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Kinky-Chinky

Hi,

was considering erasing everything from my new S1XP and re-installing Win XP OS from fresh.

Is it advisable and easy to complete. What should I lookout for?

Reason for doing this is to erase the amount of pre-installed software which I do not require.

Any advice, previous experiences gratefully received

TygerTyger

Can't you just uninstall the things you don't need? It's advisable to do it Sony's way as they include quite a few little features on their disc that may cause you problems later on.

Kinky-Chinky

Can do, but worried about all the clutter that might be left behind that might affect the stability or effectiveness of the OS and future software I install.

I have uninstalled the WinDVD player and MS Works 7 without probs so far.

The main reason for uninstalling most of the software is that I want to install the same software that I use on my desktop like Nero Burning Rom, InCD, WinAmp and a host of others.

TygerTyger

there are ways and means to clean up afterwards, registry cleaners are good 4 that sort of thing if u know what ur doing. Something along the lines of Nortons Cleansweep being installed before you install other programs is a good way also to clean up afterwards.

You have to be careful when you're cleaning up though, as Sony embed some things in with their installation. WinDVD for instance has DVD codecs inside. You should be ok but if it was never installed you may have trouble playing DVDs and so on.

It's very hit and miss, unfortunately upgradablilty and customisation are made fairly tricky.

Webbo_UK

I received my S1XP last week, I immediately binned the bloated Sony build ( no offence, great machine, but all this software ??).

I installed a clean slipstreamed XP SP2 build without any issues. ( Make sure you have the driver (and utility) package for the S1 available on the second partition first, makes life a lot easier post XP install)

I installed the drivers / utilties i wanted (Display, Network, Power management)

Thats not a recommendation, nor a guarantee of trouble free installation, just my personal experience

Regards

kee-lo_

Thats good news webbo

Kinky-Chinky

Webbo_UK, did you run the laptop pre the fresh XP install to see if there was any noticable improvements?

Also where did you get the necessary driver and utilities from?

All I got with my laptop were the 2 recovery discs. Will I be able to get them from there or will I need to download them from Sony Support.

Which one's are necessary and which can be left out ie what have you gone for?

I'm fairly comp lit but this is my first venture into owning a laptop.

Thanks.

PS. The main use for my laptop will be to play various types of media (DVD, CD) but will also be used for typing the odd document, scheduling and various other office apps. I don't anticipate playing games on this machine or manipulating images.

Thanks again.