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    Z2 - the case for a clean install

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Jobsagoodun, Oct 31, 2011.

  1. Jobsagoodun

    Jobsagoodun Notebook Enthusiast

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    My CTO Z2 is due to be delivered at some point in the next fortnight. This will be my fifth Vaio and the Z2 will be a big step forward from my current Vaio X. Very excited!

    I am always keen to perform a clean install and have found the guides on this site to be invaluable over the years. I think all the relevant information about a clean install (with fast boot working) is posted by cherrybombaz here:

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/611847-full-vaio-z2-review-useful-guides-resources.html#post7921009

    Thanks go to HannesS & fhsieh for providing the original detail.

    Having reviewed the (lengthy) owners thread, there seem to have been a couple of queries about the boot times increasing after a clean install. I am used to seeing a bit of discussion and general tweaks after a clean install guide thread is first posted. There hasn't really been that much discussion about this guide so I assume it just works really well.

    Have those that have performed a clean install been happy with the results and what boot times are they seeing?

    Would anyone highlight any other relevant posts in addition to those I quote above?
     
    Jobsagoodun, Oct 31, 2011
    #1
  2. ZoinksS2k

    ZoinksS2k Notebook Virtuoso

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    I was the one who posted that boot times were longer with a clean install. Still the case for me and I'm on a stock build with the stuff I don't want uninstalled. Keep in mind, that I was talking 3 second differences. Not a huge deal

    You should try the clean install if that is your preference, if for no other reason than to keep your Windows directory size under control.

    You will be able to get back to stock with the recovery process and I can confirm that it indeed restores the faster boot config.
     
    ZoinksS2k, Oct 31, 2011
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  3. miki69

    miki69 Notebook Evangelist

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    miki69, Nov 1, 2011
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  4. Jobsagoodun

    Jobsagoodun Notebook Enthusiast

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    I think I will probably end up going ahead with the clean install. Not sure how much bloat-ware I will end up with on the EU version but fear the worst...

    Odd that it takes a little longer to boot but agree 3 seconds not a huge deal.

    Videos really helpful and full of good pointers. Thanks for the feedback.
     
    Jobsagoodun, Nov 1, 2011
    #4
  5. jeremyshaw

    jeremyshaw Big time Idiot

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    Just uninstall the stuff you don't want. I have yet to see a difference, even on some stock 5400RPM drives, that a clean install would be expected to give. I've been through 4 Vaios recently (2 mine, 2 work), just reporting what I see.
     
    jeremyshaw, Nov 1, 2011
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  6. Max Portis

    Max Portis Notebook Enthusiast

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    After some deliberation I did the clean install. The main reason being that I want to utilize some more of that expensive SDD space.
    Before the clean install I had 65 of 128 GB available to me. Afterwards it was 109. Big difference!

    Also, RAM usage after startup is down from 1,74 GB to 1,33 GB. Not a big deal with 8 GB installed, but still, having grown up in the 80s, a dislike for wasting space and memory sticks...
     
    Max Portis, Nov 11, 2011
    #6