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Need advice on reformatting computer and installing XP O/S from our resident geeks.
Frys electronics ^
| July 30, 2004
| wildbill
Posted on 07/30/2004 6:33:12 PM PDT by wildbill
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I know some of you super-geeks out there can help.
1
posted on
07/30/2004 6:33:15 PM PDT
by
wildbill
To: wildbill
sorry I can't help...except to bump for publicity...
2
posted on
07/30/2004 6:34:46 PM PDT
by
VOA
To: wildbill
I'd make sure you had any HD drivers available for the HD (on floppy). You may need them. Other than that, make sure you can boot off the CD, reboot and follow the prompts...
3
posted on
07/30/2004 6:37:22 PM PDT
by
TomServo
("I'm so upset that I'll binge on a Saltine.")
To: wildbill
There shouldn't be any trouble at all, apart from the fact that your RAM is pretty weak. I'd get at least another 128 MB if I were you. Install XP from the bootable CD if you can, and re-format the drive in NTFS.
4
posted on
07/30/2004 6:38:14 PM PDT
by
Mr Ramsbotham
("This house is sho' gone crazy!")
To: Mr Ramsbotham
And choose the option, 'Quick Format'
5
posted on
07/30/2004 6:39:28 PM PDT
by
TomServo
("I'm so upset that I'll binge on a Saltine.")
To: wildbill
128 ram won't work from what I understand-- need minimum of 256- 512 better.
6
posted on
07/30/2004 6:39:28 PM PDT
by
Mark
(Treason doth never prosper, for if it prosper, NONE DARE CALL IT TREASON.)
To: wildbill
I run both Linux and Windows here, so have no axe to grind. If a person that age will be starting fresh, are you sure you want to remove Lindows? Yes, it might be a clunky neither fish-nor-fowl, but for email and word processing and maybe a database, why bother stripping it and installing one or the other...Unless she wants to be a Power Gamer, or intends to do heavy Photoshopping.
7
posted on
07/30/2004 6:39:49 PM PDT
by
Gorzaloon
(It's OVER. They have all left Boston. Back to Hell, Hollywood, and Moscow, where they belong.)
To: Mark
Here. Although bumping it wouldn't hurt a bit.
8
posted on
07/30/2004 6:40:44 PM PDT
by
TomServo
("I'm so upset that I'll binge on a Saltine.")
To: Mr Ramsbotham
I'll second that sentiment - more RAM is Real Good Idea (TM) unless you have a fetish for page faults. ;-)
9
posted on
07/30/2004 6:44:35 PM PDT
by
Slings and Arrows
('Hey, maybe "Jihadists For Kerry" is what "JFK" really stands for.' --Blood of Tyrants)
To: wildbill
You'll need more than 128mram for XP. It takes 110mRam just to boot up. It needs around 512 or something near that.
10
posted on
07/30/2004 6:46:49 PM PDT
by
mlbford2
(Sorry for spelling errors, I'm a product of a state university)
To: wildbill
You'll have no prob. I like to clean with gateways GWSCAN program and write zeroes to the drive first.
To: wildbill
Oh, and if you get ram, go to www.crucial.com and put in the system type and it will bring up what you need.
To: RedBloodedAmerican
Also go to PNY.com and then click configurator. Help you decide what chip PC100, 110 etc.
13
posted on
07/30/2004 6:50:11 PM PDT
by
mlbford2
(Sorry for spelling errors, I'm a product of a state university)
To: wildbill
On any newer system you shouldn't have any problems using XP.
128 MB or RAM isn't enough for XP. It will run very poorly. And I do mean very poorly. The installation and everything that follows will go much quicker and smoother if you add another 128 MB before you start.
If this computer is going to be on the Internet, as soon as you get it online, start Windows Update and download all the service patches and security updates. The machine is vulnerable to attack until this is completed.
If you have high speed Internet access, use it to do the updates even if it is going to be using dialup access later. Otherwise it will take hours to complete.
14
posted on
07/30/2004 6:52:07 PM PDT
by
DB
(©)
To: mlbford2
Personally, I have had problems with PNY memory sticks (bad ram), but never crucial.
To: DB
I am on a 14.4 modem. Will that work?
To: wildbill
Your first mistake was purchasing ANYTHING from Fry's...all hope is lost abandon ship
17
posted on
07/30/2004 6:57:11 PM PDT
by
jnarcus
To: wildbill
Well first, Microsoft is the devil incarnate. And Macs, only Communists and Michael Moore fans use them. Now let me tell you about this new 3-D holographic monitor I got my grandma, who's also 82.
Kidding, let me tell you this, To run XP, Internet Explorer, Norton anti-virus, and Zone Alarm, assuming your mom will be surfing the net a little, take 242 MBs of RAM, with only 2 IE windows open. That's completely stripped of all other programs except her modem program, also necessary. Without an email program open.
Going to crucial.com for memory is the easiest way to go, and priced competitively to boot.
To: wildbill
I completely reformatted my husband's gateway and reinstalled Windows XP. The only problem I had was getting the correct drivers. This may have been just a Gateway problem, but I would definitely back up your hardware drivers first on a floppy disk.
Good luck!
19
posted on
07/30/2004 6:59:22 PM PDT
by
Not A Snowbird
(Official RKBA Landscaper and Arborist, Duchess of Green Leafy Things)
To: wildbill
Where are you going to get XP? If you try to install your copy, you may run into problems with WPA (Windows Product Activation).
The Full Version of XP Home is $179 at Staples. You may be able to get it cheaper elsewhere, but let's say its $179. So now you are spending $179 for the PC and $179 for XP, totaling $358. You're nearing the price of a new Dell, without the hassles of reformatting or upgrading the RAM. Just a thought.
But as for reformatting, you shouldn't need to. Just let the PC boot from the XP CD and it will take care of it. The XP installer will not recognize the Linux partition and will let you format it from the installer (if I recall correctly).
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