3 Questions(relating to software)

I've done all the ressearch I need to do in order to know how to do a reformat of my laptop once I get ti sometime next month. Below are just a couple Q's that I've posted before but didn't get answers to them.

1. If I ordered my system preinstalled with Micorosoft apps like Word and Powerpoint, will they send a reinstall CD so I can get it back after the reformat?

2. Is Dell Media Expeirience (DMX) just a regular app that runs form Windows? There isn't anything that I need to know about it other than the fact it runs when I press the mediadirect button while booted into Windows?

Is there any Dell software that I should have on the machine for that matter?(Could you also post a link to download it)

3. How much of the "little" things will I lose when I reformat?(desktops, screensavers, themes etc...) To word it dofferently what is included on the Windows reinstallation CD other than than the OS software?

 

On this one.... You should not be receiving the laptop with DMX installed [btw was it an E1505... I don't remember at this point].

When you are in Windows and you depress the MediaDirect button the Microsoft MediaCenter will open.

Now that said... were you going to use XP Pro to reinstall your Windows OS or were you going to stick with MCE??? IF you go to XP Pro, then you'll need DMX and... yes, when you depress the MediaDirect button in that case, it would [from what I understand] launch Dell Media Experience [DMX].

Not much as I recall... There might be a Dell-specific wallpaper or two, but most of the 'standard' stuff is Microsoft-specific and will be installed during the Windows reinstall.

Mark

 

You will lose the DVD player (PowerDVD) and DVD Burning software... you will need to call DELL Customer Care with your Service Tag Number and request that they send you the CDs to replace them. (They are not included on the OS CD or the almost useless Drivers & Utilities CD.)

 

"Now that said... were you going to use XP Pro to reinstall your Windows OS or were you going to stick with MCE??? IF you go to XP Pro, then you'll need DMX and... yes, when you depress the MediaDirect button in that case, it would [from what I understand] launch Dell Media Experience [DMX]."

Yes I was planning on getting XP pro, that's why I asked.(though now I'm having second doubts after learning how little you gain by spending 100 dollars more.)

About the DVD player, does it matter that I have that particular software, can't I use somw other app or WMP?

 

I have always found WMP very poor for playing DVDs... however, you could use it for playback... or any other application for that matter. I don't know if WMP will burn DVDs like it does CDs, but it certainly won't allow you to burn Data DVDs, etc... My point is, they are including licensed versions of normally paid products (the cost is included/absorbed into the cost of your system) so it doesn't make sense to me to pay for something else or try and download lower quality freeware/shareware products! (Not when you can just ask them to send you the install CDs for what you "paid" for at no cost.)

 

WMP will play DVDs BUT you have to have a DVD codec which is not a part of WMP. And as far as 'burning' with WMP you can do audio CDs but not video DVDs.

Windows can burn data CDs but not data DVDs.

I haven't any personal experience with the Sonic/Cyberlink 'package' but you should be able to play/record... audio CD, data CD, video DVD, data DVD

So unless you plan on getting something else, I'd be asking for the multimedia 'group' as well. That would include the Sonic Digital Media LE V7 and the associated MyDVD 6.11 LE [at least that's what was on my system]. Good luck getting that as I was unable after several chat sessions. I did get a few bits-n-pieces that should work I should add, but not that 'exact' software package.

hth

Mark

 

Thanks for flushing that out Mark!

Over time I have installed several DVD codecs in an attempt to get decent DVD playback in WMP (nevermind the fact that it thinks Return of the Jedi is Star Wars: A New Hope Special Edition and messes up all the title/track listings...) and have to date not been able to make it play as well as a pure DVD product!

Regarding getting the missing bits and pieces from Dell (at least in Canada), I called Customer Care and got all the appropriate accessory CDs no problems... Only took a single call and the stuff was with me within days!

 

As stated so many other times, call Dell and request the CDs.

If you follow the Dell reformat guide posted by SouthernGirl, your laptop will function perfectly. You can get all the necessary software/drivers from Dell.

The Windows installation CD is just like any other Windows installation CD, minus the need to activate Windows and answer some questions during the install process. You will lose all of the bloatware that comes preinstalled. Any other little items will not be missed, trust me.

 

And.... you do know that if you do NOT delete the Dell partitions [Dell Utility partition ~40MB and Dell Restore partition ~4.5GB] it is VERY easy to get your system back to an 'as-delivered' state.

So given the caveats, even if things don't turn out the way you like the first time on your reinstallation, you can restore and try again to your hearts content.

I'd do all this 'testing/reinstalling' BEFORE you get too serious about actually creating files/documents, loading music, etc etc. That's because a 'Restore' will delete any data you have placed on the system and as I said, place your computer to an 'as-delivered' state. You'll even be displayed the Dell EULA and Service Tag info... just like it came out of the box....

fwiw

Mark

 

I wouldn't say using the restore partition would be easy after reinstalling Windows, since the MBR is overwritten during the reinstall which renders the restore partition useless. You can get to the restore image, but it's not something I'd recommend to a non-technical user.

 

Yes.... I stand corrected. It is not a two-keystroke operation that's for sure.!!!!

Thanks for the "Did you really mean that...." Sometimes the fingers get engaged before the 'wetware'...


Mark

ps.... But now that I do think about it... There is a way to plan ahead and 'save' your boot code and partitions. Wonder if that would be useful info or not....???? You could essentially 'undo' the overwrite of the boot record done by Microsoft ...

 

What if I just burned a copy of the DVD software and then reinstalled from that. Which is the most important one to have and what is the difference between them?

Maybe I wasn't clear. What are the "free" DVD playing/burning a[[s included with your system?(Not bloatware, but stuff that's actua;;y useful and can I burn it to a CD/DVD and reinstall after the refirmat?

By the way one reason I'd do the reinstall would be to DELETE the restore partiton(but not the diagnostics since mediadirect won't work if I did.

 

Sorry, but it won't work that way. You need the application 'Installer' which not only places the software on your hard drive, but also makes important changes to the Windows 'registry'. Both are needed to run....

The applications I listed Sonic/Cyberlink are not necessarily 'bloatware'. They are useful if you don't have or plan to load software that performs those functions. They are usually limited/lite versions of software so they are missing some features, but they do still work and perform the basic function.

If you want them, you'll need to get the CDs from Dell as that's really the only way to load them after the XP reinstall....

Mark

 

So the CD's that I could only get by request are the CD's for the DVD player/burner apps(what are they called?) and the reinstallation CD for Word etc....

Can I get these through Dell chat or do I have to do it over the phone and how hard will it be to get them to send it to you(How should I deal with their "award winning" support?)

Also, if I had XP Pro and didn't have DMX installed would that just mean that nothing would happen when I pressed the mediadirect button(just the one that launches an application not the other ones) when booted into Windows? It wouldn't have any other effect on my system?

 

Use the online chat. Have your express code handy. Just state you need the PowerDVD and Sonic installation CDs. They will send them out for free.

 

I have no personal experience, but I would think that you may get an 'error' box along the lines of "... could not find Dell Media Experience" and that would be about it.... But, I'd have to defer to someone that has actually done it....

Mark

 

Same for the Windows Apps?

Couldn't you also use your service tag? Since that's what they prompt you for on the site(I'm not sure where the express code is located.)

 

hth

Mark

 

So I should request the Sonic and Cyberlink reinstallation CDs? will they know what I mean?

 

Yep, I just did this yesterday. I did it through chat. As others have said, just say yuor reformatting and need the installation CDs.
-Tom

 

Even if I don't install it it's still free software Hopefully it'l be the same with the M$ office software.