Basics for speeding up a slow computer

[texasflyfisher]

I you are going to re-install, might as well install Ubuntu Linux. That will speed it up. 

[Fisting_Chili]

Reinstalling windows after three years made my laptop fast as lightning again... 

Full reformat is the key!

[Mr. Whippy]

Well it seems not.  I must have repaired rather than re-installed  so the problem remains.

Will try again tonight.

When you get the DOS prompt, ask for complete reformat. (not just the quickie) You may have selected the wrong option.

You're going to start by making a bootable drive.
THEN you're installing windows.

[jzmtl]

Shouldn't need to, those recovery CDs are usually bootable themselves.

[Mr. Whippy]

Shouldn't need to, those recovery CDs are usually bootable themselves.

I mean, he wants to reformat C:/ as a bootable drive (with drive letter).  Basically wipe the drive and start again

[NutSAK]

Shouldn't need to, those recovery CDs are usually bootable themselves.

Yep, good point.  I thought he was using a Windows CD.  No need to reformat the drive then.  A recovery CD should return the system back to original form--as it left the factory.

If the system is slow after doing a full recovery, it's not a software issue.

[jzmtl]

Shouldn't need to, those recovery CDs are usually bootable themselves.

I mean, he wants to reformat C:/ as a bootable drive (with drive letter).  Basically wipe the drive and start again

Ah, gotcha.

Shouldn't need to, those recovery CDs are usually bootable themselves.

Yep, good point.  I thought he was using a Windows CD.  No need to reformat the drive then.  A recovery CD should return the system back to original form--as it left the factory.

If the system is slow after doing a full recovery, it's not a software issue.

I've encountered two types of recovery CD thou, my old IBM has the actual recovery CD that restore the hard drive to how it came new, but my current Dell's "recovery CD" is simply a win XP disk with a different label.

My parent's new Acer doesn't come with one, you have to buy it separately from them...

[NutSAK]

I've encountered two types of recovery CD thou, my old IBM has the actual recovery CD that restore the hard drive to how it came new, but my current Dell's "recovery CD" is simply a win XP disk with a different label.

   Huh.  That's good to know!  So, you an actually buy a new Dell, use the recovery CD, and immediately eliminate all the bloatware!

I like it. 

[Neil]

Nuke it from orbit, its the only way to be sure

I hope that helped

[Benner]

Seems all I did was repair, not re-install so having another go this evening.

[AHB]

Vaya Con Bios, or something Ben... 

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

Call Tech Support...

[jzmtl]

I've encountered two types of recovery CD thou, my old IBM has the actual recovery CD that restore the hard drive to how it came new, but my current Dell's "recovery CD" is simply a win XP disk with a different label.

   Huh.  That's good to know!  So, you an actually buy a new Dell, use the recovery CD, and immediately eliminate all the bloatware!

I like it. 

You know, I never thought it that way. But my "current" dell is already 5+ years old so I don't know what they come with now, or if they come with one at all.

[Benner]

8 mins left of re-install. 

[John]

8 mins left of re-install. 

So Ben how did it go? 

[Benner]

After a lot of help via PM from Andreas (many thanks pal!!) we are all good and I am just installing a few bits for her.

[John]

After a lot of help via PM from Andreas (many thanks pal!!) we are all good and I am just installing a few bits for her.

So what did you do in the end?  I need to know for the future,so when my sister asks I look like a pro when sorting hers out   

[Benner]

Complete re-install. 

[jzmtl]

So did it help?

[ecfiffer]

i like 'cleanup!'  make sure your speakers are turned up!!! 

reinstalling the OS would be good IF you have the disc, if not give ubuntu a go....

[NutSAK]

I've encountered two types of recovery CD thou, my old IBM has the actual recovery CD that restore the hard drive to how it came new, but my current Dell's "recovery CD" is simply a win XP disk with a different label.

   Huh.  That's good to know!  So, you an actually buy a new Dell, use the recovery CD, and immediately eliminate all the bloatware!

I like it.  

You know, I never thought it that way. But my "current" dell is already 5+ years old so I don't know what they come with now, or if they come with one at all.

I just bought a Dell laptop about a year ago, and it has a full recovery CD.  Bloatware included.  It has a recovery partition also.