problems with lap top

Skimmerking · #1 12-31-2008, 02:37 PM

ok here is my problem, i have a dell 7000 inspiron. its a older laptop, its a pent 356 with 256 ram. i know its old but i use it when the kids or Tammy is on the other computer. I have XP on there but its running slow with XP, my brother says it will run alot faster with 2000 since that was his other computer that he used to own. I want to put 2000 back on there and I have been trying fdisk, format but can't get it to erase.

Its telling me that the hardrive has to be disconnected, WTH. so how do i get the xp out and erased so i can put back in 2000. I went to my computer, opened it up and right clicked on C drive to frmat it wont let me.. i went to dos prompted and did the fdisk nothing ,and format C nothing. any thing else that im missing

banditpowdercoat · #2 12-31-2008, 02:42 PM

When you Fdisk, did you delete the Primary Dos partition? Then, after deleting the partition, you need to make a new primary DOS partition.

Also, can't just Format C from windows. It wont format the drive that the operating system is on. a protection feature.

chevyjaxon · #3 12-31-2008, 02:52 PM

on start up just as soon as you turn on the computer push
ALT F2 to enter boot menu select the D drive have your new operating system disk in there the rest is automatic if it is partitioned ALT F9 on startup should get you into the partition good luck hope this helps

Skimmerking · #4 12-31-2008, 03:32 PM

will this work even that i have xp as the OS in there now and windows 2000 is whati would like to put in since its fat 32 and xp is NTFS

midgetwaiter · #5 12-31-2008, 03:40 PM

Windows 2000 uses NTFS as well.

I don't think you are going to see a big performance boost from this, you'd be way better off just getting some more RAM, that's your problem.

Matt · #6 12-31-2008, 04:05 PM

Windows 2000 is going to be bringing you a lot of unpatchable security risks, and won't be much faster either. If you want performance from this older computer, get some RAM, which may be expensive, depending on how available it is, and switch to a user-friendly Linux (not an oxymoron).

Or, for a ridiculously small number these days, you could buy a new laptop! For me, the price is low enough that unless I was doing it for fun and learning, I wouldn't bother with an old laptop.

Happy new year!

Skimmerking · #7 12-31-2008, 04:06 PM

eheh My brother works for verichip in BC hs is one of the senior IT operators there. i thought that i would try this with out bugging him. so I got pushed in the right direction from him.. got a message from him on MSN lol gotta love you free tech support
from your big BRO
thanks to all who helped me out ..

brizzo · #8 12-31-2008, 04:17 PM

+1 on keeping XP and upgrading your ram.

asmodeus, chances are I have some ram that will work in it. On the bottom of the laptop there is an access panel. Can you check what type it is (Will probably say PC66 or PC100). Does it have 2x128mb or just 1x256mb stick? (SODIMM is the name of the ram sticks)

Let me know, and I can snail mail it to you as a late xmas gift

You might want to consider optimizing XP via disabling services you don't use. Caution must be used when doing this, but there is some good guides:

http://www.beemerworld.com/tips/servicesxp.htm

brizzo · #9 12-31-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Or, for a ridiculously small number these days, you could buy a new laptop! For me, the price is low enough that unless I was doing it for fun and learning, I wouldn't bother with an old laptop.

More toys! If you have decent eye sight (har har!) you might consider sub notebooks or whatever you might want to call them:

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...nufacture=Acer

Skimmerking · #10 12-31-2008, 04:36 PM

actually it has a 128 mb stick pc100 and a 64 mb stick say so i have 192 mb

Quote:

Originally Posted by nazerine

+1 on keeping XP and upgrading your ram.

asmodeus, chances are I have some ram that will work in it. On the bottom of the laptop there is an access panel. Can you check what type it is (Will probably say PC66 or PC100). Does it have 2x128mb or just 1x256mb stick? (SODIMM is the name of the ram sticks)

Let me know, and I can snail mail it to you as a late xmas gift

You might want to consider optimizing XP via disabling services you don't use. Caution must be used when doing this, but there is some good guides:

http://www.beemerworld.com/tips/servicesxp.htm