Ive got a 5 year old HP laptop. It just isnt running well, freezing up, crashing, etc. Its running a bootleg windows 7 that my friend installed when i had him fix it the first time. I would like to wipe out everything on the computer and just start over. Is it as simple as buying a genuine copy of windows and reinstalling? will that wipe everything out including any viruses/spyware that i may have picked up. I was thinking about buying a new laptop but I kinda like this old thing and it does what i need it to do (when its working) so why spend 500 plus on a new laptop when i can spend 100 on windows
Who knows computers..... help me out here
- Thread starter king nothing
- Start date
Yes... You can wipe the HD before installing Windows 7 using the format utility built into the Win 7 installation program. The Windows 7 installation program will ask where you want to install it and give you the option of formatting the drive before installation.
U.M.
U.M.
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A fresh install *should* clear any virus or spyware that is on the hard drive, if you do a full format.
There are plenty of options for aquiring windows, or you could try using a free OS like Ubuntu if you just do basic web stuff.
There are plenty of options for aquiring windows, or you could try using a free OS like Ubuntu if you just do basic web stuff.
ultimately a fresh install is probably the answer but in the meantime have you tried running disc cleanup, defragmenter and ccleaner (its free)? I nursed my old toshiba along that way for a little while until I felt like dealing with it
for your answer yes it can be as easy as that. but just fyi if ur gunna spend 100 on a new windows copy u can get a new laptop with windows for around 300...nothing fancy but i can't imagine it'd be any slower than a 5 year old HP. Plus it'll have a warranty and last longer than a laptop thats already 5 years old. Just a suggestion tho
Laptops & Notebooks - Newegg.com
EDIT: If u do consider looking at a replacement this is a pretty decent deal and it has an I3 processor which is a lot better than what the other cheapos usually come with ... It's 399.99 so 100 off currently
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834215397
Laptops & Notebooks - Newegg.com
EDIT: If u do consider looking at a replacement this is a pretty decent deal and it has an I3 processor which is a lot better than what the other cheapos usually come with ... It's 399.99 so 100 off currently
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834215397
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It might not hurt to install some more ram to.
But yes, when you do a new windows install, it'll ask where you want to install it and give you the option of totally wiping the drive, just like UM said.
But yes, when you do a new windows install, it'll ask where you want to install it and give you the option of totally wiping the drive, just like UM said.
That's what happens when you look at porn man. 5 years is a long life cycle for a laptop if you ask me. Shouldn't that thing be running XP?
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Probably won't work if he's got a pirate version of Windows installed. It'll either install the original factory windows -- which he probably doesn't have a valid key for(hence the bootleg version), or the recovery partition has been removed.
This.
I bet that laptop really can't handle windows 7 and would probably run great with XP on it. I bought a laptop that had viruses on it for $50, it came with Vista on it, I installed XP on it and it runs super fast and smooth.
User system restore still leaves all files intact so if you have a virus it's still going to be on the machine. It just restores drivers/registry/configuration settings. If you don't really have data on the machine and clean wipe is extremely fast and simple... idiot proof, so you shouldn't have "too" much of a problem doing it.;-)
If I were you I would just put on UBUNTU for Netbooks. It has everything you need for basic computer and is extremely light on resources.
If I were you I would just put on UBUNTU for Netbooks. It has everything you need for basic computer and is extremely light on resources.
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busted......
:lol: damn dyslexia
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