What should one do before using a new Z?

I just learned that my new Z1290 is on the way from Japan and will get it on Friday. What are the things one would do before using the new system? Create a system backup disk? Any suggestions/tips/lessons I should learn? This will be my first Sony computer. I used Dell, Gateway, and ASUS laptops. Thanks.

 

make a set of backup disk and do a fresh install .

 

I hope there will be enough instructions coming in with the laptop to guide me in making the backup disks. Why is a fresh installation necessary?

 

Create backup media in Vaio Control Center. Opinions on clean install vary, I think it's more trouble than its worth. Just uninstall what you don't need/want.

 

I was thinking the same question as the OP. Wonder if it's worth the trouble. I usually do a clean install just because I don't think I can catch all the bloatware that's on there. And I'm hoping that the preloaded software doesn't have bad privacy settings and whatnot. Does anyone have any input on this?

 

I asked pretty much the same question a few days ago without really coming to any conclusion either:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/532452-sony-z-clean-install-tweak-guide.html

The best I can suggest is you read through hundreds of pages of threads, probably starting at the end working backwards, seeing which solutions are offered and whether they worked. Stuff like tweaking your refresh rate, wake timers, colour profile etc.

I haven't bought mine yet, so I can't comment.

There seems to be no consensus on whether it's worth your while clean installing Windows 7, over uninstalling and tweaking to taste. From my past experience the answer is always yes, but others say no. It's certainly a hassle. That much is known.

 

It's a lot of work to download all the drivers and libraries to get everything working properly, if you do a clean install.

Just uninstall what you don't need....antivirus....media gallery...picture motion browser...office trial....etc.

Stay away from uninstalling anything like sony notebook utilities, vaio event service, etc.

 

I posted this in the owner's thread. Maybe it will be helpful for you. http://forum.notebookreview.com/6643962-post104.html

I too recommend skipping a fresh install.

 

I am too concerned whether I will be able to get everything working properly or not after a clean install. The only benefit I can think of for a clean install at the beginning is that I can gain some experience of resinstall the whole system without worrying about my own data and programs. I will probably try to remove the bloatware first.

 

I wish someone would put together a list of the bloatware and other programs they removed. I do not think a clean install is necessary at all, my Z1190 boots in less than a minute... but I would like to know what I might have missed uninstalling or removing.

thanks,

G

 

I'm pretty sure it's out there in the forum. I don't know about a comprehensive list, but some folks have listed what they removed. Check the owner's threads.

 

Great stuff. Thanks for this!

 

I take it "Fresh Start" doesn't eliminate all bloatware?

 

I got Fresh Start and I can't think of any programs I needed to remove. It still comes with the Vaio utilities like Vaio Care and Vaio Control Panel or whatever it's called. But I would opt to keep those programs anyway. I was very satisfied with Fresh Start.

 

Thanks for the info...ordered mine last week (w/fresh start, of course).