Software issues!

Hi there,

This is my first post. Am a newbie when it comes to computers whether hard wares or soft wares.

Bought a Sony Vaio VGC-LS1.

Have a few questions:

1. As regards a defragger which is better DK or PD?

2. It’s come with XP MCE & bundle soft wares, mostly trial….my question is that is there any way apart from format & fresh install to remove these in such a way that there are no empty files/folders & invalid registry entries of these programs?

I tried using their Uninstallers & Add/Remove option but still AOL is even in the program folders.......

Trial/bundle soft wares include NIS 2006, AOL browser messenger etc, TurboTax 2006, and Trend micro anti spy ware…..

Hoping to hear,

Regards.

 

You can use a Symantec utility called "SymNRT" to get rid of all traces of Norton. You can get that utility on their website or by googling. I would say you'll be fine if you remove all AOL traces from Add/Remove Programs, then delete the file folders. It won't do anything from there. Make sure nothing you don't like starts up with Windows. For that you can either use the "msconfig" utility built into Windows (Start --->Run --->msconfig--->"press enter") or download "Autoruns" from Sysinternals. I like that utility because it gives a lot of information and gives you a little more control than msconfig.

If you don't want to run a fresh install, just remove all programs/trials/games you don't want, then clean out the empty folders. After that you can run a registry cleaner to get rid of the invalid entries. Then do a defrag to clean it up more. That whole process is why many people simply reformat...it's more complete and it's easier. However, this way works well too, and is typically quicker.

I like Diskeeper, personally, but both work great. I think the UI on Diskeeper is nicer, but it's personal preference.

 

Could you care to explain stepwise, the way how I could format & fresh install?

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...esktops&ProductSKU=VGCLS1&TabName=specs&var2=

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-swu.pl?mdl=VGCLS1

Regards.

 

Well the first thing I would do is burn a recordable CD with anything you want to save. If you have enough files, you can use a DVD too (but don't use one if you don't need it). Another helpful idea is that instead of opening the installer file after downloading, save it to a folder. This goes for any program you can download from the internet. I have a HUGE collection of installers. Now, whenever I do a restore, or if something stops working, I can just open that folder and reinstall from there. So, if you have any program installers I would back those up too.

The next step is to pop in your Windows disk (or) if you were only given restore discs, pop the first one in. IN SOME CASES THE MANUFACTURER DOESN'T PROVIDE THEM. If you are in that situation, buy DVD-Rs (or +R's if you can't do both, or CDs if you can't do either). In your Start Menu there should be a program folder called (something along the lines of) "Setup and Recovery". Find the listing for "Create a set of restore discs". Follow these steps.

Unfortunately, if you have restore discs or have to make them, you will probably have to install the trial junk too. At least if you reformat yourself you will have the option (I believe) of installing only what you want.

Now that you have restore discs, pop the first one in and reboot.

Follow the instructions to boot from the CD/DVD. Choose to delete the active partition (C:\), then create a new one (or two, or three) in the free space. Try to use all the space you have, so as to maximize drive usage.

From this point, choose to install Windows XP on the C: partition...or wherever you want I suppose. Follow the instructions, and switch discs when required.

You should be all set now. I think the restore discs will give you the option of installing the trial software. Make sure to install DVD player/burner software and any other necessary software to match your hardware...especially if you like your media keys (which won't work without the software).

Good luck, post more questions if you have them.

 

Thanks for sharing your expert views.

I was thinking on the lines to download & burn all drivers etc using DVDRWs & not to use the Recovery CDs.

Recovery CDs to restore doesn’t give me the option of customizing, in a way I shall be in the same situation as I am now.

Firstly format all the drive & than install XP MCE, followed by drivers.

As far as drivers are concerned, in which order should they be installed??

Sony Vaio software is fine……..my likings are AVG, Spy bot, Ad ware SE, Nero 6/7.

What other soft wares would you recommend to install in this machine for its optimal performance??

As for browsing prefer IE 6.0 or Fire fox.

Hoping to hear from you,

Regards.

 

I like Firefox, but for everyday use I use Opera. It's great, check it out at www.opera.com

If you have a Windows disc, you can definately skip the restore discs, however many manufacturers don't include the XP OS only disc. So sure, just install the OS and then whatever you want.

As for drivers, go in order of importance. I usually do Video Card drivers first because the basic VGA drivers are just no good for working with. Make sure you install, and though you don't have to restart after all of them I do recommend frequent restarts. Definately do one after the video card, my experience says that the video driver is the most testy. If you don't follow procedure it can complicate things.

I'd say Avast! over AVG, but I have little experience with AVG to support. Ad Aware is good, so is Nero. I'd say try Notebook Hardware Control for monitoring system speed and temps. It's pretty handy, and can give you a tiny boost in battery life if you use the right settings.

Run a defrag when you get everything installed. Your hard drive will be plenty jumbled at this point. If you don't like Windows' defrag, use Diskeeper or Perfect Disk (I prefer Diskeeper).

Check out the Sticky for Free Software at the top of the Software forum for GREAT ideas on software to download and use.

Again, good luck.

 

Thanks for your response.

I purchased a seperate XP MCE CD.

Drivers I shall go as you suggested.

Do I need a Note Book Software Driver or NCS Driver?

Take care & thanks again!

 

I don't understand what you mean when you say Notebook Software Driver. Perhaps you are refering to my recommendation of "Notebook Hardware Control". This is a program, not required by any means for operation, which helps monitor your computer's temperature along with a host of other controls. It is not recommended for use by beginners, but isn't too daunting when you first try it.

Any driver you should need would be included on your driver disc. You can check Windows Updates to see if there is a more current version out. Or, you can just go to the device manufacurer's website for it.

 

Sorry it might be Note book Storage Software (NSS) Driver.......Dell usually has it......when i was using Dell's XPS M2010.....it had it & they recommended to install that first after a clean format, before any driver.

Regards.

 

I would say disregard if you don't have a Dell. I work with many computers daily, and haven't needed it. Apparently I don't work with enough Dells.

 

Thanks again for clarifying.

Could you take out some ofyour precious time to answer 2 posts that I made in the hardware section, regarding the TV tuner card & Power Settings.

Hoping to hear from you,

Regards.

 

& how would you personally rate the Sony Vaio VGC-LS1.....a desktop or a notebook OR a HYBRID?

 

It looks great in the pictures, I'd rate it as a hybrid I suppose. Technically it's a desktop because I don't believe it is feasible to haul it around. However, you could say the same thing about 12lb 17" super-notebooks.

I'll stop on over to the hardware forum.

 

Thanks for taking the time to have look & give your comments. It's got T2400 Core Duo CPU 1.8 GHZ, 2 GB of 533MHZ memory, 250 GB 7200 rpm drive, Intel 945GM chipset, 19" LCD screen, wirh built in webcam, infrared mouse & key board.

All background processes on startup use around 302 MB of commit charge.......Can I customize page file to NONE?

I shall wait to listen to your views reagrding the 2 hardware issues.

Regards!

 

See the hardware forum for info on the pagefile. I know there's a current thread about it. Also, I'm sure there is one in the software forum.

 

Thanks I will.........

But please take the time out to reply to my hardware unasnwered, 2 posts......TV Tuner & Power Settings.

Regards!