New to Windows 7, need a little assistance.

Hi, I recently bought lenovo thinkpad T430 with windows 7, I've configured most of the basic stuff and downloaded all of the updates it told me to, I'm starting to get the hang of this version of windows, but I still want to know a few details.

First is, if I need to download video and audio codecs, like k-lite. The reason being is that I'm going to do some video editing in this computer and would also like to see movies and videos recorded from my cellphone (I use a sony ericson C510).

Also I want to install a video converter, I used to use oxelon, it had what I needed it for but would like to know if there is a better one.

I'm also installing all of my old games (some of them really old, like NBA 98), right now I've installed Midtown Madness 2 and Flight Simulator 2000, they run ok but just become "jumpy" at times and FS2000 has some problems loading textures, I know this is not a gamer pc but shouldnt this machine run them smoothly? or thats just how the games were programed?

Also how do I uninstall drivers, since I conected my cellphone via bluetooth it installed a lot of things I do not plan on using, like using the cellphone as a modem (Where I live its way to expensive to be worth it).

Thats all for now, is there any general advice about windows 7, if so please let me know.

Thanks in advance.

 

Lags->Try GameBoost and ProcessLasso...both freeware here at MG

GameBoost...suggested settings "Yes" for 3,5,6,8,9,10,14,15
ProcessLasso...From the program menu (all other setting as on install):
1. Main->Enable ProBalance
2. Main->Gaming/multimedia mode enabled
3. Options->General Settings->Recheck processes every...->250 ms

These are OS optimizers and enhancers. They do work...

Monitor your temps, especially during games to make sure you are in acceptable ranges. Google your hardware for good insights on good/best temps...

Tip: google to see how to adjust your 'Virtual Memory'. Raise it to 1.5x your RAM for the lowest setting...then 1.5x that for the highest setting. You won't use it all, but it gives your PC room to maneuver with the SWAP file...more options for data placement on the fly...

For me...temps-cores normal, temps 40-45 C, graphics slightly above normal 60-65 C (normal is 58-60) (manufacturer specs allow for a max of 95). Temps are very close to what they were without the programs...

All I can do is encourage you to try them...:major

 

You can try to uninstall drivers but every time you connect your phone it will reinstall them. The drivers will take up a minimum of room on your HDD so I wouldn't worry about it.

Majorgeeks has a number of decrapifiers. http://majorgeeks.com/PC_De-Crapifier_d5223.html being one of them but there may be better ones. That's where I'd start.

As for your games lagging, how much RAM do you have in your computer? I assume you have a 64 bit OS (based on a bit of Googling) and the graphics is integrated. So if you only have 4gb of RAM that would be the next thing I'd address. Also, when installing and running the older software I'd use compatibility mode. Either the last known version of Windows that worked or Windows XP SP2 (that's usually a good bet). http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Make-older-programs-run-in-this-version-of-Windows If the program you want to run is graphically primitive you may also try some of the other setting in the compatibility controls.

Don't mess with Codecs unless there is an actual need. One codec pack may interfere with something else. It's best to not mess with it unless you absolutely have too.

 

Thanks for the advice, my specs are:
Intel core i5 3210M 2.50GHz
4.00GB of ram
windows 7 64bit
Intel HD graphics family - Intel HD graphics 4000
1696 MB graphic memory
64 MB video memory
And 4.9 in the windows evaluation thing.

I dont think I'll be using the decrapifier just yet, but thanks for the information.

Another question would be were could I get more gadgets for the desktop, right now I'm only using one but since microsoft doesnt support gadgets for Win7 right now (at least the their webpage says so) I'm curious were could I get more, just to see if I could use any.

Another thing about the codecs, I have a couple of videos from my past computer and cannot play them in this one, so I though I might have to download some, I'm also planing on downloading realplayer and quicktime so maybe this ones might be usefull instead of the codecs?

thanks again.

 

Right now I have a gadget that looks like a speedometer that tells me how much cpu and ram the computer is using, this one came with the laptop, should I disable it?

 

Just found out something new, while trying to play microsoft flight simulator 2000 pro edition, it doesnt recognice the joystick. It's a logitech wingman extreme digital 3d, I've searched if it was compatible with windows 7 pro 64bit and it said no, the wierd thing is that I can calibrate it and use it in another flying game.

I seem to need a driver for the 64bit version since they are only 32bit versions, I've googled some but none seem official and havent downloaded them, any suggestions?

 

I found a driver update here: http://driverpacks.net/driverpacks/windows/7/x64/gaming/8.12

Is it a good idea to download the program? is there a way to check that it is not malware?

 

Two new questions: Right now Im using a dvorak layout I made with microsoft keyboard creator, the thing I'm having trouble with is that when I want to practice my speed in the game "ztype" (http://phoboslab.org/ztype/) the layout instead of being dvorak is changed back to qwerty, but only on the game. A solution I can use is to use keytweak but the problem is that I have to reset the laptop everytime I want to use a diferent layout, thing that doesnt happen if I use the microsoft one, this also happens if I try to play "typing of the dead". Is there a way to use dvorak without having to change or reset the settings? or is this just something from the games as default.

Another thing is that my laptop has 4Gb of RAM and was thinking of upgrading it to 8Gb, I dont have any issues with speed or performance but how much would the speed change if I upgrade it, or should I worry about this in maybe 3 to 4 years?

 

New question, I have a 1 month trial of microsoft office, but if I buy it it would be a license for one year and its to expensive in my opinion, so I want to try other choices, which of these do you guys think its better:
Lotus smartsuite, I have the 9.7 version disk from my old computer, but cant install it on my win7 one, so is there an alternative to this one?
Open office, I've heard that its just like office only in open software, should I give it a try? since I've never used it I dont trust it right now, so, any opinions?

 

I guess if you want to be on the cutting edge, it would have to be LibreOffice. There are somewhere around 400 developers working on the program. Now they have Intel behind the project. The developers are very accessible and there's also excellent support on the forum, since it's becoming so popular...