clean install with fresh win7

Hi I have a fresh copy of win 7 ultimate (legit of course.. got it from a microsoft event).

I have seen a few threads about clean installing vaios (boy do they put a bit of crapware there...) but not sure whats best to do..

I dont think I need/want any of the free apps (are there any good ones?) so I reckon I am going to blast the harddrive (I imaged the whole lot with another backup prog)

Whats the best strategy for this? i.e. whats best for getting drivers etc?

I noticed some files in c:\windows\drivers (an exe and a inf diretory, not sure which is for which) should that contain all I need?
Will I have issues with sony system stuff?

Also what about registering it? I guess there will be no issue as far as warranty is concerned (as said, it is a proper legit win 7)

Appreciate any comments,
km

 

Define "crapware". If you're referring to the Sony Apps, most of those are required for the notebook to function properly. For example the FN keys can't be used without the Sony Shared Library and other apps. The only one that is always running would be the Vaio Event Service, and that's for OSD of your volume, screen brightness, etc.. which IMO are pretty nice to have. But otherwise you won't have any warranty problems or registration issues, because registration uses the Service ID/SN of the machine not anything related to Windows.

 

thanks,
yeah, I guess thats what I am trying to figure out.. (the crapware!)

What sony apps are required and what arent; ie I know the apps I dont need (norton, office trial etc) but what ones are nice to have - ie the osd display is probably a good idea etc

thanks,
km

 

The only needed apps are going to be your basic hardware drivers from the Sony support page, and then the Sony Shared Library, Vaio Notebook Utilities, and Sony Firmware Extension Parser Device Driver. Those are pretty much basic necessities for Vaio notebooks.