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Thread ID: 100194 2009-05-29 11:08:00 Which laptop to buy Lizard (2409) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
778033 2009-05-30 00:31:00 Just BTW are laptops now called notebooks, because everywhere I look DSE, Ascent, NL they are all called notebooks.
:)
Trev (427)
778034 2009-05-30 00:38:00 yeah they call them notebooks now because they want ppl to stop ppl putting it on their laps, burning themselves and suing... sonar (14802)
778035 2009-05-30 00:48:00 What's the deal with bundled software and operating systems. I recall that notebooks/laptops seem to come not with an OS installation disk but a recovery disk or recovery partition. What are they required to provide, and what should I look for?

Also, what's the situation with bundled software? For example, the sony vaio comes with Adobe Premiere/Photoshop elements installed - should it come with installation disks, or would we have to rely on the recovery partition?

The reason I ask this, is if we choose to format and start afresh, and there are no installation disks (just a recovery partition), it seems that we won't be able to pick and choose from the bundled software. Is that right?
Lizard (2409)
778036 2009-05-30 00:56:00 Thats right (even tho I dont have one). You should be able to make a recovery DVD (from within windows tho). They can put whatever they want on it (usually its crap / trial software, and it usually slows a system down).

I usually uninstall what you dont need / the crap not worth keeping, if someone has probs, and brings their laptop here. I dont think you can select what you want / dont want to install (If you use the recovery DVD or the partition). Well, the last laptop I fixed, it just installed everything (thats on the recovery DVD). You'll have to uninstall whatever you dont want (once you reformat / reinstall). After Windows has been installed.

Or format the whole hdd, buy a copy of windows and install it again. But, then you'll have to reinstall the drivers etc, (hopefully, they exist) so everything will work. Thats about the only good thing about the recovery DVD (and partition). It saves you reinstalling the drivers after (they install the drivers as well).
Speedy Gonzales (78)
778037 2009-05-30 00:56:00 Most software usually is preinstalled.

LOTS of it is crapware/craplets, trials etc

Most laptops these days have a recovery partition, containing an image of how it was when you first bought it. Should also come with an app to create recovery cds.

You won't be able to pick and choose, no.

Althoug some business laptops have Vista Business and XP Pro CDs bundled, and you can downgrade/upgrade whenever you want.

Blam
Blam (54)
778038 2009-05-30 02:25:00 What's the deal with bundled software and operating systems. I recall that notebooks/laptops seem to come not with an OS installation disk but a recovery disk or recovery partition. What are they required to provide, and what should I look for?

Also, what's the situation with bundled software? For example, the sony vaio comes with Adobe Premiere/Photoshop elements installed - should it come with installation disks, or would we have to rely on the recovery partition?

The reason I ask this, is if we choose to format and start afresh, and there are no installation disks (just a recovery partition), it seems that we won't be able to pick and choose from the bundled software. Is that right?

I am not sure about bundled software - you should ask.

For the recovery CD, yeah you can make your own one of course :D

What generally is provided by the manufacturer is a CD that is bootable which will wipe everything and put all the files back as they were on day 1. The installation normally does not need a Microsoft CD-Key etc... cos the recovery CD usually ties into your bios of the laptop so it cannot be used with other laptops or even the same brand but different model. Not a good idea if you wanna re-use the windows on a new PC - but that is life with laptops or brand name PCs for many of them.
Nomad (952)
778039 2009-05-30 02:26:00 Yes usually you get no say in what will be installed, cos it installs everything to as day 1 when you bought it. There is no custom install option. In my experience. Nomad (952)
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