busterbrit
asked on
Reformat new computer? XPS M1530 with Vista
Just got a new XPS M1530 laptop.
Should I reformat my computer and reload everything? Will that speed things up or since I will be using the same disk the computer came with will that not help at all.
Using Vista Premium.
If I reformat should I get rid of the recovery partition and not create it on the reintall?
Should I reformat my computer and reload everything? Will that speed things up or since I will be using the same disk the computer came with will that not help at all.
Using Vista Premium.
If I reformat should I get rid of the recovery partition and not create it on the reintall?
Brian Pierce
Why do you want to reformat it? - what is wrong with it?
ASKER
Nothing. I just was always told with XP Dell systems to reformat because of all the extra prgrams on the computer that I don't need. Is that not the case with this computer?
A easier and i think better option would be to prune the "Programs/Features" list in the control panel, removing all the junk dell ships preinstalled on its systems.
I agree much simpler to use Control Panel->Programs and features to remove stuff you don't want. Reformatting is a drastic step - you would have to have the Vista DVD to re-install for a start - and all the other software - not to mention drivers.
With OEM systems I have always done a clean reinstall, then imaged the system. If you just want to reome all the extra stuff dell installed try this program.
http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/home
http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/home
If it has recovery partition, then use it to restore system. Then, if the junks are still there, format it and do image backup as Jamie said. There are junk programs those you can not find from Remove in Control Panel.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
"Dell should have slipstreamed all the drivers right into that Vista install disc so everything should work perfectly." Unless they have changed recently no drivers will be slipstreamed on the OS cd. Driver they will be located on the drivers and utilities cd.
Unlike most other manufacturers Dell have NOT included a full recovery disk, nor a method of creating one...Incredible but true!..he only way is to use the basic recovery disk which works in tandem with your recovery partition and the other 2 hidden partitions.
This is bad news as if your hard drive crashes after your warranty has expired, you will not only need to buy a new hard drive, but also BUY a new operating system and then download all teh specific Dell drivers.
In addition to this Vista can only run with 4 partitions and 3 of these are taken up with Dell recovery stuff.....Soall your data now is on the C drive with no option of a data only partition!
The only solution i can think of is to use an image program to save the recovery partition, then delete it.
resize the c drive and create a data drive.
Image the c drive on to an external drive or on to the data drive.
Thanks to Dell for being so useless...I bought this machine for my son...It is the last Dell i will ever buy!
This is bad news as if your hard drive crashes after your warranty has expired, you will not only need to buy a new hard drive, but also BUY a new operating system and then download all teh specific Dell drivers.
In addition to this Vista can only run with 4 partitions and 3 of these are taken up with Dell recovery stuff.....Soall your data now is on the C drive with no option of a data only partition!
The only solution i can think of is to use an image program to save the recovery partition, then delete it.
resize the c drive and create a data drive.
Image the c drive on to an external drive or on to the data drive.
Thanks to Dell for being so useless...I bought this machine for my son...It is the last Dell i will ever buy!