Sony Z Recommendation: review Bloatware first

My friends,

After owning a Z for three months now, completely blowing away the initial install with 32bit, then 64bit, clean installs, 64SSD, 320-7200, and finally back to the original software, I can safely recommend that you see what bloat ware is free from Sony (actually what you paid for). After redoing all of the installs, I reverted to the original bloat and will decide which software I like, and then I will proceed to do the clean installs.

It's just a thought but the other benefit is that you can get a feel for the stability of your new laptop while it is new. I'm fortunate to not have the KB issues or HW failures. I've swapped SSD with 320/7200. I like the capacity of the 320/7200 over the speed of the Samsung SataII 64gb SSD.

My current configuration is 320/7200 Seagate, 4GB, 2.53, 1600x900, with docking station.

After clean installs, I had roughly 55 processes. With all of my software I had around 88 with clean installs. After installing my software on the bloat ware, I have 103 processes. Yeah, booting take longer but then seeing all of the interaction with all of the provided software is letting me know what I was missing with clean installs.

I highly recommend using 32bit Vista for now...

Just one opinion.

 

What interactions are you talking about? Could you specify what features are absent from clean installs that are present on the "bloatware" loaded installs?

 

I like the SmartWI in the gadget bar for one. The Smartwi connect/disconnect with Sprint and WIFI works better with Bloat. I did a clean install but never got it to work like it does with the bloatware - I must need another driver or program. The power management for the DVD drive for works with 32bit and not with 64. The Protector Suite 5.8 seems to work better when docking off and on. It does not get confused like it did with clean installs. I have 32bit plotter drivers, WinDVD, Roxio that do not work on 64bit.

I guess I have a combination of issues between 64bit and 32bit. I still am trying to figure out if it is the versions that came with the computer that working better than the mixture with newer versions on the support page. The Bloatware system is with original drivers and not the upgraded ones on the support page - it seems to work better for me. I'm also finding out and trying the Vaio software programs...

 

All sony apps work with Vista 32-bit and a proper fresh install procedure. Key word here is proper, and Sony doesn't make it easy for most people. 64-bit is about 95% with the advanced power management and SmartWi gadget missing/broke.

With this in mind, I agree that most people will benefit from a stock-build. Just run through Add/Remove Programs and have at the trialware software. Avoid anything with "Sony" in the name you can't identify, you probably need it.

After you have everything you want removed, use a registry cleaner like CCleaner and clean up the rest. CCleaner will also give you the choice to disable any startup programs you may have missed.