Hello from a new member with a few questions

[Beatnik]

Well HELLO and ill say some things about myself and my new machine.

Anyway I just entered the world of windows 7 and 64 bit. My long used dell laptop that i had for over 10 years finally died about 2 weeks ago now. After a week I decided to purchase a Budget Friendly Laptop. Its a HP Pavilion DV7 I purchased from best buy (as i have a best buy card and not enough cash at the time) for $700.

I have been a long time Linux user (ubuntu) and now i am on windows 7. (i plan on making this machine a dual boot as i still have a love for Linux although i will be installing Ubuntu Karmic 9.10 as i don't like Lucid 10.04, i had a lot of problems with it when i installed it last and i ended up downgrading back to Karmic 9.10) I have found I like it the most out of all the windows OS's out their as the file system is the closest to Linux than any other windows OS. I like the way it uses the USER system (similar to Linux Home Directory's) So I will be wanting to use a 64 bit Version of Linux (i will most likely choose Ubuntu as i am most familiar with it. I know some hardcore Linux guys say Ubuntu is the Windows of the Linux world but I don't care what others think about such things)

Currently I am using mostly 32 bit apps although i have found several apps that are 64 bit that I am happy with. They are Halite for Torrents, and NewsBin Pro for NZB files other than that I have installed the 007 Shark codec pack and use windows media center as my main video player (i have been told media player is 32 bit and WMC is 64 bit so this is my reason for using WMC as my main video player) Other than those programs I use Firefox as my web browser (i also have 64 bit Namaroka installed but it is rarely used due to the limitations of 64 bit web browsers at this time) For burning sadly I don't know of a better program than the one that came with my Laptop (i normally never use pre-installed applications as they are usually either trials or in my case have embedded adds) which is CyberLink DVD Suite. I am currently using 64 bit Nod 32 anti-virus version 4.2.42.0 trial as i like this program but i am not willing to buy it so as of now i think i will be using Avast once the trial expires.

Does anyone Have any Application Suggestions for me? I would appreciate it especially if they are better than the ones i have listed or others i have not. I am specifically interested in anything 64 bit and a good burning application and a free anti-virus application as I need these.

Also I am looking for a TV tuner and i don't know how i want to go about it, as first IDK what tuners work well with windows 7 and if i want to use usb or my Express Card/54 slot? Any information on this would be appreciated. I am not familiar with this at all as i only have PMCIA card experience (as i had an older laptop that i had to use one for wireless internet connectivity). I plan on purchasing a tuner from either Frys or from newegg.com which ever is better. (newegg is the only site i have ever used online for purchasing hardware, i have always been satisfied with my experiences with them and since i live in southern Californian, near their distribution center is so i get quick delivery's) Although I am open to using other sites if someone would recommend one that is better than newegg.

Lastly I am using windows 7 Home Pro that came with my laptop. Normally I would format and do a clean install of the OS and then install the drivers I need. I have a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate although i am weary of doing this with this laptop as it does not come with a drivers disk all i have is 4 DVD's to return the PC to its original state with all the trial apps reinstalled. I think I will try a dual boot with Ultimate to see how hard it will be to get all the drivers i will need and what windows will already have for me. Ideally i would hope windows will have all the drivers i need but i doubt it just because nothing ever goes easily for me on the first try LOL. Any Advice on this?

Anyway I have used this site for a couple days now but have not posted, I have mainly used it to find things i need to know about windows 7 and just to check pout the dynamic of the users and i feel this is a nice place to be. So anyone feel free to tell me something about windows 7 that is important. Also NO i never Capitalize my I's IDK why i just don't and i don't bother to fix them on longer than a paragraph post.(i would though but i have never found a spell check that targets lower case "i" as a mistake so i do at least spell check to make my posts more readable. I also tend to make long posts. Sometimes i talk a lot although actually i tend to say very little.

Well if you got this far Thank you for reading my post and thank you in advance for any answers to my questions or for any tips or tricks you might want to share with me.

 

[logicearth]

...i would though but i have never found a spell check that targets lower case "i" as a mistake so i do at least spell check to make my posts more readable...

Microsoft Office Word, does when you also have grammar checking turned on...but that is not very helpful huh? No idea if OpenOffice has the same level of Spell/Grammar checks as Office does.

As for the TV tuner, USB or I assume you were referring to ExpressCard which almost all new laptops have. You probably want one that uses the ExpressCard slot, however, this is not required. There is a lot more bandwidth to ExpressCard then USB when it is used in PCI Express mode (2.5 gb/s, 480 mb/s for USB).

