?
-update drivers or leave as is ( I heard that Clevos website is where to go because the 7970 betas are not stable in the Clevos for now... So should the ones I get already be up to date with Clevos website?)
-make a System Restore disk? (should I do this LAST STEP? How do I do it? From within Win7?)
-what are the MUST HAVE utilities (especially in prep for creating a system restore CD with said utilities contained)?

Thanks for bringing this old timer up to speed!

 

- On Sager models, you get a clean install of Windows, no bloatware. The disks are even included.

-The drivers should all be installed but if you run into a problem then it'd be a good idea to look for an update. I personally try not to update them unless I have a specific reason to.

- You'll have the windows install disk. If you wanted to make a system restore disk, it might a cool learning experience to learn how to slipstream the drivers into a new burned copy of Windows in case you need to reinstall. Otherwise I'd make a system restore disk immediately, and then again once you're sure everything is running stable.

-I'd definitely get some AV software on there and make sure the system is running smoothly before making it. Have all the drivers installed, and the software you use on a daily basis... i.e. Firefox/Chrome

 

Thanks, Derek. What utilities do you find most useful when tinkering with overclocking, checking benchmark scores, temps?

Do you have any other favorite utilities?

I'll read about slipstreaming in the meanwhile...

 

Kudos. That's the best concise advice for a new buyer I've seen posted for some time. What pleasant surprise. For the OP let me add congrats on your new lappie and note that it appears you bought from a worthy reseller. Looks like you are hitting on all cylinders.

Seer

 

Yep, getting my ducks in a row.

First the link to the Clevo 9170 drivers. Think i'll stick with these for purposes of making a custom, USB bootable Win7 installation:

Software Upgrade


Found this good lifehacker link for slipstreaming win7, using RT Se7en Lite:

Customize Your Windows Installation to Create the OS of Your Dreams


This article walks one through getting a USB drive (min 4gb!!) ready as a bootable win installer (... and I can't forget the "ei.cfg" file):

How to Speed Up Windows 7 Installs With Slipstreaming and USB | PCWorld Business Center


That lifehacker article makes reference to BlackVipers recommended custom configs for Win7, so this is a good time to implement them in the slipstream. I believe they're already flagged as options within RTSe7enLite, but here's where those configs come from:

Black Viper’s Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Service Configurations | Black Viper | www.blackviper.com



But this MIGHT be much ado about nothing, as microsoft's Win8 upgrade offer (Pro Edition windows 8 for $14.99 for purchasers of Win7 PCs between 6/2/12 and 1/31/13, maintaining settings, files, and personal applications from Win7 to Win8) might mean Win7 won't be what I use for very long (XP emulation will be a key deciding factor):

www.windowsupgradeoffer.com


So, that's what I've done so far in prep.

Still don't have a handle on the best utilities to get.

MalwareBytes?
What do people use for OCing CPU/GPU, and temp monitoring?
Benchmarkers?
Do I need DVD/BR utilities (that aren't already available via Clevo's website, cited above)?

Thanks! Hopefully this can help other new users out there get their systems easily restorable and buffed while still out-of-the-factory pristine.

 

I personally like using Ninite - Install or Update Multiple Apps at Once to get the majority of my software installed and setup. Especially since they do not allow any of the software to install the sneaky third party crap.

MalwareBytes and Microsoft Essentials is a pretty good and free security setup. All of which can be installed via Ninite.

I also tend to install K-Lite Codecs or CCCP for codecs, along with VLC. Again can be installed via Ninite.

 

Whoa! Ive never heard of Ninite before: looks VERY cool! Do you just run it after a fresh install or is there a way to incorporate it into a slipstream install, predirected for ones preferred utilities, and have it autorun as part of an unsupervised install? (Reading about it, I doubt it, but it still looks to be an invaluable resource. Best way I've ever seen to get the best utilities on board and updated.)

 

Yeah you don't slipstream but all you do is pick your apps and download a single exe. Run that exe and it does the rest.

They have been around for a while. I have several clients using the pro version, which home users don't need.

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