Would you reformat a new laptop?

Valo · 2 Sep 2006 at 12:09

I hate factory pre-fab images with a passion, so I always reload windows before doing anything else.

Axel40 · 2 Sep 2006 at 12:38

DELL are not the worst for this....

Just got a Sony laptop and the ammount of crap installed is really a sight to behold! Also there is no option of getting a Windows XP disk (even if you GAVE them money) only the option to use their backup software to make backup DVD's.

Also, using another copy of XP is in violation of the licence agreement with Sony.

That said its a great laptop

Sparky1pq · 2 Sep 2006 at 12:57

Personally I'd just uninstall the stuff you don't want. Also some manufacturers install programs such as power management and other utilities to provide certain features and if you creating your own build and don't install them at all or in the right order you may have problems

A couple of weeks a customer was complaining to us that his notebook's battery life was really poor, when we looked he'd removed the manufacturer's installed power management utility and other stuff. Sure enough the computer would only last 20 minutes or so. Re-installed the power management and charged the battery and then getting the correct battery life.

Some notebooks software builds are a bit more complex than a desktop and personally I found people spend more time creating their own builds only have problems or find features not working as they expected and eventually they end up having to rebuild and end up with a build nearly the same as the manufacturers just minus stuff like ISP links and wallpaper etc.

Just my 2p worth and I'm sure you'll be fine if you decide to do your own build.

Sparky

Sputnik II · 2 Sep 2006 at 18:01

Axel40 said:
Also, using another copy of XP is in violation of the licence agreement with Sony.

That said its a great laptop

Is that because you might be running it without their dodgy rootkits?

Belly · 2 Sep 2006 at 18:27

TheVoice said:
The other nice thing about having the CD is that it means you can delete the restore partition. It's 3GB, so it chews up a hefty amount of hard-drive space.

What I can't understand is why manufacturers put programs on computers and then set the restore partition? I've got a "good" Multivision lap-top (now out of business) and luckily enough they only installed CD writing software and the drivers, but there is still the restore partition. When I first bought the computer I had a look in the IE Cache and it was virtually full, I expect from testing the installed modem, or downloading the drivers? Of course those Items are effectively on the computer forever, I emptied the cache, got rid of the cookies, emptied the Temp folders etc and got on with using it. After about a year I restored it to its initial state and as expected all the cache, cookies and temp files were back on the computer. I just hope the Multivision chaps weren't looking at something a bit dodgy on my computer before boxing it up for despatch! They did supply a Win XP Disc but no drivers, they appear to be in the restore partition but not in an order which is easily identifable, so I could have a big problem if I decided to up-grade to Windows Vista in the future?

Energize · 2 Sep 2006 at 18:36

Locrian said:
For isntance somebody please tell me what exactly 'shock protection' does. If you have dropped your laptop onto a floor of rusty nails = shock i dont think that utility is going to make a damn bit of difference!

It lifts the head off the platters on the hdd so it doesn't become damaged in a bumpy environment.

SexyGreyFox · 2 Sep 2006 at 18:59

I can't help but think that some of you are missing the very basics of a re-installation.

To the OP - have you got all the necessary drivers for a re-installation?
If not then go and hunt for them on the net.
You may be very lucky and a fresh install of XP finds all your hardware but don't be too sure.

Sputnik II · 2 Sep 2006 at 19:41

dmpoole said:
I can't help but think that some of you are missing the very basics of a re-installation.

To the OP - have you got all the necessary drivers for a re-installation?
If not then go and hunt for them on the net.
You may be very lucky and a fresh install of XP finds all your hardware but don't be too sure.

Thats a good point. If the machine has all the correct drivers then run driver grabber which will archive them all for you to some removable media or device before you format the drive. Will save you the hassle of finding them later.

Belly · 2 Sep 2006 at 20:51

Sputnik II said:
Thats a good point. If the machine has all the correct drivers then run driver grabber which will archive them all for you to some removable media or device before you format the drive. Will save you the hassle of finding them later.

This sounds very interesting what is driver grabber, where can it be obtained? Is it easy to use? Like verrrry easy?

I've always been scared to wipe everything and start again because I'm not sure which drivers are on the computer, PCMIC (?) Card, IR, Touch Pad, Graphics Card, but what else? This may be the magic wand for me?

Sputnik II · 2 Sep 2006 at 21:04

Belly said:
This sounds very interesting what is driver grabber, where can it be obtained? Is it easy to use? Like verrrry easy?

