reformatting hard drive upon receipt of unit?

When I got my XPS 420 there wasnt as much junk as many Dell systems have notoriously had in the past.  I only un-installed a few programs, I dont think a total reformat is really worth it.

 

In the past I probably would have gone ahead and wiped like you said, however there is not all that much un-necessarily installed on the XPS 420's. 

 

Just my thoughts, John C.

-Yes, you still get actual CD/DVDs with all the software and drivers and even a clean OS installation CD/DVD. That said, Dell is by no means perfect (who is) and at times certain CD/DVDs may be accidentally excluded. If that is the case, you can generally request the system CD/DVDs be sent for free (one time is free I believe, subsequent times I think you have to pay)

 

-People have reported having issues getting the SlideShow mini-view display back to normal condition.

 

-Restoring Vista shouldn't be a big deal using the Dell OEM installation DVD. Look around this forum and you may find some tips or other info which may help.

 

-I've never known formatting a hard drive to void a warranty, but since I am not a Dell employee... I can't say for sure. That said, my XPS 720 came with the RAID-0 array messed up and the only solution was to re-create the array (which renders any existing partitions inaccessible) and thus the system HAD to be formatted. Since XPS Tech Support said they would help me through the process (not that I needed it) I would say that is anecdotal eveidence it does not void any warranties.

 

Hope this helps.

          You don't need to "reformat", just go to control panel, and uninstall the stuff you don't want, defrag, and enjoy your new machine.

however there is not all that much un-necessarily installed on the XPS 420's.

 

Agreed. I would try it first before considering a reformat/load. You are better off searching for os tweaks IMHO...  

The only third-party software I can remember being loaded were:

 

1. MS Works (which I knowingly ordered, and which could have been excluded)

2. PC-Cillin A/V (which I knowingly ordered, and which could have been excluded)

3. The Adobe suite (which of course is a great bit of software)

4. Roxio 9.1 for the XPS 420 (one of the Xcelerator-supported applications)

5. Google Toolbar and Desktop

 

In my mind, only the last one is really "junkware" or "bloatware" or whatever, and it wasn't hard to uninstall. Really, this is the first system I"ve purchased (as opposed to built myself) that I _didn't_ feel the need to start from scratch with...

I'll also chime in on the side that says the 420 really doesn't come with much bloatware already installed.

 

I'd also reccomend you just unpack your new system and enjoy it as is before you rush in to reformat and start over.

 

Yes it'll come with all the proper disks to re-install everything if you want to.

 

Keep in mind one of the basic rules...

 

if it works, don't mess with it.

 

 

If after a while , you decide that your system is a bit suggish and you think a clean install will help, then go ahead and do it.

 

Try it first as is.... you might just be surprised........

 

The other benifit to leaveing it as is at least for a while is, is gives you a chance to make sue all the various components are working properly, both hardware and software.

 

If you happen to run into something amiss and need to contact Dell support, it's to your advantage to still have the system configured/loaded as shipped. Otherwise you run the risk of the tech asking you to restore the system to original condition as a requirement of troubleshooting.

 

It's your system, it's your choice.

 

That's definitely an Adobe question. My initial reaction is that you _will_ run into some issues, because there are some common applications between them (like Version Cue). Whether the CS3 install will recognize that the Element apps are installed or not is an open question to me.

 

Note that SoundBooth is a complete CS3 application, and so it might rely on the same common applications--indicating that they're the same. Then again, it might not, since it's completely audio. But, again, yes, I ramble: definitely an Adobe question.

Thanks for all of your answers!

 

Perhaps my next question belongs more on an Adobe forum instead of here.  (Since the xps420 has the Adobe Elements suite,  I guess this question is relevant, although maybe not on this thread)

 

 

Might I run into any problems with the preinstalled Adobe Elements suite and my full Adobe CS3 suite on the same machine?

 

F.E. I'll have both Photoshop elements and the full Photoshop program installed at the same time?

 

 

Regarding the Adobe Software, you'd probably want to remove the products that came with the XPS 420 if there's that big a difference.  I'm an Adobe n00b, but the XPS 420 comes with the full version of Premiere Elements 4, Photoshop Elements 6 and Soundbooth.

I have both the Elements Suite that came pre-installed as well as Adobe Design Premium CS3.  Everything works fine.

 

-John C.

   patgee,

You will be fine. You will have no trouble with elements and CS3 installed on the same machine.