New Q210 - software installs etc

Hi guys new to the site just took the plunge with the P8400 variant my first lappy and first vista PC so I have a few questions - no doubt many more to come.

On my desk PC (XP) I've used partition magic to create partitions for the o/s, data, apps, etc and would like to do something similar with the lappy but not sure where to start due to Samsung set up, not having the os on cd - can I create additional partitions from within the os and how? Is it relatively straightforward or is it not worth the trouble and just go for a well thought out directory structure. I was told XP would work better/faster if the os was in a seperate partition but would this make any difference to vista longer term. This laptop returns great experience scores 5.2 5.9 4.4 5.1 5.3 which I understand will be impacted upon as the system gets more files on it etc

Will office XP work if I install, or should I upgrade to 2007 (already on the HD free for 90 days)or should I just download open office?

I've always used outlook as my e-mail application but am I better off with Thunderbird ?

Similalry always been a IE user but should I swap for Firefox 2008?

Also a couple of other things - the sound doesnt seem to go very loud can this be tweaked in the system somwhere and I find it annoying that when I leave the cursor over an icon it defaults to act as if clicked - can I turn this off and where from


all help and opinions appreciated


thanks guys

 

Assuming that the Q210 has the same Samsung Recovery Solution software as the NC10, then you will be given the option, on initial bootup, of choosing the size of 2 partitions. The Recovery Solution will then make an initial backup image of the C: partition and will periodically offer to make new backups. So I would start by making C: as small as needed. You can then resize D: and create additional partitions using Partition Magic or possibly Vista's own disk management. I've been a believer in separate partitions for more years than I can remember.One benefit is that you keep C: firmly rooted at the fast end of the HDD. Your last partition will have the slowest data transfer and can be for the files you access least often.

I'm not sure how well Office XP works with Vista. Office 2003 mainly works OK but, I think, Outlook has problems. Personally I loath Office 2007 because the user interface has been completely changed (plus different file types). I'll probably move to Open Office when my Office 2003 refuses to work any more.

I've not used Thunderbird but it would be worth trying.

Also try Firefox. I think you will never look back. The real strength is in the add-ons such as AdBlock Plus and FlashBlock. The former keeps out unwanted clutter while the latter stops Flash on web pages from wearing out your fan and draining the battery (see this thread).

To improve the sound go into the Realtek Sound Effect Manager (in Control Panel) and enable the equalisation, probably for Rock. Also go into the volume controls and make sure everything is at maximum except the master colume control. Also check if Samsung EDS (Enhanced Digital Sound) is running (in Samsung program folder).

For the touchpad issue, go into the mouse properties, Pointer Options, and make sure the Snap To option is not selected.

Hope this helps,

John

 

Guess the N10 is different as I cant find an equalisation option in the realtek manager - as for the snap to this is unchecked its not that the cursor snaps to a box its that if its left inadvertently on a selectable item after a few seconds it responds as if its been selected when it hasnt - if you get what I mean

 

1. I'm surprised you don't have the equalizer option. Can other Q210 / Q310 confirm?

2. It might be worth trying to (a) disable tapping then, if that stops the false clicks, increase the touch sensitivity (then try enabling tapping again, if you use it).

John

 

Anyone else please

 

Hi.

I dont know if this is the Samsung version, as i have messed about with installing audio software, but this is what i have.

See the picture, and the realtek icon in control panel.

Regards

John.

 

Cant see anything like that there is a realtek icon but only gives speaker set up option and samsung enhanced digital options

can anyone also confirm the partitioning as to which should be set the larger C; or D ? as the samsung set up says the minimum for D is 25MB but should I make this the larger and keep C: to a minimum then sub divide d - worried about messing up the mirror image which I guess is on D not c:


Also Ive heard Partition Magic wont work in Vista can anyone confirm please

thanks

 

Hi.

I actually used the Vista dvd to delete both c: and d: partitions and then recreate new ones and the size 1/3 C: and 2/3 D , the Recover partition was not affected and works fine.

Regards

John.

 

Hi.

I just installed the default Q210 sound driver from the Samsung Website and the sound options are very limited , and there is no sound equalization option, or sound styles.

If you want, you can install the Realtek driver as i did from the link below.

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads...=24&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false

Samsung driver = 17mb

Realtek driver = 26mb

Regards

John.

 

Can you confirm what size to keep C: to simply for the os and where to save the image I guess d: what exactly is the image is? Is it a full copy of the entire vista application ?

 

Hi.

It`s only the birthday image that is stored in the hidden restore partition.

If you make any other system images you can select where to store them, even to an external drive, so your C: drive is only limited to your storage space.

Also any new system images are stored in a visible directory called "SamsungRecovery"

Regards

John.

 

The image is a compressed copy of the whole C drive. You can get Vista and a few programs into 30GB.

John

 

Sorry guys but I think I'm being a bit slow here-

I've tried to create two new drives A - applications and D - Data

In doing so I couldnt shrink C (system boot -primary) to less than 126GB and I've ended up with A (primary) - 97Gb and D (logical)- 65Gb and also what looks like the back up at the front 10GB (EISA configuration but no drive letter assigment)

If from whats been said if I want C; as a system drive only then can I reset to 30GB but if so how? as I mention it wont seem to allow less than 126

Is this wrong, shouldn't the drives be shown as extended partitions - help , I'm confused and worried I've messed up

thanks guys

 

Hi.

backup your system to an external drive if you have one.

You can delete and create partition to any size you want with you Samsung Vista DVD, just boot it as if you were going to install Vista , It will come to a point were it asks you which drive you want to install Vista too, but you can delete and create partition there, just delete c and d and the re-create them to any size you want, once you have done it just reboot, do not let it install vista, and then use your recovery partition to set you system back up SIMPLE.

Regards

John.

 

SIMPLE thats what like to hear will give it a go tomorrow night-so if I'm using C for system only should I just set as 30GB and the rest as D (I'll just use directory structure for apps and data on D keep it simple is the wathcword

also will what you've described leave my trial version of Office 2007 intact on the system

thx again

 

Hi.

When you create the partitions C and D will be primary , just c is bootable, make it first and whatever is left over for D, I always have 1/3 C - 2/3 D.

The hidden recovery partition will not be show, so no chance of deleting it.

I tried using Vista to re-size the drives, it`s a waste of time.

Regards

John.