New Dell PC _ help with backup, remove sw

Hmm_Messiah

Hi eventully getting to turn on the dell 9150 i bought few months back (exams)

Need some help with

1) back-uping the OS as of course no disks supplied, its Windows Media Center, and have dvd burner (thogh never used one yet !!!)

2) any advice re getting rid of all the junk trial programsthey give, I understand not always as easy as uninstall/or remove software. It comes with trial mcafee for example but i have the full suite, can't remove the trial version says its "in operation" even when i ensure its not in task manager


3) also need to try connect the new pc, the lappie to cable broadband, have wireless card for laptop and a d link AP, but no really clue; probably bit much to ask help step by step (in kilkenny) (yea read the guides)

cheers

8T8

1)Look for an I386 folder on the HD or scour the recovery disc for one (unlikely its not standalone and part of some image file) burn that anyway to disc or Google for some guides on creating XP install CD from I386 folder and that should get you going I believe. Download the demo version of VSO Softwares CopyToDVD it is a very simple program to use just select the kind of DVD you want and drag and drop the files into the window then select write from the action menu.

2)As for removing Dell software junk use the Dell De-Crapifier

3) Very brief guide - Google for more if you want some MS basic guides here like this one.
log on to wireless access point/router
enable WiFi
set SSID
enable auto speed, channel etc. if no auto set manually
enable WPA security & set passkey- choose a mix of numbers and letters higher & lower case for the letters of around say 12 characters

In windows let windows manage the wireless connection, it should detect the network join it and give it your pass key, that's it your done.

For additional security enable MAC filtering.

You will have have to plug your cable broadband router into the Wireless AP in order to make use of its internet connection & may need to check the settings in the AP to make sure they are set to work correctly with the cable broadband router.

Kimbot

Did you not get restore Cd's or anything??? I thought they would have to give that in case anything happened!!

irlrobins

No these days you pay 6e to get recovery CDs. What they do is provide a ghost image on a hidden partition that you can use to restore PC to factory state if needed. You access this by pressing Ctrl+ F11 at boot up.

Edit: Some Dell machines that came without Windows CD allwo you to make your own.
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=1091713

Occidental

Hmm_Messiah wrote:

2) any advice re getting rid of all the junk trial programsthey give, I understand not always as easy as uninstall/or remove software. It comes with trial mcafee for example but i have the full suite, can't remove the trial version says its "in operation" even when i ensure its not in task manager

Right click on the McAfee M in the active taskbar. Close down the individual McAfee applications and then remove as normal.

Hmm_Messiah

thans for all the replies.

will try the De-Crapifier when I get home.

bought pc mar 06 so doubt the link to backup disk will work

and have closed mcafee from taskbar, still not let me remove thro control panel, must look at again .

MunsterCycling

restart in safe mode, if not letting you uninstall then try msconfig and look for mcaffee entries and uncheck