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Brand New Hard Drive - What OS & essential programs would you install?

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by AggieDentist, May 14, 2009.

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  1. AggieDentist

    AggieDentist Member

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    i posted about a week ago about some hard drive/Windows problems i was having with my computer. thanks to those who replied with advice, but, alas, my hard drive had reached its end. i dropped it off at Best Buy, and they're gonna have it sent off to recover my data from the drive and put it on an external hd for me.

    in the meantime, i'm gonna buy a new hard drive for my laptop, and start fresh. i was planning on sticking with XP instead of finding a version of Vista. as for programs, i was planning on starting out with the following:

    - Office XP
    - Firefox
    - Adobe Acrobat Reader
    - Picasa & GIMP
    - avast antivirus
    - Windows Media Player, WinAmp, & ffdshow
    - Virtual DJ & Audacity
    - iTunes
    - Nero & IsoBurn
    - BitTorrent
    - Thunderbird

    if y'all were starting over, and wanted a PC that was (1) dependable, (2) fast, and (3) ran only the essential things you needed, what would you install on it? assume price isn't an issue b/c of money, torrents, or borrowing CDs from friends.

    some key questions:
    - should i bother to install IExplorer or GChrome?
    - should i try uTorrent instead of sticking with BitTorrent?
    - should i try ImgBurn instead of IsoBurn or sticking with Nero?
    - should i find a version of Vista, or just stick with XP?

    i know we have some real computer whizzes here on the BBS, so i realize that y'all are probably THE people to ask. thanks in advance for the advice.
     
    #1 AggieDentist, May 14, 2009
  2. BiGGieStuFF

    BiGGieStuFF Member

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    Windows 7 RC
    Firefox
    uTorrent
    TVersity
    Office 2007
    AVG Free
    AIM
    Yahoo
    LIve Messenger
    Nero
    Adobe
    Winrar

    no need to install ffdshow. Windows 7 comes with support for HD movie files which I love. No hassle with media center although I convert my MKVs to MPGs still for my PS3 and Media Center. Tversity installs it to though.

    Windows 7 RC is free and will last until April 2010 from what I've read so that's some good usage before you need to refresh everything. I usually do a refresh once a year anyway.
     
    #2 BiGGieStuFF, May 14, 2009
  3. darkwarrior

    darkwarrior Member

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    for and adobe acrobat alternative, try foxit reader. it's extremely fast and lightweight and pretty much does it's job as a pdf reader.

    http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/reader/

    I would also put vlc player on your computer incase you need to play different video formats or your codecs get messed up on your computer.

    use utorrent and stick with windows xp and i say install both nero 6 and imgburn. some things just take too long with imgburn.

    i've used avast pro but there's also a free version out of that antivirus. i recommend it. i'm current using nod32 which you should get if you can get your hands on it.
     
    #3 darkwarrior, May 14, 2009
  4. Landlord Landry

    Landlord Landry Member

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    whats your beef with Vista? I have literally zero issues with Vista.

    anyway.....

    if you use Opera, there is no need for utorrent or bittorrent. Opera has a built in torrent download manager. Plus Opera is faster and looks better than FF.

    I use Daemon tools for ISO files.

    I have never used virtual DJ, I use DeckaDance but VDJ looks pretty nice.

    Audacity sucks....look into Adobe Audition or SoundForge.

    my .02
     
    #4 Landlord Landry, May 14, 2009
  5. vinsensual

    vinsensual Member

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    -Doesn't any windows install force IE on you? Uninstall wreaks havoc i hear.
    -uTorrent is the best client out, unless you create torrents, then azureus.
    -IMGburn for iso's, Nero burning rom for everything else.
    -I also use Virtualdub for simple video editting.

    I use Opera also, but I dont like their built in client, maybe I'm old fashioned and like to have separate apps for differnt purposes. Also smaller footprint for Opera.
     
    #5 vinsensual, May 14, 2009
  6. stipendlax

    stipendlax Member

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    I haven't gotten Windows 7 RC yet. How is it thus far?
     
    #6 stipendlax, May 14, 2009
  7. BiGGieStuFF

    BiGGieStuFF Member

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    I haven't seen much of a difference from the windows 7 beta but for me it's been rock solid. CPU and memory management is more efficient it seems so my hard drive and CPU doesn't always seem like it's in use.

    I have it on my laptop and my desktop (beta) and the RC on another laptop and it's been working fine. I use it as my media center PC.
     
    #7 BiGGieStuFF, May 14, 2009
  8. Landlord Landry

    Landlord Landry Member

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    yea, if you are gonna use a seperate torrent client, utorrent is def. the lightest and fastest.

    +1.
     
    #8 Landlord Landry, May 14, 2009
  9. AggieDentist

    AggieDentist Member

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    Thanks, guys, for all of the help. I'm starting anew today. If any of the rest of you have any input, every bit is appreciated.
     
    #9 AggieDentist, May 19, 2009
  10. mnkyman

    mnkyman Member

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    I would only install 1 software for each use (in other words: only firefox, not IE...)
     
    #10 mnkyman, May 19, 2009
  11. kaleidosky

    kaleidosky Member

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    1 more for utorrent 100%.. lightest of lightweight

    I'd install both Firefox and IE.. on occasion you still hit sites than only load in IE, and it's nice to have it available for that
     
    #11 kaleidosky, May 19, 2009
  12. Harrisment

    Harrisment Member

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    Office XP is really old. Get 2007, it's awesome.

    If you have the hardware to run Vista then I say go with it. I have zero problems with Vista. I'll also agree with the others that suggested Utorrent.
     
    #12 Harrisment, May 19, 2009
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