 

[richc46]

A Very Big Welcome To You

A free antivirus, for me there is only one. Microsoft Security Essentials, its free and made just for Windows.
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

In addition, you may want to use malwarebytes, the best malware software, in my opinion.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

In addition, I will give you a little gift, to welcome you as a new member.

http://www.sevenforums.com/software/92-free-great-programs-windows-7-a.html

 

[Kari]

First, welcome to the Seven Forums, Beatnik.

As an avid HP user & fan, I might be able to tell you quite a lot if you could please tell the exact model of your Pavilion dv7 laptop. Myself, I have two identical dv7-1199's, an HP desktop and an HP HTPC, my wife has a HDX18 laptop and an HP desktop, so I'm quite used to install, setup and find drivers for HP computers. All computers currently running Seven, me Ultimate and wife Home Premium.

To start, many Pavilion dv7 laptops have a built-in TV-tuner. Knowing the exact model of yours, we could confirm if you have one or which external would suit you best.

Kari

 

[CarlTR6]

For a good, free anti-virus, I recommend MSE. Here is my reasoning:

1. It is free
2. It is effective
3. It was designed by MS and plays very nicely with Win 7 and is not resource hungry.

Almost every other third party anti-virus, free and paid for, has caused problems on some Win 7 systems.

That said, I am using Avast free on my system with no problems.

 

[gregrocker]

Unless you use Bitlocker or want to initiate Remote Desktop or auto-sync Offline files, I would clean reinstall your licensed version with the Product Key stickered to your laptop to benefit from it's $100+ value.

You can unlock all versions in your Ultimate installer to install licensed Home Premium using this: http://lifehacker.com/5438005/eicfg...-use-any-product-key-with-your-windows-7-disc

The WIn7 installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving via Windows Updates quickly after install. Any drivers then missing can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model HP, or by backing up the Windows/System32/Drivers and /Driverstore files before wiping old install.

Any favorite apps which aren't on their Downloads webpage can be extracted from HP Recov disks using this method: http://www.sevenforums.com/installa...are-after-clean-win-7-install.html#post488270

 

[whs]

You may even use Avast and MSE together. They have been tested to work well together. WinPatrol is a program you might want to look at for additional protection. It is also handy for managing the Startup programs. For a player, VLC is always nice to have in addition. Even with Sharks codecs you cannot beat VLC. I just experienced that with .mov files from a camera.
Most important in my mind is a proper imaging strategy. After using different commercial programs before, I now settled for Free Macrium. You find my tutorial here. Nothing can protect you better than a proper imaging strategy.
If you need advice for programs in other areas, just specify the area and we will be gald to help.

 

[Kari]

or a player, VLC is always nice to have in addition. Even with Sharks codecs you cannot beat VLC. I just experienced that with .mov files from a camera.

+1. A really good player, plays whatever you throw to it.

 

[gregrocker]

You may even use Avast and MSE together. They have been tested to work well together. WinPatrol is a program you might want to look at for additional protection. It is also handy for managing the Startup programs. For a player, VLC is always nice to have in addition. Even with Sharks codecs you cannot beat VLC. I just experienced that with .mov files from a camera.
Most important in my mind is a proper imaging strategy. After using different commercial programs before, I now settled for Free Macrium. You find my tutorial here. Nothing can protect you better than a proper imaging strategy.
If you need advice for programs in other areas, just specify the area and we will be gald to help.

Is it correct that Avast Boot Scan is the deepest possible scan available as a free app? There are no services running for viruses to hide.

This makes it worthwhile to consider keeping it alongside the new favorite, MSE, however I'm not sure I would run two at once without first ruling out any performance hit.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Is it correct that Avast Boot Scan is the deepest possible scan available as a free app? There are no services running for viruses to hide.

This makes it worthwhile to consider keeping it alongside the new favorite, MSE, however I'm not sure I would run two at once without first ruling out any performance hit.

Is there a way to get the boot scan to run on 64-bit, I wanted to run an Avast boot scan the other day and I got a notice that the boot scan feature was not available for 64-bit OSs.

 

[gregrocker]

Is it correct that Avast Boot Scan is the deepest possible scan available as a free app? There are no services running for viruses to hide.

This makes it worthwhile to consider keeping it alongside the new favorite, MSE, however I'm not sure I would run two at once without first ruling out any performance hit.

Is there a way to get the boot scan to run on 64-bit, I wanted to run an Avast boot scan the other day and I got a notice that the boot scan feature was not available for 64-bit OSs.

Bummer. Didn't know this. Appears they are scrambling to compete with MSE among free customers who expand their virus net. They cut email registration but still bother users with registering online (MSE doesn't) and having to turn off annoying updated annoucement. When they become as invisible as MSE after a 30 second install, they might compete better - except that they have the boot scan on 32 bit.

But neither are as bloated as AVG became, and apparently intends to stay. Buh-bye!

