got a dell laptop...want to "clean it up"

By Arpit
in Hardware Hangout

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Arpit

Posted
Posted

so i got a dell laptop, it's nice and spiffy but also a bit bloated with the stuff manufacturers put on so i want to change the setup on it...basically what i want is:

2 partitions:

- windows + software/applications – dell crap/trial software

- everything else

all i see is a recovery partition but no windows CD came with it so what i'd like to know is:

- if i was to reinstall windows using the dell restore cd, would it automatically install all other crap too, or will i get some customizing option?

- if i create partitions using the disk manager, will the restore cd erase them?

- is it possible to burn the stuff in the restore partition on the hard drive then erase that partition?

all help is appreciated, thanks...

UPDATE - clean installed windows using the CD that came with dell...discovered some not-so-hot things...

- i realized that bluetooth isn't a standard feature in these laptops...something that surprises me given it's been around for years now. i struggled for an hour trying to make it work before i realized i left the option unchecked when customizing the laptop.

- my eject softkey doesn't seem to work. all others are working fine except for this one. it lights up when i click on it but it doesn't eject the cd. anybody know what's going on here?

other than that the machine has been a pretty pleasant experience so far...

UPDATE 2 - sorry about the delay in posting...

the machine is a dell studio XPS 16 with core i5 540 and the usual bells and whistles. the softkey issue was the dell quickset thing which worked swimmingly as soon as i installed the drivers (thanks plutonium). i noticed that when the speakers are turned up the sound begins to get a little distorted so i kinda wish i had gotten the bitter sound card but it's fine...

the bluetooth thing is also a bit of a stickler but not something i use actively so it doesn't bother me all that much.

current issues - when i tried to connect the laptop via HDMI to my LCD tv i get a 1" thick black border for some reason at the same resolution...how do i get rid of that?

- when connecting via remote desktop to work on my laptop, i get the same black border in my laptop in the remote desktop window and all the icons text become really really small...like i'm trying to view 1080p resolution on a 13" screen or something...

any ideas?

UPDATE 3: figured out the TV resolution thing and got the eject key to work.

new problem - my mom connects to her work machine through java remote desktop. for some reason when it loads the resolution gets messed up. i get a black border around the work desktop and the resolution becomes really large (i.e. text/icons really really small). how do i fix this? it only happens on the laptop, when we tried it through the desktop it worked swimmingly.

i know if you connect through remote desktop directly through windows you can change the resolution settings in options...but how do i do this when connecting through java app?

seriously, no one here's tried remote desktop connection through java and come across this resolution issue? c'mon people...still looking for a solution :(

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Enthusiast

SugarCain

Posted
Posted

so i got a dell laptop, it's nice and spiffy but also a bit bloated with the stuff manufacturers put on so i want to change the setup on it...basically what i want is:

2 partitions:

- windows + software/applications ? dell crap/trial software

- everything else

all i see is a recovery partition but no windows CD came with it so what i'd like to know is:

- if i was to reinstall windows using the dell restore cd, would it automatically install all other crap too, or will i get some customizing option?

- if i create partitions using the disk manager, will the restore cd erase them?

- is it possible to burn the stuff in the restore partition on the hard drive then erase that partition?

all help is appreciated, thanks...

If it's a new PC just pop the Windows disc in, format the main partition (C:) and leave the diagnostic/recovery partition alone. Install all of the other drivers and software off of the discs that came with the PC when the Windows installation is done. Might want to take an inventory of your hardware before hand and compare driver versions before you install from the driver CD.

Grand Master

still1

Posted
Posted

so i got a dell laptop, it's nice and spiffy but also a bit bloated with the stuff manufacturers put on so i want to change the setup on it...basically what i want is:

2 partitions:

- windows + software/applications ? dell crap/trial software

- everything else

all i see is a recovery partition but no windows CD came with it so what i'd like to know is:

- if i was to reinstall windows using the dell restore cd, would it automatically install all other crap too, or will i get some customizing option?

- if i create partitions using the disk manager, will the restore cd erase them?

- is it possible to burn the stuff in the restore partition on the hard drive then erase that partition?

all help is appreciated, thanks...

Use any bootable OS to partition the HD drive. if its win 7 get the product key before you reinstall...

I believe the recovery CD will reinstall all the crap you that is there now.

recovery wont erase any partition you created using disk partition...

I still have the recovery drive in my PC and have never used it so its better you back it up and release the drive for use.

Veteran

Arpit

Posted
  • Author
Posted

^ correct...and i want to know if i install windows using that CD, will it install the additional software/dell utilities and all that? i can go without all that...

it is a new laptop *forgot to mention that*...

i'm really just trying to save myself the hassle of downloading a copy of windows 7 64 bit online then formatting/installing the whole thing fresh...if i can get by using the discs i've got, i'd prefer that.

