I have a new Dell laptop. 8GB RAM, 750GB HD, I7 chipset (I think that is the name... supposedly state of the art for laptops you can buy in a store). Also have 1.5TB external drive that runs off USB. I asked if they (Bestbuy) would remove bloatware and all the free crap they put on there, and make a bootable recovery disk. All was YES. Got to checkout and they charged $99 for that. I said nope, not paying that. Maybe I should have! I could've sworn they did that for free when I last bought one three years ago.

There is also Macafee free security software for 1 year. I have always used AVG Free. But... now, they are suspect, as a few months ago, when I had to upgrade to the latest version, it took over my google searches and other stuff on my browser. Makes me mad!

Any recommendations for what to do on a brand new laptop?

Bill,

I thought you had a good, working laptop with Windows XP and all the software you need. If so, I wouldn't recommend upgrading to Windows7, that is unless you need to pull out some hair and purchase all new software. All the bloatware can be removed fairly easily with a free, downloadable program. I don't have the name handy, but Eddie (btweengigs) told me about it a few weeks ago. Might want to drop him an email--he's really good at this stuff.

Gary

Bill,

You may just want to keep some of the free programs that came loaded with your PC. Many are very good, so be careful what you remove. Besides, @750 GB, and all that Ram, you have mucho power to handle a few extra programs. That being said, if you still want to remove some programs or apps, Gary was probably referring to the free PC Decrapifier which will take you on a step by step process.

I purchased an HP laptop a few months ago, and kept most of the programs, but removed Norton Anti-Virus, and then downloaded and installed the excellent, free Microsoft Security Essentials

IMO, Windows7 is better than XP, and besides, support for XP will end soon, which means no new updates. Most programers have now updated their software to run smoothly on 7, and if it's a really old program, it will still most likely run in "Compatibility Mode"

PS: Don't forget the free Malwarebytes to help keep your computer clean of the "nasties".

Anyone know... I have files backed up on external hard drive and also mozy.com. If I copy files from external drive, and then download those from mozy.com, will my new laptop, Win7, figure out whichever file is newest, and not overwrite, if the newest file is already on my new hard drive? (Mozy.com backs up nightly, so, it would have newest files... ASSUMING it has been backing up all the files I thought it was.)

I assume it will prompt me before overwriting, just wanting to make sure.

Bill,

I teach computesr classes at a local college here in W. Michigan. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Windows 7, go with it. If Windows finds a duplicate filename when you are copying files it will prompt you to see if you want to overwrite.

Tom

I've got a son-in-law nearby with two university degrees and employment in computers. That's how I handle all that technical stuff. My cop-out. It works well.

Bill,
Windows 7 is just fine with a few issues related to legacy software not working. Otherwise it works great. Unfortunately, there is no good way to "sync" your old files that I know of. Windows will certainly give you the option of overwriting or keeping both copies of a file but the bottom line is I have always had to look at each file to determine which is the keeper.

Deane

Well, maybe I'm just not too smart about computers, but I would like to relate my experience from recently upgrading from Windows XP-Pro to Windows7.

My Quicken and Quickbooks programs would not load into the new PC with Windows7--totally incompatible.Consequently, I had to print out all of my Quickbooks accounts, then re-enter them into my new, Windows7 compatible Quickbooks program. With Quicken, it took three days, endless hours with tech support, hours on hold, and finally I had to download an old copy of Quicken, use it's conversion program, then convert all my files again so they would load into my new Quicken Program.

Windows7 no longer uses Outlook Express, which I was always quite happy with. Consequently, you must purchase a new copy of MS Office so you can use the NEW Windows Outlook program for your email. However, when you attempt to export your old email contacts from Outlook Express and import them into the new Outlook, it doesn't recognize the format. I did, however, find a way to copy them into a folder labeled Contacts. Big whoop--they still cannot be utilized by programs such as Incredimail, etc... You must copy the information line by line into your new Email program(s).

None of my music programs are compatible with Windows7--guess they're just too old.

My Word-Perfect 8, which I have been using for several years loaded into the PC, but with some difficulty. However, none of the address books can be exported into the NEW PC from the old XP-Pro PC. Keep getting a message about needing to select a default Email provider. I selected Outlook, but this didn't make a bit of difference.

So, lets put all this into perspective. I spent just $299 for the NEW desktop PC, got blazing fast speed, loads of pre-installed BS software that I don't want or need, then had to spend another $300 on new software so I could do my book-keeping, taxes and a small fraction of what I was doing before with the old PC.

As for the legacy program installation, well, it depends upon how old the programs you wish to install are. My old Photoshop, Print Shop, Nero-Burn, CD-Print, Acid-Pro, and a host of others will not load no matter what you do. Ain't life grand!

When I have some free time in January In intend to clean the junk out of the OLD PC, reinstall windows XP-Pro, and use it until it ultimately drops dead on the desk. I'll continue the battle with Windows7 for another couple years, doing my taxes, checking, etc..., but when the music business ends, which will happen one day in the not too distant future, I will end my relationship with computers altogether.

Sorry about the rant,

Gary

QUOTE FROM GARY:
but when the music business ends, which will happen one day in the not too distant future, I will end my relationship with computers altogether.

Gary ... no way you can do without a computer ... regardless of WHAT your music situation might be, you CAN'T leave us here !!!

Maybe I'll do something really crazy--buy a Blackberry? I think they can link up to the web, but I'm not sure.

Gary