Coping with the Compaq CQ56-115DX - Life After the NVIDIA Settlement

[ziklag]

Well ordered 8 gig of ram to match the N620 processor I am ordering. I am looking into a wireless mouse also Lonthom. I will have to check out Target . Question for any of the Tech wizards: If I am upgrading the processor was there a BIOS update I need to run it? I remember a discussion on it but have not found it. Thanks for any help.

[Deldrin]

Yeah, Vista got much better with age (and service packs), but Windows 7 is definitely lighter on it's feet. The Windows 8 beta is going to come out really soon and I'm thinking of giving that a shot. In the meantime, I made my recovery disks and now I'm going to blow the install (and all the crapware) away and install my own win 7.

I'm floored with how bad those touchpad buttons really are. Sometime down the road, I'll do what I mentioned in an earlier post and see if something can be done about that.

So now I have a fresh install of Windows 7 and wouldn't you know it, It is noticeably peppier without all that cruft from the manufacturer installed. Interestingly enough, I reran the windows index score and scored lower. I got a 4.1 before the install and a 3.6 after. It was the gaming graphics that went down. When I installed the ATI drivers, I choose not to install the catalyst software. I'll try to install it and see if that makes a difference.

[fccgrant]

Basically got mine for free. My girlfriend's sister wanted me to look at her laptop which turned out to be one of the affected units that had the bad Nvidia chip.

Not sure who thought the right/left click buttons were a good idea. Apparently someone who doesn't use those buttons!

I successfully upgraded the processor to the AMD P360. Made sense seeing that I already had an older HP computer that practically runs at the same speed as the CQ56-115DX. Haven't upgraded the memory yet but seems to run fine with the amount installed.

I can't complain too much except for the buttons.

[Mr. Fox]

The CQ56 touchpad buttons were the deal-breaker for my wife. Using the laptop as intended (on the lap, without a mouse) it's a huge issue. She absolutely loves the M5030 that replaced her CQ56. It's great to see (and hear) her so happy with her computing experience. The difference in quality between the two systems is significant.

[Wolfman-Iraq]

Those of you that want more RAM might find this useful...

Windows 7 ReadyBoost (Standard option in Windows 7)

"Want a simple way to speed up your PC?

Just plug in a USB flash drive or card and let ReadyBoost borrow it. ReadyBoost
is designed to help when your PC's memory is running low. Low memory can make your
computer sluggish because Windows, which needs a place to stash data, turns to the
hard drive. Flash memory offers a speedier alternative.

ReadyBoost works with most flash storage devices. In Windows 7, it can handle more
flash memory and even multiple devices—up to eight, for a maximum 256 gigabytes (GB)
of additional memory."


ReadyBoost - Windows 7 features - Microsoft Windows

[shinobi1]

Those of you that want more RAM might find this useful...

Windows 7 ReadyBoost (Standard option in Windows 7)

"Want a simple way to speed up your PC?

Just plug in a USB flash drive or card and let ReadyBoost borrow it. ReadyBoost
is designed to help when your PC's memory is running low. Low memory can make your
computer sluggish because Windows, which needs a place to stash data, turns to the
hard drive. Flash memory offers a speedier alternative.

ReadyBoost works with most flash storage devices. In Windows 7, it can handle more
flash memory and even multiple devices—up to eight, for a maximum 256 gigabytes (GB)
of additional memory."


ReadyBoost - Windows 7 features - Microsoft Windows

That's an eye opener for me! I messed around with RB three or four year ago before I gave up on Vista. All the laptop did was churn.

I thought RB had been discredited and done away with . . . . had no clue it was incorporated into 7. You learn something new every day, let me tell you!

[Wolfman-Iraq]

That's an eye opener for me! I messed around with RB three or four year ago before I gave up on Vista. All the laptop did was churn.

I thought RB had been discredited and done away with . . . . had no clue it was incorporated into 7. You learn something new every day, let me tell you!

Yeah, from what I have read it didn't work very well on Vista, but suppose to work on Windows 7. Just thought it might help out for those with minimal amount of ram installed.

[shinobi1]

Yeah, from what I have read it didn't work very well on Vista, but suppose to work on Windows 7. Just thought it might help out for those with minimal amount of ram installed.

Fair enough. I appreciate the post. Maybe I'll give RB a try if I ever open my CQ56-115DX (stranger things have happened).

Goodness knows I have the thumb drives! A year or so ago I picked up ten or twelve Lexar four giggers from Target during (what was at that time) a pricing snafu. Got 'em for circa three bucks and change, each. The day the Target suits caught up to that one was a sad day, but . . .

They did eventually correct their price database and . . .

It was also a good thing in a way: I'm not a seller and I was starting to wonder what I was going to do with so many drives. Still, at the same time, I was unable to resist purchase at that price.

Whenever I load an OS I save an Acronis image of the fresh load into one of the drives and, using clear carton tape, tape the thumb drive to the computer. It's a little excessive but, with so many drives, extravagance becomes a possibility.

[ziklag]

Here is a promo I got from newegg. For any one looking for memory and stuff you find a bargin before they run out of items.

Newegg.com - Summer’s End Savings: 10 exclusive coupons for up to 20% off hardware & more!

[Wolfman-Iraq]

Mr. Fox,

Seen this pic and thought of you. Feel free to use it, if you want.
http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/a...lienAvatar.jpg

Questions ??????,

What is better Full Backup or System Image?

What program is better to use to backup?

How much space is needed for the backup?

Can I put it on a Flash Drive?