Comments on: New PC Slower Than the Old One? Could it Be All that Pre-installed Software? http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/3117 Independent Tech News and Product Reviews from former VP and head of CNET.com and Longtime Computer Shopper Columnist, Alice Hill author of the popular "Hard Edge" column. Originally named AliceandBill.com. Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:13:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: John Corliss http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/3117#comment-32163 Fri, 02 Jun 2006 13:40:32 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/3117#comment-32163 The big problem with a lot of computers is that they're still going the old "Restore Disc" original hard drive image route, which means that you can't install your OS, drivers and software individually. Before I buy a computer, I always ask if it comes with separate discs for each of those. If not, I move on to another vendor. Once I get the computer, the very first thing I do is to format the drive and start from scratch. That way, it's what I want... not what the vendor wants me to have. The big problem with a lot of computers is that they’re still going the old “Restore Disc” original hard drive image route, which means that you can’t install your OS, drivers and software individually. Before I buy a computer, I always ask if it comes with separate discs for each of those. If not, I move on to another vendor.
Once I get the computer, the very first thing I do is to format the drive and start from scratch. That way, it’s what I want… not what the vendor wants me to have.

]]> by: ed3 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/3117#comment-32150 Fri, 02 Jun 2006 12:56:46 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/3117#comment-32150 My knee jerk reaction is also to wipe the machine and start from scratch... It's very easy to do in a corporate environment where you have all the resources you need. But what about the home user?? Not every pre-built home system comes with the necessary media to reinstall. How many home users actually spend the extra $50 for the OS media option?? In many cases all the Dell/HP/Gateway provides is a preconfigured disk image with all the crud already installed. You end you up right where you started from. My knee jerk reaction is also to wipe the machine and start from scratch… It’s very easy to do in a corporate environment where you have all the resources you need. But what about the home user??

Not every pre-built home system comes with the necessary media to reinstall. How many home users actually spend the extra $50 for the OS media option?? In many cases all the Dell/HP/Gateway provides is a preconfigured disk image with all the crud already installed. You end you up right where you started from.

]]> by: John http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/3117#comment-32093 Fri, 02 Jun 2006 05:31:03 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/3117#comment-32093 I just build my own computers.....Then I get exactly what I want.... I just build my own computers…..Then I get exactly what I want….

]]> by: Mr_Flesh http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/3117#comment-32076 Fri, 02 Jun 2006 03:12:30 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/3117#comment-32076 I usually just wipe and reinstall OS. There's nothing on a computer I want when I pull a computer out of the box. And who knows what they've made the default settings. I usually just wipe and reinstall OS. There’s nothing on a computer I want when I pull a computer out of the box. And who knows what they’ve made the default settings.

]]> by: geekybob http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/3117#comment-32026 Thu, 01 Jun 2006 22:32:51 +0000 http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/3117#comment-32026 I designed images for Dell and HP/Compaq PC's in corporate enviromnents, so I always repartition and rebuild a new PC (after capturing the OEM image, of course). I use Ghost Explorer to recover any files I may need from the image. Exception: Media Center PCs. I leave them alone. It's bad luck to mess with them: even updating the drivers can make them go all loopy on you. Another exception: a 17" widescreen HP laptop I bought two weeks ago for my stepson. This thing had so many hardware & software bells and whistles that I would have needed all day to re-create them on a fresh build. I stripped off the junk and sent it on its way... I can always whack it later! I designed images for Dell and HP/Compaq PC’s in corporate enviromnents, so I always repartition and rebuild a new PC (after capturing the OEM image, of course). I use Ghost Explorer to recover any files I may need from the image.

Exception: Media Center PCs. I leave them alone. It’s bad luck to mess with them: even updating the drivers can make them go all loopy on you.

Another exception: a 17″ widescreen HP laptop I bought two weeks ago for my stepson. This thing had so many hardware & software bells and whistles that I would have needed all day to re-create them on a fresh build. I stripped off the junk and sent it on its way… I can always whack it later!

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