Advice on Dell Vostro 1000 due soon.

Henry Ford III

I read through a few reports on these and some of the advice given. My needs for this machine will be very basic. I use a good desktop for anything heavier duty.

I've ordered one with XP fitted instead of Vista, a better battery, DVD/CDRW Combo Drive 24X, 120gb hard drive, and basic warranty. I got a great deal on it I think.

I'll install AVG and a firewall on receipt.

Am I missing anything obvious?

Endurance Man

Ahh, not sure what you're asking? You could be missing numerous things depending on what you actually need..

Henry Ford III

I'll use it for e mail, and pretty basic net surfing and fun. No gaming, or downloading music or video.

I'm after reliabilty, simplicity, and value.

Black_Knight

Henry Ford III wrote: »

I'm after reliabilty, simplicity, and value.

Reliability of what? A Reliable/simple Internet browser (I use Firefox and have no complaints. Think its great) ? Reliable/simple Email Manager?
As for value, value in what? You've bought the laptop haven't you? Other then big software programs there isnt much to spend on anything. Browsers and email managers can be found on the net. Free and legitimate!

Endurance Man

Henry Ford III wrote: »

I'll use it for e mail, and pretty basic net surfing and fun. No gaming, or downloading music or video.

I'm after reliabilty, simplicity, and value.

Install firefox, get a yahoo mail account, never look at porn.

AlmightyCushion

Use thunderbird. It's a free mail client. It's pretty good.

Henry Ford III

I've used Firefox for years elsewhere. It's great.

Sqaull20

Endurance Man wrote: »

Install firefox, get a yahoo mail account, never look at porn.

Yep never search for porn, free mp3's, cracks etc...

Install avg, spybot, ccleaner and Ad- aware all free...

Uninstall that MCcafee crap that comes with in and disable a few off those annoying start up programs eg dell Eula...

Windows Vista firewall is perfectly adequate now, unless you have special needs...

Your quite lucky as the Vostros dont come with much Dell bloatware, lovely machines

Black_Knight

Sqaull20 wrote: »

Install avg, spybot, ccleaner and Ad- aware all free...

CCleaner and Ad-Aware, how could i forget! Great programs. Ad-aware saved my friend from reinstalling windows. CCleaner once got rid of 5 gigs of crap from my laptop. Thats nearly 10% of my HD space!

dulpit

My steps to start:

1. Uninstall any virus scanner you get (probably McAfee)
2. Download & install avast! or avg
3. Download & install adaware
4. Download & install CCleaner
5. Clear out any startup programs you can (using this site to tell you what to keep or not)
6. Download any updates from windows update
7. Download Firefox (and don't use ie)
8. If you don't have MS office or something, get openoffice.org

There's probably more, but i can't think of anything....

Henry Ford III

Cheers guys. I took the advice, all the software is in and running. laptop hooked up to the 2 wireless networks perfectly too

I know the Three mobile broadband modem has a massive thread on it already, but it looks good value. A neighbour has one and is very happy with it. Is it that bad?

Black_Knight

Henry Ford III wrote: »

I know the Three mobile broadband modem has a massive thread on it already, but it looks good value. A neighbour has one and is very happy with it. Is it that bad?

I think the thread could speak louder then any of us!

tinofapples

Henry Ford III,
What exactly did you pay for the laptop and what did you get for your money ?