[Dragonman]

A few weeks ago I was looking for help on choosing a laptop, and now that I have one, I'm doing all the research I can to get the best out of it. I've never handled Vista before, so that's one big thing.. any advise on good ways to handle it would be great, because I definitely want to give it a try instead of instantly disliking due to the number of haters out there.

And also maybe advise on security and software for it... I purchased Norton 360 2.0 with the laptop, but I haven't opened it yet in case there's something better out there, possibly stuff that's free?

Any other advice, tips, or links to guides that help me optimize my laptop's performance would be great. I bought it from Staples, an HP dv5-1000us, Vista Premium w/Service Pack 1.


Edit- Also, I don't know how to transfer software/programs from this laptop to my new one. For example, I have Photoshop on this one, but I don't have the CD, so how could I move it to the other one?

[Jake]

>And also maybe advise on security and software for it... I purchased Norton 360 2.0 with the laptop, but I haven't opened it yet in case there's something better out there, possibly stuff that's free?

NOD32, it's not free but I've only heard good things about it.

As for optimization, uninstall all your bloatware, and turn off Aero theme when you go mobile (aero eats up alot of battery).
Now, before people go BAWWW RAM HOG, just remember that empty RAM does nothing for you. Speaking of RAM, you might want to look into running 64bit vista.

It's a shame you couldn't get a graphics card with your laptop.

[Dragonman]

As for optimization, uninstall all your bloatware, and turn off Aero theme when you go mobile (aero eats up alot of battery).

I don't know if it has any bloatware since I got it from Staples and it's still in the packaging (I didn't let them set it up for me). If it does, should I do a clean install of Vista? I've seen that suggested somewhere...

Now, before people go BAWWW RAM HOG, just remember that empty RAM does nothing for you. Speaking of RAM, you might want to look into running 64bit vista.

It's 64-bit and has 4GB of RAM already.

It's a shame you couldn't get a graphics card with your laptop.

?

[Jake]

Well, I don't know what they're called when they're inside laptops. But some laptops (mine) have graphics cards (I have an ATI radeon of some sort, cba to look). What you have is Intel onboard graphics (eww).

Basically this means I can play CoD4 on my laptop, and you can't (unless you like 2FPS). I don't know if you care or not.

When I meant people whining about how much RAM it uses, vista preloads a lot of the OS onto RAM. That's better than waiting for your HD to spin up and load things imho.



Anyways, the laptop has some bloatware. You can do a clean install if you want. I just sat down and took it all off my machine. It's a good way to get acquainted with how vista works. All bloatware is is preinstalled bs on the machine. Free trials that bug the s­hit out of you when you start the machine, etc.

[Dragonman]

Well the only games I'm even considering to play at college are Guild Wars and rollercoaster tycoon, and I think the laptop pretty capable of handling them... (mine is intel media accelerator x4500, so it's one of the better ones for integrated)
I suppose there's no way to get a good graphics card for it anyways?

I still haven't even unpackaged the thing, I'm looking up tips on how to best handle vista, best AV, etc.. Kaskersky, nod32 and BitDefender all look like the best for AV's.

[Atilla]

I have a cracked version of NOD32 on my laptop. 7proxies etc for this post.

But I've also used AVG, as it's entirely free and I haven't had any problems with it. Put it on all of my parents' computers instead of McAffee which they wanted.

Whatever you do, do not even think about installing any Norton programs, as not only are they RAM hogs, they're practically impossible to fully uninstall should you ever want/need to.

[Dragonman]

The computer actually came with Norton, it's a trial thing though, so hopefully it's not as hard to uninstall as the real thing.

[Jake]

Just don't install it.

"I have a cracked version of NOD32 on my laptop. 7proxies etc for this post."
^ this

"Whatever you do, do not even think about installing any Norton programs, as not only are they RAM hogs, they're practically impossible to fully uninstall should you ever want/need to."
I screwed up and bought norton a long time ago. I was never able to delete it. I had to cripple it with a hex editor to kill it.

[Bespetna]

Grats on the new laptop!
If you arnt to short on cash I would recommend buying an extended warranty if you are into all of that hassle free stuff and arnt tech savy. ( I have never bought one ) They are way to overpriced though.

You should buy a nice case for it (must have for collage). Also when recharging the battery always recharge it all the way (makes the battery stay stronger). Also try cleaning it whenever you get the chance (inside and out).

In the case of an anti virus program. I say F' all those extremely expensive ones with there monthly fees. I torrented/Download one of the best virus protection software (Ad-aware 6.0, I think theres a free ver of this but I got the premium ver).

To transfer all the programs from one OS to another OS is a pretty sticky situation. Search for guides to that but you wont be able to do it with programs concerning a CD for installation unless the CD itself has had an exact copy on your computer becouse some info is needed from that CD to get everything set up. Search up more info on this but I would just install everything the same way you did on your original computer to your laptop. Now things that the hole file is saved on your original computer such as music, video, pics, and documents can be easily transferred via a USB cable (im sure you know this).

HP/Compaq PCs are great. Enjoy it!

[santaseed]

Vista sucks. You shoulda gotten a Xbox 360 and a Mac.

[Troll]

Vista owns, you should get off your arse and get all the consoles plus a Mac and a PC.

[santaseed]

I doubt he has the money for all of that, plus u dont need multiple laptops or a pc.

[Atilla]

It still baffles me why people are drawn to macs.

They have an amazing marketing team for such an awful product.

[Jake]

Alright santaseed.
Give me one reason to get a mac.

One way that a mac is a superior investment to a Windows PC. Please.

[Troll]

Even better, get a PS3.