Reinstall Windows 7 on new E6520?

I took possession today of a new (refurb) E6520.

I note there is relatively little "bloatware".

I was contemplating a clean re-install of Windows 7.

Agree or disagree?

 

Agree... contemplate, get to know the machine... give it time to fail, prepare the re-image resources, decide what you can leave off like security bits you are not using and Intel IRRT app if not using RAID mode in BIOS. Then re-image it, make notes, and know how to maintain it.

Good time to add an SSD.

GK

 

Thanks. I went onto the Dell support site last night and there is a long list of drivers there. If I reinstall W7 from scratch, do I need to download all of those or will W7 find most of them itself?

As for the SSD, I have been contemplating that. I dont think I want to spend what it takes for a high capacity SSD, and posted in a different message a query as to whether or not one of the mini-card SSDs would work in this machine. I saw one post where someone said they tired without success. The other thought would be a Momentus XT. My concerns about that drive are: (1) some reports of reliability issues, (2) no fall sensor (but if there is one on the MB which I think there is, does this matter?), and (3) some describe them as noisy and having vibration (the least of my concerns).

Thoughts?

 

I would just use/modify the stock image, Dell Business generally has no bloatware or it is very little and they preinstall stuff that you would otherwise need (Flash, Reader, Java).

I've owned 2 500GB MomentusXT drives are both are disappointing (boot times, read/write). But I've never had a problem with reliability or excessive noise/vibrations. I believe they are on firmware SD25, so try that as the firmware fixes usually fix a noisy/vibrating drive.

 

You should expect to install the Dell.com drivers, including to replace any default drivers Win7 might install. And before running Windows Update. Then when you do run Windows Update, install any device drivers first, individually, ONLY if you know they are better than what you already have installed... otherwise, hide them. Then proceed with Windows Updates enmass.

I recommend you install the drivers in a known order, up through networking. Sometimes it matters and it's a good approach to have a plan.

Skip the SSD if you do not have the extra time and money to play with.

The accelerometer is probably on the MB so use any HDD. I've been happy with WD's drives of late.

GK

 

If your not going to use finger print enrollment, skip DDPA and just install control vault driver in security folder. This will clear out USH yellow bang. Also you can skip DFEP and Dell system manager. If you have camera,webpage does not have Dell webcam central on it, if you use that.

 

You can leave the USH security driver off and right-click disable the USH device in DM.

GK

 

If you have the know-how to reinstall, it is definately a good idea. It depends on your definition of bloatware, but I would find ControlPoint Connection Manager, excessive driver UIs, Adobe Reader (I have Acrobat), and Java to be bloatware as well. I believe they also change the default logon screen background.

Also, install drivers manually through the Device Manager if possible.

 

Just curious since I'm getting ready to install Windows 7 on my E6520. You mentioned "Java" as bloatware. I thought Java was required to run a lot of webpages? I certainly could be wrong, but was thinking it was required. Thanks

 

JavaScript, yes, and support for it is built into the browser. Java Runtime VM is different and less commonly used (mostly superceded by Flash and HTML5).