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Hi all.
Firstly I’d just like to say thanks to everyone here for their thoughts, advice and honest opinions. If it wasn’t for you lot I don’t think I would have purchased my NC10. I just have and I love it!!
I’ve done a few of the basics – ordered my 2gb RAM, removed McAffee and installed AVAST, added a couple of widgets, moved My Docs to D drive but I have a couple of questions that hopefully you can help me with.
1. I’ve seen a lot of posts saying one of the first things people have done is re-install Windows XP…Is this necessary?..I’ve personally never had any issues with XP Home (except with probs caused by SP3 update to an older laptop). Its something I’m not familiar doin and just wondered what your views were. Additionally are any of you running Vista?.Is there a big advantage to be had?
2. I’ve also installed PC Tools Spyware Doctor, which now comes with something called Registry Mechanic. Does anyone have any experience with this?…Is it more dangerous than useful. It starts up and sits in the background saying its monitoring for any changes to registry.
Are AVAST and PC Tools Spyware Doctor sufficient protection?I think thats all. I haven’t got around to updating any drivers yet but will be soon.
Thanks in advance from a very happy NC10 owner!
There is a saying – if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.
Some people prefer XP Pro while others Vista or Linux. You pay your money and take your choice. Vista is a resource hog so you will find a lot of background churning sound.
Drop the PC Tools Spyware Doctor. Be sensible in accepting dubious add-ons or toolbars or fancy dancing wallpapers, etc and you should be OK. If you like to mess around with all sort of ‘FREE’ stuffs, then Bob’s your Uncle.
I have not updated any of the drivers as mine is working very well. 🙂
[quote1235037696=EncoreMusic]1. I’ve seen a lot of posts saying one of the first things people have done is re-install Windows XP…Is this necessary?[/quote1235037696]
No it’s not necessary, the NC10 doesn’t come with much rubbish pre-installed. Unless you are experiencing problems I wouldn’t bother reinstalling.[quote1235037696=EncoreMusic]Additionally are any of you running Vista?.Is there a big advantage to be had?[/quote1235037696]
Not really, it’s a bit slower. I guess if you like the new interface that’s an advantage. Additionally Vista is more secure than XP though as long as you are careful and have a malware scanner, XP is fine.[quote1235037696=EncoreMusic]2. I’ve also installed PC Tools Spyware Doctor, which now comes with something called Registry Mechanic. Does anyone have any experience with this?…Is it more dangerous than useful. It starts up and sits in the background saying its monitoring for any changes to registry.[/quote1235037696]
I don’t like having extra things running in the background, as it slows things down on an already slow computer. Though I’ve never used PC Tools Spyware Doctor or Registry Mechanic.I’ve stuck with the original XP install and have had no problems with it. I still actually have (now expired!) McAfee running – but I really need to remove that!
I’ve been careful not to clutter up my NC10 with unnecessary things but otherwise I’ve always had great start up and shut down times without further changes.
[quote1235045638=EncoreMusic]
1. I’ve seen a lot of posts saying one of the first things people have done is re-install Windows XP…Is this necessary?.
[/quote1235045638]No it’s not necessary. The only reason I reinstalled XP on my machine was because I wanted to have one whole C: partition rather than a C: and D: partitions. But that’s personal taste…
[quote1235051495=EncoreMusic]
I’ve done a few of the basics – ordered my 2gb RAM
[/quote1235051495]
Jez has written a really useful guide to installing the 2 GB RAM chip.Make sure you keep the Samsung supplied RAM – if you subsequently have a problem with your NC10, Samsung customer services will ask you to reinstall the original memory chip.
[quote1235051495=EncoreMusic]
I’ve seen a lot of posts saying one of the first things people have done is re-install Windows XP…Is this necessary?
[/quote1235051495]
No….not necessary at all. I only reinstalled Windows XP because I wanted to remove the Recovery Partition and install Windows XP, 7 Beta, and various flavours of Linux.[quote1235051495=EncoreMusic]
I’ve also installed PC Tools Spyware Doctor, which now comes with something called Registry Mechanic. Does anyone have any experience with this?…Is it more dangerous than useful. It starts up and sits in the background saying its monitoring for any changes to registry.
Are AVAST and PC Tools Spyware Doctor sufficient protection?
[/quote1235051495]
I agree with Ysabel, I’d get ride of PC Tools Spyware Doctor. Instead, I have good experiences of both SpyBot Search & Destroy and SpywareBlaster which you may want to run alongside AVAST.[quote1235051495=EncoreMusic]
Additionally are any of you running Vista?.Is there a big advantage to be had?
[/quote1235051495]
No…too resource hungry. However, many of us are trying Windows 7 Beta which most of us have found to run well on the NC10.[quote1235052897=EncoreMusic]
I think thats all. I haven’t got around to updating any drivers yet but will be soon.
[/quote1235052897]
The latest versions of the manuals, drivers, software, and firmware can be downloaded from the SamsungPC website.Jayne, Jez, s16200, Alfihar and Ysabel – thank you all for responding so quickly!
I’ll stick with XPHome, as I’m comfortable with it.
My main widgit is Rainlender – I’m so forgetful and this little gem is proving a godsend.I am surprised re general feedback on PC Tools SpyDoctor – I only stumbled accross it when an old laptop basically died and this program saved it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not disagreeing with anyone just wondering why?….Is it system heavy ? system unsafe? etc .
Thanks again.. I’m loving my Sammy – take it everywhere. Shoul dbe getting my broadband mobie dongle next week – can’t wait.
Jayne – love ya doggie!..We got two german shephards who I think secretly hate me for buying the NC10 as I’m now spending so much time on it and not enough time playing with them!
You’re welcome 🙂
I can just imagine the look on your GSD’s faces when you get that darn computer out again……instead of taking them out for walkies!
[quote1235061000=EncoreMusic]
I am surprised re general feedback on PC Tools SpyDoctor – I only stumbled accross it when an old laptop basically died and this program saved it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not disagreeing with anyone just wondering why?….Is it system heavy ? system unsafe? etc.
[/quote1235061000]
I have no personal experience of using PC Tools Spyware Doctor, but I have used Registry Mechanic and that was poor – it kept suggesting changes to my Registry which, if I’d have applied them, would have really mucked things up. Registry Mechanic may have changed by now, but I always use CCleaner to optimise my systems.Having said all that I have just read a review of PC Tools Spyware Doctor written in June 2007 which rates the software. In this I note that PC Tools Spyware Doctor costs £29.95 for 3 computers, whereas SpyBot, SpywareBlaster, and Ccleaner are all shareware products.
So, I would like to take this opportunity to withdraw my objection to PC Tools Spyware Doctor 😉
Selecting and using software is all about finding something that works for you at a price you can afford 🙂
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