I want install a new operating on my computer. I have XP now, but over time it's gotten slower and has been having problems so I'm hoping that a re-install of windows is what I need and I figure I might possibly get a new version of windows as well. My problem is that I'm not an expert with computers but I can follow instructions and am familiar with most of the concepts involved in re-installing. I'm just not sure where to start, or if this will really help. I have a Toshiba satellite laptop about 2 years old. I also have a big external hard drive which I assume could be big help with this. I'd also like to know what version of Windows would give me the least problems, and other measures I might take to make my computer run a little faster and minimize how much RAM is in use. One last thing I am interested in is about installing both the Mac OS and Windows on my computer, if it is possible at all. I had a friend who had both, but he may have had a Mac computer. Help in any of these topics is appreciated, thanks.
First of all Hi and welcome to Afterdawn. Before you entertain the idea of a re-installation, make a back up of all data, if you do not then all information will be lost permanently. The second major point would be to say, that we can only help you with original software for the operating system. It is absolutely pointless us discussing a torrent file that may or may not be worthwhile installing. Pay the bucks and get it right, just like A/V software..don't be tempted to grab a torrent on this either. With original OS disc in hand, the steps that follow are easy enough and you need no guide there. Follow the prompts and all will go well. It's my opinion only at this point that you do not install Vista. Vista just happens to take up alot of system resources is all. If you install XP pro for example, you can get by with 512mb of ram or perhaps you have 2gigs, and in that case your machine will function very well. As for Dual Booting....I'm at a loss here. I could explain how and such, but I'll leave that topic to the experienced Afterdawn members. You mention that you have a large capacity external hard drive. Ensure you disconnect it prior to an OS install. It just makes life easier I found. Keep us posted on how you get on yeah? All the best and cheers. EDIT IN ITALICS.
Lots of rather nice xp-sp3 clean rips about.. look carefully and you will find.. First you need to download http://www.winkeyfinder.com/ and save the key and the activation to a usb drive or other media.. off the machine. That allows you to reinstall xp which you have from any source.. M$ allow this because it's only the same as using a backup burn of your original disk.. key and activation remain with your licence. XP is usually short on network, graphics and sound drivers for these toshibas.. so take notes of which drivers you need before starting.. because afterwards if you only have the laptop.. and no network driver... how up is your puppy linux know how? http://www.winkeyfinder.com/ I split the hdd.. 10 gigs for OS.. the rest for data.. that's my usual method.. if there is a pretty large drive I also make a 1 to 2 gig small partition right at the arse end of the drive to use for the pagefile (swap area).. seems to stop the drive fragmenting too badly.. but that might be just me.. it doesn't seem to have any performance gains.. but maybe just for fun (and practice in partitioning drives) you could give it a go.. http://www.slyck.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=40522 I wouldn't bother with norton.. my partitioner of choice is cfdisk on the DSL live disk.
use the free " macrium reflect" to image your hard drive, that way you can reload your current system back in the laptop in case things go bad. Also for a 2 year old laptop windows XP is the best choice. http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
