SRL Archive - General

I just got a HP Pavilion dv6-7005sp. It's my new laptop for college, internet, multimedia and some photoshop. So my question is… What now? What should I do to maintain the battery life (such as removing it if using the laptop on the desk for a lot of time)?
About Anti-virus I bought Kaspersky Internet Security (for 1 year), then ESET Smart Security all the way. Idk if I should install any Spyware or stuff like that, or if Windows Defender/Firewall is enough.
Google Chrome, Revo Uninstaller, WinRar, BS Player (don't know if I install BS Player and VLC) besides WMP, Speccy, uTorrent
Which Microsoft Office version should I download? (Buying Office isn't an option)
Won't install any games on it, it will be free of those things that harm RAM, CPU and the Graphic Card.
Won't install MSN Messenger, Skype maybe (but not right now)
Should I install other applications? And maybe some tips about Windows 7 cause I just switched from Windows Vista, or anything else you think I should know about "after acquiring a new laptop".

You have to realise that a laptop is a product that you use, and something that you use can't last forever. To maintain a good battery life, always unplug your laptop when it's fully charged and try not to charge it when it isn't really needed yet. At the start you should let it drain to 0% and then charge it to full, and repeat that process a couple times.

I personally bought Microsoft Office 2010 for €19 because I'm a student, you should probably be able to buy it for a price like that aswell. Definately worth it! But yeah you can just download it. I like to have a legit version if Windows & Office because those two are extremely important for me :P

you seem to already have a pretty good idea by the looks of ur first post. thou personally ccleaner is a must for me

http://ninite.com/

Use this. First site I go to when I setup a computer.

From: Kyle Undefined
http://ninite.com/

Use this. First site I go to when I setup a computer.

Wow, that seems really useful!

Ontopic: I personally remove ALL of the programs that come pre-installed in a new laptop, like when I bought mine it came with a free 2010 microsoft office. It was better for me to uninstall it and install the 2007 version I had so that I made sure I had everything.

Uninstall extra media stuff and antivirus stuff and make sure you install your own. The stuff that comes included with the laptop is either bloatware or is there to make you purchase more programs from the laptop provider.

Sometimes it might just be easier to format the entirety of the drive and reinstall it with the OS of your choice (as long as the hardware is compatible with that OS, like as far as I know, newer RAM cannot work with an older version of Windows XP for some reason).

You should install antivirus/spyware stuff like Malwarebytes + Microsoft Security Essentials (Don't bother with windows defender).

E: It seems you actually bought a decent laptop, if that's the case you should use it for what it's main purpose would be. Like according to the spec I looked up it has an i7 with 8gb of Ram with an nVidia 630 graphics card. That is PLENTY to play most games. You just want to avoid using only the dedicated graphics card as it will shorten battery life significantly + cause excessive heat.

I should buy a back-up battery now that my pc is still in stores.
I think everyone should :P

If you recharge your battery before it's empty (ie. 60%) all the time, battery life will decrease significantly. Not much you can do other than that. Removing the battery when it's full and plugged in to a power source is just dumb, because nothing happens to it. I would make it into a linux dual-boot if I were you, just in case some weird thing happens to Windows.

Not installing games because it uses the hardware is also stupid, as JJ said a computer is something you use. Your call anyway.

I have my Laptop plugged in forever. e.e
Never take it off the charger, because it only gets a 45 minute - 1 1/2 hour batteryspan.

From: NKN
I have my Laptop plugged in forever. e.e
Never take it off the charger, because it only gets a 45 minute - 1 1/2 hour batteryspan.

Mine has a 6 hour battery and I always leave it plugged in. Figured Dell will have to replace it if I break it within my 3 year warranty :garfield:

Thank you Kyle Undefined for the link, very helful indeed, and the software is updated, which is nice :)

From: Hazzah
Uninstall extra media stuff and antivirus stuff and make sure you install your own. The stuff that comes included with the laptop is either bloatware or is there to make you purchase more programs from the laptop provider.
I have the 60 days free Norton (which is crap, same as AVG, having it or not having any Anti-virus is the same), which I'm in doubt if uninstall right now or let the 60 days pass, since I bought the Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 (1 year license - and after that, ESET Smart Security all the way)

Sometimes it might just be easier to format the entirety of the drive and reinstall it with the OS of your choice (as long as the hardware is compatible with that OS, like as far as I know, newer RAM cannot work with an older version of Windows XP for some reason).

You should install antivirus/spyware stuff like Malwarebytes + Microsoft Security Essentials (Don't bother with windows defender).
I will install this (after or not, the 60 days of Norton): http://www.kaspersky.com/kaspersky_internet_security
Should I still install Malwarebytes and Microsoft Essentials?

E: It seems you actually bought a decent laptop, if that's the case you should use it for what it's main purpose would be. Like according to the spec I looked up it has an i7 with 8gb of Ram with an nVidia 630 graphics card. That is PLENTY to play most games. You just want to avoid using only the dedicated graphics card as it will shorten battery life significantly + cause excessive heat.
How do I do that?

I have the 60 days free Norton (which is crap, same as AVG, having it or not having any Anti-virus is the same), which I'm in doubt if uninstall right now or let the 60 days pass, since I bought the Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 (1 year license - and after that, ESET Smart Security all the way)

—-Uninstall Norton if you can, it's crap.

I will install this (after or not, the 60 days of Norton): http://www.kaspersky.com/kaspersky_internet_security
Should I still install Malwarebytes and Microsoft Essentials?

Install both of them and uninstall Norton.

How do I do that?

It should already do it but you can set the programs you want it to use if you go to the the start menu, search nvidia and click on the nvidia control panel. Look through there and you should see a spot to "Manage 3D settings". Then click "Program Settings" and select programs and set them to what you want them to be.

I've actually never heard about Microsoft Security Essentials, what is it? Is this efficient?
I always thought Microsoft was kinda delayed at developing good Security Software

From: YesMan
I've actually never heard about Microsoft Security Essentials, what is it? Is this efficient?
I always thought Microsoft was kinda delayed at developing good Security Software

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Security_Essentials

I think it works wonders. Scans all incoming files and can be set up to automate spyware testing. It updates with Windows Updates + can be updated on it's own. Just a generally useful program.

http://villavu.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76854&highlight=Microsoft+Security+Essentials

That may help you as well.