I've always been scared to wipe everything and start again because I'm not sure which drivers are on the computer, PCMIC (?) Card, IR, Touch Pad, Graphics Card, but what else? This may be the magic wand for me?

It's a small program that looks at all the drivers you have installed and archives any that are not microsoft ones(from my experience anyway).

It was brought to my attention by a thread on here by Bledd. As good as I think it is, you have to understand that it won't search the internet for drivers.

Belly · 2 Sep 2006 at 21:49

Thanx I'll have a good search tomorrow!

Hey, Think positive: your're not a Sputnik, your're a Star

SB118 · 2 Sep 2006 at 22:12

Craig321 said:
He'd need to find the right version though. Often the CD key on the side/bottom of the computer doesn't work in a normal OEM copy of XP

heh, mine does

Magic_x_uk · 3 Sep 2006 at 22:30

i think the driver grabber is called driver collector, if that helps you in your search

Sputnik II · 3 Sep 2006 at 22:39

Magic_x_uk said:
i think the driver grabber is called driver collector, if that helps you in your search

try here clicky

retribution · 5 Sep 2006 at 14:45

Thanks for all the advice,

Today I opened The Guardian and it had one of Dells deal leaflets in it. Low and behold there was my pc, at the same price I paid but with 1GB memory (mine's got 512) and a DVD Writer instead of a CD Writer. I rang them up, and after some convincing, I've cancelled my current laptop deal (received it on Thursday so able to under Distance Selling regs), and ordered another!

So I've got time to find XP discs and stuff now, I'll be sure to reformat after using Driver Collector - it looks like a very useful tool!

I asked about aquiring an XP CD, but the guy said it wasn't possible without paying £132 or something ridiculous :eek:

. Perhaps they've changed the rules recently?

Thanks again,

Rob.

csmager · 5 Sep 2006 at 14:47

retribution said:
So I've got time to find XP discs and stuff now, I'll be sure to reformat after using Driver Collector - it looks like a very useful tool!

It's not really necessary - Dell's site has a very comprehensive driver download section for each model, which are usually more current than the one preinstalled.

I asked about aquiring an XP CD, but the guy said it wasn't possible without paying £132 or something ridiculous . Perhaps they've changed the rules recently?

Dell will include the CD with the laptop for £5.88 - if you try to spec one on their site, for example, you'll see this. Ring and ask them if they'll add it?

AJUK · 5 Sep 2006 at 14:49

With my Dell lappy (XPS Gen 2) I had a XP SP2 Install disk and Driver disk. Reinstallation is easy, I just reinstall Winblows, then the drivers then an update. No activation either.

The first thing I did was wipe the hard drive because the crap they install (MacAfee, AOL, blah, blah) is a waste of bytes. A nice clean install and everything has worked like a dream since.

oTTo · 5 Sep 2006 at 17:08

If you want the operating system cd just get in touch with Dell and request it. I recently bought an outlet 640m and wanted the cd for a fresh MCE install. 5mins using Dells online technical chat program and all the cd's including software and drivers were ordered, no charge aswell

Also be careful if you're going to format. Dell put hidden partions on the hard drive and a total reformat will make these no longer function, ie diagnostics utility, back-up partition, media direct etc. Check out this Dell notebook-review forum page for a guide on how to do it if you want to keep the hidden partions here

Belly · 5 Sep 2006 at 20:48

AJUK said:
With my Dell lappy (XPS Gen 2) I had a XP SP2 Install disk and Driver disk. Reinstallation is easy, I just reinstall Winblows, then the drivers then an update. No activation either.

The first thing I did was wipe the hard drive because the crap they install (MacAfee, AOL, blah, blah) is a waste of bytes. A nice clean install and everything has worked like a dream since.

I bought my desktop from Dell and they supplied the drivers etc on two disks, however when I did a reformt and restall the soundcard driver (Turtle Beach) was not on the disk, the yellow folder was shown but it was empty!

carvegio · 5 Sep 2006 at 21:08

I would definitely format it. I got a dell 9300 at the start of the year it went fast and was pretty happy with it, but still decided to format it after a week.

The difference was amazing! Sooooo much faster and smoother. Better then uninstalling that crap and doing reg tweaks etc.

DO IT! DO IT!

Plus got an extra 5gb+ back from the useless restore partition.