So I have some questions regarding preload software.

[i-SnipeZ]

Im just curious about some of the preload stuff Lenovo loads on to the computer.

Diskeeper:

Does it slow down you're computer much?

Is it much better than the built in degragmenter in Windows?

I like its analyze feature but I dont like its schedualing. Id just like to run it when I tell it too, but it requires a schedule.

PC-Doctor 5:

Is it reliable?

Access Connections:

Is there any real benefit over just using the built in Windows one?


Thank you if you take the time to answer my questions, im just trying to free up some hard drive room as well as make Vista as painless as possible considering im a Linux and Windows 2000 veteran.

[ZaZ]

I don't use Diskeeper or Access Connections, which hasn't been a problem for me. PC-Doctor can be useful if you're having issues, but you could install it when the need requires.

[archer6]

<snip> Diskeeper: Does it slow down you're computer much? Is it much better than the built in degragmenter in Windows?

PC-Doctor 5: Is it reliable?

Access Connections: Is there any real benefit over just using the built in Windows one?

Diskeeper in my experience does a more thorough, faster job of defragmenting. If you look closely you will find there is also a manual mode, this is what I use. Not the scheduled mode.

PC Doctor is quite useful and reliable.

Access Connections is useful, however you will see many discussions about it as some people do not like it. Just my personal opinion but I think those that do not, have not learned how to use it properly. It's quite useful if you have many different connection requirements. Work networks, home network, public wifi networks etc. That said, I've always used Windows to manage my WiFi networks as that is all I use. I have WiFi at work/home/starbucks etc. therefore I have no need for Access Connections.

Hope this feedback is of help to you.

Cheers...

[jdhurst]

I use Access Connections (Latest Vista version) all the time and it does not cause me any problems. You do need to look through ALL the settings though. Set power managment to Maximum Performance and set Location Switching to not check through all the profiles you don't use come to mind. These two in particular must be set with each new profile (Forgot that, didn't you )

If you want efficient disk defragging, uninstall Diskeeper and purchase Perfect Disk 10. Vastly superior.
... JDH

[Anno]

Lenovo toolbox hasn't slowed my laptop down at all, and it's nice to check your system's status, plus to edit settings. Concerning Access Connections: it is a 100 times better designed than Vista's own wireless manager, much easier to keep track of your saved networks and to edit them. This is especially a good thing if you move your laptop around to a lot of WiFi spots or wire-connection areas, Access Connections does a much better job than Windows' own - Just remember to download the latest Access Connections 5 (Version 5.20) if I'm not mistaken

[archer6]

<snip> If you want efficient disk defragging, uninstall Diskeeper and purchase Perfect Disk 10. Vastly superior.... JDH

Excellent tip... Thanks! I had not heard of this utility. I'm always ready for a better defrag utility so it's Perfect Disk 10 for me.

Cheers...

[by the way as I'm sure you've noticed, I've borrowed your great idea of using <snip> I hope you don't mind.. ]

[Marin85]

I found the built-in defrag engine of Vista to do pretty good work. Not so in XP. Under XP I used to use Perfect Disk though (instead of Diskeeper), indeed excellent piece of software, so +1 vote for Perfect Disk 10.

[archer6]

<snip> Under XP I used to use Perfect Disk though (instead of Diskeeper), indeed excellent piece of software, so +1 vote for Perfect Disk 10.

How is it from a speed standpoint, does it take about as long as Diskeeper?

[jdhurst]

PD10 (or PD8 for that matter) can defrag a disk in about 10 minutes if you run it regularly. It runs silently and effortlessly while doing other things. It *does* use the disk (of course), so you notice that when open an application, but generally I don't notice it. I used to defrag daily, but that is overkill. Now I defrag on Monday mornings at 10:30am. .... JDH

[archer6]

Excellent feedback JD, Thanks...