Enthusiast

SugarCain

Posted
Posted

^ correct...and i want to know if i install windows using that CD, will it install the additional software/dell utilities and all that? i can go without all that...

it is a new laptop *forgot to mention that*...

i'm really just trying to save myself the hassle of downloading a copy of windows 7 64 bit online then formatting/installing the whole thing fresh...if i can get by using the discs i've got, i'd prefer that.

If it's a new PC just pop the Windows disc in, format the main partition (C:) and leave the diagnostic/recovery partition alone. Install all of the other drivers and software off of the discs that came with the PC when the Windows installation is done. Might want to take an inventory of your hardware before hand and compare driver versions before you install from the driver CD.

Explorer

Serenity76

Posted
Posted

I say we take off, and nuke the laptop from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

Seriously though, go to the Dell website, create an account if you don't have one already, and register the service tag. Download all the current drivers for that system, save them externally somewhere, then wipe the system. Reinstall Windows, using the disk they provided and only that disk, since it's preactivated for your system. Don't use the drivers on the drivers disk, since they are woefully outdated (usually) and using that disk will require you to install more Dell garbage.

Trust me, I've done this more times than I care to remember. Oh, and the Dell Win7 install disk is essentially just a standard OEM image, with the preactivation files added in. There's no extra Dell 'magic' on the disk or anything like that, and no extra garbage.

Enthusiast

SugarCain

Posted
Posted

I say we take off, and nuke the laptop from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

Seriously though, go to the Dell website, create an account if you don't have one already, and register the service tag. Download all the current drivers for that system, save them externally somewhere, then wipe the system. Reinstall Windows, using the disk they provided and only that disk, since it's preactivated for your system. Don't use the drivers on the drivers disk, since they are woefully outdated (usually) and using that disk will require you to install more Dell garbage.

Trust me, I've done this more times than I care to remember. Oh, and the Dell Win7 install disk is essentially just a standard OEM image, with the preactivation files added in. There's no extra Dell 'magic' on the disk or anything like that, and no extra garbage.

You don't need to register the Service Tag. The drivers are available when entering the tag.

Grand Master

neo1911

Posted
Posted

so i got a dell laptop, it's nice and spiffy but also a bit bloated with the stuff manufacturers put on so i want to change the setup on it...basically what i want is:

2 partitions:

- windows + software/applications ? dell crap/trial software

- everything else

all i see is a recovery partition but no windows CD came with it so what i'd like to know is:

- if i was to reinstall windows using the dell restore cd, would it automatically install all other crap too, or will i get some customizing option?

- if i create partitions using the disk manager, will the restore cd erase them?

- is it possible to burn the stuff in the restore partition on the hard drive then erase that partition?

all help is appreciated, thanks...

Not possible to burn that recovery partition. But if you are on windows 7, go to backup and restore and create a system image. You can specify to burn it to DVDs or hard drive.

Download a clean/unmodified windows installation disc from a reliable source and burn it to DVD. It must be bootable.

Boot from it and during the initial process there would be an option to restore windows from disc image. All the data on C: would be lost. You can specify if you want to restore partitions as per the image.

Otherwise, continue with fresh install of your windows. If you use the exact windows version that came preinstalled, you can simply use the key on the back of your laptop to activate windows over phone.

Veteran

Arpit

Posted
  • Author
Posted

UPDATE - clean installed windows using the CD that came with dell...discovered some not-so-hot things...

- i realized that bluetooth isn't a standard feature in these laptops...something that surprises me given it's been around for years now. i struggled for an hour trying to make it work before i realized i left the option unchecked when customizing the laptop.

- my eject softkey doesn't seem to work. all others are working fine except for this one. it lights up when i click on it but it doesn't eject the cd. anybody know what's going on here?

other than that the machine has been a pretty pleasant experience so far...

Grand Master

kaffra

Posted
Posted

UPDATE - clean installed windows using the CD that came with dell...discovered some not-so-hot things...

- i realized that bluetooth isn't a standard feature in these laptops...something that surprises me given it's been around for years now. i struggled for an hour trying to make it work before i realized i left the option unchecked when customizing the laptop.

- my eject softkey doesn't seem to work. all others are working fine except for this one. it lights up when i click on it but it doesn't eject the cd. anybody know what's going on here?

other than that the machine has been a pretty pleasant experience so far...

i dont know about you specs other then its a new dell laptop, however with my somewhat new dell laptop, it came with the OS cd, Dell utility cd and some other cds

The OS cd is clean, and i never had to input any serial for it. However for additional drivers you can install the Dell utility cd, or better just go to the dell website, enter your tag and get the drivers for the hardware. vista drivers will work fine as well.

