New Dell Laptop

[D4\/!d]

Hello folks, I am looking for some help and guidance :)

I am about to get - next week - a new Dell laptop. Never had a laptop before; I've always set up my own pc from the c:\prompt. Installing what os and software I want

Now this machine will have a load of *Free/Trial* software installed already by Dell.

Oh, and btw, it's gonna be running Windows Media Centre Edition 2005, which I understand is based on xp pro.

I know that as soon as I get my hands on this laptop I'm gonna be zapping stuff left right and centre. I don't what this on my machine, I'm never gonna use that, and who wants such and such software thesedays. You know what I mean ;)

I might do something silly, and delete something that the laptop depends on

I have Acronis True Image 9.0, so the first thing I shall do is install it and take a full backup image onto my ext hard disk drive.

Then I shall set about deleting the stuff I don't want/will never use. For example, Works 8.0, Corel Paint Shop pro 60 day Trial, or McAfee Trial version, (I use AVG or Kaspersky). Zap, zap, and zap :lol:

Here's where I need help. I need to approach this in a logical, step by step way. Trouble is my brain don't function like that. I am intuitive, and cannot reason things through one stage at a time.

Do I take incremental backups along the way. (actually I shall do full backups coz they they don't take much longer to make)

At what stages should I make a backup. How do I name the backup file for version control.

Can you understand what I am trying to say? Do you where I am coming from.

What hints and tips do you analysts and logical thinkers have for me, please B)

Thanks,

[AlanHo]

I bought a Dell Inspiron last year and immediately set about uninstalling all the unwanted stuff using the Windows Control panel uninstall procedure.

I did not take a back-up first because I had the Dell recovery disc if things went pear shaped - but it all worked fine and I finished up with just XP installed and the standard Dell drivers etc. On reflection - your plan to take a back-up first is very sensible.

I personally would take a back-up now - then uninstall the unwanted software. I would make a Windows restore point after removing each item - you can then go back in the unlikely event of needing to. Taking an incremental or full back-up at each stage would be a belt and braces approach - if it makes you more comfortable and you don't mind the extra time it will take - then do it. Remember to be disconnected from the internet whilst the machine is temporarily without virus and malware protection.

I noticed when I did the exercise that some of the software I removed left a lot of rubbish in the registry and some folders in the C: drive. I used Crap Cleaner, Regscrub and Windows Explorer to remove these.

Having removed all your unwanted items - now take a full back-up so you have an archive of the laptop with just the OS and bare essentials installed - before you install other software. The first software to install is your anti virus and malware programmes - make sure they are fully up to date and properly configured before you install other software which is likely to to connect to the internet to update itself.

[dagwoood]

You could take a lot of the hard work out of the situation and give this a try Dell De-Crapifier.

I haven't tried it myself but Nellie2 bought this to my attention a while ago. Perhaps image the drive with Acronis and then give it a whirl; it can be quite time consuming getting all the rubbish off of a Dell machine, it did when I had to get if off a laptop.

HTH, dagwoood.

[andsome]

I thought that they claimed that you could customise their computers. Why not just tell them to install only the drivers and O.S? Surely this would be much better than uninstalling everything?

[AlanHo]

I thought that they claimed that you could customise their computers. Why not just tell them to install only the drivers and O.S? Surely this would be much better than uninstalling everything?

A Dell computer comes with quite a lot of 60 day or even 30 day software preloaded. I guess they get commission from the software makers to push their product - which helps them to keep computer prices lower. I doubt that they would take kindly to being asked to not include it.

[D4\/!d]

You could take a lot of the hard work out of the situation and give this a try Dell De-Crapifier.

Good Spot dagwoood, funny, I've just come across this myself, not five mins ago. LOL

[D4\/!d]

Hello Alan, yeah it's the Inspiron 6400 that I'm getting :)

Your method seems to make a lot of sense to me. And the reminder about having av and antispyware software installed before connecting to the internet is sound advice. Thanks

[andsome]

I thought that they claimed that you could customise their computers. Why not just tell them to install only the drivers and O.S? Surely this would be much better than uninstalling everything?

A Dell computer comes with quite a lot of 60 day or even 30 day software preloaded. I guess they get commission from the software makers to push their product - which helps them to keep computer prices lower. I doubt that they would take kindly to being asked to not include it.

So that is their attitude to customers is it, take it or leave it? i would tell them, sell me what I want or I will go elsewhere.

[D4\/!d]

... I will go elsewhere.

Yeah, and pay £100 more, for a less reliable machine ;)

[andsome]

Have you tested their reaction? We get the customer service that we deserve in this country.

[nellie2]

As has been already stated.... I should imagine that Dell are able to keep their prices down by pre installing the evaluation software.

Dell are a good make and they have found a way to keep prices down.... good for them, it is up to us, the consumer to configure out machine they way we would like it.

I got my laptop from Toshiba, it came with a few bits and bobs pre-installed which I decided to take off or disable. I should imagine it's much the same for most other makes too