Why are so many people doping fressh XP installs on XPS gen2?

The add/remove might not remove it all (registry keys) ect...

I have the 9300 and a copy of XP Pro. Since we are forced to buy a copy of XP, I went with home to save a few dollars and just installed my copy of xp pro.

Out of the Box from Dell = 50- 70 running processes

Clean install with no Dell crap = 16 - 20 running processes

You decided what you like better.

That is an easier but definitely not a wiser option. Personally, I format the hard disk and install Linux and Win2000.

Nope. There are registry tweaks and system optimizations that I've been using for years which are incompatible with some of Dell's Crap...I load settings from my main system each time I get a new one (after a fresh install, of course)...and there is nothing unsafe about obliterating partitions full of data, reformating and reinstalling an OS...though, i guess on reflection it SOUNDS unsafe...unless you're a complete novice and don't know jack about computers/windows/etc. (It's okay if you are...there's nothing wrong with ignorance and I'm not ripping on people who have lives or anything...you can always read and become an expert!) ...plus, you don't know where all Dell's stuff is hidden, anyways...i would rather put the machine's OS and partition tables together myself so I know exactly what's on there...

meh...

This argument goes beyond just the processes and "rubbish" software.

It is about control, you control what is or what isn't on the machine.

If there is a problem, you at least have an idea of what may be a cause.

Bingo!

One thing that bugs me about my fresh install is when you hold in the play button for 5 seconds a pop up windows informs me I don't have the "Dell Media Experience" installed. Anyone have a utility to take its place? I'd like to be able to hold it in for 5 seconds and have it launch PowerDVD.

I believe what you are looking for is the Dell Media Direct software. I haven't tested it yet, since I don't get to unbox my XPS2 until tomorrow, but I think that's the utility that is tied to the button. It's on the Dell support site.

One of the reasons why I go with Dell is because their systems are SO easy to re-format and install all device drivers. I can see how it may seem a little intimidating to someone who is not familiar with the process, but after a while - it becomes second nature (and it's the first thing I do when getting a new system).

Doing a 'clean' install of XP boosts performance tremendously while ridding of all that crap Dell loads on there. Using Add/Remove will free up some hard drive space, but you'll be left with remnants of things here and there and a somewhat dirty registry (at least in my anal mind).

IMHO, doing a re-format/clean XP load actually takes less time and thought over handpicking things you don't want and need and or tweaking the system in the process. There is a thread somewhere with an alternative to reformatting and when I read through it, I hasd to ask why anyone would want to go through all that instead of a nice, easy, smooth, clean XP install?

VAIO's and ThinkPad's on the other hand are a different story. IBM and Sony love to load lots of proprietary CrapWare on their portables leaving you at an unorganized website wondering which driver will work and in what order they should be installed. I've done it successfully on both company's hardware several times, but it's definitely more time consuming than it needs to be.

You need your own copy of XP to do a fresh install? or can you load the OS system with the recovery cd if thats what you get then select which apps you would also like to install?

you can use the copy that dell sends you, or you can use your own if you have one.

just a quick question on the side... why does the copy that dell sends you NOT ask for a cdkey? does it not need a cdkey, or is it made so it will only work with a certain comptuer (ex: I9300)?

I'm pretty sure it will only work for your 9300, but it would be nice if you could use it elsewhere seeing as I paid $70 for something I'll never use.

I believe it actually will work on a different computer. You just have to get the key from your service tag.

I believe that the copy that Dell sends has a lot of extra crap in it, does it not?

If so, it would be better to use a regular Windows XP cd.

The Dell disks only work computers that report themselves as Dell in the Hardware.

No, Dell's XP discs are clean and contain only XP.

And yes, as long as it's a Dell notebook, an XP CD from one Inspiron will work in another, etc. There is no CD Key or Activation (at least never had a problem on my end).

I think Im going to do a clean install when I get my lappy back (depending on screen quality if I keep it or not). But Im a software noob so Im gonna need help doing it.

Awesome, thanks for the quick response guys.

I just found it odd that after formatting and installing I didn't get any requests for a cd key or windows activation.

It's really easy to do a clean installation, and you don't even have to mess with downloading drivers from Dell's site. The resource CD Dell sends has all the drivers you need and makes them very easy to install. I'll definitely be doing clean installs on all machines I get in the future.