Veteran

Arpit

Posted
  • Author
Posted

UPDATE 2 - sorry about the delay in posting...

the machine is a dell studio XPS 16 with core i5 540 and the usual bells and whistles. the softkey issue was the dell quickset thing which worked swimmingly as soon as i installed the drivers (thanks plutonium). i noticed that when the speakers are turned up the sound begins to get a little distorted so i kinda wish i had gotten the bitter sound card but it's fine...

the bluetooth thing is also a bit of a stickler but not something i use actively so it doesn't bother me all that much.

current issues - when i tried to connect the laptop via HDMI to my LCD tv i get a 1" thick black border for some reason at the same resolution...how do i get rid of that?

- when connecting via remote desktop to work on my laptop, i get the same black border in my laptop in the remote desktop window and all the icons text become really really small...like i'm trying to view 1080p resolution on a 13" screen or something...

any ideas?

Grand Master

bjoswald

Posted
Posted

I would download and run PC Decrapifier to remove most of the trials and shareware junk, then use CCleaner to remove any of the remaining registry problems and temp. files. After that, I think I'd go to Dell's site and download the updated drivers for my system.

But, if you're the reformatting type, you could:

1.) Boot from the Windows CD and nuke your current install

2.) Install Windows to main partition (ignoring recovery partition)

3.) Install any drivers you need immediately (Ethernet, video, etc.)

4.) Windows Update

5.) Remaining drivers

That's just how I would do it, but it's up to you.

Grand Master

+jamesyfx Subscriber²

Posted
  • Subscriber²
Posted

Yup, you need the QuickSet software installed for the Eject Key to work.

As for Bluetooth, you really don't see it built into laptops these days by standard. There was a period where it was, but now.. not so much.

As for the border, try altering the resolution on the TV. You should be able to have a separate resolution for the TV.

  • 2 weeks later...
Veteran

Arpit

Posted
  • Author
Posted

UPDATE: figured out the TV resolution thing and got the eject key to work.

new problem - my mom connects to her work machine through java remote desktop. for some reason when it loads the resolution gets messed up. i get a black border around the work desktop and the resolution becomes really large (i.e. text/icons really really small). how do i fix this? it only happens on the laptop, when we tried it through the desktop it worked swimmingly.

i know if you connect through remote desktop directly through windows you can change the resolution settings in options...but how do i do this when connecting through java app?

Contributor

bastones

Posted
Posted

still looking for a solution people :(

If you change to your native resolution and text and taskbar items are still larger than usual, Dell may have changed the default DPI setting. In Windows 7, this can be changed by searching in the Control Panel for 'dpi' then selecting "Make text and other items larger or smaller". In Vista, it's Control Panel -> Appearance then Personalization -> Personalization. From the left side 'Tasks' pane, select "Adjust font size (DPI)" or just go to the Control Panel and search for Adjust font size. In XP go to Display settings in Control Panel then Settings tab. Click the Advanced button, and then choose Normal size (96 DPI).

Edit: Ignore this post, sorry I didn't read the bottom of your initial post in this thread, I thought you were referring to the resolution on your laptop itself. Sorry!

Proficient

Madoshi

Posted
Posted
- i realized that bluetooth isn't a standard feature in these laptops...something that surprises me given it's been around for years now. i struggled for an hour trying to make it work before i realized i left the option unchecked when customizing the laptop.

you could probably pick up a Dell spec Bt module off of eBay and put it in if you are up to that; you might also be able to get a Dell tech to do such an upgrade

- my eject softkey doesn't seem to work. all others are working fine except for this one. it lights up when i click on it but it doesn't eject the cd. anybody know what's going on here?

you are missing the utility that performs that function. you should check at Dell's site and look a little deeper for a hotkey utility or something similar

--

it is my experience that business-class Dell machines usually come with a clean Windows disk, a drivers disk, and a couple bundled application disks

whereas media/gaming machines tend to ship with a modified Windows disk (at least in the case of XP Media Center 2005) which does a proper fresh install but also tries to load up a ton of crap ware via script on first boot, + a drivers disk and extra app disks

...and the lowest end machines i believe just come with a harddisk imaging-type recovery disk, or nothing at all, completely relying on a hidden partition/burn yer own disks method that most other manufactures use

Dell branded disks are locked to Dell computers and use a method called System-Locked Preinstallation to automatically activate Windows. this is why you usually don't have to enter a product key when fresh installing. the disk usually works on other brand computers, such as HP or Lenovo, but when used on those machines will prompt for a product key at the end of installation just like a Windows 7 Retail disk would.

this is how most brands are in fact, but most other companies don't provide you with a proper branded Windows disk, just a image-based recovery DVD if lucky.

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