Thread: computer help, please!!!

If you just want to wipe the disk, run your new linux install disk and during the setup process it will need to create a new filesystem. You should have the option to Blat the existing filesystem then. This will "erase" all your old data and OS.

Buy a Mac mini.

My suggestion is not to make your first OS installation a Linux one.

Linux is great. Its free, adaptable and generaly easy to get running BUT getting the OS running is only the start. You need all of the peripherals to run as well. You make get lucky, but I doubt it.
Most people have trouble with, sound cards, video cards, burners, scanners, printers etc.

If you do go down the linux path you will learn a lot and IMHO it is what a lot more of us should do. Why do schools and buisnesses pay huge amounts of money for Microsoft products that only last a couple of years before they make them selves redundant?

End of rant (written on windows XP......sell out!)

Knucklehead makes some good points. Probably, if you knew how to install and setup Linux, you'd never have had to ask the question in this forum in the first place.

I currently use XP Pro but had Win98 for years without too many problems. Check for service packs and OS updates on the Microsoft web site. Do some tuning on your system (or get someone to do it for you). Changing an OS for what seems more like setup problems is a fairly dramatic step. Linux and Windows are like chalk and cheese and you really need to know what you're doing before going down that path.

Cheers,
Keith

Originally Posted by stuart_lees

Buy a Mac mini.

What about a Big Mac?
Perhaps a cheeseburger?

You may want to try ubuntu Linux (www.ubuntu.com). It has a 'live cd' you can download and basically run it's linux off the cd and not touch your windows disk. Once you confirm you can access all your peripherals etc, then you could install ubuntu linux on the hard disk (another CD).

Alternatively you could search the web for successful installs of a Linux (any flavour) on your model of laptop.

I have a HP/Compaq nx5000 which came with WinXP/Pro and I was most happy and surprised when I could
a. Test linux without wiping the disk to prove it worked
b. Actually install Linux and compress the Windows disk partition as part of the installation so I could dual boot (default Ubuntu and optionally WinXP/Pro).

Regards

Burn

what if i just used a diferent browser and mail client like firefox???

If the problems you are having are just explorer and windows mail then firefox is an alternative certainly. Firefox is just going to replace two applications. If other issues are effecting you use of the laptop then it won't help.

I suppose you could just try it and see what happens. It it doesn't resolve your problems, then perhaps switch to a Linux based OS.

Burn

Originally Posted by la Huerta

what if i just used a diferent browser and mail client like firefox???

I think going down the path of Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird is a better option. Since I changed I have had no spam, viuses or spyware since changing.

as mentioned above , will linux ask me when installing it to wipe out my old system...i know that this 98 does have problems and i don't get through more than a few days without having serious problems , my isp said that 98 is a problem with using broadband, i just looked the cost of xp home and it is'nt as pricey as i thought for an upgrade, but with a upgrade will any 98 problems still exist somewhere in the depths of my laptop, would i have to do a new install???

maybe i should save my money and time and wait till i can affort a better laptop, this is a dell and it's a few years old , what would be a better used laptop for around $5-$600 ...would most likely get one off ebay...

Originally Posted by stuart_lees

Buy a Mac mini.

Stu...I thought I was the resident Mac nut in here. Nice to know Im not alone

Originally Posted by la Huerta

maybe i should save my money and time and wait till i can affort a better laptop, this is a dell and it's a few years old , what would be a better used laptop for around $5-$600 ...would most likely get one off ebay...

My preferences for PC notebooks...even though I dont use them these days:

1. Toshiba
2. IBM
3. Acer

Brands I wouldnt touch with a barge pole:

1. Compaq
2. Dell (typing on one here at work and I hate it)

My opinions of course but based on experience with the above machines.

i finely got this damm laptop going, i reinstalled internet explorer ie6 and my modem driver and so far so good, i have a stack of photos on here and that would likely affect performance so what is a cheap external storage device for my pics?...

just have to buy thicknesser first then in a few months i will look at upgrading to a more powerfull laptop with xp already on it , i like the toshiba...