First thing you all do when you get your new notebook

I confess I saw a thread like this over on the Dell forum (I almost ordered a Vostro 1500 but have a T61 somewhere in Alaska on its way to my front porch).
I don't want to immediately go to Microsoft Update (I got XP Professional) because I've had really bad experiences in the past with suddenly being infected with all manner of Badware while just innocently trying to "update".

So: let me know what you all do, first thing, when getting a new notebook. This is my first one and I want to do the right thing. I've got AdAware, Spybot Search and Destroy, Firefox, Spyware Blaster, AVG 7.5 and Zone Alarm downloaded to CD ready to load before I even get online.

And it's not just security items. I'll check for damage, see that I've got what I've ordered. What else?? :confused2:

 

I personally back up important files and wipe the HDD clean for an XP Clean install. If you want to do that, use the guide in my signature.

If I didn't have an XP CD though, I would've performed a custom factory restore (ThinkPads have this option) that allows you to check and uncheck the bloatware that comes along with it. It's not as thorough as a clean install, but it's better than uninstalling everything.

Oh yea, I also play some songs on the guitar for it as well.

 

Smell it.

mmmm fresh electronics

 

"smell it".. haha

give your delivery guy a big hug and scream "yes, my new toaster!"


make sure all the ports and dvd drive work.. both cds and dvds

 

Strange, yet I do it myself. Love that smell of new paint/plastic

 

You know, those mold release chemicals are not good for you, but they smell soooo goooood.

 

My routine:

1) Check hardware matches the order
2) Save screenshots of device manager
3) Download latest bios & drivers
4) Burn manufacturer's recovery discs
5) Repartition & format HD
6) Clean OS install
7) Drivers
8) Security software
9) Install essential & tested apps
10) Personalize settings, appearence, shortcuts etc.
11) Save image of the fresh install
12) Proceed to gradually ruin my perfect install
13) Repeat

Its all become second nature to seasoned windows users!

 

I reformat and then reinstall my OS and all my software

 

ha! Excellent summary.

 

I boot it and look at it and then I do a Vista backup, I shut it down and put the largest fastest possible disk in and format it. Then I put the OS, trim the bloatware and customize the system and add lots of layered products.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I've decided the first thing I'm gonna do is show my new T61 my home office, the inside of my car, maybe drive it around my neighborhood. Then...

I hear a lot about doing "clean reinstalls" right away. It's clear you all are more savvy about this than I am and I would really like to just accept the T61 as it comes and work from there. Do you just hate the software it comes loaded with? I'd have thought the T61 would have more business-oriented stuff pre-loaded that might even be beneficial. Does it just run like a tired dog unless a clean reinstall is done?

And can I assume that the XP Professional I ordered will already have SP2?

 

It doesn't run slow by default. It's a good system all around. You don't necessarily have to do a clean install, don't think that is mandatory at all. It does come with crud like a couple trialware. That is why I recommended the custom factory restore, which presents you with a list and you check what you want or dont want.

Once you get your system and maybe play with it a bit. Restart and hit the blue button when you see that ThinkPad boot up screen. Just follow the instructions to perform a custom install.

All XP Professional OSes have SP2, yes.

 

Easy.. Install Ubuntu. What else do you need?

 

remove the stickers

 

Damn! This thread is tempting me to the extreme! Can't wait for my FIRST laptop.... to be ordered

 

-Remove Symantec Crap
-Remove All other Bloatware
-Remove Stickers
-Smell It Good And Long
-Make Toast
-Eat Toast
-Burn XP Backup Discs

 

when I got my dv6113us, which was my first laptop, I stayed up the whole night messing with it. Then the constant overheating problem occurred. Now, it's like crap to me. I only paid about $550 so I guess I got what I paid for. My next one will definitely be a thinkpad

 

For me, it would be powering on the beast.

But I like the checklist that was presented earlier.

 

Don't forget to come by here and update your laptop in your profile. Gotta let folks now you got a new one!!!

 

I mostly post on mountain bike forums (my username should tell you something!) so this is pretty new to me posting on a notebook forum. First impressions:

I have nothing to compare my new T61 to except my desktop but here goes--it seems to be really well built. It has no creaking anywhere, it's extremely quiet, the keyboard is great, the screen almost seems brighter than my Dell 19" LCD (BTW--in Hardware ID it says LEN4050--LG or Samsung??)

I spent most of today downloading updates (I've already done this on my desktop; it's amazing how many updates are required on a new computer's pre-installed software. I tried using the trackpad exclusively 'till I realized there was no way I'd get along without a mouse. I mean, if I was on a plane and just had to navigate around and all's I had was a touchpad I'd be as happy as a puppy rolling in s***, but I'm a mouse person, so that's how it's gonna be (Logitech V320).

I got a lot of advice on how to approach my new T61, but I defaulted to going into Add/Remove programs, something I'm used to, to get rid of some bloatware, like trial versions of software like Office 2007 (I'm going to load my own 2003), Diskeeper (may be a great program but I just defrag with the XP utility), there were others but it's just a blur now. No backups done yet.

I unplugged the power while doing errands (battery at 100%) and two hours later I checked and it read 35% (!). All this battery operated computer stuff is also new to me but I bet those of you who depend on your notebooks have a backup battery at all times on a trip. Plugged in, it's back to 92% after about an hour, which is a good thing. I reset the default Battery Management (?) parameters to: start charging at 70% and quit at 95%.

Anyway, I've just tried to use this new notebook instead of my desktop and so far it's pretty cool. I love the keyboard, which is why I chose a Lenovo over other brands (reputation is everything), but I have to ask: how many of you out there don't use a mouse? I'll post my configuration some other time, but I will say that I have a T8300. For those of you who wonder if it's really worth it to go Penryn (I have no opinion) I just read an article that's posted on the Notebookreview Home page of reviews comparing ALL Centrinos (I tried to link it but failed miserably). Later.

 

I have an external mouse that I sometimes utilize but generally I just use the TrackPoint when I am on the move. You will get used to it trust me!

 

Im not sure if I want to try the whole clean install , so would it be ok to just go to the control panel>add/remove programs, and delete those trialware.
would that help clean my system out?

 

A custom install is not the same as a clean install, if you want to do the add/remove method, that's fine too. Do what ever suits you.

I just recommend the custom install so the programs don't get into the OS in the first place, which leaves no registry entries and leftovers.