First Laptop

[Lazy7689]

I just ordered a Dell 8600 and this will be my first laptop. Although i won't get it for another 2-3 weeks i was wondering what i should do when i get it. I plan on formatting and reinstalling Win XP Pro as soon as i open it, i don't want to bother w/ all the crap that dell puts on their computers. Other than that and updating the drivers do you guys recommend i do? I read on another thread about updating the bios, is this hard? where could i get the information on it? Other than that what kind of utils/programs do you guys recommend i have on it (like that speed step thing in the other thread)? I got a Pentium M 1.7 GHz and if my other specs might be a factor in what utils/progs i should run just ask. Thanks in advance

 

[Frightcrawler]

Dell has BIOS updates on their website somewhere, so it wont be too hard.
I think you should wait for Abhi to get in here, he loves his dell inspiron 8500.

 

[ShellGuy]

Lazy it depends on what you want to do with the lappy. If you want to game a bit you may want something like clock gen and or speed XP. Something to OC with. A Deff is an Anitvirus you will also want to back up ur new toy so i would suggest something like Acronis Trueimage Full Version. The Demo won't allow you to restore your backups. Just make sure that you keep ur patches up 2 date as well as all ur other stuff.

Will

 

[Lazy7689]

I don't know anything about overclocking, so i don't know what it entails but if i don't have to mess with the hardware i might give it a shot later on. but basically i was just wondering about things that i would do in addition to the regular desktop stuff.

This is what i have planned. Format as soon as i turn it on to make sure it runs and everything's there. Install Win XP Pro. Update drivers and bios. Install anti-vir. I was just wondering if there were any programs that would help w/ the performance and to make sure everything runs ok. It's just that i was reading about the speedstep thing and just wanted to know if there were any other programs that i should have to maximize the performance of my comp.

 

[SNoWyV82]

That's funny, I just ordered an 8600 too. Mine should be here on or before the 28th of April. I can't wait!

 

[Abhi]

Originally posted by: Frightcrawler

I think you should wait for Abhi to get in here, he loves his dell inspiron 8500.

hehe ... speak of the devil ... and i am here . Thnx Frightcrawler...

Ok .. here is what you do...

When you get the machine... run all the tests you want. That includes benchies, stress tests, dead pixels. Check for other irregularities. If you decide you wanna keep the machine...

1) Update the BIOS (latest i think is A05. You get it at http://support.dell.com)
2) Format your hard drive.
3) Use the windows CD that came with ur machine to boot and install windows.
4) Download the latest drivers ... again from the support site.
5) Download and install SpeedSwitchXP and I8kfanGUI. Both are indispensible utilities for the Dell. Google for them.

Thats about it. A re format really speeds up the machine.

 

[Abhi]

I forgot to add... there are some fixes (speedstep fix) that should be downloaded from dells support site. Get them too.

Also, I personally would nt recommend OCing the machines.... Heat is a big issue for 8600's with 9600 pros....

 

[Lazy7689]

thanx for the list, abhi

if i get the speedstep fix from the dell site do you guys still recommend that i use speedswitchxp? i'm the kind of person that likes to only have things that i use and are necessary on my computer.

 

[Abhi]

Yup... use speedswitchxp.

 

[Lazy7689]

Ok, my i8600 has been shipped so i'm expecting it any day now. I started downloading the bios updates, drivers, programs (i8kfangui, speedswitchxp), but i'm having trouble finding the patches on dell's site. I went to the dell support dowload section and tried the "Patches and Fixes" category for the i8600 but nothing besides the roxio thing shows up. what am i doing wrong?

 

[ai42]

Laptops and desktops are not really that diffrent if you customize your desktop you should be able to customize the OS just the same on your laptop.

I would personally recommend running the monitorsdirect.com utility to see if you have any dead pixels when you get it.

There is no real need to update the BIOS unless you have to. And OEMs ususally have these BIOs updatters which can run in windows which is super easy to do.

 

[Abhi]

What patches are you searching for?

 

[Lazy7689]

Originally posted by: Abhi
I forgot to add... there are some fixes (speedstep fix) that should be downloaded from dells support site. Get them too.

well, i jus tthought that there would be more than just the speedstep fix. On a related note, when i tried searching for patches and fixes the speedstep one didn't even pop up. i got that fix through a link from another thread...

 

[Abhi]

relax... let the laptop arrive... and then do the fixing

You are already well prepared..

You you still insist... add a dead pixel checker to your download list.... There was a thread about this here... i think by kalster...

 

[Frightcrawler]

A dead pixel checker is just an animated picture (gif i think) that changes colors (ie. black -> blue -> red -> green). You dont even need it, you can just use the paintbucket in Windows Paint.

 

[Lazy7689]

ok..i just opened it up. is there a reason why you're saying to flash the bios before i format?