 

[Beatnik]

First off thank you all for your advice!
I edited my OP to say express card (something new to me so i just typed what it said on my laptop lol)
About not using caps for "i" i normally only fix it if i am typing something formal i just wanted to say that i don't so i dont get people commenting on it is all.

Since i got several reply's telling me to use MSE for my anti-virus i will use that, thank you.

The exact model of my machine is a HP Pavilion dv7-3165dx it is VERY basic it doesn't even have blue tooth (i dont need that anyway so its ok with me)

As far as the TV tuner goes i do not want a huge dongle plugged into my USB port being a laptop I would rather use the express card as from experience large things plugged into a USB port is just too easy to break and i could leave the card in while my laptop is in my travel bag instead of removing it. just to make it easy. I checked out some Tv tuners on Newegg and here are a few of them.

• Newegg.com - Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1500 Notebook Express Card 1195 ExpressCard/54 Interface - TV Tuners & Video Devices
• Newegg.com - Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1500 Notebook Express Card 1143 Express Card/54 mm slots Interface
• Newegg.com - Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1500 Notebook Express Card MC Kit 1193 Express Card/54 mm slots Interface

• Newegg.com - Hauppauge 1192 WinTV-HVR-1950 Hybrid Video Recorder USB 2.0 Interface

They only sell Hauppauge on newegg and the last one is USB but it is used with a cable so that's OK for me i just dont want something huge sticking out of my USB ports.

IDK if i would want any of these, They all have poor user ratings.

Thank you all for what you have suggested so far.

EDIT: this reply was intended to be posted after CarlTR6's post i will edit again to a dress the rest of your posts I am SOO appreciative of how fast and how knowledgeable you guys are This is for sure going to be a daily visited site for me you guys are great!

 

[CarlTR6]

And we welcome you to the sevenforums family.

 

[kucing13]

And we welcome you to the sevenforums family.

+from here .Hello

 

[A Guy]

regarding x64 and Avast boot scan, a quote from an Avast team member:

It will be included definitely in v5.1, we're already working on it.

They are saying 5.1 will be

summer of 2010

, so...

A Guy

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

regarding x64 and Avast boot scan, a quote from an Avast team member:

It will be included definitely in v5.1, we're already working on it.

They are saying 5.1 will be

summer of 2010

, so...

A Guy

Thanks A Guy.

 

[A Guy]

Thanks A Guy.

Welcome

A Guy

 

[Beatnik]

Thank you all for the comments i am going to install MSE now instead of using nod32 untill it expires changing now will just make it easier. I used to use Spybot-S&D Malwarebites has been suggested above, Would this be recommended? Also on this note i think when Avast comes out with a version that does boot scanning then i will have to change to that.

Lastly I Plan on Doing a fresh install although i have no windows 7 disk. I will find out something. As i do need some of the hp 3rd party apps mostly the ones thats are to control the HP specific options and IDK of a better Burning program the HP OEM version of Cyberlink which works well. I have uninstalled as much HP branding software as i can without starting fresh (i do plan on doing it very soon). Sadly besides burning DVD's as backup i only have a 20 GB mini external USB HDD, Although that is enough space to store my Firefox profile, my Thunderbird profile, and anything else all of which will fit on this drive so i have no problem. I will use the resources posted above to hopefully pull the apps i want out of my Restore Partition or restore DVD's IDK how to do it yet so IDK.

Any More Tips anyone can give me? Also I have Windows 7 Home Premium I dont want to upgrade as i think i wont gain enough to spend the money to do it. I would have to be THOROUGHLY convinced. Although i wont need much convincing to use other apps epically free ones! I plan on using WMC as my main video player but i will install VLC (which i used to use on my machine With Ubuntu as my OS) as a backup if i have any issues with WMC, I Prefer WMC at the moment almost purely because of the fact it is 64Bit and i like that.

Lastly I have yet to find out if i need a new printer i currently own an HP ALL in ONE cx4400 and it is pretty old so I might have to shell out the $100 for a cannon ALL in ONE i saw at frys electronics, the cheapest "ALL in ONE" they have for sale that is marked on the box that it works with windows 7. I hope not but if it doesn't work their is nothing i know of that i can do besides getting a new one I also still plan on installing ubuntu on this machine although i dont know what method I will use.

 

[CarlTR6]

I recommend Malwarebytes over Spybot; but I have no problem with Spybot either. Malwarebytes does a good job and works well with Win 7.

I am facing the same printer dilemma you are. I am making my HP 2410 work for now. I will get something wireless ready when I upgrade.

 

[whs]

I agree with Carl. Spybot has had it's days but is no more very effective, plus it can be a pain in the neck. If you want the active supervision a la Teatimer, I suggest WinPatrol which has some other nifty features too. Malwarebytes is good but I found SuperAntiSpyware to be even better.